Followup: tissue infection

[doc]

HG6, I feel so bad for you. This is a terrible predicament you are in. But like everyone else said, that ulcer needs close and frequent follow-up. I am worrying about your leg/ankle alot. As far as the honey goes, it should be applied fairly thickly. Enough so that the sugar totally overwhelms the bacteria.

A gross but true fact, maggots are fabulous for helping to keep the type of wound you have very clean and aid tremendously in healing. I don't think you can get anyone to actually give them to you, but this has been studied repeatedly and is known to be true. I guess no one can bring themselves to actually putting maggots on another human being on purpose. Here are 3 of a zillion reports about maggots.

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/94/102721.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/gmis9814.htm

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTX024102.html

[HipGnosis6]

The problem with occlusive dressings that are available on the consumer market is that I can't buy one that's large enough. I figured out how to order them on the interweb, but they're much too expensive to even consider. The same with burn dressings, which are designed to be wet - I COULD get them, but they aren't really readily available to the average consumer and are outrageously expensive.

I don't like the idea of saran-wrapping my wound either, but I'm having a hard time coming up with any better plan. I don't know, w/p/b yardage maybe?

[pll]

I understand the predicament, but the alternative (not healing properly and needing surgery) is surely more expensive than a supply of dressings. Since you mentioned you are a full time student, can the student health services at the college/university you attend come up with some samples you can use, some discount (or even a charge to your student account) on appropriate dressings for the wound?
Thinking of you,

-pll

[HipGnosis6]

Here's the latest:

Nothing's changed.

The lady at the clinic doesn't seem to be able to really help me much and I, being uninsured, can't persue more aggressive treatment without incurring sizeable debt (which would probably tip me over into bankruptcy, which would mean my credit would not allow me to get the loans I need for school).

I was covered at the time of the accident but my health insurance expired six days afterwards, and now they're denying my claim for the ER visit because it was related to an accident and it's my problem that I don't have auto insurance to pay for it.

I still have a painful, disgusting open wound halfway up the side of my calf.

[Grog]

HG6:

This is awful, and I am terribly angry at what's happening to you.

What a stupid system you are caught in!!!!!

Can anyone you know - friend, family member - help you with this? I really fear for your leg...

[pll]

How about we help? HG6: send me a PM with your snail mail address. A little cash may help (crazy idea on a Sunday evening). This situation in one of the richest countries in the world.

-pll

[Triskeliongirl]

There is something not right here. I work for a university, and our university hospital, as a public hospital is legally obliged to provide medical care for all regardless of their ability to pay. Furthermore, we require all our students to purchase health insurance, so I don't understand why you have none. Please go to infirmary at your college, or public hospital and seek appropriate care. I was a poor student once too, but I was never denied care by the folks at the university medical center. Maybe you screwed up and didn't elect health insurance coverage through your univeristy. But this wound center says they treat folks on a sliding scale so please go there and be treated. Your health is more important than debt. Sorry to be so blunt, but how much money can you ever earn if your leg ends up amputated? Do you have parents or other family members you can call for help? As bad as the situation is in the USA your siuation just doesn't make sense to me.

[doc]

Here's the latest:

Nothing's changed.

The lady at the clinic doesn't seem to be able to really help me much and I, being uninsured, can't persue more aggressive treatment without incurring sizeable debt (which would probably tip me over into bankruptcy, which would mean my credit would not allow me to get the loans I need for school).

I was covered at the time of the accident but my health insurance expired six days afterwards, and now they're denying my claim for the ER visit because it was related to an accident and it's my problem that I don't have auto insurance to pay for it.

I still have a painful, disgusting open wound halfway up the side of my calf.

You truly risk losing your leg if you don't aggressively treat this wound. Frankly, if you develop a staph or strep infection on top of whatever you have you are risking your life. Hospitals, especially those affiliated with medical schools treat people who can't/don't pay all the time. At this point the money is no longer relevant. Many people file for bankruptcy and emerge and go on with clean financial records. Figure out the money later. Get to the wound clinic/surgeon NOW

[crazycanuck]

Hip...just wanted to see how your're doing...I hope you were able to sort something out kiddo.

Take care of yourself and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that something good comes your way.

c

[doc]

Hip...just wanted to see how your're doing...I hope you were able to sort something out kiddo.

Take care of yourself and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that something good comes your way.

c

Ditto