Excruciating agony

[kimbalina]

Does anyone know if a Manuka honey dressing is supposed to KILL digital ulcers? By kill I mean it feels like someone has hacked my finger off

Kimbalina

[Duttie]

Hello I was given Manuka honey for an ulcer at the clinic in Leeds, it stung for about half an hour and was then OK. I think it is antiseptic. Not sure why it would hurt so much.

[kimbalina in reply to Duttie]

Thank you for replying. I had an emotional breakdown. Had to wash it off and bury it in half a ton of germoline. Took strong pain killers and have calmed down now.

Going to try to get a few hours sleep. Have not slept more than a couple of hours per night so far.

Thank you again.

[kimbalina in reply to Duttie]

Thank you for replying.

[Space99]

Not for Scleroderma but when I applied Optimel Manuka gel to a wound it stung ++++ till I washed it off. I applied Chlorsig ( over the counter) with a tinge of the honey gel . That was fine. Have had the Zinc impregnated gauze dressing.

[kimbalina in reply to Space99]

Thank so much.

[Suzyannayoung]

Hi kimberlina,. I really feel for you, it's the worst pain I've ever had and at night I used to just sit and cry and fill up on painkillers. I wish I had a magical answer, I had only had one ulcer this year although all fingers are sensitive and pitted. I think the Iloprost infusions have prevented ulcers over the last 4 years except this one, it didn't seem to do much this year so my doc put me on Sidenafil 3 X 25g a day which I have to say seems to be working. I also bought a cream off the internet called Solcoserly ( somebody on this site had recommended it , that seemed to sooth as well. We will try anything to take that awful pain away. I did put Manuka honey on my finger ulcers when I first had them, also soaked my fingers in warm milk . Why I don't know , but did help for a short time. I hope you find something to ease the pain 👍

[kimbalina in reply to Suzyannayoung]

Thanks so much. I can’t believe the pain!! I am quite tough, never have time off work just get on with it. This is so debilitating. Frustration levels high but then that will probs make ulcers worse!!

I am grateful for the reply. Take care of yourself.

[cowhide]

I just keep plastering my ulcers with germolene as the combination of antiseptic and anaesthetic works for me. My rheumy seemed to approve. It never heals as it spits calcinoisis out about every 6 weeks.

[kimbalina in reply to cowhide]

I have to say I have relied on germoline for a long time. It does keep the wound a bit gooey though. It saved me last night. Massaged it into my fingers then put a big globule on the ulcer, heaven

[Jmrose]

My doctor had me use Nitroglycerin cream (not directly on the ulcers but where a ring would sit) as it opened up the blood vessels to speed up the healing process. I current use it around my ankles dailynand it helps with the pain in my feet. On my wounds I used the Silver Sulfadiazine cream and it helped. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[kimbalina in reply to Jmrose]

Hi JMrose

Thanks for replying.

I was given patches of the nitroglycerin stuff. Not sure if I should use them whilst taking the sildenafil as well.

They made me dizzy headache and a nosebleed but I wouldn’t care if it helped the ulcers. I may ask the consultant.

Take care.

Kim

[tall-tim]

Hello Kimbalina. Sounds like hell. Your post is a bit short on detail. I have used Activon medical-grade Manuka honey without these effects. Is yours medical-grade? If not there may be some natural acids you could do without in the honey.

For finger ulcers I have found hot, strongly salty water a blessing as it draws the bad stuff to the surface (like a poultice) and also relieves pain. Yes, it stings a bit, but that's not worse than the pain of the ulcer. Manuka used with iodated gauze has helped keep the site free of infection. In my experience it's best not to use creams and ointments in such a way that they block the bad stuff in the wound - I always encourage it to get out to relieve pain and stop it solidifying down under. Unfortunately it's an imprecise art.

Best of luck to you.

Tim

[kimbalina in reply to tall-tim]

Thanks so much for your helpful reply Tim. Yes it is the same medical grade Activon Manuka I used.