1. < Neuropathy

Vick’s Vapor Rub for Neuropathy Pain

Posted by avmcbellar @avmcbellar, Nov 29, 2020

Has anyone tried rubbing Vick’s Vapor Rub on their legs or arms for neuropathic pain? I wonder if it would feel cool on the skin with the burning pain. It would certainly help soften the feet.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

wifemom3 | @wifemom3 | Jul 22, 2022
In reply to @wifemom3 "I haven't tried Vicks for my neuropathy, but I am willing to try it. Thanks for..." + (show)
@wifemom3

I haven't tried Vicks for my neuropathy, but I am willing to try it. Thanks for the suggestions.

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I used Vicks for the first time last night before bed. It did give some relief. Thank you for the suggestion.

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 22, 2022
In reply to @princessbunny "Fascinating idea! I have had PN for 23 years. My symptoms have changed dramatically over the..." + (show)
@princessbunny

Fascinating idea! I have had PN for 23 years. My symptoms have changed dramatically over the years.

My feet, calves, and knees were numb to just above my kneecaps. Over the past two years, the feeling has returned to my shins and feet. The pain also returned! Now my shins are in such pain. My legs feel so cold I literally shiver sitting in my living room. Our temperature is set at 78 degrees. My husband is melting. He wears shorts, no shoes or a shirt! I am in flannel sweatpants, two t-shirts, and a flannel robe with a hood. I have an electric blanket over my legs.

I will try Vicks tonight! This forum has given me so much help. I am feeling very hopeless. All my doctors say nothing can be done. I do not accept this. I have an appointment with a pain specialist physician for an evaluation and hopefully a nerve conduction test. I have had several over the years which all confirmed PN. My neurologist told me I do not have PN and she could not help me as my condition is not PN. She accused me of drug seeking. I broke down uncontrollably sobbing I was so devastated. She did not blink. I asked if she would do a nerve conduction test. She replied, "well, if you insist". Every neurologist I have seen has always done this test. I have been with a pain management physician for 3 years. She referred me to this neurologist. I have been using Hydrocodone for many years.

Bless all of you on this forum! For the first time in many years, I feel hope! This group is so positive.

Sorry, this is long and rambling! I just got so excited to see this post about hammer toes!

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@princessbunny Hello there. Sorry about your neuropathy and all that comes with it.

Hmm...you say you have had PN for 23 years however your neurologist says you don't have it. Does he/she not recognize your NCS from the past proving it? May I ask who originally diagnosed? Have you ever had a skin punch biopsy to determine small fiber neuropathy?

Regarding hydrocodone...I must share with you that when I took it for neuropathy pain it enticed my system and gave me more intense chills. Actually hydrocodone created hyperalgesia which induced pain as well. Any thoughts of ever trying to wean off it?

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 22, 2022
In reply to @wifemom3 "I used Vicks for the first time last night before bed. It did give some relief...." + (show)
@wifemom3

I used Vicks for the first time last night before bed. It did give some relief. Thank you for the suggestion.

Jump to this post

@wifemom3 I just wanted to tell you that I see you. Although I don't mentor in cancer groups, and have no experience with cancer, I occasionally check in with the neuropathy group.

Keep going. I feel your strength and am sending you positive vibes.

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momalin | @momalin | Jul 22, 2022
In reply to @dbeshears1 "What are your special Neuropathy socks? I wear a different type sock when in shoes, but..." + (show)
@dbeshears1

What are your special Neuropathy socks? I wear a different type sock when in shoes, but in the house I’ve been wearing out the Thorlo socks I’ve found just right for the past 6 years, and I can no longer find the same style with them.

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I bought from Kenko Back on Amazon - “NeuroSocks”
I’m praying they will help you too.

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wifemom3 | @wifemom3 | Jul 23, 2022

I added Lidocaine to my Vicks Vapor mix to my legs and feet last night and it seems to really help.

Just a suggestion... (:

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bcool123 | @bcool123 | Jul 23, 2022

For the last year or so my neuropathy just cause my feet to be ice cold. Now they are burning hot. Wonder why the difference I haven’t changed anything… Wondering if the Vicks VapoRub will stain the carpet as with my hot hot feet I walk barefoot in the house.

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wifemom3 | @wifemom3 | Jul 23, 2022
In reply to @rwinney "@wifemom3 I just wanted to tell you that I see you. Although I don't mentor in..." + (show)
@rwinney

@wifemom3 I just wanted to tell you that I see you. Although I don't mentor in cancer groups, and have no experience with cancer, I occasionally check in with the neuropathy group.

Keep going. I feel your strength and am sending you positive vibes.

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Thank you

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bcool123 | @bcool123 | Jul 25, 2022

I bought some generic lidocaine cream by Equate at Walmart. It did take the burning out of my feet for about three hours… And that’s three hours better than what I had! Haven’t tried mixing it with Vicks VapoRub yet because the Vicks will stain my carpet but the lido cream claims not to stain. Tonight it seems to help when my feet got so cold too! Thanks to Connect For giving us a place to share information. bcool123

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rickhood | @rickhood | Jul 30, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "@avmcbellar, Thank you for starting this discussion. As someone who has always had Vick's Vapor Rub..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@avmcbellar, Thank you for starting this discussion. As someone who has always had Vick's Vapor Rub around the house since remembering how my mother used to rub it all over my chest as a kid when I had a bad cold or flu, I've never considered it to help with neuropathy pain. It will be interesting to hear if any members have tried it and if it's helped. Here's some information that supports your question.

"Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems.Aug 20, 2015" Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Treatments
for Peripheral Neuropathy (PN): http://www.neuropathyaction.org/downloads/CAMTreatmentsFinal.pdf

It's also listed under Natural Products heading (link to PDF below) on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/integrative-therapies/ ------ Supplements for Your Nervous System:
https://29fvx519grkh3bdqrc16zioc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Supplements-Not-highlighted.pdf

I don't have pain but just numbness and I put body lotion on my feet and calves every night plus I wear socks at night to protect the feet when I have to get up at night. I've also used magnesium lotion and it works quite well to help keep the skin from drying out which is important for neuropathy since the peripheral nerves are close to the skin.

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Hi John,
"....which is important for neuropathy since the peripheral nerves are close to the skin."
That got me thinking....
I have peripheral neuropathy, but it is strictly numbness (as mentioned before here) and it is "inside" the feet not on the surface, meaning that I feel a scratch to the skin no problem, but I do not feel vibrations of a tuning fork on my foot very well.
Does that mean anything that you have come across -- that skin nerves seems fine but it is "inside" that is not?
Thanks,
Rick

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 30, 2022
In reply to @rickhood "Hi John, "....which is important for neuropathy since the peripheral nerves are close to the skin."..." + (show)
@rickhood

Hi John,
"....which is important for neuropathy since the peripheral nerves are close to the skin."
That got me thinking....
I have peripheral neuropathy, but it is strictly numbness (as mentioned before here) and it is "inside" the feet not on the surface, meaning that I feel a scratch to the skin no problem, but I do not feel vibrations of a tuning fork on my foot very well.
Does that mean anything that you have come across -- that skin nerves seems fine but it is "inside" that is not?
Thanks,
Rick

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Hi Rick, That's an interesting question. I have not seen any information discussing it but that's not to say it doesn't exist. One of the good places I've found for a layman type person like myself to learn more about neuropathy is Matthew B Jensen's YouTube channel. He is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Wisconsin. The Sensory overview video explains how it all fits together.

https://www.youtube.com/c/MatthewBJensen
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