[AussieDebbie]

Just a question that's been on my mind since joining these forums.

I notice a lot of you use a method of pain relief of placing feet in icy cold water. It makes sense that cold will numb the pain, I understand that part. What I don't quite get is how you can stand the cold itself?

Where I live it's a tropical climate, so my feet are not supposed to feel cold. Yet, even in the middle of summer this year I often felt as though my feet were going to snap from frostbite any moment. I wrap them in blankets and it does nothing. The only relief from the cold is to wrap them in a wheat pillow, the type you heat up in the microwave. Even with that, it's not 100%. And, the rest of my body can be sweating in the heat. It's total shinanigans!!

During those times (which is almost nightly), I cannot imagine dunking my feet in cold water. I couldn't bare the though, never mind to try it.

Am I the only one? Is it mind over matter and once I dunk them in the cold water things will improve, beyond what my instinct to warm them is telling me?

Right now it's the middle of the day, I'm sitting at my computer with my feet curled up in my lap, covered in a throw blanky. Yet the rest of me is hot, it's a humid day here.

[mrsD]

Some people cannot stand cold. There is another form of neuropathy called RSD or CRPS... these patients prefer warmth on their painful areas.

If you have not been tested for MGUS or cryoglobulinemia I'd get that done. Patients with peptides in the blood called cryoglobulins get cold painful extremities. These peptides solidify in cold temperatures, and cause pain and poor circulation. They dissolve again in warmth. (like jello).

Basically you should do what feels best.

[AussieDebbie]

Thank you all for your ideas and input. I appreciate getting your opinions and experiences.

I guess I'll continue to trust my instincts and stick with the warmth. Not that it gives me relief from the PN pain, but it gives me relief from the bitter cold feeling. Perhaps it's psychological, but heat makes me feel slightly better.

Mrs D..... I'd not heard of RSD before, so read up a little. Very interestingly similar to PN in many ways. Overall, I don't think it suits my symptoms because I lack any sort of skin condition or muscle weakness. My symptoms are worse at night and fit more with PN. However, when I see my GP in a few weeks I'll run the idea past him next time he runs blood work to check for it. Thank you for pointing it out as I'm definately still open to ideas, no diagnosis here yet and not seeing one in the near future!

My GP is almost at a loss, suggesting we consider Plantar Fasciitis, so I'm humoring him by strapping, wearing arch support, etc. My Neurologist is done with me, she has no tests left to run. I'm going to request a referral to Podiatrist next time. With this condition slowly, very slowly getting worse, there will come a day I cannot work at all and will require G'vnt assistance. When that day comes I need a diagnosis!


Thanks again all.

[Jon_sparky]

Originally Posted by AussieDebbie

Just a question that's been on my mind since joining these forums.

I notice a lot of you use a method of pain relief of placing feet in icy cold water. It makes sense that cold will numb the pain, I understand that part. What I don't quite get is how you can stand the cold itself?

Where I live it's a tropical climate, so my feet are not supposed to feel cold. Yet, even in the middle of summer this year I often felt as though my feet were going to snap from frostbite any moment. I wrap them in blankets and it does nothing. The only relief from the cold is to wrap them in a wheat pillow, the type you heat up in the microwave. Even with that, it's not 100%. And, the rest of my body can be sweating in the heat. It's total shinanigans!!

During those times (which is almost nightly), I cannot imagine dunking my feet in cold water. I couldn't bare the though, never mind to try it.

Am I the only one? Is it mind over matter and once I dunk them in the cold water things will improve, beyond what my instinct to warm them is telling me?

Right now it's the middle of the day, I'm sitting at my computer with my feet curled up in my lap, covered in a throw blanky. Yet the rest of me is hot, it's a humid day here.

I go from burning pain to ice cold feet, they both react better to a warm foot soak.

[skutters]

I was the same as you this summer. My legs felt good in the 40 deg heat of the day while the rest of me melted. It's now getting cold down my way living only an hour from the snow fields.
I'm not looking forward to winter this year

[CeCe55]

I also suffer from cold feet and legs. I have never placed my feet in ice water. I much prefer to keep them as warm as possible, and like you Aussie Debbie, use a microwavable heat pad when necessary.

[mrsD]

I have never put my feet in ice water either. I use Biofreeze or Salonpas to cool off burning feelings.

I don't use hot water either... just warm. And rarely a heating pad, because my chiropractor explained how heat will inflame nerve signals (speed them up). So it is lukewarm water for me.

I do put an icepack of cold gel on my neck or back or knees when they flare up. But it is not like ice cubes, just cold for about 20minutes. This seems to quell inflammation for me.

[Kitt]

No ice foot bath for me.