Chronic wound after dog attack, 6 months later

[TheBusyMoose]

ok so I need to know if I am being extreme to be so frustrated and annoyed with this situation.

long story short I was attacked by a dog in November and had surgery. It got infected and I had 3 further surgeries a few weeks later. It is now a chronic wound and simply won't heal, I've had 5 more surgeries and I go to the hospital every week and they umm and ahh and say come back next week. I have a hole in my leg, I am in pain and it seems endless. I will post progression photos but it looks worse if anything than when it first happened. I have never been under a doctors care, just see the wound care nurse every week and every so often she will get a doctor and I go back to surgery. I've had enough and not really sure where to go from here

Maybe concentrate on what the OP is saying rather than going on an anti dog rant. She’s said she has found the idea of the dog being destroyed upsetting do leave it

Jesus christ you poor poor woman.

Have you seen a tissue viability nurse? I think you need to be under their care ASAP

Are you looking for recommendations OP?

my husband ran his hand through a table saw a few months ago. He’s diabetic and kept getting infections in it. The hospital were fantastic, and kept trying different methods, but the wound wasn’t healing.

A few years ago he also cut the tops of his fingers….basically lost his fingertips. It was during Covid so no going to hospitals, so I looked after them. Within a couple of weeks they were healed and he never got an infection, so I got the same product for his hand this time. A week later he went back to the hospital and they couldn’t believe the improvement.

this is what I got:
https://www.inishpharmacy.com/products/l-mesitran-hydroactive-antibacterial-wound-ointment-with-medical-grade-honey-50g?variant=51856165798231

i am in Ireland but you should be able to get it in the UK. It really is amazing.

I think you need a referral to a plastic surgeon OP. I’m so sorry you’ve been suffering so much. Is your immune system ok generally

Both can be the cause of infection, so can pseudomonas which is green. Did the doctor see the swab results, have you been on antibiotics. Is it oozing any fluid or pus. It definitely needs a doctor review, which part of the country are you in.

Plastics have been involved from the start

It's leaking through the dressing on a daily basis. No antibiotics currently. Doctor didn't seem them, just the nurse.

This is awful op. You have a temp, severe pain, fatigue and an unhealing wound. How many more clues it's infected do they need?

Imo you need admitting for iv antibiotics and a strict dressing protocol.

Umm and ahhing isn't good enough, if they can't help you they need to seek immediate advice from specialists. Yes plastics have their place but this sounds like you need more expertise involvement and maybe a vascular review if not had already,

My understanding is it's not bad enough... all my readings are borderline. Even my CRP is elevated and shows somethings up but not high enough to be very concerning. They said they're concerned about giving more antibiotics and any bug becoming resistant while it's not currently overwhelming my system

The nurse will be used to simple bog standard leg ulcer dressings or similar. This is far more complex and you really need to push for more expert involvement.
It's oozing, smelly, non healing and you have a temp plus feel unwell. The nurse needs sacking.

But CRP being elevated should always be acted on and taken seriously.

Sorry op, i don't want to annoy or alarm you but your plastics team don't seem to be proactive enough imo. Ask for a vascular review have they even checked blood supply is good with no underlying circulatory issues?

Yes resistance is always a risk but a chronic infection can lead to complications. Anyway, good luck .

Raised CRP but not reaching levels indicating infection also fits with PG. I feel like I’m talking into the void somewhat here though.

I will ask about it when I'm next in. I am happy to take any and all ideas. Thank you for suggesting x

No I agree. I just feel like I go in they change the dressing and hope things will magically sort themselves. And anything else I have going on must be for a different reason so see my gp who says there's a whacking great hole in your leg no wonder you have a temp etc go back to hospital ...

and I am so exhausted and worn down that advocating for myself is draining and makes me cry and then they try and refer me for therapy due to the trauma when I just want it sorted and to be able to live my life

I wouldn't wait until your next nurse sppt, you need to see a doctor. Your gp can take bloods, review your bloods, speak to the hospital and request an urgent review.

Holy fuck OP, that is just awful, you poor poor thing. I have no suggestions but you are definitely not being unreasonable!

I agree, don't just wait.

Your posts come across as somewhat passive @TheBusyMoose , this can be a feature of a traumatic injury.

Do you have a relative or friend who could help you advocate more strongly?

Things you could do on Saturday:
Get checked via urgent care
Research complaints process
Research second opinion process (ask for the best place, not the nearest)
Research civil case firms

Things you could do on Monday:
Call for an urgent GP appointment to discuss
Start phoning about a civil case
Start the complaints process
Start the second opinion process

You've had a very impactful experience, it's a lot to deal with. Must have been scary.

I am so sorry you are suffering.

I had a wound dehiscence in October and was admitted for three weeks. During the first debridement they took cultures and grew them for a week. During that time I had a vac dressing and was on IV antibiotics. Then they told me it was MSSA and put me on different antibiotics. I had a further debridement and they were able to close the wound.

I was discharged with three months’ oral antibiotics at home, while I thought I was fine but it was horrible. I am now fine though I have problems related to the original surgery not the wound dehiscence.

I was under the care of the Infectious Diseases team under a fabulous consultant and I have now been discharged. Apparently they were very concerned about me for a long time.

I do not know why you are not under the care of Infectious Diseases and a specialist doctor or consultant. I think you may have to insist on a referral because this has taken so long.

This isn’t a wound dressing issue, it’s about getting rid of the underlying infection. The fact that your CRP is elevated and your temperature is not returning to normal is very worrying.

I hope you can be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. You need the best care.

Your GPs response is appalling. Just because you have a wound does not mean you should have a temperature, odour, leakage, chronic fatigue.

They need to do more and if any of them bleat on about 'oo the risk of antibiotic resistance' say omg an open wound and temperature could obviously lead to serious complications!

I know it must be draining and depressing but the treatment you are getting is inadequate and clearly ineffective.

Tell the nurse you want a full review with the consultant asap, tell the consultant if they cannot help can they please seek advice from someone senior or more experienced, a different team whatever.

Sadly in healthcare we only get listened to when we make a lot of noise, we shouldn't have to but they just see us a box to tick sometimes.

I don't know your age but in someone who isn't elderly, isn't frail, doesn't have underlying conditions any wounds should heal within a short period of time.

Best of luck and I'm so sorry for the miserable time you're having.

Update: I started throwing up this morning so came to urgent care/ a and e. My news score is 7 I'm on my way for an X-ray and iv antibiotics. I'm feeling absolutely awful

So sorry to hear this op. Good though that doing investigations and thank god started IV antibiotics. They've sat on you for too long imo.
Best of luck

So sorry to hear this. IV antibiotics sounded much needed. Time to really advocate for yourself. Please let us know how you get on 💐

So sorry you are feeling worse but at least you are being treated. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Please please ask for a referral to the tissue viability nurses. Be explicit that you have not seen them yet.

So glad you're back in hospital abd hope you actually get the right treatment, you've been through the mill with all that's happened to you. We're all here if you want to offload but rest up, wishing you all the best

I'm glad you're getting seen, hope things start improving for you soon