Scleroderma Information » Scleroderma » fingertip soreness
Question:
On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 21:10:49 -0600, gr…@midusa.net wrote: >Just my 2 cents worth here…. >My earliest symptoms were just as you have discribed. As early as 92 I >experienced those pesky sore finger tips and sores. After my diagnosis in 96 >I was put on several meds. I assume that the calcium channel blocker is the >one that helped getting rid of the sores and keep my raynauds some what under >control. I no longer get those sores [or sensitive finger tips]. I still >have mild raynauds attacks but they are no way near as bad. I take (1) 240 mg >sr capsule every morning. Hope this info can be of some help to you. >gregs
One note about calcium channel blockers such as nifedepine (Procardia) and others… They can be VERY effective for Raynaud’s in most people. If, however, you have heartburn problems, there is a chance that the medicine will make the heartburn worse. It is definitely worth trying, though, since the heartburn can usually be well controlled with H2 blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet, etc.) or stronger meds such as Prilosec. Ed —————————————————————– Ed Harris ehar…@synnovation.com If found listless or depressed, administer chocolate immediately! —————————————————————–
Response:
My significant other was recently diagnosed with scleroderma, after experiencing lots of symptoms since July of ‘97. He is recently doing better, except that the tips of his fingers are becoming extremely painful. This is a big problem since he is a computer programmer and at times can hardly type! Typically he will have a tiny area on a fingertip that is acutely painful, and then that area will open up and be a tiny ulceration. After a few days it will heal. Any suggestions for prevention and/or comfort?
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> Any suggestions about nutritional supplements to gain weight?
I do not have any gastric or esophageal problems so I really can’t comment on the muscle biopsy without knowing the region that the biopsy is being taken from. I can recommend that " SustacalPlus", and "Ensure Plus" are excellent nutitional supplement drinks. Make sure that the doctor involved feels that these are safe. They are high in calories (especially the ones that state "plus") and one can is a meal substitute. I have always had trouble keeping my weight up. Even years prior to scleroderma. I eat everything. I include at least two cans a day of one of these liquid supplements for the calories. The taste is OK. I like the chocolate and they are only 8 ounce cans. They are lactose free and easily digested. Do ask the doctor first. Some products can interfere with the way our medicine is absorbed. Especially if there is already an existing gastro problem. Be Well SharonG.
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I remember talking with you about this in Atlanta. I’m taking 2 Cardizem a day, one in AM and one in PM. What is the name of your med? I have an RD appt. 4/6 and I’m wondering if I can go to the slow-release once a day instead. Thanks! — Amie http://pw1.netcom.com/~yaussy/
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In article <1998032312325401.HAA13…@ladder03.news.aol.com>, leanne1…@aol.com (Leanne1957) wrote: > My significant other was recently diagnosed with scleroderma, after > experiencing lots of symptoms since July of ‘97. He is recently doing better, > except that the tips of his fingers are becoming extremely painful. This is a > big problem since he is a computer programmer and at times can hardly type! > Typically he will have a tiny area on a fingertip that is acutely painful, and > then that area will open up and be a tiny ulceration. After a few days it will > heal. Any suggestions for prevention and/or comfort?
Just my 2 cents worth here…. My earliest symptoms were just as you have discribed. As early as 92 I experienced those pesky sore finger tips and sores. After my diagnosis in 96 I was put on several meds. I assume that the calcium channel blocker is the one that helped getting rid of the sores and keep my raynauds some what under control. I no longer get those sores [or sensitive finger tips]. I still have mild raynauds attacks but they are no way near as bad. I take (1) 240 mg sr capsule every morning. Hope this info can be of some help to you. gregs —–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading
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The finger soreness seems to be the onset problem that gets most people diagnosed. Sherry gave a good suggestion about cushioning the finger. Soaking them in a sudsy solution helps also. To prevent them try keeping his fingers as warm as possible. Dean
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Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! Paul found some anti-bacterial cream with lidocaine in it, and it helps the soreness tremendously. He has been putting it on underneath a band-aid, and typing is much easier now.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -gr…@midusa.net wrote: > In article <1998032312325401.HAA13…@ladder03.news.aol.com>, > leanne1…@aol.com (Leanne1957) wrote: > > My significant other was recently diagnosed with scleroderma, after > > experiencing lots of symptoms since July of ‘97. He is recently doing > better, > > except that the tips of his fingers are becoming extremely painful. This is > a > > big problem since he is a computer programmer and at times can hardly type! > > Typically he will have a tiny area on a fingertip that is acutely painful, > and > > then that area will open up and be a tiny ulceration. After a few days it > will > > heal. Any suggestions for prevention and/or comfort? > Just my 2 cents worth here…. > My earliest symptoms were just as you have discribed. As early as 92 I > experienced those pesky sore finger tips and sores. After my diagnosis in 96 > I was put on several meds. I assume that the calcium channel blocker is the > one that helped getting rid of the sores and keep my raynauds some what under > control. I no longer get those sores [or sensitive finger tips]. I still > have mild raynauds attacks but they are no way near as bad. I take (1) 240 mg > sr capsule every morning. Hope this info can be of some help to you. > gregs > —–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– > http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading
Hi Greg Which Calcium channel blocker are you taking? Alice
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> They can be VERY effective for Raynaud’s in most people.
Paul has tried both Zestril and Procardia. They did not help his Raynaud’s, and caused dizzyness and increased fatigue. He has sclerodermatomyositis, which is an "overlap syndrome." His swollowing muscles are very weakened, which makes eating a chore. He has lost 44# since July, and is getting quite thin. Any suggestions about nutritional supplements to gain weight? He is scheduled for a muscle biopsy on Wednesday….has anyone else had this procedure? I am wondering what to expect as far as post-op recuperation. Thanks!
Response:
> Which Calcium channel blocker are you taking? > Alice >I remember talking with you about this in Atlanta. I’m taking 2 >Cardizem a day, one in AM and one in PM. What is the name of your med? >I have an RD appt. 4/6 and I’m wondering if I can go to the slow-release >once a day instead. Thanks! — >Amie
Hi Alice and Amie… I’m taking Diltiazem. I’ve been taking it for about 18 months. It seems to be doing the trick. I’m also taking 15 mg’s of previcid twice a day for reflux. I have very little problems with heart burn as Ed Harris noted. I do still get heart burn once in a while and I chalk that up to my eating habits (ie…eating too late or eating too much). Hope this helps. gregs —–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading
Response:
>the tips of his fingers are becoming extremely painful. This is a >big problem since he is a computer programmer and at times can hardly type!
I went to an occupational therapist, who specializes in hand injuries, to help prevent damage to my fingertips, which are often ulcerated and painful. For the worst fingers, she made a mold of my fingers, then made a small plastic splint. It is short, allowing me to bend my finger, but it folds over the top of my finger. This way it protects my fingers when I bang or tap them against something. It is open in the back. A self-adhering, but non-adhesive tape wraps around the splint to keep it in place. I can easily slip it off and on. It’s not as bulky as other types of splints and it can be used even when typing. Ask your O.T. about this. Ronni
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>doing better,<BR> >except that the tips of his fingers are becoming extremely painful. This is >a<BR> >big problem since he is a computer programmer and at times can hardly type! ><B
A friend of mine who also has scleroderma is a computer programmer and she mentioned that she would tape pieces of cotton gauze to her keys on her keyboard to make it cushiony for her sore finger tips. Sherry
no comment untill now