Painful Lower Leg Ulcers

[MP11]

I have stage 4 kidney disease and for two months have been fighting very painful leg ulcers. Sometimes they itch very badly and then they hurt most of the time. I have completely changed my diet to 100% kidney-friendly and lost 20 pounds, but I can't get rid of the painful leg ulcers.

Does anybody know anything that helps???

Thanks!

[Celtic]

If all conventional treatments are failing, it might be worth asking those treating you if they feel medical grade Manuka honey dressings might help. They certainly proved successful for someone to whom I suggested them some years ago when all else had failed. Good luck and, meanwhile, well done on the weight-loss front.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi MP11,

You should see your doctor to find the cause of the ulcers. They could be from diabetes. It could venous stasis ( see below link). It could be a skin condition such as a fugal infection. Just guessing here.

woundsource.com/patientcond...

[MP11 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks for the replies!

I have been to 2 nephrologists and 2 general practitioners and one hospital where they have looked at the ulcers. I am on my second round of antibiotic tratment now. It is venous stasis, and possibly some infactious dermatitis thrown in. There does seem to be some improvement in the appearnce of it, but it remains itchy and painful (and not nearly as bad as those pictures thank God!).

I was hoping for someone with experience with these ulcers to help with pain issues and/or remedies beyond the antibiotics that I am taking.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to MP11]

Hi MP11

I do have experience. My husband has these on both legs, one is worse than the other. He is a insulin dependent diabetic. He does not have pain or itching however. H has had these for years. He actually went and had two surgeries on the veins to reroute one leg. It improved it some, but not a lot. He is supposed to wear heavy support hose and also does not.

[SwissArmy in reply to MP11]

I used Elinon..? Mometisone. But I really had better luck with ora-gel. (Generic available at Dollar Tree.) This was caused by scratching until my legs were bleeding. Anyway it all went away after my new kidney was installed one year ago. Legs are all healed.

[Oldearkie_83]

Do you sleep with your feet elevated?

[MP11 in reply to Oldearkie_83]

Thanks for replying. I have tried and it does seem to offer some relief, but is difficult to sleep like that as it is uncomfortable. When I can catch a break while working in my private office I lower my chair and put my feet up, and this also offers a little help. Its odd that my kidney numbers are so bad that I am near dialysis, and that doesn't cause me discomfort, but the leg ulcers hurt all day and night.