Problem with heating pads...

[RAS6]

OK, I am not using them until I see my Doc on Thursday. I am noticing dicoloration on my abdomen from where I use my heating pad. It looks lie a dark sun tan and it is in a weird pattern because I use microwave pads at home and the Bodiheat pdas wehn I am out. I am worried I am using them too much, or maybe should have had more fabric in between the pad and me even with using the cover, I have not used one for two days now andthe discoleration is not going away. Thank god I am too tubby to want to wear a bikini because that would have been very upsetting! It is a very ugly mess!
Has this happened to anyone? I am worried that yet another helpful thing is giong to be lost to me know because of a weird side affect, just like Elavil, Pyridium Plus, etc.
I get so much comfort and some relief from heat at least from spasms and PFD symptoms and I am terrified I won't be able to use it anymore!

[sacausa]

That usually happens with me when I use the Thermacare heat pads and wear tight pants/jeans which kindof press the heating pad against my skin. You probably just over did it, if you're using it everyday.... so just take a break from the Thermacare pads especially, until you see your doctor.

[ICNDonna]

I use an electric heating pad more than any other kind. Mine has an automatic shut-off on a timer or if it overheats. It sounds like you may have a chemical burn, perhaps from something in the cover of the thermal pad. It could be that you're allergic to it?

Donna

[tigger_gal]

yikes, sorry to hear that. I have never had that happen. It is a good idea to ask your doctor.. When you do ask him to cally you in some urised. Make sure it is that name brand too. I have tried all the anti spasm meds off brands and so forth. I take one every night b4 bed and they do help control my spasms. I know how crazy it sounds that that only one works, but I will swear by it. when I hit a flair I will take 2 right away, and it is tolerable. My doc says if I keep it in my system the better off I am.
keep us posted ok.

[RAS6]

Thanks

I appreciate the responses. I am not sure if it is the portable pads b/c I can't wear tight pants. There are days I can't wear pants at all I have so much vaginal pain. My only jeans are maternity (my little seceret!) and now that the weather here is warm I am wearing loose gauchos and skirts again.
Sachausa, did the discoloration ever go away?

This heating pad is different than those I used before and you brought up a good point Donna. I noticed it was feeling very hard last night and took it out of the case to find it has several holes in it. The substance is actually clay based instead of the usual goopy blue stuff. Since I had this one for a long time (maybe four months now) and never had the skin issue, I am wondering if the substance seeped through the pad cover and that is why my skin is a dark brown color (like the substance itself) I am calling the company today to see what they have to say. In the mean time I am not using any heat until I see the Doctor. It sounds silly to be so upset, but heat has been such a helpful thing for me. I can still take a hot bath I guess!

Cindy, I thought I knew all the Ic drugs out there, but I have never heard of Urised. What does it do? Is it like Pyridium? I can't tolerate pyridium or anything similar to it b/c I get violent vomiting. Plus I can't find my glasses and it stains my contacts orange. Would it help for PFD spasms? That is my main complaint right now. The heat always calms them down and Valium helps too (but I am almost out, that is a different horror story!). I get spasms all across my lower abdomen and pubic area that range from tingly and annoying to horribly painful. My bladder spasms actually feel like sharp needle like pains in my Vagina (sorry if TMI) Would Urised help with those?
It's worth a try, but the office isn't open until Tuesday though.
Thanks for all the help ladies and I'll update you on what happens next.

[ICNDonna]

Urised is an analgesic (so is pyridium), but urised takes a little longer to act and seems to me like it lasts longer once it kicks in. You get technicolor here --- blue-green instead of orange.

Donna

[pingpong]

I's never heard of the "blue" meds (Urelle, etc) causing stains on contact lenses, but if it does, at least your eyes will be blue!

[sacausa]

The discoloration did go away! If you're not wearing tight clothing then I think it might just be from overuse... My explanation would be that because you used it so often that your skin became almost desensitized to heat, so you didn't feel it when it got really really hot. So your skin might just have toughened up in response to the heat, similar to a sunburn.... I'm sure it would go away but still consult your doctor. Also, usually when using heat, you're supposed to do an hour on, and an hour off... which the stick on heating pads pretty much mess with.... If it is a chemical burn, I'm sure it would also go away if the doctor gives you the proper medicine to put on it... I got a horrible man of war chemical burn on my stomach once, and there's no evidence of it any longer (although I did have to keep it moist with prescription creams and also covered for a few months)... Anhoo, I'm rambling, but don't worry too much... Oh, and it's also a good idea to have an extra piece of fabric between you and the heating pad, I don't think those covers are that great!

[Annie2]

There is a skin condition known as Erythema ab igne which can result from repeated exposure to heat. The skin becomes dark and mottled in appearance. A couple of us here have had problems with it as a result of using heat. You might want to discuss this possibility with your doctor. I developed it a couple of years ago when we were traveling and I used the seat heater in my car on high all day for many days in a row. Mine went away when I stopped using heat in that area, but it took awhile to return to normal appearance. I can still use heat, but do limit the amount of time and also the temperature (set the heating pad a little lower).

[**Angie**]

I've had the marks from to much electric heating pad on my tummy for years. I know I have mine set to high but I don't get any relief if it isn't. I had surgery awhile ago and I wasn't comfortable on my tummy so now my bottom looks all blotchy from the heating pad. After about 2-3 wks my tummy lightened up in color. But now I'm able to flip over. Not feeling so good yet and spending ALOT of time in bed with my heating pad. I didn't know there was a name for it--I just thought I was messing up my skin with heat. I'll have to look that up and see what it says. Heat is my life saver--what will I do if I have to go w/o it???

[RAS6]

[QUOTE= I didn't know there was a name for it--I just thought I was messing up my skin with heat. I'll have to look that up and see what it says. Heat is my life saver--what will I do if I have to go w/o it???[/QUOTE]

I didn't either and that is why I am freaking out. I am hurting so much today but don't dare use any heat. The marks still haven't gone away. I am waiting until I see my Doc on Thursday. He may send me to a dermatologist. If I get the green light for heat, I WILL NOT be using microwave pads anymore, that's for sure! I am just going to have to stop spending $9 a pop and just invest in a good electric pad with a timer and shut off system. Those just tend to run $50 + and I am cheap! But it would stop me from having a heating pad shoved in my waistband 24/7.
I hope you get better too!

[sacausa]

You're not microwaving the bodiheat pads are you?

[RAS6]

NO NO! I usually use a microwaveable heating pad at home (a $9.99 one I got at Walmart that is clay based) and the bodi heat pads are just for long days out, the rare occasions I work and car trips. I will admit that I use the microwaveable one too much, sometimes getting up at night to re-warm it. I just have such a hard time with non-stop pain and that was such a simple way to get some relief, no matter how slight.
Like I said, I will have to wait for the green light from the Doctor and get a better one with a timer/shut off option.
Thanks for your concern though!

[sacausa]

Oh ok! I know that was kind of a weird thing to ask, but you never know! I'm sure your doctor will be able to figure it out for you though! I sincerely hope that you find something that works for you... non stop pain is AWFUL! I don't know how I dealt with it.. or how other people deal with it!

[Annie2]

For me, it took several weeks for the discoloration and motteling to go away. And I did talk to my doctor about it. Even though I had this problem, I can still use heat regularly, but keep it to 20 minutes or so and then off for awhile. I am also careful about the heat hitting the area where it is needed and keep nearby areas insulated from the heat. I usually need the heat down low and my thighs would get too much heat and I would have problems with the erythema ab igne on my thighs. It may sound weird, but I found pot holders (ones I don't use in the kitchen....that would be ewww!) work well to keep my thighs and other areas insulated from the heat of a larger electric heating pad.

A good heating pad with adjustable temp. control and auto shut off works for me, especially at night. Once I slept with a Bodi Heat pad stuck to my underware and evidently rolled over or put pressure on it and awoke to 3 burned areas. Fortunately, the burns were small (about the size of a pencil eraser) and healed quickly. I only use the stick-on pads during the daytime now and NEVER when I am sleeping.