Cookiecrumb
Newbie
- Messages
- 3
- Type of diabetes
- Family member
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Hi, I've just joined the forum today and would like advice/opinions on behalf of my lovely father-in-law. He's an active 87 year old that has been living with diabetes for a few years. It's managed by diet and lifestyle and his great determination and willpower! Several years ago he had a quadruple bypass and is on several meds, including Warfarin. In spite of all this, he's incredibly independent...he cooks every day, does all his own house work, washing, ironing, etc, bakes, paints...still drives...
Last October, he caught his shin on a sharp edge....and 6 months plus later he still has a wound. Obviously, he's receiving treatment from his surgery - he has it dressed a couple of time a week but also may have to dress it himself in between visits, as it does still ooze through the dressing. He's had to have a few courses of antibiotics and a couple of months ago he also developed cellulitis in the leg. Fortunately, the cellulitis has dissipated, however, although the wound area has reduced, it's just taking forever to heal....and it is starting to get him down naturally.
While I appreciate that with the combination of diabetes, poor circulation and being on an anticoagulant, healing is always going to be a nightmare, I feel something more proactive needs to be done. The nurses just use dry dressings...his skin also developed a sensitivity to dressings with adhesive edges. He keeps the dressings dry and uses E45 cream on the skin around the wound to soothe it.
I'm in the veterinary profession and Manuka honey is used with good success on certain wounds where healing needs to be promoted. At my request, my father-in-law has asked if Manuka would be appropriate for his wound...the first response was that it was too expensive for the NHS and when a second person was asked a few weeks later, they just didn't acknowledge his question. I'm more than happy to source and pay for a high grade version. I have looked on line and tried to do a bit of research but there are differing opinions - some say it's great and others worry about the absorption of the honey affecting the diabetes. I have emailed over a week ago a Diabetes group for advice on their general email address but as yet no one has replied. So I've registered here this morning with the hope that you would be happy to give me your expert advice and knowledge. My father-in-law is like my second Dad and I love him loads....really looking forward to any help. A huge thank you in advance
Last October, he caught his shin on a sharp edge....and 6 months plus later he still has a wound. Obviously, he's receiving treatment from his surgery - he has it dressed a couple of time a week but also may have to dress it himself in between visits, as it does still ooze through the dressing. He's had to have a few courses of antibiotics and a couple of months ago he also developed cellulitis in the leg. Fortunately, the cellulitis has dissipated, however, although the wound area has reduced, it's just taking forever to heal....and it is starting to get him down naturally.
While I appreciate that with the combination of diabetes, poor circulation and being on an anticoagulant, healing is always going to be a nightmare, I feel something more proactive needs to be done. The nurses just use dry dressings...his skin also developed a sensitivity to dressings with adhesive edges. He keeps the dressings dry and uses E45 cream on the skin around the wound to soothe it.
I'm in the veterinary profession and Manuka honey is used with good success on certain wounds where healing needs to be promoted. At my request, my father-in-law has asked if Manuka would be appropriate for his wound...the first response was that it was too expensive for the NHS and when a second person was asked a few weeks later, they just didn't acknowledge his question. I'm more than happy to source and pay for a high grade version. I have looked on line and tried to do a bit of research but there are differing opinions - some say it's great and others worry about the absorption of the honey affecting the diabetes. I have emailed over a week ago a Diabetes group for advice on their general email address but as yet no one has replied. So I've registered here this morning with the hope that you would be happy to give me your expert advice and knowledge. My father-in-law is like my second Dad and I love him loads....really looking forward to any help. A huge thank you in advance
