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11-06-2009, 04:09 PM
| | Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: warwickshire england
Posts: 222
| | | I don't know how much more of this I can take. Please Help.
I have a large open wound on my tummy, from major surgery did not heal. I have had it for 12 years. Well yesterday the wound blew open a hole, as big as to fit a childs fist in. Not that I am going to. I have to put up with this all the time. The smell from it is disgusting, and the stuff that it discharges is gross. I clean and dress it 2-3 times daily I have been doing this for 12 years and I am better than any nurse dressing it. The pain is terrible I live on morphine.
Does anyone know of anyone else with this problem? I have had 12 operations to close the wound but it just bursts open again and again. Any help or advise would be greatly accepted. Thanks in anticipation. Caz. |
11-06-2009, 04:23 PM
|  | Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 267
| | | I had to have my appendix taken out a few years ago, the stitching got infected and I had to let it close up by itself. Left a real nasty scar, but it was completely healed up about 8 weeks after the surgery.
__________________
Georgetown University Class of 2008
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Type I Diabetic since 1988
Pumper since 2007
7/09 A1C - 6.1
Federal Employee
World Traveler
Philadelphia Native, Washington Resident
Go Hoyas! |
11-06-2009, 04:30 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NYC
Posts: 2,325
| | | I don't really have any advice but I want to say that's it's unbelievable no doctor has been able to fix that for you. What about a skin graft? Would that be a possibility? I'm sure that doctors will tell you it's worse because you have diabetes. They like to blame everything on diabetes.
__________________
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Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed Paradigm 722 6/2008 + CGMS
13mm Silhouettes + Sure-T infusion sets
Lifescan UltraSmart & UltraMini
Last A1c: 7/15/09: 5.8
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11-06-2009, 04:35 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: columbus ohio
Posts: 3,764
| | | carolyn,
I am so sorry, and yes that does sound diabetes related. and yes I have seen people log in with that type of thing going on somewhere.
alot of the people I have seen in log in with this type of issue I am not sure have hung around.
I would love you to stay with us!!!!
hopefully someone will come along with a similar story or some encouragement or advice.
I am so sorry this is happening to you. you deserve better than this. and I feel sad this is happening..
Kelli
__________________
July 31st 08 10.5
Sept 08 8.3
Oct 21 7.1
Nov21 6.2
March 23 09 5.8
july 5.9 1 year D!!!
lo carb under 50g a day and excersize
calorie restriction
quinipril- 5 mg a day
metformin ER 500 a day
80 mg varapimil 3 x a day
I LOVE YOU!
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11-06-2009, 04:39 PM
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,699
| | | I just complained to my doctor that my toe has not healed, 8 months after the toenail was removed. I honestly think it is a combination of Diabetes and getting older. I have had surgeries and cuts when I was younger and Diabetic that healed as quick as non Diabetic people. Just in the last few years that there has been a change.
__________________  Love doesn't make the world go around, but it makes the ride worthwhile.
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11-06-2009, 04:45 PM
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 120
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11-06-2009, 04:51 PM
|  | Super Moderator
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 10,080
| | | Have you ever been seen at a wound care center?
I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. Hard to believe in this day and age this can be allowed to continue for this long. What does your doctor suggest? I'm assuming you've seen multiple physicians about it?
__________________
T2, diagnosed 8/31/06.
Metformin 500 mg twice daily
HCTZ 12.5 mg every other day for BP
Enalapril 20 mg 1 daily (ace-inhibitor)
Lower carb dieter (approx. 75 total carbs/day, more on weekends), taking chromium, multivitamin and fish oil tablets
Initial A1C 8/06: 9.6
11/06: 6.2.
03/07: 5.3
06/07: 5.4
10/07: 5.3
05/08: 6.2 (after dealing with shingles & bronchiti)
2/09: 5.5 |
11-06-2009, 05:36 PM
| | Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 181
| | | Talk to Diabetes UK and find a consultant who specialises in this area. If you have a general surgeon it probably isn't good enough. |
11-06-2009, 05:43 PM
| | Junior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: cincinnati ohio
Posts: 8
| | | There is a device in the U.S. called something like a wound-care vacuum. It entails covering the wound area with a piece of tagaderm (non sticky variety). There is a hose that comes out of the tagaderm which goes to a pump. Any drainage is pulled away from the wound, and healing is improved by something like 25%. It is probably worth investigating. |
11-06-2009, 10:22 PM
| | Member
I am a: Type 1.5 | | Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 373
| | | No advice to give, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry you have to go through this awful situation. I hope you find proper care soon/immediately! So sorry!
__________________
Rachel 
type 1.5 since 12/04
2000 mg metformin, levothyroxine, symlin
paradigm 522 pump w/humalog & cgms
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11-07-2009, 01:53 AM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK
Posts: 1,047
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by carolyn  I have a large open wound on my tummy, from major surgery did not heal. I have had it for 12 years. Well yesterday the wound blew open a hole, as big as to fit a childs fist in. Not that I am going to. I have to put up with this all the time. The smell from it is disgusting, and the stuff that it discharges is gross. I clean and dress it 2-3 times daily I have been doing this for 12 years and I am better than any nurse dressing it. The pain is terrible I live on morphine.
Does anyone know of anyone else with this problem? I have had 12 operations to close the wound but it just bursts open again and again. Any help or advise would be greatly accepted. Thanks in anticipation. Caz. | Carolyn,
If it smell like that and oozing muck then you have an infection which needs treating urgently.
Can they not use an internal patch like they do for a hernia to close the wound?
Please go and see your Dr or call the after hours Dr so you can be treated properly.
Best wishes
Sue
__________________
Sue
Pumping using bovine insulin. (Pump kindly donated by Solox)
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11-07-2009, 02:04 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 5,908
| | | Caz,
None of us could possibly understand what you have had to deal with for 12 years. I got a wound infection after my appendix was removed, they to reopen the wound and allow it heal, took 10 weeks of dressing - I can't imagine 12 years.
But if it is oozing and smelling, that surely can't be a sign that all is well? My suggestion is that you try see another surgeon, specialist, plastic surgeon, harley street?
__________________  Cosmo the Duck: is with Gretchen in Cambridge, MA. Ping the Duck: is with Nancy
Metformin 500mg twice daily, Enap 5mg
Diagnosed T2 on 26th Nov'07, with BG of 21mmol/L (378mg/dL) and A1c of 11.6%.
Most recent A1c 10/09/09: 6.1%
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11-07-2009, 04:59 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK
Posts: 877
| | | You are a strong person don't give up you can and will get through this. What does your endo/dr have to say about it? Can they refer you to a specialist? If it's really bad now go to A&E at least they can clean it up and possibly give you better care than just putting another dressing on it. If all they want to do is put a dressing on it then explain your situation, it's not good enough to just "ignore" it and hope it goes away. I hope you find the answers you're looking for. |
11-07-2009, 09:55 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California
Posts: 1,941
| | | Carolyn,
Ask your doctor to refer you to a wound center at a teaching hospital. There have been enormous strides in healing wounds just like yours in the last 3-4 years. You didn't mention if you had been treated by vacuum wound healing. You sound like the perfect candidate.
Make sure it is a well-recognized hospital, even if you must commute. I wish you luck so you can get on with your life.
Mich |
11-07-2009, 10:21 AM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 5,278
| | I agree with all the posters above that this is unacceptable... perhaps your own Doctors have run out of ideas but that does not mean that they can stop looking... please insist on getting referred elsewhere.
How is your BG control in all this? Probably the least of your worries but I'm sure you appreciate how good control can help with healing... especially when you do find a Doctor/Clinic/Hospital who can help you... and I'm confident that you will 
__________________
Frank
51 year old male, Metabolic Syndrome Dx Mar. 2003 |
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(11.6mmol/L or 211mg/dl) 
