VA Treatment: Juxta Cures for Venous Ulcers, who has experience and did it work or not for you? If not, what did and how to get VA approval?

CPL Robert Ray — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:59:35 -0500

For the past 9 months or so, the VA in Houston has been treating my leg for venous stasis ulcers using the Juxta Cures system. I had previously had a similar problem back in 2009 in Tulsa and was treated with something they called a "unnaboot" (sp?) and it worked really well and I had no further problems until last year. I am not generally given to spontaneous ulcers and the ones I have now grew out of a singular injury and this "treatment system" causing further problems. I have asked to go back to the "unnaboot" system, but have been told the VA doesn't use that anymore. My Home Health Care Nurse (also a wound care specialist) thinks that better results can be had using Coban wraps and, since that was part of the previous system used, I am inclined to agree. But the Wound Care department at Houston seems hell-bent on using a system which I find irritating to painful, not user friendly and, IMHO, more damaging all for the sake of saving a little money? So I am reaching out to the community to see if anyone else has experience with this and see how they dealt with it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2017 6:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:12:27 -0500

The VA 4u.. useless!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2017 6:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:14:37 -0500

I am sad to hear of your predicament. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and hope this problem you have can be resolved.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Nov 29 at 2017 6:48 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:48:23 -0500

Sorry to hear of your situation best wishes in trying to get treatment from the VA.

Response by LCDR Gordon Brown made Nov 29 at 2017 6:56 PM

LCDR Gordon Brown — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:56:51 -0500

If you are on FB, contact Lauren Price USN Retired at her FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/VetWarriors1/. She has an incredible network of folks heavily involved with overhauling the VA and finding help for Veterans that get lost in the system or the system is fighting the Veteran.

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Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 29 at 2017 7:35 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:35:00 -0500

CPL Robert Ray I was taking care of my friend's father and they used both the Unna Boot and Covan. The wound care specialist always said that both of these are better than anything else out there. His wounds did heal with these treatments. Unfortunately, he passed away from stroke complications. There may be some left over supplies if you want them. I am in Houston, too. Let me check and I will see if there are any more, and let you know. Connect with me in RP and I'll let you know! Happy to help!

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Nov 30 at 2017 4:05 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 04:05:15 -0500

Ask for a second opinion / contact your Patient Affairs Rep, they unclog jams.

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Nov 30 at 2017 6:43 AM

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 06:43:32 -0500

I don't have experience with either, but bottom line is this, YOU ARE THE PATIENT, you are well within your rights to help "steer" your care. If something isnt working for you, and they aren't listening, THEY need to be replaced. You know your body, they don't.
S/F

Response by CPL Robert Ray made Dec 5 at 2017 10:02 PM

CPL Robert Ray — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 22:02:40 -0500

I wanted to give an overall update on this situation. I am still interested in finding someone who has used the Juxta system and how it worked. However, for my specific case, my wound care doctors have relented to my requests to move to a different system. Unfortunately, they still say that the Unna Boot is no longer used by the VA, but they did prescribe its (supposed) successor, a 4-layer Compression Bandage system. Hopefully, it will work for me. I want to thank everyone for their replies and help! I will continue to check back and update as things progress.