Anyone else suffering arthritis in their feet? OUCH!

Thank you.

Label on the container simply says PB003 (Neuropathy) Cream.

Also lists what the podiatrist wrote for combination of ingredients:
1 pump = 1GM *Ketoprofen 10/ Diclofenac 1/ Gabapentin 6/ Amitriptyline 2/
Lidocaine 5/ DMSO 5%"
Dispenses: 60 Pumps
Pricey but worth it to me ($65).
I don't see an expiration date anywhere on the label.

I can't stand the smell of the OTC creams/salves, nor the intense burning of several of them (Tiger Balm was the worst ever!). This compounded cream has no odor, doesn't burn (I have intensely sensitive skin due to CNS issues), not greasy, and has not stained socks.

I have osteoarthritis in both hands, with the right being the most affected (hugely deformed knuckles, lots of "bumps" and nodules). Yes, the right is my dominant hand. At times both get seriously painful (Pain Level 8 -9 out of 10), and once in a while becomes off-the-chart pain with even the palms and tops of hands throbbing. Last week both were at that higher end of the pain scale, and in desperation I used this cream on them, put on cotton gloves and sat on sofa with the heating pad on top of hands. It worked! After my self-designed "therapy" brought me relief, I thoroughly washed hands with very warm water and massaged hand moisturizing cream.

Thank you so much for this information. I want to share it with my podiatrist. I hope his ego doesn’t get in the way.

I hope your podiatrist has an open mind and heart to considering that there can be other avenues for helping people who suffer from chronic, and oftentimes unrelenting episodes of pain. Do prepare yourself to possible skepticism, as well as disapproval/dismissiveness of the use of compounded pain creams/salves. As I wrote before, it was an arduous, intense search online that led me to Dr. I. but totally worth the journey. He is but one of several hand-picked professionals in my Medical Team. I say hand-picked because one by one the doctors within the "umbrella" medical group that were proving not to be addressing my laundry list of problems were dropped and replaced. I'm fortunate to have insurance that doesn't require that I stay with "one group" and I don't need referrals for being seen. I'm also quite assertive and self-advocating, not hesitant to question, not hesitant to voice what I need, and definitely exercise the power of the firm words "No, thank you". I'm 75, and just don't want what time exists within God's will for me to be disrespected and devalued.

One more thing: When I do go for a pedicure, I always have the same technician attend to me. She learned from the very first time that she must be gentle, no deep manipulation of any part of my feet (especially the left one) or lower legs. At first she was confused (partly since English is not her fist language, but she comprehended what she can and cannot do. I don't go often, but always go on same day of week, early morning (assures that place is just about empty) and call ahead to make sure that she will be in. No nail polish so I can best monitor the blue-black presence of Raynaud's, and important for podiatrist as well. My feet literally rejoice while in the swirling, hot water basin! Being Asian, she shows such respect for me since in her culture seniors are respected and treated with courtesy. She is so sweet when done, gently drying my feet and then putting on my socks and shoes, followed by taking my hand to assist with the step down from that area. Will help with coat or sweater as well. Overall a relaxing, pleasant experience. If you go for pedicures, I highly recommend communicating about areas of pain and what you will accept (or not) being done. 🌺

I’m planning on a steroid shot on my foot that has a collapsed arch and lots of arthritis. Has anyone tried this?

I had two shots, one on either side of my left ankle to target pain from a nasty fall two yrs prior, as well as the arthritis. The foot orthopedist did explain the entire procedure and did advise that the shots were not a cure-all but could be repeated as and when needed. I had been having tremendous pain in the entire foot, so he divided the procedure into two sections: ankle and toe bed. The ankle was (at that time) causing the most pain (constant hot nerve pain, non stop 24/7 levels 7 to 10/10), so I asked that he do that area first.

Even with numbing the area, the pain from the injection was intense. Dissipated to a harsh numbness with sensation of overextended balloon. The was on a Friday morning in his office. All was good for balance of that day and I was fine through the night. By Saturday morning, pain again set in with a vengeance. I'm generally able to "ride a pain wave" but this pain brought me to tears and body shakes. Cold packs, warm packs, Aleve (the only thing I can take), ---NOTHING helped. I endured it all of that day and slept (poorly!) with foot propped up with pillows. Alleviated by Sunday to throbbing pain level 7. Continued with hot/cold packs and Aleve. The fact that fibromyalgia causes more intensified sensitivity to pain just made my entire body join in the pain party. By Monday morning, pain had dissipated to a level 5ish. Had spent the entire weekend on the main floor sofa because there had been no way the stairs to bedroom level could have been ascended without a chair lift, which we do not have. Kitchen and bathroom on that main level made it convenient for me and hubby. I had pre-planned meals and had a variety in the fridge, which my husband then was able to heat for the two of us. The pain did affect my appetitive since I tend to feel intense pain within my stomach. I had prepared butternut squash soup along with the other stored meals, and it was greatly welcomed by my stomach.
Monday morning, I called the foot orthopedist who had administered the injections and informed him of my agonizing experience, and how it had been a helluva lot worse than the pain it had been meant to treat. Informed him that the shots that he had planned for the front part of foot were definitely NOT going to take place. Injection in toe bed had been planned to relieve the constant pain caused by neuropathy, arthritis, and 3 neuromas (including a nasty hammer toe). The was in Sept of 2022. Now almost two years later, the conditions of my left foot are still existent but the experience of what I'd gone through with the shots to my ankle left me resolute not to undergo any more injections to that appendage.

How do I then deal with the arthritis along with other problems? I've delineated in other posts, but will briefly say that switching to WIDE width Merrell, Skechers, and podiatrist approved Acis footwear has been a godsend. All have mesh/stretch fabric rather than leather (which has no give" thus restricts toes). I upped the size also from 8.5 to 9.5 - 10 (depending on brand/style). Toes have to be able to splay out, which I do to exercise toes throughout the day. I have a pair specifically to wear in the house in place of slippers. Socks are nonbinding and allow space for toes, with no tightening on top of foot all the way up to the ankle. I have recently found that mens low cut socks are so much more comfortable than what are available for women. For me, it's all about comfort, not on being fashionable. I have a compounded cream prescribed by my incredible podiatrist which helps as needed. I take breaks while doing house chores especially when in the kitchen, and elevate my feet, remove my shoes/socks and gently massage the foot, including exercises learned during physical therapy. Aleve as needed (which for me is used sparingly since it is actually contraindicated by other medical issues, but it's the only pain reliever okayed by my primary; also can't take prescription pain drugs). I have osteoarthritis in many other joints, with the feet and hands being the most painful. None of this is going to disappear so I've learned to accept that it is part of me and have learned to adjust/adapt and let go of activities that are not contributing to quality of life while exploring others.

I'm just sharing what I experienced. You need to consider the specific parameters that make up your pain, and of course choose what's best for you.
🌺I wish you the very best.

I have osteoarthritis in both feet and I walk for exercise a couple of miles when I do walk. In 2019 I had such a pain in the second toe on my left foot I had surgery. I guess they remove the bone and put a little pin in it's place. The toe looks a little shrunken but it doesn't hurt anymore. Now I have a toe with the same problem on my right food it's swollen and the x-ray shows bone on bone. I also have another toe on my left foot doing the same thing and a pain on the top of my left foot that hurts when I walk. I am going to be 83 and still in good health. Do I go in for another surgery or not? That is the question. I also have had an injection in my heel for plantar fasciitis and he almost had to pull me off the ceiling. It did help though. I think the hands and feel are super sensitive to cortisone injections.

Thanks for your input. Reading that you walk several miles per day gives me hope. Good luck on your journey.

Good luck. I hope all goes well.

Oh my word. That all sounds terrible and I’m so very sorry. I’m glad your cream from the compounding pharmacy is giving you some relief. Good luck going forward. 🌼