Even 1% can take getting used to. You will initially have heat sensitivity because those receptors sense temperature. Avoid putting your leg in hot water after application. Some of the nerves of the foot and ankle run up deep through the calf (as opposed to along side or in front of it). When they are really aggravated pain can shoot up further along the track of the posterior tibial nerve if its lower branches are affected. That was one of my original problems after a nerve injury caused a neuroma on an ankle nerve branch. My shooting pain stopped after the repair. Darn thing still hurts but not nearly so bad and it stays local. I know that isn't your issue. Just saying my experience of the funny things nerves do. Unfortunately I am little too familiar with different types of nerve pain!

Go ahead and see PM. it never hurts to get information and then you have someone on board when you are ready or when you need it.

That makes sense. Okay I'll give it another shot. I'll see about getting pm near my neuro . my rheumatologist is in opposite direction. Trying to get em all in a single location. I'm just worried I may have cancer. I get so tired doing the easiest of things, I.e. folding laundry or limping from one room to the next. It's summer now, so I'm gonna try the pool as often as I can. I was going to pt for my foot and back, but it was a 45 min drive. I'm hoping the pool will help with all that. Do you happen to know much about photobia?

I don't k ow much about photophobia, but I can tell you hot sun brings the pain all the way up to my shoulder. I am a redhead and the sun already is not a friend to my skin but since this started, soending too much time bare skinned in that arm is very painful.
I recently started massage and it's taken a bit to not have that overwhelming nerve response to touch calm down enough to allow it. Now I enjoy it. (But one stelate ganglion block really helped that for the first one, now it's wearing off) I also use my horse to rub my arm on for desensitizing in a way that also brings me great joy and positive feedback and it's very helpful. Do you have a pet that you may be able to pet with your foot when you are in a time you are feeling peaceful and relaxed?

I get worn out too easily also. I checked and no cancer. Just my CRPS affecting my lungs making the simplest of activity to make me get tired quickly. The only thing I seem to do luckily is playing piano. One handed of course...

Here's a heeling hug for all...

I know what u mean Russell. It's getting to that point for me. Know anything about the lump feeling? Gets worse when I keep my head down. Starting to feel more and more light the more work I do. I get light headed if I have to bend over and stand back up too. When I was younger, in my teens, I would ride coasters and pass out when going upside down. Anytime I went upside down I'd pass out or maybe it was blackout.

Have you had an MRI of your brain and neck? The reason I ask is some of you symptoms sound like Chiari Malformation. Blackouts, numbness and tingling, difficulty swallowing. I would check with a neurologist. Personally, I know I feel better when I have a diagnosis. Unfortunately sometimes more than one condition is needed to cover all symptoms.

No matter what happens the support here is better than any I have ever experienced. The people here are often more educated in CRPS than many healthcare professionals. I am lucky enough to have a very supportive family but they don't really understand. However having people who are going through what you deal with everyday is invaluable.

That is so very true. I just actually talked to my family about some things I was going through, and they think it is just anxiety/stress :/ I have had MRI done, and it was normal. Xrays confirmed at chiropractic office that I have stage 3 disdisc degeneration in my neck and lower back. Just made an appointment with my primary care dr. So I can see about getting set up with pm clinic here locally. In the mean time, I may try the 1% capsizin on my entire foot/ankle. I agree that this support is really awesome. I know it is helping me a ton.