Hi guys

As with many of you - i've had extremely sore hands (and thumbs in particular) since starting Letrozole and then changing to Exemestane 6 months ago.  Initially, the pain was manageable - but just now, I can't even use tongs to put food onto a plate! It is quite debilitating.  

It is now 24/7 pain and become worse in the last 2 weeks.  I am aware of whenever I awake during the night - it is a continual pain/ache/numbness ..... and worst of all, it is now affecting my ukulele playing & even my fishing!   :(    My fingers feel like fat sausages (swollen) and now don't bend well and are not good at holding things - I can't form a fist anymore!  :(

SO ..... when in NZ a few years back, I grabbed some Sports Liniment Cream developed by one of NZ's best Sport's Injury Specialist, caller Percutane!  It is available in Aussie at Amcal Chemists, I believe.  It is similar to Voltaren.

I put some over my whole hands/fingers this morning and am already feeling the results - I've rubbed my nose & my lips  & they are burning like hell!!   So if it gets thru my skin & attacks the pain areas like it has there already ..... I am hoping it will work wonders!!

Some info on it below (I don't have any affiliation with the product - but have used it previously for shoulder pain & it worked.)

I'll just have to be careful when I go to the loo!!

What do you use for the relief of hand pain (in particular)?  Does it work for you??

How Does Percutane Pain Relief Cream Work?

Percutane Pain Relief Cream contains four key ingredients that together help soothe pain and discomfort in muscles and joints 

Capsaicin (Capsicum fruit oleoresin) is a substance derived from the seeds and membranes of certain plants that belong to the nightshade family, such as chillies and capsicum.11,12 It is used, among other things, to help relieve muscle and arthritic pain.11 It is believed that capsaicin reduces pain by temporarily reducing levels of the neurotransmitter, substance P, which relays pain signals to the brain.12-14

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help communicate information between nerve cells. There are numerous clinical trials that have been performed that show Capsaicin is very effective at providing pain relief.

Arnica: Arnica (Arnica montana) is a herb that has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s. The fresh or dried flower heads are used in creams to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds.1 The anti-inflammatory effects of arnica are thought to be due to one of the compounds it contains.2 In a clinical study, arnica was shown to improve pain, stiffness, and function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.3 Another study showed that arnica was as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain and increasing function in patients with osteoarthritis of the hand.4

 

Burdock: Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a member of the daisy family and has been used for centuries to treat a range of ailments.8 The seeds of the plant contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects.9 Burdock is also believed to be useful in treating a number of conditions including arthritis and skin problems.10   

 

Aloe vera: The aloe vera plant has been used for thousands of years to treat a number of conditions.5 These include wound healing and inflammation.6 Aloe gel contains substances known as glycoproteins and polysaccharides. Glycoproteins speed the healing process by stopping pain and inflammation, while polysaccharides stimulate skin growth and repair.5

 

The SCIENCE behind Percutane:

How do these ingredients help Arthritis Sufferers?

Substance P is involved in the development of and inflammation associated with arthritis.14 Studies have shown that topical capsaicin is effective in reducing pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. In one study, capsaicin substantially reduced tenderness and pain in people with painful osteoarthritis of the hand.15 In another study, after 4 weeks of application, capsaicin reduced pain in people with osteoarthritis of the knee by 57% and in people with rheumatoid arthritis by 33%.14

 How do these ingredients help neuralgia and Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) sufferers?

Percutane gives relief of nerve pain/mild neuralgia and the pain of shingles rash and PHN by topical application (to be used only on unbroken skin). It provides temporary relief of nerve pain/ mild neuralgia by inhibiting Substance P, which transmits pain signals to the brain. 

Substance P is thought to contribute to certain types of skin pain. Because this pain is similar to that associated with PHN, researchers have investigated whether capsaicin is effective in treating PHN.13

One study looked at people who had had PHN pain for 6 months or longer and found that after 6 weeks of application of topical capsaicin, pain and the ability to function were significantly improved. In addition, the improvements continued in 86% of people who kept applying capsaicin for up to 2 years.12 In another study, significantly more people with PHN treated with capsaicin experienced relief from pain compared with those who used a placebo cream. After 6 weeks, almost 80% of people experienced some relief from their pain.13  

 How do these ingredients help Fibromyalgia sufferers?

Fibromyalgia is a condition associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The majority of people affected are young women in their  20s’ or 30s’.  It’s not known what causes the pain, but one theory suggests that substance P may be involved.16  In one study, people with fibromyalgia who applied capsaicin for 4 weeks on tender points reported less tenderness than those who applied a placebo cream. After 2 weeks, people who applied capsaicin to their hands had a significant improvement in grip strength.16