Hot, stinging sensation begins with the face and then slowly spreads downward to feet.

[Kuanyin]

Several weeks ago, I began experiencing what I can only refer to as a "hot, stinging sensation." First, it was on my face, including eyelids, then, as time progressed, it slowly spread over my entire body to even include the soles of my feet. Sometimes, this will last an entire day, other times it is intermittent. The "symptoms?" usually begin between 7-8 AM. Of course, I checked the Internet but none of the explanations given for the condition seem to fit. Has anyone experienced something similar? If so, what was the etiology and how was it treated? Thanks.

[gusgold]

sounds like neuropathy...gabapentin is usually the first drug of choice

[Kuanyin in reply to gusgold]

Thank you for your reply, Gus. Yes, I saw that as one of the possible causes of my condition. However, I am hoping for an allergic reaction as an explanation to any of the multitude of supplement I currently take, many of them derived from herbs.

[ctarleton in reply to Kuanyin]

Depending on the regularity of the pattern of symptoms, one could, perhaps, do what an allergist might do, and experimentally stop using each of the optional supplements, in turn, for long enough for them to clear one's system, and try to narrow down any culprit that might be causing an allergic-type reaction. (That process might possibly go a bit quicker by first eliminating 1/2 of the supplements to determine if a trigger is among one half or the other of all the supplements. Then repeat the process to narrow down to 1/4 of the list of supplements, etc.)

FYI, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has an excellent website section where one can look-up information about Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products, and find information about them, including common uses, and side effects. (See the Search box and alphabetical search bar at the bottom of the page):

mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagn...

Charles

[Scruffybut1]

I concur with Gus, I have the same symptoms which in my case are the after effects of Docetaxel chemo. I finished my 10 cycles on May 10 last year. The severe neuropathy commenced a couple of months later. As a diabetic I could be prone to peripheral neuropathy but do not have that. Similar symptoms but more limited areas.

University of Maryland ran the only clinical trials that I can find on Alpha Lipoic Acid. And they recommend it. Prescribed in Germany for neuropathy for many years.. I have used it for 2 months with approval of my Onco and my GP (a diabetic specialist) and results to date are more than encouraging. David

[Billash]

Please try Timed release Alpha Lipoic Acid, helps tremendously with neuropathy from my personal experience. Timed release is necessary as the 1/2 life is about 30 minutes in the body.

Billash

[Kuanyin in reply to Billash]

Thanks Billash. I'll try the timed release ALA as you have suggested. With timed release, how many milligrams in how many doses per day?

[Billash in reply to Kuanyin]

I take 600 mg twice a day, brand is source naturals, best price is from amazon

Good luck !!

[j-o-h-n]

For Kuanyin

To echo gus14K

"sounds like neuropathy...gabapentin is usually the first drug of choice"

Been there, done that and have the tee shirt (and neuropathy) to prove it. Strange but having it for many years I'm used to it and probably will miss it if it ever goes away.

Good Luck and Good Health!

j-o-h-n Thursday 05/25/2017 1:30 PM EST

[Beermaker]

I had the same stinging on my face and one hand. Fortunately it went away after about 24 hours. Now I have some in a couple of my toes from time to time, so I am thinking peripheral neuropathy. I am really glad to hear about the ALA. I took gabapentin for some time in the past for some weird neuropathy I have. It cured it in fairly big doses, but it messed with my mind. My wife (clinical therapist) made me get off it. Since then, I have found that 1000 mg of acetaminophen plus 600 mg of ibuprofen generally knocks it out in about an hour, and after a couple of days, it is totally gone.

Marshall

[Kuanyin in reply to Beermaker]

Thanks Marshall. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I can't "stomach" NSAID's. Next Tuesday I will see my endocrinologist for his assessment. FYI, in my research on ALA, I came across interesting information that I will share with the Community. One thing I discovered, the "R-Lipoic" form is much more stable than the L-Lipoic one. It is said to be "forty times" more assimable. Check with Life Extension's Super R-Lipoic Acid.

lifeextension.com/Vitamins-...