Erythromelalgia

RE: Erythromelalgia

I have a client with this condition who is waiting to see a rheumatologist. I only do neck/back and shoulder massage as she won't let me touch her feet or hands. She has just started some homeopathic treatment and when I see her in a couple of weeks will ask her about it.

Would really be interested in any alternative methods anyone can offer.

Lesley

RE: Erythromelalgia

Hi dearest Angelfair 😉 So good to see you back again! 😀 With Wynter also gone, I felt all alone here ... the only SA 🙁 I'm not familiar with that name / condition but it sounds just like what my Dad was experiencing before he was told that he had developed Diabetes 2 [&:] but I'm sure that you've had this checked out. The lady who presented the Dr Clark seminar I attended earlier in the week covered something similar 😉 so I'll look it up and get back to you privately ... as the others here are sick of me [:@] always harping on about the same 'angel cures' :D:D:D I know now what 'born again' folk experience ... altho' God forbid I'm ever in need of any 'rebirth' [:'(] 😀
Lots of love sweet one,
@nnie[8D]

RE: Erythromelalgia

Erythro - red
mel - limb
algia - pain

Also known as Mitchell's disease.

I had to look this up in Webster's Medical Dictionary, but from the definition, it looks like the medics have little idea on 'cause'.

However it does list some things it's associated with.

Polycythemia vera, thrombocythemia, gout, neurological disease & heavy metal poisoning. [&o]

Questions to ask are;- is it hands/feet, one side or both & is any other part of limb involved? 😮

Is it preceded by any sensations, such as, coldness, tingling, numbness, pins & needles, etc.

From the little information we have & consideration of possible simillar conditions - would suggest:-

The reaction seen on the skin is only a symptom of the underlying cause, so a dermatolgist is unlikely to be able to help.

This reaction is likely to be a vascular problem (poor circulation), for which there are many things you can do & take for this.

Or is caused by an over/underactive reaction of the sympathetic nervous system supplying the area that controls how restricted or dilatated the blood vessels are in the area. Hence the above questions, to enlarge on that one.

I am assuming that your occupation doesn't involve contact with heavy metals.

If any of this fits, you can email or send personal message.

RE: Erythromelalgia

Dear All,
Thanks for the interest shown, I copied an extract from the EM site to enlighten everyone who is not familiar with EM. Hope this helps

EM.
So far three subtypes have been suggested, and each responds to
different treatment.

1. Thrombocytic EM - this nearly always responds to aspirin. This group
includes patients who have thrombocythemia (excess blood platelets) and
polycythemia (excess red blood cells).

2. Vasoconstrictive EM - here the blood vessels in feet/hands are too
constricted so that the supply of blood is deficient (ischaemia). The
presence of Raynaud's disease or symptoms of cool or very cold
feet/hands, as well as episodes of burning pain, indicate this subtype.
Treatment is to open up the constricted blood vessels with a
vasodilator drug such as a calcium-channel blocker. Recently, magnesium has given
benefit to some patients. Aspirin is usually ineffective, and
beta-blockers may cause even colder extremities.

3. Vasodilatory EM - this subtype is less common than the other two.
The blood vessels in the feet/hands are opened too wide with an
oversupply of blood (hyperaemia). This causes red burning symptoms which are
episodic or even constant.
Treatment is to constrict the blood vessels with a beta-blocker.
Aspirin is ineffective, and calcium-channel blockers will make the burning
worse,

As research into EM continues, further subtypes of EM may be added, or
a new classification suggested to replace this present one.

CAUTION: patient response varies widely so that supervision by a
qualified medical doctor is essential.
Many EM patients are extremely sensitive to the effects of medication -
especially to calcium-channel blockers(CCBs). Always begin on a very
LOW dose of one CCB: then increase the amount gradually to find the
optimum dose. High doses of some CCBs have been found to induce burning
symptoms of EM.

Recommended reading: the Clinical Review article "Erythromelalgia: New
theories and new therapies" Jay S. Cohen.
Journal American Academy of Dermatology Nov.2000;43: pages 841-7.

Jean Jeffery. UK. Oct. 2002.

RE: Erythromelalgia

Hi Angelfair😉
On reading Anahata's post above, I suddenly remembered that you live on a farm, and could possibly have your own borehole. As you know, the media (esp. Carte Blanche) have covered the huge problem of toxic waste [:'(] in various parts of the Transvaal seeping into natural water sources, and even into that underground, affecting the lives of many poor people. Sadly, the companies responsibile, seem to get away with this year after year, always making promises to do a thorough clean-up, yet years later, nothing appears to have been done [&:] and vast areas of land which were once fertile now stand barren, and this water still reaches neighbouring boreholes [:@]
Just a thought! 😮
With love,
@nnie:D

RE: Erythromelalgia

If that's the case, then it sounds like heavy metal (lead, cadmium, mercury, etc)poisoning could be a strong contender. [:'(]

Your doc should be able to arrange tests to check blood levels.

Also, does anyone else who shares water supply have health problems?
They won't necessarily have the same symptoms.

RE: Erythromelalgia

Dear All,

Thanks so much for your suggestions, but firstly Annie, this condition started whilst working on an Organic Farm in Berkshire UK. The same time the foot and mouth was in full swing, although the farm was in isolation, we were not affected. Secondly, as suggested I will go and have blood tests done re heavy metal.

Also on our farm we have municipal water in the house and only use the borehole for the animals and garden - they are all healthy with no foot problems 😀 (just joking).

Once again, thanks for your help and suggestions, keep them coming, I am willing to try anything.

RE: Erythromelalgia

hi all

i'm from the UK and have been living with this condition for a number of years, but have only just been diagnosed with the condition in the past week (and still know nothing about it), only after i showed my doctor information i'd found on the web was i told i had it.

thank you Anahata i never knew it was called mitchell's disease as well (give you one guess what my surname is) 😀

if anyone has more info on this condition i'd be really grateful, i 've got it in both hands and both feet and it's got to the point were i can't wear trainers only flip flops or sandles (and for british weather thats not a good idea, unless i want frostbite), i've also had so many blood test i've lost count (all have come back ok)

many thanks

RE: Erythromelalgia

Hi Pixie, So sorry to hear about your condition, I have been suffering from EM for the past 6 years. I found a website, look up erythromelalgia and you will find a mountain of information, as well as discussion forums etc, if you still have problems let me know and I will e-mail the details to you. I live in South Africa, from one extreme to another, the heat really affects my feet and I walk around bare feet all the time, I also find that wearing shoes or slops made from artificial material aggrivates the condition. Good luck

Edited to remove email address