Capsaicin

Description

Side effects

(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients)

Warnings

(These are standard cautions but may not be applicable to your case)

Comments

My boyfriend was prescribed Capsaicin cream a while ago, and after a couple of weeks the terrible extra burn from the cream did diminish somewhat but then he stopped using it because of an op. He's now wondering whether its worth trying again as he didn't give it a fair go the first time. A carer - England (member of RSD_UK Group)

I know this may not make a lot of sense - but the theory is that rather like rubbing when you hurt yourself. The action of rubbing 'blocks' the pain. Capsaicin creates a burning sensation on the skin which is 'supposed' to block the pain of RSD. Dave - a nurse in Wales (Dave runs the SKIPS website for children with RSD)

I have just started using Capsaicin cream it and it burns more than my pain does (umm that doesn't make sense!) I get a lot of burning pain and I can't really stand the sensation of it burning much more. I would love to hear from anybody that has or is trying it. Lynda (a member of RSD_UK Group)

I also tried Capsaicin cream - it is evil stuff! I found that I had to wear shorts in the winter as the action of the cream more than doubled when my legs got hot ( I was using it on my knees ). I haven't tried it again. Anna - Chester, Cheshire, UK

Thought you might be interested in my positive experience with Capsaicin.
I have suffered with allodynia since a shoulder/upper back operation 18 months ago. This makes me ultra sensitive to touch (e.g. clothing, bedding) on the right side of my head/face/ear, right side of neck, right upper back (scapula area), and down my arm. This problem has been slowly improving but I am also sensitive to temperature/air movements and that has nearly driven me insane. At times I can hardly walk through the house as the air feels like hot knives cutting into me and I have intense burning surges. Air-conditioning, a light summer breeze, my husband's breath on my back in bed, even the gentle draught from the microwave oven are torturing; though the rest of my body feels normal! I have had to wear woolly hats and fleeces in the house despite being on Neurontin, Amitriptyline and sometimes Tramadol. I have been unable to go into some shops and barely able to tolerate opening internal doors in the house. Stellate ganglion blocks only gave temporary relief.
But four weeks ago my life changed. I started using Capsaicin cream 3-4 times a day. OK it burns, yes - it mega-stings the eyes, although these effects are now decreasing. I have yet to work out "safe sex" (don't want to give my hubby the "hots" in tender areas as the cream really doesn't wash off very well!) But I am feeling nearly normal and I can go out without protective gear and without tears. I can go to the gym in a T-shirt despite the air-conditioning. I am beginning to live again. To be even thinking about something like sex is a miracle, pain was too over-riding before!
My GP started me on the miracle treatment. It's not easy at first, but I quickly learnt to use gloves to put it on. Also you need to persevere past the initial intense burning days, although the quality of this burning is preferable to the burning pain of RSD. Apparently it does not just act as a counter-irritant. With repeated exposure it actually depletes the nerve endings of "substance P" which is a neuropeptide involved in the transmission of pain signals. I want to sing and dance about it but most of all I want other to know in case they can be helped too. Annie - Chester, Cheshire, UK

The last 2 comments - opposite views from the same city - arrived in the RSD Alert mailbox within the same week. They confirm the uniqueness of each person's experience. Derrick - RSD Alert Editor

I tried Axian cream as prescribed by the pain clinic, but I didn't find it helpful. I waited for the initial burning sensation that I was warned about, but it never happened . The only burning I got was if my leg got warm so had to wear shorts even on cold days. So even though my leg was blue and cold ( I have RSD in my left knee and leg) I still had the RSD burning but no relief. Night time in bed was a dilemma; if my husband touched my leg with any part of his body, even by accident, the cream burned him. It brings new meaning to burning desire! It is very difficult to wash off and you don't dare touch anything sensitive; visits to the loo had to be taken with great care. I hope others have had a more positive experience. But we are all different and it shows how differently drugs react with different. Sue - a member of RSD_UK Group

My fiancée was prescribed Capsaicin Cream. He used the cream four times a day for 2 ½ days on his injured left wrist and hand and then had an allergic reaction. he has tattoos and around and over each tattoo up to his shoulder they became inflamed and blistered. he telephoned the GP and spoke to a nurse who told him to stop using the cream and advised him to wash the cream off with warm cooking oil. you should never try and remove the cream with water or soap. Sharon - Glenrothes, Scotland

I am in a lot of pain at the moment and unbeleivably itchy. I have looked up a shingles support website and they say that the Capsaisin cream helps 7 out of 10 people. Regarding the burning, they recommend using an anaesthetic cream or spray such as Lignocain B.P or 10% spray, brand names Xylocaine. This is applied 15 minutes or so before applying the Capsaisin cream. Hope this helps. Mark - Newport, Isle of Wight, UK