Vick’s Vapor Rub for Neuropathy Pain

I greatly appreciated your PN post.. My 2nd infusion of Taxol in Oct 2006 triggered chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: Mine has also changed/progressed over the years. I paid out of pocket for a few years, and it did help keep it from progressing. But then I made a decision as we neared age 65 that it was more important to squirrel away $$$$ for retirement. My bottom of the feet pain wasn’t ever so terrible at its worst that I was tempted to fill my primary doctor’s Rx for gabapentin. = some pain, but mainly the Very uncomfortable pins and needles at night ( like right now as I lie in bed waiting to get sleepy {{ oops, it’s 5:31am. I regained feeling in my feet enough to drive, but no balance. So I am 24/7 rollator enabled, and wrangle it in and out of my car when I Have to be out and about for errand, which thankfully isn’t often as I live alone without assistance .

I have PN from feet to hips. I have used many meds and pain pills for PN with no relief. But, I found a cream that will slightly decrease the discomfort and pain especially my feet. It's extreme ICY HOT.

I have not used Vicks VapoRub . But, I will buy the product today and pray it does better than ICY HOT.

Thank you.

I use Vicks vapor rub on my feet and ankles. Lanolin and menthol acts as a moisturizer and provides temporary relief/ cooling effects for the burning sensation often associated with neuropathy.
I find that when used with a liberal amount and covered with some clean cotton socks works best with the greasy skin.
If you’re experiencing cracking skin you can wrap your feet and ankles in plastic food wrap and then put some cotton socks on. Your body will absorb the lanolin and moisturizer faster because of your body heat. It’s like a sauna for your feet.

There’s no quick fix for neuropathy. Topical creams, lotions, oils and salve’s only provide temporary relief.

If you’re using a topical product I recommend a daily self massage on the balls of your feet and then force your toes to move and stretch. A simple exercise and stretch is to point your toes away from your body and then slowly bring them back to a 90* angle at your ankle. Try 10 15 repetitions when you’re laying in bed before you attempt to get up and walk around.
If you can afford it get a reflexology foot massage but make sure practitioner is licensed and certified. Ask to see their credentials many practitioners claim to be licensed or certified as a massage therapist but are not.

Diet exercise and water intake is more natural path than medication.

Walking even though it painful is one of the best things that you can do. I hope this helps!

My feelings exactly! If I sit too long, when I get up the pain is intense and as I walk and move about, it lessens. I have learned that when I do 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, I move with less pain. But, having said that, when I stop and sit or go to bed, the burning and pain is intense. If it gets too bad, I will take a tylenol, otherwise, as you said there isn’t much in the way of meds that make any difference. Just keep moving!!

My hubby does precisely what you do, for the intensely painful neuropathy in his feet. Does help me. Also applies to his thumbs for the rheumatoid arthritis. The foot neuropathy affected his gait and ability to even bear weight on feet. His podiatrist recommended PT, and the neurologist gave a script fo that. He has begun PT at the same facility that I've been attending for months now. Excellent therapist has given me relief from serious knee injuries (included a torn meniscus) and is presently doing wonders with the therapy for my ankle/foot (horrid pain due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).
I detest the odor of Vicks so after being coaxed by my husband to "just try it" for the high pain in toes and neuromas, I gave in and applied some and covered by socks. YES, it helped quite a bit....but I can't take strong odors so have not used it again. We both read in several sources that Vicks helps, and being Puerto Rican I can vouch that Vicks is a cure all for so many ailments besides chest colds. My mother used it on the plantar warts that my brother and I got a few times as children! And it worked! Hated the smell as a child also.

You are so welcome. John Bishop told me about it.

So glad you got some relief.
Skeleton

IcyHot advanced and/or max “cream”brought more temp relief than Vapor rub.

Needless to say, My PN is extremely painful and discomfort than most people.

Good luck!

My podiatrist suggested I gently apply Vicks Vapor Rub to my toenails because it has thymol, the active ingredient in Vicks that kills bacteria and fungus. Look up thymol and you can read about how people all over the world since ancient empires have used it. I grew up with my mother rubbing it all over my chest to help heal colds & coughs. I also had Black friends who grew up ingesting Vicks if they didn't feel well.