Page 6 | Husband leg infection being almost ignored (disgusting pics included)

NOTSUREWHATIMDOINHERE · 2024-09-07T22:12:03+00:00

Hello So been at nurse 3 weeks in row. Had leg infection for 2 weeks antibiotics not working and it's now worse. Smells. Pain so severe he cant walk so will be off work now! Nurse just dressing it and sending him away after asking gp to prescribe 2nd set of different antibiotics after 1st set that was supposed to be the right ones for that infection did absolutely nothing to help him. What would you do ? We are worried, he can't get about its horrible. He had a venous ulcer but this was due to that part of the leg getting bumped and all of sudden this infection gets worse , he was hiding it from me !

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 08/09/2024 06:56

@NOTSUREWHATIMDOINHERE that looks more like a varicose ulcer. he would be better in hospital for treatment. how old is your husband?

MarieG10 · 08/09/2024 07:01

Just seen he went last night. I agree re posts about advocating forcefully. I have seen inside the NHS and it is dreadful, and care in places worse than third world. You have to be forceful and insist in things being recorded in notes as frequently they are not

INeedNewShoes · 08/09/2024 07:01

NeedaBreakSoon · 07/09/2024 23:25

Pisses me off when people say that they will “insist on” or demand particular treatments .

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These are the words of someone who thinks that walking through the doors of A&E is all that is needed to receive the required treatment. I used to think that but now I know it's not true. My DD was sent away from hospital with an illness that is fatal in 20% of cases because they didn't investigate properly and misdiagnosed her with something run of the mill. Luckily we got away with it but I have learned that in today's NHS where everything is so overstretched, that being able to 'insist' as a patient or their parent can be vital.

BunnyLake · 08/09/2024 07:20

Beautifulscribbles · 07/09/2024 23:21

I've never actually replied to an MN post because I can never be bothered - I just read them. But this is my first reply as it looks VERY much like Cellulitis which can be deadly. I have a relative currently recovering from it. You need to go to A&E, right now. Not tomorrow.

That was my first thought. My ex got cellulitis in his leg and it looked very much like this. It’s potentially dangerous. He spent about three weeks in hospital so no minor thing. A&E asap.

IVbumble · 08/09/2024 07:36

Bestyearever2024 · 08/09/2024 06:53

I am amazed to see how horrified people are at the sight of a venous leg ulcer

Why are you amazed?

The only time I've seen anything worse than the pictures on this thread was when I saw a pyoderma gangrenosum on someone's leg.

That was utterly horrendous

The OPs husband's leg looks horrific to me

Maybe you've become desensitised through your work?

It's not a case of becoming desensitised through your work - it's just that when you have undertaken wound care training & seen a lot of wounds on many patients you learn how to grade severity.

Unless you have this experience most severe wounds would look horrific - many people would be shocked for example by wounds in patients that you could fit your hand inside - these types of wounds can be exacerbated if we don't look after ourselves well throughout our life.

I hope OP's DH is reassured by seeking further medical support.

CKMc2b · 08/09/2024 07:44

Please tell me you went to the emergency department!

I just about fell off my chair when I saw the pic. It's medical negligence that they haven't sent him to the hospital already.

pinkstripeycat · 08/09/2024 07:44

This could result in sepsis. Saw a tv programme last night where a man had died from sepsis due to infected skin on his lower legs.

Go to the hospital

LBFseBrom · 08/09/2024 07:59

MissyB1 · 07/09/2024 23:14

He needs to be seen at the hospital.

Yes! Urgently. Take him to A&E today, that is appalling and he is not receiving the right treatment. For goodness sakes he could lose his foot or worse!

Bestyearever2024 · 08/09/2024 08:04

IVbumble · 08/09/2024 07:36

It's not a case of becoming desensitised through your work - it's just that when you have undertaken wound care training & seen a lot of wounds on many patients you learn how to grade severity.

Unless you have this experience most severe wounds would look horrific - many people would be shocked for example by wounds in patients that you could fit your hand inside - these types of wounds can be exacerbated if we don't look after ourselves well throughout our life.

I hope OP's DH is reassured by seeking further medical support.

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Yes. I totally understand what you're saying

But it makes perfect sense that I, who has no care training and who hasn't seen a lot of wounds, would be horrified when looking at the OPs photos

I'm therefore still a bit hmmmm at the poster who says they are 'amazed' at how horrified I and others are 🤣

BrendaSmall · 08/09/2024 08:11

Any news on your husband this morning?

Tumbleweed101 · 08/09/2024 08:13

That looks like it’s becoming a ulcer which can be very tricky to heal. Definitely get a specialist opinion. I
hope he can get help that looks very sore.

Flossyts · 08/09/2024 08:17

How is he op? X

Mischance · 08/09/2024 08:23

This is what happens when patients a fobbed off with nurses (who have an important role of course) when they need a proper medical assessment. General practice is down the pan.

Hope A&E can instigate proper treatment, which is needed NOW.

Anewuser · 08/09/2024 08:32

Awful to feel OPs husband appears to have been fobbed off previously.

Like everyone else, I really hope he gets the treatment he needs.

The last time I saw a leg like this was on my dad. Unfortunately his went to gangrene. He had the choice of leg removal or death.

ratherbesurfing · 08/09/2024 08:32

Bloody hell OP, I hope he’s OK!

Girlslikepearls · 08/09/2024 08:33

olympicsrock · 08/09/2024 05:47

This is a sensible post. I am a vascular consultant and see lots of leg ulcers. In these pictures I can skin changes representing chronic venous insufficiency. There is nothing here on the photo to suggest infection. This does NOT look like cellulitis.

Wet ulcers can be very smelly AND painful but are not necessarily infected . Often there is bacterial colonization not infection. Leg ulcers are often over treated with antibiotics. Sometimes they are not being changes often enough and the dressings stink.

Are the dressings becoming soaked through OP ?

Unless he is unwell ( high temp , fast heart rate or just unwell in himself , he does not need to go to ED) .

What he definitely does need is high elevation of his leg so on the sofa or in bed with a pile
of cushions under the leg with his toes at the level of his nose. He needs enough pain relief to do this. He also needs compression bandaging.

Go back to see the practice nurse on Monday, discuss the frequency of dressing changes , pain relief he is getting and ask for vascular assessment. I’m afraid there are so many referrals like that he may not be seen for a month or 2 . The criteria for referral is an ulcer that has not healed despite 2 weeks in full compression and then they wait a month. There are millions of people in the community with this sort of wound that clearly Mumsnetters do not see. I am amazed to see how horrified people are at the sight of a venous leg ulcer.

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with due respect @olympicsrock , even if you are a VC, you shouldn't diagnose from photos online. Very irresponsible without knowing anything about the 'patient'.

As for being 'amazed' I am not a surgeon (and who knows if you are) but my first thoughts were gangrene could set in and a loss of a lower limb.

Thankfully the OP has ignored your 'advice' and gone to see a doctor in real life.

user1498193554 · 08/09/2024 08:34

olympicsrock · 08/09/2024 05:47

This is a sensible post. I am a vascular consultant and see lots of leg ulcers. In these pictures I can skin changes representing chronic venous insufficiency. There is nothing here on the photo to suggest infection. This does NOT look like cellulitis.

Wet ulcers can be very smelly AND painful but are not necessarily infected . Often there is bacterial colonization not infection. Leg ulcers are often over treated with antibiotics. Sometimes they are not being changes often enough and the dressings stink.

Are the dressings becoming soaked through OP ?

Unless he is unwell ( high temp , fast heart rate or just unwell in himself , he does not need to go to ED) .

What he definitely does need is high elevation of his leg so on the sofa or in bed with a pile
of cushions under the leg with his toes at the level of his nose. He needs enough pain relief to do this. He also needs compression bandaging.

Go back to see the practice nurse on Monday, discuss the frequency of dressing changes , pain relief he is getting and ask for vascular assessment. I’m afraid there are so many referrals like that he may not be seen for a month or 2 . The criteria for referral is an ulcer that has not healed despite 2 weeks in full compression and then they wait a month. There are millions of people in the community with this sort of wound that clearly Mumsnetters do not see. I am amazed to see how horrified people are at the sight of a venous leg ulcer.

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Exactly this! I was shocked reading some of
the responses on here but then I realise how much we are exposed to as clinicians . But a couple of sensible posts - I hope your husband gets sorted!

Girlslikepearls · 08/09/2024 08:35

user1498193554 · 08/09/2024 08:34

Exactly this! I was shocked reading some of
the responses on here but then I realise how much we are exposed to as clinicians . But a couple of sensible posts - I hope your husband gets sorted!

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Oh jolly good for you.

Don't fall off your high horses

AgnesX · 08/09/2024 08:44

@NOTSUREWHATIMDOINHERE

Edit: deleted as read some further updates

hollylou · 08/09/2024 08:46

I'm horrified by the number of non medical people suggesting A&E is an appropriate place for a leg ulcer to be seen and the need for IV antibiotics. The majority of the redness around that wound is chronic skin change from having had a venous ulcer in the past. I don't deny It needs appropriate attention but certainly not A&E, he probably needs compression which I very much doubt any a&e nurse is trained to do. Ulcers are very painful and do smell but the local practice nurse is well able and trained to deal with it.

ButterCrackers · 08/09/2024 08:48

olympicsrock · 08/09/2024 05:47

This is a sensible post. I am a vascular consultant and see lots of leg ulcers. In these pictures I can skin changes representing chronic venous insufficiency. There is nothing here on the photo to suggest infection. This does NOT look like cellulitis.

Wet ulcers can be very smelly AND painful but are not necessarily infected . Often there is bacterial colonization not infection. Leg ulcers are often over treated with antibiotics. Sometimes they are not being changes often enough and the dressings stink.

Are the dressings becoming soaked through OP ?

Unless he is unwell ( high temp , fast heart rate or just unwell in himself , he does not need to go to ED) .

What he definitely does need is high elevation of his leg so on the sofa or in bed with a pile
of cushions under the leg with his toes at the level of his nose. He needs enough pain relief to do this. He also needs compression bandaging.

Go back to see the practice nurse on Monday, discuss the frequency of dressing changes , pain relief he is getting and ask for vascular assessment. I’m afraid there are so many referrals like that he may not be seen for a month or 2 . The criteria for referral is an ulcer that has not healed despite 2 weeks in full compression and then they wait a month. There are millions of people in the community with this sort of wound that clearly Mumsnetters do not see. I am amazed to see how horrified people are at the sight of a venous leg ulcer.

Show quote history

Wait a month or two … how appalling that people with pain and open wounds have to wait a month or two. Any other country with such a healthcare system? Your advice to wait to see a nurse on Monday is wrong. This person needs immediate healthcare by a trained medical professional, which is not yourself luckily.

Original poster

NOTSUREWHATIMDOINHERE · 08/09/2024 08:50

He phoned 111, a Dr called him back , they were reluctant to actually let him talk to one, they won't help other than prescribe pain meds! He away A&E after he gets the meds. Its a disaster. Nobody is interested ... just keep saying we can't do anything , your on the antibiotics still... I'm so angry! They jus want to leave him like this. He wouldn't just go without calling in to out of hours. He heard that out local A&e is a 12 hour wait ( someone we know was there recently unfortunately) and he will really struggle to sit there for 12 hours. Poor situation.

He is 43 years old. Supports the family as I'm a stay at home mum with autistic children. We just bought our 1st home a year ago. He will have to take time off work now and we are not financially prepared. Nightmare.

OP posts:

Coopee · 08/09/2024 08:50

NOTSUREWHATIMDOINHERE · 08/09/2024 00:14

This is so awful. I'm so sorry to hear it. Thank you for the reply. We'll get him in tonight.

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OP how is your husband doing? I do hope he got to A&E and is getting the treatment he clearly needs. There is no shame in questioning a Dr/nurse/consultant to ensure you understand their treatment plan and reasoning behind it. They should not take offense. Transparency is key.

I'm the last person to go to Dr, let alone A&E, but that was definitely required.

ButterCrackers · 08/09/2024 08:50

hollylou · 08/09/2024 08:46

I'm horrified by the number of non medical people suggesting A&E is an appropriate place for a leg ulcer to be seen and the need for IV antibiotics. The majority of the redness around that wound is chronic skin change from having had a venous ulcer in the past. I don't deny It needs appropriate attention but certainly not A&E, he probably needs compression which I very much doubt any a&e nurse is trained to do. Ulcers are very painful and do smell but the local practice nurse is well able and trained to deal with it.

Immediate healthcare. A&E is the place when something is going wrong leading to risk of infection and pain. The pain must be bad. Would anyone let their dog or cat suffer like this or would they see the emergency vet?

hollylou · 08/09/2024 08:51

Mischance · 08/09/2024 08:23

This is what happens when patients a fobbed off with nurses (who have an important role of course) when they need a proper medical assessment. General practice is down the pan.

Hope A&E can instigate proper treatment, which is needed NOW.

Practice nurses are autonomous professionals who are more than capable of treating this kind of thing.. if you asked a GP to treat this they wouldn't have a clue as its not their area of specialism and most would agree with what the nurse reccomend. Such a rude and uninformed statement.