Newbie here, please advise on capsacian cream

[tedstriker]

Hey All

I have recently been to a pain management clinic and was prescribed capsacian cream along with a booking for a supratrochlear nerve block.
I have been in chronic pain for the last 18months and it has never got better; it all started from rubbing the forehead and for some reason the whole area became intensely inflamed; steroid cream reduced it but I was left in constant pain and any movement of my forehead caused some swelling.
It has been the same ever since like it is in a cycle.
I am on pregabalin and this helps with the pain but not with the swelling; we are sure it is nerve inflammation but not 100%; everything that has had an effect has been pregabalin, steroid cream, prednisolne, and warm baths....
We think we have located the pain to the supratrochlear nerve the the pain management doctor is not sure whether an injection would have any effect; he said that they'll be cortisone in with the shot; would this travel up the length of the nerve?
I have started using the capsacian cream around the affected area, on the first use the forehead muscle was twitching like mad, on the second use it did not do this but where I had rubbed it, it became really red and blotchy.

Is this normal????

Thanks
Rob

[tedstriker]

Hi Tuck
Many thanks for responding.
Its not a hive reaction, Im applying it at the nerve location and the surrounding area but it is only where the nerve pain is coming from where it goes blotchy the remaining area only mildly goes red; tested some on my hand the other day and it stung like crazy when I was in the bath....im tredding it tonight lol....
The injection they are going to do is a supratrochlear nerve block so they'll be injection in the eyebrow.
We think that rubbing the skin may have irritated a nerve which in turn caused an extreme inflammatory reaction because under the skin is discoloured; we think this reaction has caused the chronic pain but no-one knows why???

I tried acupuncture and thy stuck needles all the way across the forehead yet there was only one spot which caused pain (it amplified the pain I was currently feeling), I'm hoping this is where the pain is coming from, but we'll see.
They told my it would be a block with steroid; would this attempt to reset the nerve, or just to give it temporary relief?

Thanks Again
Rob

[Tuckamore]

Hello Rob,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Community I am sorry to hear about the unusual pain and symptoms that have resulted from rubbing you forehead. Most of us know that the journey through Chronic Pain is filed with difficult choices and challenges. We are sorry that you know that also. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post.

Capsaicin Cream is a topical analgesic. Exactly how it works is unknown, but it is thought to decrease the amount of a certain substance (substance P) that transmits pain in the body. Capsaicin comes from chili peppers, that's what give it warmth. If you are experiencing a hive like blotches you may be reacting to an ingredient in the Capsaicin. Some redness is normal.... and your body is reacting to that hot substance. Are you allergic to peppers? I would call your Pharmacist and discuss your symptoms with him/her. He may direct you to contact your physician but will have good information for you.

I assume you are talking about an Epidural Steroid Injection. There are several theories on how this injection actually works. The steroid is injected directly into the part of the spinal column that is called the epidural space, not your nerve. This is thought to aid in reducing this inflammation.... which is often the source of nerve pain. The other belief is that the (cortico)steroids act like a local anaesthetic and block the pain, long enough to allow the body to begin the process of repairing itself. The actual drug stays pretty locally but reduces inflammation in the entire area. At least that is my understanding.

I hope you are able to find better pain control. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Best of Luck to You,
~Tuck