Am I being a baby?

[jaq1964]

Acouple of weeks ago I badly scalded my foot which required a skin graft. I didn't feel that my foot was burnt when it happened as I have diabetic neuropathy. However, since the first dressing change the painful side of the neuropathy has got extremely bad, almost to the point that I don't want to go for the dressings to be changed (which at the moment is every other day) and keep trying to think of an excuse not to go. I have been having morphine and gas and air whilst the dressings are being changed, but feel that the nurses don't want me to use them anymore (they have said as much). I really don't like the morphine as it makes me headachey so would be happier not to take it. What worries me is if they stop the gas and air at the same time. To be honest, I'd rather not have the dressings changed than to go 'cold turkey'. Having the dressings changed sets the painful neuropathy off so bad that I can't think straight, but am I baby not wanting to stop all the pain relief at the same time? I'm going demented with the thought of the next dressing change. Any advise will be much appreciated.

[Pea Pod]

I should think a burn is the worst pain in the world. If you need pain relief you have it. The nurses are not the ones going through it. I was in hospital once when they came around with the drugs,here we come with the sweetie trolley they said. My friend also a nurse used the same expression till she had an operation herself. You do whats best for you.Good Luck.

[Le Chat]

When in any situation like this I always say to those involved ie, the nurses. "What would you do if I were say The Queen, or perhaps Cherie Blair?"
Or even..I used this one before she died ... "If I came to you with this condition and I were Lady Di, what would you recommend?"
You'd be surprised how it can make people think for a minute and also gets across your point!

[nigella]

Nurses can only offer suggestions regarding pain relief but ultimately cannot deny pain relief to someone who is in pain and since pain is subjective, they have no right to question your experience of pain. my advice would be to discuss your fears thoroughly on your next visit, describe the pain, how its unbearable, if that is the case.tell them how you fear each visit, they will listen! i would also suggest that you take appropriate pain killers,(ones that you know work for you) prior to the appointment, allow enough time for them to work, and use the gas and air as a 'top up'