[dimples1945]

It has been a while since I was bothered by the burning pain in my left foot. I thought all the meds I am taking would keep the pain from rearing its ugly head! I usually stick my foot in a large pan of ice. Leave it for 5 minutes then take it out and repeat. The last week I have had the pain everyday. And the ice hasn't helped. I am about to scream! Any suggestions for some fast relief?

[mrsD]

You could try Biofreeze rub on gel. It can often reduce burning considerably, but it does wear off over time and need to be reapplied.
You can find it now at iherb.com or Amazon.com

If you developing RSD (now called CRPS), then ice is not useful and sometimes harmful.

Another option is to get Lidoderm patches and try 1/2 patch on the top of your foot and see if that blocks some signals.

Some PN pain is generated in the spinal cord along the dorsal roots. If you have this type, then the drugs are usually more useful, like gabapentin. But these are not 100% effective.

If you have compressions in the lower back, then the Lidoderms should be placed there.

I am seeing in your profile you list high blood pressure. What drugs do you take? If an ACE inhibitor you should try having that switched to another. ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin in the body, which can cause swelling and burning in the skin.
(vasotec, altace, Lisinopril are examples). Some people cannot metabolize away the excess bradykinin, and then they develop all sorts of unpleasant side effects.

Do not discontinue your meds suddenly yourself... discuss any changes with your doctor.

[dimples1945]

Going to doctor tomorrow and will discuss your suggestions. I take (I think) way too many drugs for HB. Labetalol, Lisinipril, Hydralazine, Nifidical, Clonidine, and Lasix. My BP is very hard to control and it still isn't controlled. That's why I am in Stage 3-4 Renal failure!!! But just for the moment, I would like relief from burning!! Thanks

[dimples1945]

Forgot to ask. What is RSD (CRPS)?

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by dimples1945

Forgot to ask. What is RSD (CRPS)?

Complex regional pain syndrome Wiki

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) forum

Doc

[mrsD]

Well, the doctors like lisinopril for renal patients. I had a terrible attack with it of angioedema... It was awful. I swelled up and burned all over and couldn't breathe...etc. Lisinopril actually made my blood pressure higher...because the side effects stressed me so much that cortisol was a factor in raising the BP higher!

There are some kidney conditions that contribute to PN issues.
I don't know their details.

Low magnesium levels can lead to uncontrolled blood pressure problems too. Magnesium gets low when you use Lasix. Best to try the lotion form sparingly (because you have poor kidney functions), just on that foot.
Morton Epsom lotion may help the circulation in that foot. I use it that way also and find it lowers my blood pressure.

I went from 3 drugs ( lisinopril, cardizem, and Lasix) to just a low dose magnesium application at night + low dose beta blocker atenolol. Getting rid of the that lisinopril changed my life!
It also revealed that I have hereditary angioedema!

I really can't recommend much orally for you because of your poor kidney functions.
You'll have to discuss that lisinopril with your doctor. With all the rest you take, it can't hurt to drop it for a short time to see if you notice any differences. But you have to ask your doctor about that. Excess bradykinin causes swelling and vasodilation all over the body including the blood vessels. Try to keep that foot elevated, because the other drugs you take, also cause edema
(not the Lasix and not so much the beta blocker, but the others cause dependent edema in the legs).

The Biofreeze should be okay for you. It is really nice. So start with it.
Lasix is going to deplete Thiamine over time, and so you should take that to replace what is lost.

Just accept you will be difficult to manage with that renal damage. And also be careful with vitamins and minerals, and many drugs like the Benzos... which can accumulate in renal patients.

So for now, Biofreeze seems to be the first thing to try.

This is Morton Epsom lotion:
http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-L.../dp/B008X365AU
Apply only to intact skin. And don't use large amounts. A dollop about a quarter's diameter once a day can be enough for your swelling foot.

[Stacy2012]

When you find the answer to this question let me know. Been asking that for over a year now. No immediate in dealing with a flare for me. Nothing works quickly or easily and its different every time. When you think you found a saving grace it will suddenly stop working.

[ChaucerFan]

Dimples and Stacy, does your burning pain come on with hot weather, and does it also involve the foot turning red and swollen?

I'm asking because that's my problem. Red/swollen foot and leg came on simultaneously with sensorimotor neuropathy. (Started in left foot, which is always worse, but then spread.)

Your postings were amazingly timely. I had heard of something called "biofreeze" and was wondering if it would help. I too get relief from putting the foot into cold water. Once again I'm grateful for this chat board and the people who contribute their time and expertise.

Lynn

[Stacy2012]

Yes, sometimes. Depends on the day. Some flares are horrid which causes the toes to swell and turn bright red, sometimes it is my heel, or side of foot. Sometimes it is not too bad and I can avoid the painful swelling. There is no rhyme or reason to it, what sets it off, what helps, how bad, its a crap shoot.

Biofreeze ONLY works for me if I use a fan along with it. By itself it does nothing for me.

Heat of ANY kind will send me into a flare, a too hot shower or even a warm shower, it must be quick. Wearing shoes, walking on carpet, or nothing at all can send it into a flare, no rhyme or reason but heat is definately evil for me.

When the toes and foot swells it is worse cuz it hurts so bad. I will stick my foot into cold water, it wont make it go away but it breaks the pain and brings down swelling fast, then I will put it in front of a fan. But cold cold water is great for stopping the painful swell quick.

I also find the spray can biofreeze works better for me than the gel or roll on. Others here say different but for me, the spray is colder and ONLY with a fan does it remotely help.

[mrsD]

Probably the spray on is an alcohol effect. Try spraying on isopropyl alcohol.. with the fan...it will cool quickly as it evaporates. This is why nurses do alcohol rubs for fever patients.

The rub on gel has high amounts of menthol in it...which then stimulates cold receptors, and then the burning is masked until the menthol wears off. I don't think the spray Biofreeze delivers the same concentration in the same amounts as the rub/gel.

Using the gel, one should not need a fan at all.