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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Erythromelalgia

Posted on Tue, 7 Mar 2017

Question: My wife has been suffering with Erythromelalgia for eight years. Her feet burn,turn a bright red and hurt like the devil. The only remedy we know of is putting her feet in ice water til they cool off and the pain subsides.Now the skin on her feet cracks and bleeds causing more problems. She can only wear shoes for very short periods of time, which means she is home bound. We have found only one dr. who has ever seen a case of this and he called it sticky Platlets. We could use any help you could give us.
Thanks, XXXXXXX and Edie McCleary

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Erthyromelalgia

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thank you for writing on HealthcareMagic

Well, your wife does seem to have one of the rare diseases. There are a few treatment options tried and tested but none have come out to be very useful. I would like to know a few more things before I can guide you further:

1. Does she have only primary erythomelalgia or did they find other associated diseases like High platelet count or high Hb?

2. What other treatments have been tried ??which may have failed

3. Any triggering factor which you have noticed recently?

Do let me know these queries. I will try to guide you in the best possible way

REgards
Dr Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Dr, Naval:
Thanks for your reply. We were told her blood platlet count was normal. The Hb, I never heard that phrase.? She has tried Lidocane patches on her feet. (didn't work)
She went thru asprin sensitivity shots, but only got to the 81mg level befor she could
go any farther. The ice has been the only thing that has given any relief at all.
Weather iiis a triggering factor. If it above 45 degrees outside the problem kicks in.
We run an air conditioner in her room all year long aimed at her feet so she can get some sleep. We live in XXXXXXX Pa so it is a 4 season climate. We have been to at least 10 Dr over the years and have found only a podiatrist who has seen this affliction. any help will be appriciated.
Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Treatment options

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

sorry for the late reply.. had a long duty yesterday and then had a valentine s night out with wife.. So could not revert to you.

HB means --> Haemglobin( wanted to be sure it is not Polycythemia)

Well, For erythromelalgia the treatment options are very limited especially if is not able to tolerate Aspirin. one of the new drugs which has been tried is ANAGRELIDE. It has shown positive results in a few patients. Although one cant be 100 % sure, which one will work where, we can always try this option.

Secondly for acute attack, you can consult your haematologist/immunologist for s.c.prostacyclin. There are vasodilators but short acting, and can at least work during the acute phase to provide you relief.

Thirdly, I am not sure if Pentoxyphylline has been tried. It has also shown good results in preventing platelet aggregation

I am sorry I cant give you 100 % accurate answer, these are the options which we can give it a try,..Studies have shown good results with them

Do let me know for more queries
REgards

Dr naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (5 hours later)

Thank you doctor. You have given us at lest three different ways of going. That's more then we had before.
Thank you,
Edie and XXXXXXX McCleary

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Further course

Detailed Answer:
good evening..

I am glad I could be of some assistance. anyways I. hope one of these work out for her and she's feels better

do let ke know for more queries

regards
Dr naval

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana