OT:I need advice on mattress toppers to prevent bedsores

[Marietjie]

I have to buy a mattress topper for my husband who is developing bedsores on his ankle due to poor blood circulation.
Could anyone please help me with the correct choice - Memory Foam or Egg Box Foam or Sheepskin or Air Mattress topper ?
Your input would be much appreciated.

[mars]

Hi Marietjie

I sleep on 3 sheepskin woollen underblankets, and I have sheepskins all over the place for my cats.

None of us get bed sores.

We wouldn't be without our sheepskins and sheepskin underblankets,

and, of course, Australian wool is best -

http://www.wooltara.com/products/mattress-toppers/

http://www.wooltara.com.au/products/underblankets/

Just tell them Mars sent you

Good luck

Mars

[Marietjie]

I sleep on 3 sheepskin woollen underblankets

Ah, thanx, mars - just spoke with our pharmacist - he will phone me back on a price of a sheepskin underblanket.
I also phoned the frail care unit and the nurse there told me that they also use sheepskin underblankets.
My dear husband suffers from RhumatoidArthritis - poor blood circulation in the legs/feet,(recovering from leg bypass op) foot ulcers and
now bedsores on his ankle. I have got no nursing experience but I must tell you, I learn fast - gets lots of info on internet, forums, chemists, etc.
Good Day - M

and I have sheepskins all over the place for my cats.

PS - mars, do you think our budgie, Boy, would also like a sheepskin underblanket?

[mars]

and I have sheepskins all over the place for my cats.

PS - mars, do you think our budgie, Boy, would also like a sheepskin underblanket?

Hi Marietjie

I am sure he would, and if he needed anything else, you could go to -

http://au.shopping.com/budgie-accessori ... l/products

cheers

Mars

[BlackSpinner]

marietje
You may want to learn some simple gentle massage for his legs to help with the circulation. Ask the frail care unit for help or where to get information.

[jbn3boys]

The sheepskin sounds wonderful! Another option, I know when my mom was on hospice, they provided a special air mattress topper that would automatically change the amount of air in it on a regular basis to prevent bed sores. I was amazed how quiet the machine was--you could hardly hear it. And by varying the pressure, there is much less chance for bed sores to develop. (But I'm no help on where to get them--sorry)

[FatiguedMe]

Hi
When I was caring for my Mom hospice gave her an air mattress also. Not sure where to get them either. If you do sheepskin you will still need to reposition him and place a pillow under calf area to get pressure relief. I did Moms positioning every 3 hours. Put a pillow under, turn leg off of area pushing on bed, rest for 3 hours. Take pillow out, place under foot or lay leg flat, etc. Just some ideas.
Mom was a left leg amputee, I cared for her for 9 years. Please if you need any suggestions PM me. I would be glad to help. I know what you are going thru.
God Bless you both.

[rested gal]

This would be awfully expensive but...

When my father had a stroke in his eighties, he was unable to turn over in bed for three years. Despite our frequently turning him over, round the clock, he kept developing bedsores on hip bones and buttocks. After a year of battling the bed sores, we bought a Tempur-Pedic bed for him. The real thing. The sores went away and he never had another bedsore for the next two years. It was not even necessary to turn him to prevent them.

A waterproof sheet and regular mattress cover did not interfere with the "give" of the Tempur-Pedic.

[avi123]

I have to buy a mattress topper for my husband who is developing bedsores on his ankle due to poor blood circulation.
Could anyone please help me with the correct choice - Memory Foam or Egg Box Foam or Sheepskin or Air Mattress topper ?
Your input would be much appreciated.

check these:

(notice the ankle rest in this one)

http://www.ldhpmed.com/Prevention.aspx


http://www.ldhpmed.com/Decubitus.aspx


http://www.linet.com/healthcare-equipme ... tegory=329

I would also consult with a RUMATHOGIST and/or an ICU physician on it .

p.s. use honey based ointment on the sore

[Muse-Inc]

Might investigate whether benfotiamine, increased vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, increased vitamin D3 (not the D2 plant form, we're not plants) might help with circulation and natural healing. If you use foam, be aware it outgasses chemicals...might not be so healthy with active wounds. Too, there are treatments using sugar to help heal wounds/ulcers that won't heal. Continuous pressure is hard on the body so ya gotta boost all the natural healing factors to help the body cope. Wishes for good solutions!

[lbw]

Memory foam would be the best. I am a nurse. Stay away from egg crate toppers. They actually increase pressure points instead of relieving them.
Air mattress works as well. As others have said turning and relieving pressure is what is needs. There are all types of therappeutic mattresses out their if you have coverage. Memory foam toppers can be purchased just about anywhere, Bought mine at Walmart.

[Marietjie]

Thank you VERY much, CpapForum members (friends indeed) for all the right info.
Oh my word, I feel so tensed and nervous - when I took André his morning coffee, he told me
he had a bad night - the bedsore on the ankle was so sore the whole night and last night
we discovered a tiny (open) bedsore at the back of his leg. I don't believe this - what is
his future. The day before Xmas he had an emergency legbypass op. (right leg) Now, more
wrong things are happening with this leg! He has got an appointment with the specialist
this afternoon (to remove the staplers). Hope doctor has got good news - if not - amputation?
No, I must stay positive and give good care to those sores. Again, thank you, I know where
to buy a memory foam topper and our pharmacist will get me a sheepskin underblanket today.
I will talk to our pharmacist for good supplements - André lost his appetite completely, feels
very weak and tired. His blood pressure also dropped. I don't believe this!
Thanks for listening!

[DreamOn]

Marietjie, I'm so sorry that you and your husband are going through this.

I use a sheepskin bed topper, and my mattress is layered latex (not memory) foam. It is heavenly -- no pressure points at all! Latex foam doesn't outgass like memory foam. I like sheepskin because it allows good air circulation, and it also helps to regulate body temperature.

I hope you find something that works for your husband, and I hope he heals quickly.

[Muse-Inc]

Marietjie, can you buy something like V8? It's a tomato-based veggy juice. It's loaded with good nutrients that you don't have to juice yourself. Plus, it's pretty tasty cold or heated; surely, one of those ways might be acceptable to André . That plus a grilled cheese sandwich would be a great mini meal with a lot of flavor; add some sort of citrus for the fresh vitamin C (or add the juice to tea). Perhaps, some gentle leg stretches or other gentle movements might help stimulate increased circulation -- ask his doc.

[DoriC]

Marietjie, I know what you're going through and how helpless and scared we feel when we can't make everything better. You've gotten some good tips about mattress toppers but thought you might want to ask your Dr about Zinc 220mg. That is what the surgeon recommended Mike take after his surgery 2yrs ago and the healing time was cut in half, from 6-8 months to 3months. He started taking it again today since this latest surgery Thursday along with 500mg VitC 2xdaily and Vit D 1000mg 2xdaily, also acidopholus(sp?) to add good bacteria back due to IV antibiotics. This was the regimen prescribed. I'll pray for you and Andre tonight.