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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The DMSO cream helped the burning/pain in my feet. I had to cut the elastic around the top of my socks to even be able to wear them! I use the cream after my shower in the morning and it really helps with the sensitivity.
Thanks again Jennifer. I admire you wisdom and discipline. I can't recall for sure, but I think Dr. Gundry in his "Plant Paradox" did say tomatoes without skins and seeds are ok. I'll have to check. He said the lectins, defense mechanism of plants, is what causes problems for some people. I have to do something as pain and numbness has really ramped up to unprecedented levels. I don't think I've read anyone complaining about tooth nerve pain but I feel like I can feel the nerves of all my teeth at night. Additionally, a large part of the my mouth is numb and my tongue is painful. Oh well, back to plain eating. Thanks again for the encouragement!
Anyone using or know how to get Phenytoin (Brand name Dilantin) Cream? I read this study on it at link below. I have a link to the study but I cannot post links according to the rules...
@burningfeetinphoenix I see that you wanted to share link to information to share with fellow members. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.
Case Report - Topical Phenytoin Cream in Small Fiber Neuropathic Pain: Fast Onset of Perceptible Pain Relief by Jan M Keppel Hesselink and David J Kopsky (2017) https://www.scireslit.com/Pain/IJPR-ID13.pdf
Thx! That is the study I was looking at...
Where can you get this cream?. Sounds like it’s worth a try.
Where can you purchase this cream????
Hi @peggyn...I have posted on a couple of topicals. The one I was able to order was PEA Cream. I do not have it yet but did get the 100% pure PEA from a company in the Netherlands. I was available on Amazon. The PEA cream I ordered from Vitalitus LLC. It has not arrived yet. It's brand name is Soothamide - PEA 2% Topical Cream. I have not been able to find Phenytoin cream which has positive studies. BTW PEA is abbreviation for Palmitoylethanolamide. You can read about it in a brief study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. This study covers the PEA capsules, not the topical. I am working up to 1200 Mg/day. I cannot post link on this site but look up "Palmitoyethanolamide for the treatment of pain: pharmacokinetics safety and efficacy" Revised May 20019. The authors are from Sweden. This paper is based on 16 clinical trials. Onepaper on the topical PEA was pucblished by the HIH. Look up "Therapeutic utility of palmitoylethanolamide in the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with various pathological conditions: a case series" Published 2012. I'll be posting more on this in the future I am certain...Pam
Hi Pam
I'm Rachel
I have done research on this cream recently. Do use it exclusively for your feet and burning? Is your burning an internal burning pain or a burning heat? Is your pain from diabetic neuropathy, if you dont mind me asking? I get hot spots (hot to the touch) on my feet at night and sharp shooting pains but my calves are the biggest problem. They burn, pain, cramp, ache profusely and are debilitating. They put me down and take away walking. I'm wondering if this cream may work?
@burningfeetinphoenix
Phenytoin is an anticonvulsive drug and available by prescription. I'm guessing that a compounding pharmacy could make some... but, here again, by prescription. Here's a paper on drug repositioning for a phenytoin topical, specifically for neuropathy: http://www.remedypublications.com/pharmacology-and-pharmaceutics/articles/pdfs_folder/app-v3-id1144.pdf