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Itch Relief…

I just posted this in my comments on the post below, but decided to make it a post too for anyone that might wonder or might have more information to share.

I had allergy testing done because every year I have sinus problems (to the point I’ve asked a doctor before if they could just cut them out) – and any time I end up congested from allergies, I then end up with a sinus infection – or this last time I ended up with tonsillitis. We know it is allergies because Claritin helps keep the congestion away. I’ve had swollen glands most of the fall & winter this year and my doctor suspected it is also due to allergies. Now that we have tested me and found out what my allergies are, they will mix up a special serum just for me and I will go in once a week for injections. (I think it is once a week – maybe once every two weeks?) This will help me build up immunities to my allergies – hopefully preventing the sinus infections and tonsillitis of my past.

My family doctor just gave me Claritin constantly to fight my allergies, without ever testing to see what they were. I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist for my tonsillitis though, and he is the one that recommended it (I’ve always wondered why no one did it in the past). Now that we know what we’re fighting, we can fight it better.

On a positive note, I called my doctor’s office this afternoon and she had me come in so they could check my itchy arms. They hooked me up with some special prescription ointment that made the itch go away. For now. Cannabis products from https://d8superstore.com/category/cbg may also help reduce the effects of allergies like swelling or inflammation. If stress is what triggers your allergies or any other health conditions, Dab Pens offers products that may help relieve your stress.

By Christine

Christine is an Avenger of Sexiness. Her Superpower is helping Hot Mamas grow their Confidence by rediscovering their Beauty. She lives in the Heights in Houston, Texas, works as a boudoir photographer, and writes about running a Business of Awesome. In her spare time, she loves to knit, especially when she travels. She & her husband Mike have a food blog at Spoon & Knife.

1,336 replies on “Itch Relief…”

I have just changed countries from summer in Australia to mid-winter in the Canadian Rockies. Before I left Australia, I had a slight prickle I think because I hadn’t been to the acupuncturist for about a month. Within two days of getting here, I was going crazy and I realised I hadn’t had the same compulsion to drink water and I was also eating some commercially processed food. I stepped up the water and today it has retreated; back to good food with as few additives as possible and an acupuncture visit tomorrow. I know it comes from my upper back but it is manageable for me if I stick with this regimen.

Hi Everybody!

I posted a week or so ago but it never showed up – think I might have cursed – will that drop the email? – sorry but it was a really itchy day.

Anyway, I’ve now gone the chiropractor route, got the MRI last week & still waiting for results, lots of bloodwork last week (waiting for those results as well) and will finally see a neurologist late February. The chiro. took x-rays and concluded my neck was curved in an odd way, noticed some compression in the discs and adjusted me. Over the course of 2 days he also stuck me in the traction machine (neck felt fantastic after but it gave me a headache) and hooked me up to the machine that sends electrical impulses in your neck/back, thereby massaging it. Quite odd at first but wonderful overall because they cover you with a heated pad… ahhh… forgot about my bright pink arms (yes, I was in a t-shirt) until certain impulses would make the arms jerk! Wish I had one of those machines at home.

While I love that my doxepin gets me through the night, have any of the side-sleepers out there discovered that when they wake up, the arm that’s under them is hot & itchy? Like most of you, I can now only sleep in a cotton short-sleeve – pants on the bottom no prob. – and I fall asleep as if I’m lying in a coffin, arms laying on top of the sheets.
But it’s winter and heck, the house gets cold and I wake up on my side, the stinkin’ arms at it again. FRUSTRATING.

Just a few responses to some previous comments:

someone mentioned that are bodies get more acidic at night and could that be part of our problem – My regular MD who I trust completely said that there is such a narrow margin of acidity levels at different times of the day that this couldn’t be a cause.

to the person whose derm. told them that they had a tumor – that Dr. should have their license revoked! You’re going through enough with this crazy arm problem – my heart goes out to you.

Re: drinking more water –
I totally agree with you yet I’ve been on a diet for 3 months and drink water almost exclusively- and loads of it – and it doesn’t appear to tame the itching.

Cutaneous field stimulation – sounds like something we could benefit from. I don’t work in the medical field but since our itching is so deeply rooted, I always thought some type of stim. might help the nerve endings.

Dear friends, your all probably as cold as I am in our short sleeve shirts this winter. I live near the ocean and take my dog to the park for a jog and it is WINDY! I wrap up in hat, scarf, thick gloves, lined jogging pants, thick socks – and a t-shirt under my jacket. Move faster, stay warm is my motto. Exercise doesn’t appear to aggravate the itch. Late at night I’ll indulge in a hot shower when the itching gets bad and my arms look like I’m a burn victim. My MD said I have lots of blood vessels close to the top of the skin – more than many people – maybe you all do too. At times the intense itching seems to stem from the bumpy/lesion/sore patches – anybody notice?

Hope this email goes through – stay comfortable and warm my Amigas and Amigos.

I was writing a nice long note but may have sent it prematurely – it just disappeared and I wasn’t finished!

What I wanted to write, but didn’t have the chance, was two nights ago I started using Capzacin cream. I used it a couple of years ago but couldn’t take the burning to my skin. Recently, the itch has gotten so bad, I WELCOME the burn! So the past two nights have been ALMOST itch-free. At least I finally got a little bit of sleep. Does anyone else use this cream? It’s a little pricey but I’m probably like everyone else with this itch – willing to pay ANYTHING for some relief. I apply it with gloves and have to constantly be careful not to rub my arms and touch my eyes – it burns and I learned THAT the hard way! I stayed home from work yesterday so I could apply it during the day. It seems to offer some relief.

I’m not taking anything to help with sleep at night but am beginning to think I need to. The lack of sleep is starting to interfere with my work and I certainly can’t afford that to happen.

I also started taking neurontin two nights ago. Can someone tell me how long the neurontin has to be in your system before you get some relief? I took it a year or so ago but it didn’t seem to do anything. I’m thinking I didn’t take it long enough.

I suggested the cutaneous field stimulation but I haven’t been able to locate a place that does it. My dermatologist didn’t know of a place either. It is used to treat severe itch so it’s certainly worth trying if we can just find someone who does the procedure.

Hi just to update you all slightly we have had 32 people complete the survey which includes: 25 from the USA, 3 from the UK, 1 from Australia, 1 from Denmark and 2 from Canada, so if anyone out there has not done it yet please do! Great big thanks to all those who have filled it in so far, and we will keep you updated with further information. Steph

A dermatologist once suggested I use the Capsaicin cream. She said to use it 4x per day and let it burn the nerve endings out and exhaust them. She suggested that it would take a couple of weeks to do. I never did it, couldn’t face it!

To Katie Jones. Dont let the term “burn the nerve endings”, mislead you.This is only a process, that would acclimatize, not actually hurting the nerve ends sensors.Try a tiny amount of the Capsaicin Cream mixed with a tad of Virgin Olive Oil. Each following day mix a bit larger than the first day, until you are at the recommended amount. You may even find that day 2,3 or 4 may yield the itch relief desired. Am a great user of “red pepper”(capsaicin is from red pepper/cayenne)for health purposes. Not as bad, as you perhaps imagine it to be,but it can be “warm” the first few trys.

Thank you for the advice on Capsaicin use. This is my 4th night on it. Last night it burned more than the night before. But I can handle the burn a LOT easier than the itch. I continue to get a little more sleep each night since I’ve used the Capsaicin – I’m not waking up itching. I haven’t used the Capsaicin during the day but since tomorrow is Saturday, I think I’ll give it a try.

Can I get capsaicin cream over the counter…that’s one thing I haven’t tried yet… I use SARNA cream, which helps a bit…no buring. It’s the best I’ve found.

I buy capsaicin over-the-counter at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Winn Dixie. It’s usually around $13.99 for a 1.5 ounce tube. The tube comes in a dark red box and the name on the box is “CAPZASIN HP”. The active ingredient is “capsaicin 0.1%”. It is an arthritis pain relief medication. In the store, it is located around the Ben Gay and other arthritis creams. Good Luck!

Hi all…. been awhile since I signed on… have had the itch for 5 years and it comes and goes, my best treatment is via a chiropractor…. each time I go I get relief from the itching and then it plays up again and i go back….. but here’s a thought…. I banged myself on the top of my head recently…. felt the shattering go down my spine….. I wonder if our injury’s are not always known… I have no neck injury as such but wonder if we don’t always remember remember the injury as it could be as mundane as banging your head???????? Just a thought???

Anyway…. am itch free at the moment visit the Chiro about every 3-4 months…. or as the need arises…. have found some great relief with the chiro…. (try it)
not just with the itch…. but because I have some “control” you see I can decide to go and get relief or not…..

Hope it’s helpful…. go to the chiropractor and if it helps… get some control over this thing you’ll find it improves your mental health as much as your physical….. cheers

Cate from Australia……

Hi everyone.
I just returned from a vacation in Florida.
We spent a lot of time on the golf course (in the sun in short sleeved shirts).
After 4 days ther, my arms (from the elbows to the wrists) began to itch.
I try not to scratch too much as it only makes it worse.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I discovered that through research on the web – and my self diagnosis was subsequently confirmed through specific medical tests, so when my arms began to itch I naturally googled “itchy arms” and voila, I came to this site.
It’s interesting that many have speculated on the sun as a primary cause of itchy arms and my experience would tend to support that.
Thanks to all the posters for their advice (above).
With all that advice, I sure I won’t have to suffer as long as some of you have.
Cheers,

for 15+ years i’ve had this irritation that manifests as symmetrical itching. eg., when i would run, the area behind both knees would itch to badly it was hard to do anything else. i figured it was due to sweat/clothing, whatever. this generally happened in the cold season when wearing sweats was normal. (if i ran in shorts,
it generally didn’t happen)

about a week ago, i had symmetrical itching on the back of my wrists. it lasted a few hours. no rash. maybe some tiny little bumps if you looked closely.

now i’ve got it on both shoulders. it’s so intense i’ve been googling at 3am for the last hour trying to find some clues.

i tried some over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream about 30 mins ago, hope that helps.

thing that is most puzzling is symmetrical aspect of this. both wrists, now both shoulders. i’m thinking this is dryness/cold weather related but that doesn’t explain the symmetrical thing.

ok, i’m done complaining for now. going to try to got get some sleep.

Previously I posted that I had gone to Dominican Rebpublic (thats a month gone by)and had a nice tan, I just returned from Florida (only 1 week stay) didn’t get much suntanning done, too cold. Ok, so I get itchy normally Aug – Nov and I figured than its past most of my sun exposure and if it is sun related. So my question is why than and not now? Or am I jumping the gun too early and the itch hasn’t started yet. So I will keep observing and let you know, I’m still not sold on it being sun related. Just my thoughts.

I have been a long sufferer of the itch. I am not a sun loving person and stay indoors alot during the summer months. Stress has not increased my itch. This has been constant for me since the age of 8 that I could remember. I was born a blonde with green eyes. The doctors have recommend lots of prescriptions and creams with no help. Ice does comfort. With the first sign of persperation I start to itch. Like I am allergic to my own sweat. During the winter months when the heat is on I itch more from the heat. During summer when it is cool indoors I do itch rarely. Mostly when I have to travel outside during heat waves.
The cooler i stay the less itch. When I was young till I reached 35 I had an ear infection every year in December. I finally got the doctors to do something and they found out it was my tonsels. They were removed and I no longer have ear aches. Wonder what I need removed to get rid of the itch.

As is the usual; it is February and the itch has GONE. Weird, but every year it runs from about September to February. I am convinced that it is a sun issue and that Vitamin D overload and then deficiency is the culprit. This has happened cycliclly for 6-7 yrs. now. And believe me, this is a serious itch. I was using Capasain and sleep aids and ANYTHING that would curb it to sleep, along with the best thing, ICE. This coming summer I am going to try a potent sunblock on my arms and then Vitamin D in the fall and winter.????? We’ll see.

I have the opposite problem to many of you regarding heat and the itch. My itch is much worse in the winter, aggravated by cold temperatures. If my arm goes outside of the duvet at night, or catches a cold draft it really worsens. The best thing for me is to keep it as warm as possible. In the summer during hot days it’s great, until I get a cold wind on it!

Hi All, sounds like everybody is still going bonkers with the itching. I think I’ll start documenting what I eat because it started this morning after eating whole wheat french toast but I was also wearing a long-sleeve top and maybe that was the irritant.

Finally seeing a neurologist this week and I’ll report back if he offers up anything we don’t already know about. The chiropractor hasn’t really helped. Glad to hear the Sarna is working for some of you, it never helped me and neither does the ammonium lactate cream (12% lactic acid) the derm. had me on. still loving the doxepin though.

I can’t help but agree with Martha that maybe it is a Vitamin D related problem. Also, has anybody had any problems with their pituitary glands? I was reading that it is the “temperature control center” for the body and it sounds like for most of us anyway, when our arms get hot they then itch furiously so could it be our bodies are having a prob. regulating their temps?

Wishing you all a calm and itch-free day 🙂

I am amazed to learn that I am the 772nd person on this site to have the itching arms problem. Mine usually begin to itch around March and it continues all summer. My legs itch as well. The worst place is my forearms–with the itching always beginning on my left arm, moving to my right. Sometimes it feels like several insects biting deep in my skin and I cannot get any relief. It burns and itches at the same time. My MD diagnosed it as “nerves” and “stress” and sent me on my way. If there were so, would I not have it 24/7 365 days a year? Yes, I think so, or at least periodically throughout the entire year. The itching makes me feel unclean when I know I just showered. I am of fair skin, a natural brunette (although I have been a medium blonde for about 8 years now) and blue eyes. I have tried many lotions–to no avail. I don’t drink a lot of water; actually I am a sweet tea consumer. I will try drinking more to see if it helps. I hope we can all find a cure for this irritating ailment.

Vitamin D related- I can’t imagine this being a factor as I am in the sun year round and still only have this condition seasonally. Which means it is also not sun-related.

I have had the itchy arm problem for about 5 years. It usually starts in September and has gone from 2 or 3 weeks to 6 months in time length. It’s not always the same arm but the itchy part has always been from my elbow to my wrist. This year the top part of my left arm from my shoulder to my elbow started itching. A couple of years ago my doctor said it was dry skin but I really can’t believe that. Ice and lanacane seem to help for the short term. My doctor told me not to use ice or lanacane but NOTHING else helps. I don’t even mention it to my doctor anymore. I have just ended a bout of itching that started the end of August. I thought I was going nuts. I get a couple of waves of itchiness during the day but the real agony starts around 6:30 pm and sometimes through the night. I’ve never had this during the summer when I’m outside all the time. I don’t use sunblock as a rule but maybe will try it this summer.

That’s a tough hurdle at any age but especially at 38. There are good hospitals in Nebraska, but there are more of them in L.A. And if you stay out of the city, the environment and climate is a little better for someone with that illness. WBR LeoP

you reak what you sow! if they dig lightly and i mean lightly theyll probably find that same physician prescribed his fav-RITE drug also with the physician name on the bottle. that alone should give the judge all the reason to prosecute. WBR LeoP

Mary Alice’s last post read like I wrote it myself. Although I’ve only wrote on here a few times, I read it every day hoping for new posts. Like many of you, when I’m not able to sleep at night, I go to this site and read about others who are suffering as I am.

I’ve had Brachioradial Pruritus for over 10 years. I am a 49 year-old caucasian female, brown hair, average skin color, and I live in Alabama. I have a herniated C5-6 disc.

I tan every Spring thru Summer but don’t know if I will chance it this year. The fall of 2005 was the first time I did not get the itch. I actually went a year without it and have no idea why. This last bout started in August 2006 and has just recently subsided. This is the longest I’ve had it at one stretch.

In January of this year, I didn’t know how much longer I was going to be able to take the itching. I wasn’t sleeping because I itched frantically all night. I got to the point of using a stiff-bristled hairbrush on my arms, followed by alcohol. I was consumed with trying to find relief. The ice packs offered instant relief but very temporary. My dermatologist warned me the ice would make it worse and she was correct.

She has given me every prescription either of us could think of. If I read something on here about another drug, she’ll write me a prescription for it. Nothing helped – no lotions or pills. She also put me on gabapentin, but it didn’t seem to be helping so I quit it like all the others.

I called in sick at work on more than one occasion, simply because I was exhausted due to lack of sleep. When I was at work, I was so unproductive I felt guilty being there. I am fortunate that my employer is very understanding.

A few years ago, I tried capsaicin at night but could not stand the burning. The first part of last month, I tried it again, being careful to apply it with rubber gloves. In a matter of days, I was itch-free.

I felt sure the itch was still there somewhere, but it no longer kept me up at night. My arms burned like CRAZY but it was so much easier to deal with the burn than the itch. For me, the worst part of the capsaicin is trying not to get it in my eyes. By putting it on from my wrists to my upper arms, it would get on my pillow at night. Next, it would be on my face and to the outside of my eyes. The burn was awful. But I would get up and wash my face and hands AGAIN and AGAIN, usually with a mild dish soap. Regular soap will not get it off the skin. I started sleeping on my back because I was always aware of the cream on my arms and didn’t want it on my pillow. I also kept a soft cloth next to my pillow so when/if my eyes itched, I would rub them with the cloth.

During this time, I started taking the gabapentin again. I don’t know if it was the combination of the gabapentin and the capsaicin, or if it was time for the itch to subside. But I have been itch-free for the past 4 nights! I haven’t used any cream but I’m still taking the gabapentin. I announced this to my co-workers and they are so happy for me. This time it had been so bad, I feel like I’ve beat some deadly disease. But I know it will be back. My son tells me not to talk about it so I won’t “jinx” it! 🙂

For those of you who have lost hope of relief, please give the capsaicin a try. It’s not a cure but maybe you will experience the same relief I’ve experienced. Besides the tube I have opened, I have a spare. And I will NEVER leave home without it!

I just found this by accident. So “happy” (not really) to see I am not alone. Just yesterday finally got a diagnosis from dermatologist (that I had seen 6 years ago to no good) of the BRP. Have presc. for Lyrica to fill and Doxepin and am hopeful. Finally, I have a name to put on this scourge. BTW it started about 15 years ago while in Mexico and is not seasonal–I live in the NW and have it all year long. Also, mine is all the time, not just at night–days are worse for me. It has been so bad that I have bled from scratching and it has actually affected my work. Thanks for everyone who has gone before.

I think I’ve had this condition about the longest on this website. Over 15-20 years. I am going to be 52 this year. I’ve gone to a dermatoligist and she said it is nerve damage, but did not say it is sun related. I seem to have it from Aug to Nov each year, sometimes missing a year. I’ve been south (Jan. and Feb) 2 x times this winter to Dominican and Florida and no itch. I live in Southwestern Ontario Canada. I still have a hard time believing its sun damage, which I have stated before on this webite. Anyone agree with me out there. But I don’t why this is happening, some say toxins in the body, or joint related problems in back or neck, if so why just certain times of the year, just doesn’t make sense. I really think my doctor thinks I’m making this up, not even going to mention it to her again. I keep reading this website to see if there is another me out there!

Did anyone check out this website that I offered a few weeks ago?
http://dermnetnz.org/site-age-specific/brachioradial-pruritus.html
It tells you this condition can be from the sun or nerve damage etc. There is not ONE reason for it. Mine happens to be from the sun, but I never wanted to believe it. I had to stay completely out of it for months before my itch went from a 10 to one and it has never returned like it was for 10 years.
I might be pale, but I don’t itch and stay awake all night with misery and people thinking I have mental illness.
Although this worked for me it might not work for everyone. Obviously there are other causes.

Hi! Just happened across this site while researching info for a new product I’ve developed. Read many of your comments and I have quite a few ideas for you. I have a feeling this could possibly be Candida related. Anytime the immune system is compromised or taking antibiotics frequently wreaks havoc. Also if the body becomes too acidic. Can buy urine Ph test paper at the drugstore. Any way a natural product you can get at the health food store by Solaray called Multidophilus 12 is excellent for not only candida but great for digestion and the intestinal tract.Comes in capsules, can open them and put them in yogurt if swallowing pills is hard(it is for me). 2-3 twice a day for at least 30 days. Research for yourself the benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus. There is another product that was developed for cold sores that I have found to be so beneficial for the skin and skin conditions. It is called Super Lysine Plus,all natural. Has L-lysine”(an amino acid which are precursors to proteins)Vitamins A,D,E in a natural base of Olive oil,yellow beeswax, Goldenseal extract,Propolis extract(from bees)Calendula oil(great for skin, itch and healing)Echinacea(wonderful healing herb)Cajeput oil(great analgesic,anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, Anti-neuralgic),tea tree oil(anti-fungal and excellent if candida a problem) Gum benzoin, and honey, Zinc oxide. Product website is quantumhealth.com Hope if you try this it will help but am sure it may take time. Have other recommendations but it is late and i’ll check back later. Good luck to you all and Blessings.

Well I may as join you all as I also have the problem of my lower arms (more the left than right) with an uncurable itch, at it’s worst I can feel single stabs like from a needle and also wake myself scratching like a flea riddled animal, my history with drugs are as follows in 1999 I had triple heart attacks and now regularly take 2 small asprins, a Beta blocker, Statin, Ace inhibitor, and just before the itchy arms started taking a Finafibrate for the heart as well. I will monitor this site for a cure. My sympathies to all with it.

Cindy, always nice when people try to offer cures, but it is frustrating that new people don’t seem to read the previous posts. (I know 782 posts is a lot to read, but maybe just skim them and pull out the pertinent facts?) I’m sure your product is wonderful, sounds like is has all good stuff in it, but this is a NEUROLOGICAL problem. It is not candida-related, nor is it a skin condition. Most of the people who have had this condition for many years have tried most of the ingredients you mentioned, been checked for Candida, as well as many other conditions, been to dermatologists, regular GPs, chiropractors, naturopaths, homeopaths, acupunturists, ad nauseum. We have spent a small fortune(all of us together could have bought a small tropical island by now) trying different “cures”. The only thing that seems to help is ice, a drug like Neurontin that works on the nervous system, and possibly making sure to stay well-hydrated. Some people, it seems, have had success with chiropractic, as this condition seems related to damage at C5 & C6. BRP is an extremely difficult condition to live with and what we are looking for here are some new answers.

I contracted a form of strep that affects the skin. I broke out with a rash on my arms and back and chest, The itch is intense particularly at night. The doctor said it was called strep guttate and I am on penicilan for the past 3 days. The itching is terrible particularly at night.
My arms, back, and front seem most effected I would be grateful if anyone had any ideas about treating this itch. It most difficult to sleep through the night. I did hear that Tylenol PM might help but thought someone who has tried that and had a similar idea might have a handle on that product or any other remedy. Many thanks!

Hi everyone 🙂 I’m a 26 y/o female with brown hair and blue eyes. I have no thyroid problem to date, but my mother almost died when I was young due to her overactive thyroid. Anyhow, thank god for this forum! I was a competative swimmer for 16 years and trained in an outdoor pool. Needless to say I had plenty of sun exposure. Recently my upper arms had started to itch severly and it eventually spread to my legs. Due to my swimming, the sun exposure was virtually to my entire body. I was itching so bad, but there was no visible rash! I did a google search to try and figure out what was going on since I couldn’t link the itching to a change in soap or laundry detergent. That’s how I found you all 🙂

The other night while I was in the shower I had a revelation! My boyfriend suffers from a skin condition on his face. He uses an abnormal treatment that he came up with by doing research. He uses a Tea Tree Oil hair conditioner (made by “Jasons”, can be found at natural food markets such as Whole Foods) on his face. I was desperate and decided to try rubbing the conditioner on my arms and legs to see if it would help. I know this sounds wierd, but bare with me 🙂 I rubbed the conditioner on my skin and almost immediately felt relief. I followed up the shower treatment with a all natural skin moisterized that contains Aloe Vera. I used Trader Joe’s brand because that’s what I had. Tonight is the second night that i’ve done this and my skin does not itch at all!!! it is so amazing! I don’t know if this will work for everyone, but I hadn’t read in the forum about anyone trying something like this so I thought I would share. Good luck everyone! 🙂

Well I’m still on the amitriptylene (50 mg) at night and it’s working. I’m probably 90% better and can certainly deal with the other 10%….actually I bought petroleum jelly CREAM (CVS Brand) and put it on after my nightly shower. The cream coupled with the prescription has worked wonders. As I’m a 47 yr old female, I really wonder if it’s due to hormones. With that thought perhaps eventually it will be gone. If you haven’t been to a neurologist, I encourage a visit. The amitriptylene must work in the same way as the neurontin does and so far so good.

It behooves me that those new to the site do not look over past cures or aids. As Sarah said recently, we have tried everything in the past from creams, lotions, dematologist remedies…none worked. the problem is definitely nerve related and Neurontin is the saving grace. Thank God for it and this site to help me not look like a monkey scratching!! the itch puts you in a terrible mood, too. No sleep + itch = old grouch

Hi Lynne,
I’ve posted a couple times that oral doxepin has helped me dramatically. My only complaint is weight gain. I’ve never weighed this much in my life. Maybe neurontin would be a better choice?? I really can’t bear the thought of going off the doxepin! 75mg at night works great.
Molly

Molly,
The neurologist told me to watch my weight as the amitryptelene will do the same as the doxepin. They probably all have the same side effect but I would rather have a few pounds and not itch!!!

Hi everyone; I hardly visit this site anymore since I’m no longer suffering. I tried several times to get others to try Lyrica with me even though I didn’t love the idea of resorting to drugs. It just seems we are getting nowhere close to a better solution and I was getting discouraged and desperate. After some patience and adjustments to the dosage (which I’ll know for next year should I need it) the Lyrica has worked beautifully. No itch whatsoever and an entire winter sleeping like a log!
One question to Sarah in Mexico…since it’s almost one season where you live, when do you itch? I’ve always found it very interesting that here in BC Canada I itch the same time of year, August/September to March/April as several people in Austrailia!??

I hope I have the answer for many of you…it will take some time to see the effects (as we know the itch travels and takes a month or so to subside once affected). My mother and I have found releif from the intense itch (for me on my breasts and stomach but for my mother her upper arms and neck….she has hypothyroidism…I don’t. Mine started during pregnancy and was WAY worse when I was vacationing in Florida…I am from Canada). We beleive this is an allergy to laundry detergent and soaps. It’s worse in the summer because we are hot and more of the allergen is able to enter the pores. This is an laborious task but is essential. Use only Tide FREE or Sunlight FREE or anything FREE (Free of dyes, scent or harsh chemicals). Wash EVERYTHING you own and use a second rinse cycle on your washer. You may even want to wash a second time to ensure ANY alergens have been removed (if you are really sensitive). NO FABRIC SOFTENER…there is no FREE version of this item. Use Bounce FREE sheets…no scents again. WASH NEW clothes in this manner before wearing as well…some new items have been dyed with hash chemicals which may cause irritants. The second part of this is only use Sensitive skin soaps and creams on your skin with NO SCENTS again. Dove sensitive or Vasaline intensive care sensitive are good suggestions. The importance is to always look for hypoalergenic and NO SCENT. Elimiate perfume and use unscented deoderant (I can still use scented without cause but my Mom can’t…see what works for you.) Shampoo’s don’t seem to make a differnce to me but look for sensitive if possible. NO BATHS at NIGHT! Shower or bathe in the morning and let your natural oils come out all day so prior to bedtime. Bathing dries out your skin and will make you more itchy in bed. I REALLY hope this bit of advice makes a difference for each and everyone of you!! A doctor never suggested this to me so I think it hasn’t occured to them thus far. I am ITCH free for about 2.5 years, unless I slip up and wear an old pair of pants or bra (I recently lost weight and make this fatal error…don’t let it be you!). I had to convince my mother to make the switch which she finally did this past fall…she has been itch free since she made the change. I wish you all an itch free life without all the drugs and creams…and chilly ice packed nights! I’ve been there and TRIED it all!! Nothing worked until this.

If you have a definite diagnosis of Brachial Radial Pruritis then this may help you.For 4 years I suffered from this but in the past 9 months have had absolutely no problems. First i went to a good osteopath to get my neck corrected then I started on 3 caps Flaxomega( flax seed oil)a day and after 3 months my symptoms went and I have had no reoccurance even over summer and autmn (always the worst time). Good luck.

Dear All,
I still have the same problem and have tried all sorts of ways to relieve the feeling of what feels like being stuck with pins, recently I tried something completly different by wrapping my left arm with my body building belt and trying all the different settings including the high volt pulse which makes the muscle jump, one of the settings felt just like what I was feeling without it on, after about a half hour I took it off and got a good nights sleep for a change, I got the unit from Ebay for just a few £UK

Hello all from australia

Ive also had this itchy problem that would awake me in the middle of the night, i found this item called quick cleanse 15 day internal detox program, after doing this and suffering from the withdrawal of coffee etc for the first two days and sticking to the program for two weeks which wasn’t easy i have not had this problem any more, i think it could be a build up of all the rubbish that we have eaten over the years, as from what i have read most people are around the forty plus years of age and its a way of our body trying to tell us that we need to get rid of all the toxins . I’m not sure if this will work for everyone but it certainly did for me and what a relief???

I am back just to see that latest cures. I am still, thankfully, itch free due to the neurontin. I take it at night, sleep well, and have not gained weight. I continue my life as before the itch…just have to force myself to exercise a little more than before…not quite as much pep, but who cares if you are sleeping and not itching like a monkey!! Good luck to all!

Just want to throw something out there that has not been touched on, and I have been researching on line. Since our itching seems to have something to do with nerve endings,I have been reading that burn patients have terrible itching when the burns start to heal. It has something to do with the burned and damaged nerve endings. Sometime the itching is worse than the burns. It seems to be a problem controling itching in their situation also. The best thing they have tried is Doxepin cream, which is a tricyclic compound. I my self have been using Unguentine for my arm itching which is a burn cream and do get some relief from that. Does anyone have any information on this burn itching and how we could use it to find our problems?

My all-over itching is a result of anti-drepressant withdrawals – Cymbalta. (I have been off of the med for 8 months. If you’re not familiar with these awful drugs, withdrawals can last up to 18 months.) The itching is driving me crazy. It started about 4 months ago, and gradually became worse. Often, welps appear and eventually dry up and disappear. The only temporary relief I get, is from Vick Vapor Rub – the cream version and ice packs. Tried Clarotin, Benedryl, Atarax etc. Nothing helps. I guess it’s the menthol. I’m sure it is nerve related. These anti-depressants can really mess up your system. (I never needed them in the first place!) Can anyone else relate to this?

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