[lindsayjane]

I have had PN for about a year and a half now. I mosty have been experiencing tingling in hands and feet with some pain in the left leg and left clavicle and shoulder area. About 5 days ago I started taking a beta blocker for heart palipatations. Last night, I felt like the bottoms of my feet were on fire. I have never experienced this sensation, but it was almost unbearable. I am still feeling it today, but not as bad as last night. I haven't taken my beta blocker today because I'm afraid it is causing the burning.

1. Do you think the beta blocker is causing this or is it a normal progression of PN?

2. What types of remedies are there for burning pain?

Thank you

[Dr. Smith]

Hi Lindsayjane,

I don't know if there's any way to tell for sure. I had tingling, numbness, and pins & needles long before I got the burning pain, so it could be a progression.

OTOH, Googling: atenolol burning feet also generates some hits.

I've had extraordinary results with R-Lipoic Acid stopping the burning pain completely. (I know -- nothing worse than taking things to counter S/E of other things).

Doc

[mrsD]

Can you tell me the name of the drug? So I can look it up.
I took atenolol for over 13 yrs and never had a problem with it except for some shortness of breath. Because of the breathing issues my doctor changed it to an ACE inhibitor.

Are you taking other drugs too?

Beta blockers can cause cold hands and feet. When the feet then warm up, they might burn for a short time. (Like being out in the snow, and burning when you warm up).

[lindsayjane]

The name of the medication is Metoprolol ER Succinate (25 mg). It is the generic for Toprol XL. I'm not on any other daily medications.

Do you know of any creams or other remedies for this? Last night, I felt like putting my feet in ice water.

Thanks for your help.

[mrsD]

That is a very low dose. And it is long acting.

I find that Biofreeze is best for burning. I've used it for several years.

Some high menthol products do not work as well, but some of
our members have used Icy HOt as well.

Biofreeze is now available online for less money than before.
It is a non greasy gel that is absorbed quickly. I'd put it on the tops of the feet as well, as that is where the nerves are going to the bottoms. The skin on the bottom is pretty thick and less likely to work with creams/gels.

http://www.amazon.com/BIOFREEZE-Pain...f=pd_sim_hpc_4
This used to be only available from chiropractors and Physical therapists, but it has now generalized to everyone.
This price is one of the lowest you will find, esp with free shipping. It is really a nice product, and I was introduced to it in PT, years ago. I also use it on my knees when needed, but it is very very good for burning feet.

There are two types of temperature neurons in the skin. Hot and cold types. The gel Biofreeze delivers the menthol rapidly to the cold receptors which block heat ones, and hence the burning stops for a while. I find it effective for several hours.

You can also try soaking in lukewarm water with epsom salts.
This can also help. The magnesium is absorbed and blocks the burning that way.

[Stacy2012]

Benfotiamine.

That supplement saved my life. It has been the sole thing to help the burning in my toes/feet.

I still take lots of other supplements but benfotiamine is still what controls the burning. When I have flare ups I can take extra does of benfotiamine and notice rapid results. M.I.R.A.C.L.E.


Exercise irritates my feet and when I take my tennis shoes off my toes are flaming red and hot so I have flare ups. If I quit the exercise then I wouldn't have near the flare ups, but I cant quit that lol.

Anyway, I highly suggest trying it. Of course, everyone is different, and what works for one may not work for the other, but it's a miracle for me.

Edit to add:
Before I found benfotiamine, when I was having a horrid episode I would take a pair of socks, wet them in cold water and put them on. It helped ALOT.

Burning pain is the WORST for me. Use to be even a sheet touching my toes would hurt. Also epsom salt baths in warm (not hot) water helped, even though it didnt feel good putting in warm water, it does help.