Thighs burn - need clothing or med tips
 

Hi,
I'm new to this group😊
I went to Hopkins neurology and was diagnosed with SFN despite normal
Biopsy. My biggest problem area is the front of thighs.
It can be awful and very limiting in the clothing department.
I find fleece leggings are good and light dresses when warm.
Rain and cold sets my flares off.
I take lyrica and amitriptyline as well as LDN .
My feet can burn at times and were awful a few years ago.
I received a phenytoin cream to try on thighs and capsaicin helps too.
Anyone else with thigh issues?
I have livedo in front of thighs too.
Thank you

I would seriously suggest that capsaicin makes burning worse in the long run.

Phenytoin is on drug lists that cause PN! But then alot of doctors don't know that.

There is a new topical cream/lotion by Aspercreme that is 4% lidocaine. That used to be RX but now you can buy it in most stores. It it wonderful and just a small amount covers a large area. I find it as good as the RX patches, and it is affordable.

You could rub some on the thighs and it may work all day like it does for me. There is a condition called meralgia paresthetica which affects the sensory areas of the thighs. This is an entrapped nerve from the lumbar region, and you should be tested for that.

Read this link entirely... there is an illustration (figure 2B) of where the nerve originates in the lumbar region, goes thru the abdomen, and exists from under the inguinal ligament to travel to the front and lateral side of the thigh.This sensory nerve does not affect the muscles or strength.
Hip Pain in Athletes - American Family Physician

I had this following abdominal surgery when I had a C-section. It only affected by right thigh, but it can affect both, especially if
some disc compression is occurring in the lumbar vertebrae.
I used lidocaine patches for mine after many years of suffering.
It went into remission after two weeks (which surprised me) finally, so I don't have the thigh pain anymore.

The OTC product:
Aspercreme Pain Relieving Cremes and Gels: Pain Relieving Creme with Lidocaine

It is worth a try, and not expensive. You only need a small amount on each thigh...say 1/2 a quarter's worth on each side.
Rub it in well, and let dry.

Thank you
 

Thanks for all of your suggestions.
I do have the aspercream and use it all the time.
It helps, but not enough.
I had a pain doc inject lidocaine into that nerve that you mentioned, and it didn't
help, so I doubt that is my problem sadly.
So, your thigh pain stopped after two weeks of patches??
Why do you say the capsaicin will make me burn more long term?
Thank you

Here is just one list of drugs that cause PN:

http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uc...ic/drugs.shtml

There are many lists on the net and depending on the date published may show slight variances. For some reason the fluoroquinolones and statins are typically ignored still on listings.

So I don't think using phenytoin in a compounded cream is wise.

Many people including myself find capsaicin intolerable. Just keep that in mind. Side effects listings for capsaicin include burning pain and red skin.

Understanding what livedo is would help in trying another path topically to reduce it. Livedo is a temporary constriction of blood vessels and reduction in the circulation where it appears. So given that hint, trying topical magnesium may help. Some pain is ischemic, and if that is your case using magnesium will improve circulation where it is applied. Magnesium dilates blood vessels and improves circulation, and also acts on the NMDA pain receptors to block pain signals. So it is very useful for pain too.

Our nice lotion by Morton's was discontinued recently but many of us stocked on up it and still use it. This is very unfortunate because it really works well for some of us.
Alternative topicals are RX (your doctor can order a compounded cream with magnesium in it), or you can buy OTC the Kirkland one:

http://www.kirkmangroup.com/magnesiu...3-gm-4-oz.html

Oral magnesium may not get thru the area with decreased blood flow, so using a topical bypasses that.
Some magnesium is absorbed from epsom salts, so soaking in LUKEWARM water that covers the thighs may help too. Before bedtime is especially relaxing to the whole body as well.

MP can arise from wearing too tight blue jeans or pants, tight belts with or without heavy tools attached, medical procedures like a bone marrow biopsy, abdominal surgery (my trigger), diabetic PN, or injury to the lumbar spine, girdles or compression of the lower stomach area by tumors or trauma.

Wonderful
 

Thank you!!

Gossiegoo-
I experienced burning in the front of both thighs due to severe peripheral neuropathy in both legs for 5+ yrs. Gabapentin did not prove helpful for this problem. My primary care Dr. placed me on ropinirol 2 MG x daily, generic is reasonably, priced, been around for yrs. It's more commonly used to treat Relestless Leg Syndrome (RLS). The only negative side effect I experienced was fatigue when 1st started which eventually passed over time.

Spinning
 

I think you need to try a spinning class, get the blood flowing through the legs. The spinning will give you leg burn, but the muscles and you health will be better off.

I've lived with right thigh burning for going on 10 yrs and it's from front approach hip replacement....whole right thigh is dead/numb. What has helped with burn/tingle issues is Inosine, been taking Grape Seed Extract for 25 yrs soon and topicals and the best one that helps me is Topricin homeopathic lotion for pain. And neuropathy....I have others too, but Topricin is the Best in my life. I've improved a lot but thigh is numb/dead from the surgery. No spinning for me, I think that would anger my damaged knee, again from hip replacement. Oh the damage...