This topic has been addressed in other posts. However, it is somewhat scatter shot, so I thought it would be appropriate to address it as a separate subject.
I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I have tried numerous creams and other preparations. Sometimes I think they are working a little, sometimes not at all.
As examples, I have used lidocaine 5%, various cannabinoids (as balms, creams and soaks), cantherides (that hurt!) and various combinations of compounded creams containing lidocaine, ketamine, phenytoin, ketoralac and others (all of which are very expensive and not covered by MediCare).
One of my "theories" is that they are not penetrating enough, so I tried a few of them with DMSO cream, which is a solvent and supposedly penetrates the skin. Still no real success.
I'd be interested to hear from others about their experiences with topicals, and particularly any suggestions or tricks that makes them work better.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, iceblue
@jeffrapp, And I have experimented quite a bit with medical cannabis balms. There is one that gives me both pain and numbness relief. That is Papa and Barkley 3:1 Releaf Balm. If you want more info let me know. May you find joy today. Chris
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
I've not seen any effect with Capzasin. My sister gave me a smelly oil that she swears by – max pr-35, but had no effect on my foot pain. Uber Numb that I found on Amazon, might help a little for a short time. I have used lidocaine cream 5% with short term relief. Mostly I use it at bedtime and it reduces the pain while I'm going to sleep. As a rule, my feet become less painful after a while in bed. As a rule, I said, but not always.
Does a cannabis oil or cream do anything? Does it smell like cannabis? I really don't like that odor.
Jim
@johnbishop
@jeffrapp after I was diagnosed in 2016 with small fiber PN and the neurologist told me there were no topicals that would help the numbness I started my search and tried most all of the over the counter topicals with no relief. A friend put me on to essential oils and it made my feet feel better but didn’t do anything for the numbness. It may help with pain but that’s not one of my symptoms. I tried different blends of oils where one was the carrier used to penetrate the skin.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324999.php
Liked by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor