I have had 2 Stage III wounds and, unfortunately, it started out as pressure but was exacerbated by the laziness of the health care professionals involved. I.e. not getting a script off fast enough for a new wheelchair cushion in 2009 and a home health agency nurse infecting that wound which made it go out of control and therefore took a long long long time healing.
Anyway, in 2004 I had one on my left ischial tuberocity (but bone) and I was put on the KCI Wound Vac. We never knew what caused that wound but it wasn't pressure. The Wound Vac cut my wound in the half over night (pretty much literally) and then it healed rather quickly (albeit six months). My only insurance was Medicare and Medicare would only pay for the wound vac for one month. The rest of the time I had to stay off of it and began drinking protein drinks. HOWEVER, thanks to my husband's medical knowledge he would not let me drink one of those big protein jars or cans every single day. I asked him why and he said "It will ruin your kidneys." Not in those exact words but pretty much. I have always used a rotating air mattress and, because of caregiving, have had to be in a hospital bed. Well, not the entire time because other times I have slept on a waffle air mattress or a cushion/gel mattress. But, especially with my last Stage III wound that began in 2009 and having to spend a lot of time in one position... I have been on the rotating air mattress all the time. I agree with all the advice given as well. When I did not want to stay off the "small" wound that started in 2009 I got up 5 hours every day but, in hindsight, that was stupid and it cost me more than words can say. In other words, Kay described wounds very well. Prior to 2010 I never knew what "shearing" was and ever since getting that wound and having it turn into a Stage III wound... I soon learned that every bump I go over with my wheelchair or in my van... the bone underneath wants to push through the compromised skin so we have to stay on top of it all the time or it will break open again and again and again which it has... even with protective practices from my wound care doctor. If the bone wants to break through from going over an unexpected good bump... it will. Get on top of it ASAP and then stay off of it. It's a real pain in the ass (pardon the pun) but you have to do what you have to do. Having a Stage IV makes things even more vulnerable. All my best, ~Lori On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 4:13 PM, Kay at Amplified Agility < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi Ben – > > > > I have seen the replies and just want to chime in with a “remember that > wounds are an inside out and outside in” issue…meaning gut health, presence > or not of “opportunistic critters” in the gut, nutritional status etc. are > really important. Also, when you have a wound as you are describing you > need considerably more protein and other micronutrients to facilitate > healing as well….I hope you have a knowledgeable nutritionist on your team. > > > > We deal with this a lot… > > > > > > > > [image: photo] > > *Kay Lathrop* > Program Director, Amplified Agility, LLC > > 1-619-501-3752 | www.amplifiedagility.com | > 4275 Executive Square, Suite 200 La Jolla, CA 92037 > > [image: > https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.wisestamp.com/icons_32/facebook.png] > <http://www.facebook.com/kay.lathrop.14> [image: > https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.wisestamp.com/icons_32/linkedin.png] > <http://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylathrop/> [image: > https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.wisestamp.com/icons_32/twitter.png] > <http://twitter.com/AmpAgility> > > > > > > *From:* Ben Mattlin [mailto:[email protected]] > *Sent:* Thursday, May 18, 2017 4:04 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* [QUAD-L] Re: Pressure wound advice > > > > Thanks, everyone, for your comments and feedback. It's interesting how > different people have very different experiences. I don't yet have the > Wound VAC but should have it soon. Oddly, sitting in my chair does not > seem to be the cause of the pressure wound. So maybe it's my bed. I find > it hard to breathe when I lie on my side very long, hope a different > mattress will help. Frustrating, not knowing the cause or the best > solution. But you all give me hope that there WILL BE a solution, > eventually. Peace! > -- "Petting, scratching and cuddling a dog could be soothing to the mind and heart and deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer." ~Dean Koontz
