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Ideas for pain relief from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN)
I just wanted to pass along some ideas for those of you with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I am a 60-year-old female in excellent health other than the onset of this about a year ago. I do not have diabetes or any other detectable health issues.
I started some new things a few weeks ago and this week I have had some remarkable relief. I am not sure if what I have done is why, or which thing might have helped, but still wanted to pass this along just to give some of you some things to try.
I wear compression socks. This seems to help with the pain and pressure I feel in my feet and ankles.
I started taking Evening of Primrose oil twice a day.
I have cut my caffeine intake by at least two-thirds and now drink mostly green or black tea. I had heard that caffeine could irritate nerves...worth a shot.
I exercise, which I have been doing for over 20 years. I think it improves circulation which I think really helps with nerve health.
I added niacin. I will aid in blood flow, also good for circulation.
I use a cream called DMSO which i put on my feet and ankles in the morning (numbs the pain)
I don't know if any of this could be helpful for you or not, But I seem greatly improved recently......I have tried everything and am always looking for new things to try in order to function with this awful condition.
I am still taking 600mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day and 20 mg Citalopram once a day and have been for 9 months. I do not take any other medications.
Blessings to all of you and I hope there is a cure some day. I intend to keep looking for solutions that do not require medications!
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My diagnosis is peripheral neuropathy. I have numb feet and numbness on one leg up to the knee. But at the same time the feet are so sensitive that I can't wear socks, even though the compression socks might work. Reason is that one small wrinkle feels like I'm on a rock or nail, etc.
Hoping some cure can be found.
Hello @terryrose, Welcome to Connect. I have peripheral neuropathy. My diagnosis is idiopathic small fiber PN and I've had it for over 20 years but only bothered to get a diagnosis a few years ago. I only have numbness with my neuropathy. I'm sorry to hear about the pain with yours. There really is no cure for neuropathy but there are a lot of different treatments and therapies that can help relieve some of the worse symptoms and pain. I'm hoping other members will share their experience with you and you can learn what has helped them. I posted my story earlier on Connect with what I've found that has helped me here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/?pg=42#comment-65985
You might be find the following discussions helpful in your search for something to help with the sensitivity in your feet.
> Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/
> Groups > Neuropathy > Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Are you able to share what current treatment you are using?
@burningfeetinphoenix ...I am pretty new to this so I hope I am successful in starting a discussion. I have been researching other alternatives to conventional drugs and was looking for comments on these treatments that seem to have support from the medical community and have had some clinical trials albeit not necessarily double blind studies. Here they are:
Phenytoin Cream
DMSO cream
PEA capsules 600-1200 mg as per studies
PEA Cream - Can now purchase in the US!
Injections of Exosomes (my podiatrist wants to do these injections)
Calmare machine
Ketamine and Amitriptyline NP-H cream
Any comments welcome. Also, it appears most studies on alternatives are done in the Netherlands.
@burningfeetinphoenix, you started a new discussion perfectly. But...I actually moved your message to an already existing discussion on the exact same topic. I did this so we can collect everyone's ideas in the same place. I'll also be interested to see links to any studies that anyone has.
BurningFeet, have you had any success with these alternatives?
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1 ReactionI am taking PEA. Orderer PEA cream. Too early to tell...thx!
My remedy for burning feet is to spray them with Biofreeze. It dries quickly. I then put on soft roomy socks, take a 3 or 5mg. Melatonin and in a half-hour or so I drift comfortably off to sleep. I find that I have to alternate foot sprays fairly often and like to use Lidocaine and or whatever product I have on hand.
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2 ReactionsThx. I use Sarna lotion and run A/C and the Dyson fan on my feet...mine burn only at night or in the sun...
Will give it a try! Thx.
I use Sarna lotion. Same ingredients.
@burningfeetinphoenix My feet hurt just thinking about having a fan blowing on them.
Jim