This response to epsom salts has to do with magnesium.
Some magnesium is absorbed thru the skin.

When you have swelling you have a back up of blood in the small capillaries and this prevent NEW blood from getting thru with its nutrients.

Magnesium reduces swellling by improving circulation to tissues that are clogged up. Also magnesium works against calcium in the NMDA receptor, which can lower pain responses.

Many of us on PN use epsom salts all the time.
(including me)

I wear the Dr scholls socks too. But I found that if you look for the Diabetic socks of any brand they are really soft, and dont cut off the circulation. I love them!!!!

Great thread all, thanx for all the ideas!!

I only wear Crocs Mammoth...they are fully lined and are so warm. I wear them all year round... the lining comes out and can be machine washed and air dried.

http://www.crocs.com/products/women/mammoth/

I have 5 pairs now....

They also make these for men and children...


I know...they are not the best looking shoes but they sure are comfy.


Abbie

Do you need to soak for the full 20-30 minutes to get the benefits?? The water gets cold, which makes me add more warm, which makes me add more Epsom salts (to not dilute it)......and they recommend using 2 cups per gallon of water. Do you use that much each time???

I never use 2 cups!

I use about a Dixie cup amount in the tub.

I have also made compresses with a very concentrated solution on vacation. We don't have a tub or running water there.
So I got a dishpan and put about a Dixie cup of epsom salts in it and used
a thin cloth (I think it was a HandyWipe --you know those towels you buy to clean with --they don't have any chemicals in them. They have holes in them tho.) I folded it over for several layers.

I'd sit on the dock and refresh it every 10 minutes or so. For about an hour a day. I did this for my bad knee which was terrible at the time. The water was never really warm much and that didn't seem to matter...the temp ...since it was only compresses. The epsom salts worked really well that way too.

Be careful in the tub with Epsom salts... things seem to get very slippery with them!

What do you do when you can't stand heat on your CRPS site. I have to keep my foot out of the water when I shower, because the temp of the water causes me severe pain.

Hi chef,
I copied your post and placed it on the main RSD forum - it will get more views & replies there.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

I have found that nothing is as soothing against my skin as silk, so I have nighties and a nightshirt in silk. They breath soooo well, and help with the overheating/chilling I get. I also indulge in silk sheets, although I too would love to hear if anyone has compared the bamboo to the silk sheets. I have a split Cal King adjustable Temprapedic bed (the constant adjusting helps too) but finding silk sheets (or any that aren't the cheap low count cotten blend) has been impossible so far. Any leads are greatly appreciated!!!

For shoes, I LOVE my Berkinstocks. I live in the US, and end up ordering from the UK sometimes, since they have cute styles.

My only remaining inability to address: a comfy bra!!! (I'm a 40G, as in gigantic!!! and have had 2 kids and am in my 40's, so braless isn't a nice look for me!) I've been contemplating the reduction surgery for years now, but since I had a major RSD flair this summer with a simple cortizone shot, I'm having to re-think the reduction idea.

Anyway, great ideas in this thread, even for us "oldies." (I haven't posted in a couple of years, so my count was wiped out I guess.)

My left foot/calf/knee are too swollen for any shoe or bootie (I also found the soft chenille sock works for work). In a chair as I can't walk just now. But I'm excited to try the Epsom Salts! - I can handle warm water/not running like a shower; NO cold water! I would love to get a shoe on-any shoe. My lower leg is cyanotic(sp?) VERY cold to touch but will suddenly turn bright red & start to BURN WHAT WORKS FOR THE BURNING?! Any tricks to stop it? Or calm it down?! Would appreciate ANY ideas on that problem!
- so far for me: VERY soft flannel/brushed flannel, velvet/velveteen (I'm going to look silly come summer though), silk, satin.BEST: bare leg/foot, no blankets/anything touching. My Chai Tea helps me to relax - with one piece of chocolate as my reward for surviving another hour/day ;-); my sound machine also works to distract me, I can focus on the repetitiveness-that's calming as well.
THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL IDEAS!
Please? Suggestions for when it's burning? I would appreciate that so much!

My Dr. has me taking 750 mg. of magnesium and thanks to Ms.D's reply now I know why! I did not know the connection. It must help with the burning pain, but also helps with constipation when I take pain meds. I have a "TENS" unit that helps and oddly enough a warm heating pad over flannel helps me too. I have yet to figure what sets off the burning pain because I guess I'm fortunate that it comes and goes.
It's all such a mystery - We need a cure!