"A journey through the side effects of CRPS"

One of the complications that can arise with CRPS can be ulcers esp in lower limb affected area. The ulcers can appear with little cause and be very difficult to heal. Now ulcers can be painful but add to it in an area of chronic pain.....     

Also they can attract infections. For the past 6 years I have had 3 outbreaks lasting weeks then healed. This time its 10 weeks and counting and 10 infections. The Ccats wound team have striven to find the most suitable treatment and called in GPS and dermatology to treat infections and gain more information on treating wounds that brush away most treatments. 

They have worked with me with empathy and a goal of helping me. It hasn't been easy as wounds have to be cleaned and they have striven to be effective and reduce pain even tho its more a case of get it done and not prolong. Their empathy and including me with all options have helped me get thru. At times with pandemic lock downs and isolation I have been low but the chat and manner has lifted my spirits even tho at times the pain is like a red hot poker being pushed into my wounds as being cleaned. I take oramoroh prior to treatment but it isn't very effective against CRPS infected wounds. Other factors have been their attention to ensure appointments fit in to times when my wife is able to take me. In pre CRPS days I could walk in less than 10ins I tried it recently and it was approaching an hour. 

On some occasions they may be late but I'm very aware that all patients are individual and treatment doesn't always follow appointment allocation patterns. 

My biggest gripe would be that a relatively new health centre hasn't a sluce incorporated. Now my leg is in 4 part compression and the leg is only exposed twice a week yet they are unable to wash my leg as there is no sluce. Now debraidnent is a substantial part of the initial treatment process to remove possible sites of future ulcers. My wife had to take a day's hol to take me elsewhere in order for it to be treated, earlier in treatment when I could still drive I had to drive there and back the return journey in horrendous pain after debridement. 

So I'm saying a big thank you to the team who work brilliantly plus the healthcare assistants who help as getting materials when there.