Aspercreme
 

My MD advised me to use this when I had Dx of nerve pain. I forgot about it for some time and stumbled on an old bottle. I did try it and it did seem to help. it seems like I have to keep reapplying it. Anyone else had any luck with Aspercreme? It says on bottle to reapply no more than 4 times a day.

I see that this post is now over two years old and no one ever responded to it.

Well, over the years I’ve used Aspercreme for topical treatment of minor aches and pains and I’ve been reasonably satisfied with it. The primary ingredient is trolamine salicylate 10%.

Lately, I’ve seen tv spots for Aspercreme advertising it for nerve pain. I was quite surprised to find that in my case it’s been effective in relieving the tingling and pulsing sensations that I’ve recently been experiencing in my legs. One or 2 applications is usually sufficient to last me through the night.:)

I checked some reviews on WalMart and some people use it with PN so tried to order this on amazon.....transport cost ate ridiculous.

This is what trolamine salicylate is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolamine_salicylate

It is similar to Salonpas without the menthol and camphor.
Some of the Salonpas have methyl salicylate in them. I have used Salonpas for years.

I think I'll try it for my upper arm muscle pain and neck...
and I see there is now a generic one... I tend to prefer topicals.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...la&kpid=375323

Another brand is Myoflex. (rather expensive too).

Here is a study about it:
http://www.currenttherapeuticres.com...abstract?cc=y=

Thanks for the links, mrsD. I would agree with the Wikipedia article that the trolamine salicylate probably does penetrate into the underlying muscle tissue.

When I first started getting the pulsing sensations in my legs, I didn’t initially think to use Aspercreme as I had thought of it only as a minor pain medication. When the pulsing began keeping me awake at nights, however, I decided to try it and got a pleasant surprise. By the way, I use the cream not the lotion, and so far its been working well for me.

I buy some good topicals and also make my own "brews" with some creams as a carrier base, and break up bayer aspirins and they dissolve in the mixes I make up. Also, open caps of white willow bark and add that to my mixes too...this is for topical use. I've never bought aspercream but believe my mixtures help more with pain. Same concept. I add other supps to my mixes too as so many products contains so many things. Using DMSO diluted with distilled water, more for my topicals too.

I too use Aspercream for aches and pains with fairly good results. Sometimes I mix it with other things. But recently I saw where you can buy Aspercream with Lidocaine. I thought this would be good. I used it for a backache and didn't like it as much as regular Aspercream. I tend to differentiate between muscle aches and nerve pain and seem to need different treatments.

I like warm baths with Epsom Salt, mostly for muscle aches, but suspect it helps a little with nerve pain too.

I haven't tried Aspercream for my nerve pain. I have some minor to moderate pain in one foot that I could try it on.

I've had some good luck with Aspercream and Topricin...my funny brew for muscle aches.

I've had very good luck with Kerasol Neuro Cream (OTC) for my minor nerve pain in my foot.

Of course the Epsom Salt Lotion is likely helpful for a variety of things.

I use an RX compounding cream for my bad facial nerve pain.

I like the idea when a topical works, especially short term. This way, I bypass the tummy...less side effects, etc.

Hi Vowel Lady, I’ve used Aspercreme for both muscle and nerve pain, but whenever I get muscle spasms in my lower back l use Australian Dream Back Pain Cream (histamine dihydrochloride .05%) instead. I like it because it works even though I can’t rub it in too deeply because the area is so sensitive to the touch.

Last night was my first application of Aspercream (the original formula).

I noticed the other day that touching/probing my knees in certain spots, made my feet hurt more. So I applied the cream (it is thick), into the tops and bottoms of the front of my knees at bedtime. These areas correspond to the tendon insertions of the tibia and femur.

I had a very nice night, and slept much better than normally.
So I will continue with it for a while. I applied it liberally. I have long suspected that my knees have been referring to my feet many times.

[QUOTE=mrsD;1148692]Last night was my first application of Aspercream (the original formula).

mrs D. you said myoflex was another form of this crème. I have myoflex and I don't notice that it does anything for me. Is aspercream a better form? Would it be worth giving aspercreme a try?

Myoflex costs more. I don't know if the cream base is the same however. Some bases enable penetration better than others.

The topical salicylates (a form of aspirin) are good for inflammatory problems with tendons (or swollen tissue pressing on nerves). I get good results with AlkaSeltzer too, but I don't like using it every day because it might do something to the stomach over time.

I'll apply the Aspercream every night this week, and will know better in 7 days.

”But recently I saw where you can buy Aspercream with Lidocaine. I thought this would be good. I used it for a backache and didn't like it as much as regular Aspercream.”

Hi Vowel Lady, thanks for your input! I was wondering if I should try the formulation with lidocaine, but since you found it to be less effective than the original formula I think I’ll pass on it.

”I had a very nice night, and slept much better than normally.”

Glad the Aspercreme worked for you, mrsD!

There are times that some of my leg muscles are much too sore to even touch. When this happens, I apply Aspercreme to areas of the skin just around, but not directly on, the sore muscles. It seems to work as well as if the cream had been applied right into the sore muscles.

Since this thread is concerned with topical application of a cream, I thought it may be useful for me to mention something that my massage therapist once told me. She said that the amount of pressure used in applying a cream can make a difference in setting off damaged nerves.

In my case, I was having difficulty treating a very sensitive area of my lower back. If I even barely touched it with cream, I would get a muscle spasm that would cause my leg to kick out. My therapist said that I wasn’t applying enough pressure. She said I needed to use a “moderate” amount of pressure to prevent the nerves from reacting, but warned that if it is applied too lightly or too deeply it can cause problems with the nerves.

This is probably pretty basic information, but it did work for me when I applied the cream with just a little more pressure.

I have discovered that I cannot use Aspercreme every day.

Two days in a row, and I had a deep stinging of my leg nerves (probably from the salicylic acid), and couldn't sleep. Seems the Aspercreme lasts me about 3 days.

So now my knee is balking again, so tonight I will apply some cream to it as it seems to have worn off.

I think I might try some tendon application. Sore with pulling feelings, ache and discomfort. If I sit for too long or a short time the wrong way, I know it.

I use an RX compounding cream for my bad facial nerve pain.

***
Hi Vowel Lady, I have developed debilitating facial nerve pain also, and am hopeful to hear that you have a compounding cream that helps you. Can you tell me about your Rx compounding cream, e.g., what is in it, who compounds it for you, and anything else you think might be helpful?

Thank you -- you might save my life! :)

aspercreme has been my go-to
 

I have used it at least 4X a day for 15 years. But it does seem to wear off after 3.5 hours for me.

Aspercream with 4% Lidocaine is a favorite of mine. Topricin for Pain too. I have other products but these two do the most in the whole scheme of it all. Ultra Tiger Balm does pretty good and I some Pain essential oil drops to the Tiger Balm.,

Gotta try things as there is so much out there to try.