Awhile back someone (maybe Melody?) posted about a cream to use on their feet. It's something like icy hot? It's supposed to mask the tingles from the PN I'm guessing. I'd like to give this a try but can't remember what it was called. I'll know it if I see it.

I'd appreciate if anyone that can recall creams mentioned for this purpose would list them for me.

My pain is not real bad....at this point it's more annoying than anything and with a RLS component thrown in. I've been off the Effexor XR for almost two weeks now and the RLS symptoms are beginning to ease a bit. It seems SSRI's do the RLS thing to me. I had the same problem with Celexa.

I'd just like to be able to use something before bed that is not an ingested med with the accompanying sides.

ETA: It *was* Melody! It's called Freeze It! I finally found it doing a search. There is one other question: is this an oily type cream that stays on the surface of the skin or is it a cream cream that leaves no residue? Washing the sheets constantly is going to aggravate the heck out of me.

Biofreeze. It has Ilex herb in it...which I think is therapeutic.

The Freeze-it Melody uses is similar.

Biofreeze is a transdermal gel, rubs in and no residue.

I find it best for burning. It is very cooling on the feet. I also use it for knee pain.

Biofreeze is the original product. Freeze-it is comparable in price ..but locally easier to find. I buy my Biofreeze on the net. It was originally given to me by my physical therapist. And I like it alot. I don't use everyday however.

Hi Jarrett: Hi Mrs. D:

Yeah, I use Freeze It. but to say it's comparable in price, well, NOT....

Especially in CVS - where I found it.

At the counter in the pharmacy department, there it was on sale for $8.00

Bio-Freeze (which was not at the same display counter, but was displayed back in the store by the Ben-Gays and Deep Heet rubs, well a bottle of that was $32.00

So I opted for the Freeze it. It came in two types. A rub in thing, and a roll on gel. I opted for the roll on gell because it's like a roll-on deoderant and what's easier than that. Really helps with the burn.

I also tried it on my arthritic knees but really, nothing helps with that (maybe I should take an advil) but I never do. I just live with it.

So happy Freezing!!!!

Mel

I paid $10 for my first tube 4oz at the PTs.

I got further tubes online for 6.99 for 4 oz.

But I have seen 4 oz of Biofreeze at my gym for $15.

So it depends on where you buy it. Biofreeze is typically not available in drug stores. Some independents might buy it online and mark it up however. (like the gym does).

The larger sizes are of course more $$. I find a 4 oz tube lasts me a long time.
I don't need the big ones!

I Googled BioFreeze and they have their own website. They also offer several sample packets of the gel. I emailed them for a sample package. It includes an information brochure with more info on the product and where it can be purchased. It comes in a spray-on formula now as well.

http://www.biofreeze.com/products.php

I'm so tickled they offer a sample so I can try it without shelling out more money for something that may or may not work for me.

ETA: I find this disturbing in their FAQ's:

Q: Will Biofreeze cause an adverse effect if I am taking other medications?

A: No. Biofreeze is only a topical pain reliever and does not enter the bloodstream. We do suggest that you always check with your Health Care Professional before using Biofreeze.

FAQ Index Back to Top

Q: If I am Pregnant or nursing – Can I use Biofreeze?

A: No, Biofreeze has not been tested on pregnant or nursing women. We do not suggest that you use the product while pregnant or nursing. Please consult with your Health Care Professional.

Anything put on the skin is absorbed into the body to one degree or another. And if this isn't the case then the next FAQ about using during pregnancy would be irrelevant. So, where can I find info about this? Also, there was a recent article in the news about a female athlete that died from using a specific formulation of Ben-Gay. She was absorbing it into her system and apparently had a sensitivity to it that caused kidney failure, if I remember the specifics of the article accurately. The actual agent that caused her kidney failure is known as a toxic substance in certain ways of using or doses. Found a link to an article that mentions this:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=81865

require certain things. Unless a drug/product has been TESTED in pregnant women, one cannot make claims it is safe. These studies are mucho expensive and most companies do not do them. Who wants to experiment on pregnant women? Not many. So the disclaimer is always given. I agree it is poorly worded,however.

I personally think the ILEX is absorbed. You can drink this herb, it is called yerba mate, and is very very popular. I have some in fact. It contains vitamins/minerals and amino acids along with antioxidants. It is not listed as an active ingredient on the label, because it too, was not tested in a study.

However, the gel, is very nice and gels of this type do carry drugs ...as vehicles. I would expect some of the ingredients of Biofreeze to be absorbed to some extent.

The Ben Gay product had methyl salicylate in it, which is like aspirin.
That is a drug, and different from the Biofreeze. Camphor and menthol are used orally in cough drops, and hence typically to do not pose issues.
The poor girl who died had to have had a problem (possibly renal) and also overused the product over large areas of the body. If she applied heat, it would have increased absorption. It is a rare thing, but it happens. Just like the young model who overused Primatine mist for asthma, and suddenly died.
Occasionally an OTC product is misused or reacts idiopathically with someone's metabolism. These events usually cannot be predicted.

There was just someone in the news who ATE denture adhesive and got sick.
Ate it and sued... liked the taste! All kinds of weird things happen with products!

Somebody ate Denture Adhesive??? and liked it???

Reminds me of years way back in the old days when people would eat starch. That's right, the same starch you press on your shirts that comes in a spray can, used to come in a box. Now I have no idea what a person would do with a box of starch. But I remember people (kids especially) would eat the starch.

I'm trying to figure out how a person who is ironing clothes would use the starch from the box. Maybe they diluted it or something???

wow, eating denture adhesive, that sure beats the hell out of somebody eating starch!!!!

mel

is called pica.

Pregnant women and children who are anemic have been known to eat, dirt, clay, and starch. Something about certain forms of anemia make these cravings.

People with anemia also crunch ICE alot. They must have teeth of steel to do that, IMO.

The denture adhesive was Super Poligrip, and caused zinc poisoning!
http://www.schmidtandclark.com/Dentures/
One of the other stories on it had his admission that he ATE it on purpose.