In a recent thread I reported on the relative merits of Capsaicin/Menthol patches and 3.5% Menthol cream followed by an application of 0.075% Capsaicin cream...

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread124004.html

While the creams solution is ideal for home use and also the cheapest avenue, it requires 2 separate applications with a 30 to 45 minutes drying time in between and is somewhat messy, since Capsaicin cream must be applied with gloves...

In my Internet research, I have just come across a new product, a single application Lidocaine/Menthol based cream that purport to achieve the same results as the Capsaicin/Menthol combination, while treating inflammation as well...

http://www.tpr20info.com/about-tpr-2...dients-detail/

After reading some positive testimonials on the product, I contacted the company to provide samples to test and I plan to report on its effects on a regular basis...

http://www.tpr20info.com/linda-ys-st...or-4-5-months/

I have another subject of interest in mind that should have a separate thread to do it justice: has Peripheral Neuropathy affected your sex life and what can be done about it...

There is no capsaicin in this cream.

No, the Capsaicin is replaced by Lidocaine and various anti-inflammatory ingredients...

The advantage is that it won't give a burning sensation or require gloves to apply...

I will soon know if it works, as DHL just called to announce it would be delivered this morning...

Topical anesthetics without a cover, don't get absorbed well thru the skin. Lidoderm patches work because there is a cover.

Emla cream, which is used before surgery on the skin or for needle sticks in children is covered with saran wrap to work.

The menthol in this new product is very low. Compare to 3.5% in Biofreeze.

So I am guessing based on other patients here and the properties of the ingredients, that this cream for its very high price is not going to "deliver much". It might work for a while, but wear off quickly. And the suppression of substance P is not there either.

Just my impressions.

I went back and read your first posts. There is substantial evidence that your PN is connected to back problems! In that case what you put on the feet is going to have minimal effectiveness long term.

My Peripheral Neuropathy started within 4 days of a sacrum adjustment by an osteopath some 14 years ago and no doctor has been able to fix the problem ever since...

Because standing up or walking is quite painful, I no longer travel and stay mostly at home working on my computer, trading stocks/options, etc...

I don't expect any topical cream, be it a combined application of Capsaicin/Menthol creams or a single application of Lidocaine/Menthol cream to resolve any of the causes of the PN; only to manage the pain symptoms, so that I can live a near normal life...

To provide the cover you suggest and increase efficacy, I plan to use tight socks and to keep my feet warm...

I have started applying the TPR 20 at 3:00 pm today and plan to apply same 3 times a day, every 8 hours, for one week before reviewing the frequency: so far the pain level is down from around 5 to about 3...

Try wrapping your feet in Saran Wrap, then put on the socks for abut an hour, or so - to increase absorption. The socks alone will wick away much of the cream and be less effective.
I use a high % menthol cream, either 'Biofreeze' or 'Icy Hot' (the Rite Aid generic- 'Cool Heat' is much cheaper than either) every day, sometimes twice a day. I use a latex glove (one glove will last for 2-4 days) for application and massage it into my feet (massage towards the heart) for at least 5 minutes per foot. Then I wear cotton socks (for diabetics - from Foot Smart)