Itch Relief... | BigPinkCookie

Hi everyone,

I’ve been writing in all fall now and now that it is December the itching is much better. Once in awhile it itches a bit but it will usually stop before it gets out of hand. However, I know I’m not completely cured and I don’t think I ever will be and next summer it will come back with a vengence. I’ve given up on creams and the like as it costs a lot and the only ones getting relief are the drug companies. I’m keeping in touch. Doreen, CA

Hi everyone, comment to JW, are you e-mailing Dr. Phil? Please everyone please do it! New people are finding this site everyday, so we need to encourage everyone to e-mail Dr. Phil!!!!!!! There are probably more of us out there, than we can imagine!!! Yes, my itching stopped about three weeks ago, but like i have said before, i never know when it will return, with vengance!!!! I have had this for about twenty years, this last time it lasted for about seven months, i thought i was going crazy!!! Like all of us… I do not understand it either, But there is somebody out there who can help us. Please everyone keep e-mailing Dr. Phil, there is where our hope is for now!!!! I feel for all of you who are itching right now, it is a nightmare!!! God bless you all, love JoAnn

Thank God I have found this site. I knew this itch in my right forearm and upper arm and neck was gonna be a goose chase with the conventional medical profession so I havent even bothered going. I want to summarize some of the likely causes and add a comment. Sun does seem to be a cause. Its interesting because in new zealand we drive on the other side and so its my right arm in the sun all the time. Sun, heat and stress. I find relief from ice also. I am not a chinese medical practitioner but have seen an acupuncturist who said this line on the upper arm is part of a major energy circuit called the triple heater. This symptom is coming from a build up of excess heat in the body, hence the ice cube treatment.
This heat can be caused by stress and by toxins which the body stores in outer extremities when it cannot eliminate them. The desire to scratch and break the skin can be a way of opening the skin to release toxins directly. An idea incidently which led to the application of leeches in days of yore. I mention toxins because a deep itching can be associated with a build up of toxins in the body in response to various substances. I am guessing that external heat sources can then stimulate or aggravate the toxicity where it is stored in the body. I have not had time to undergo a full course of acupuncture but a short course did provide temporary relief. I believe to be fully effective it must be combined with a cleansing diet and lots of water. It is difficult to eliminate toxicity in the body tissue but an alkaline diet and mineral salts will gradually do this. I am going to try ultra sound in combination with a high water intake and lots of alkaline food, fruit, broccoli, asparagus, vegetable juices. Plus limiting my sun exposure!

To Sarah in Mexico – I would like to applaud you. If any of you are new to this site, please, please take Sarah’s advice and take the time to read all of the posts before running off to your doctor. You will save yourself a lot of time & money PLUS you will learn a lot. Also remember your post will not show up for up to 24 hours. So be patient : )
To J.W. – it seems this is happening to men & women in all parts of the world. Not sure if race plays a part. Many comments from caucasians but not sure if any others are affected.
To Adrian- Some interesting comments related to toxins. An update regarding acupuncture will be appreciated. I have had the itching in both arms but mostly on my left. You answered a question I had months ago about drivers on the other side of the road and your right arm being the itchy one. Any other drivers on the right side of the car out there?
To JoAnn – I am unsure if this is a topic that would interest Dr. Phil. He is not a medical doctor & he might be the one to say “just stop itching!” : )
To all – PLEASE be careful with cortisone creams. I have read a lot about side effects, espsecially thinning of the skin.
Of possible interest – when in Philadelphia for Thanksgiving I read an article about the International Forum on Itch held in Germany in September and the formation of the first research society dedicated solely to the study of itch. So somebody is paying attention to the “itch” problem in general. One of the comments in the article relates to using ice to temporarily shut down the nerve connections. It cautions on the use of steroid creams but not on the use of ice.
The ONLY possible thing in common I can see seems to be the possibility of neck problems. The fact that it is seasonal remains the mysterious part.
Neurontin update – I have not seen anyone else recently trying it. Since my itching is subsiding (not gone yet) I have cut back to 100 mg. at night.
I tried to skip a couple of nights but still woke up scratching (minimally). It has saved my sanity.
Sorry for the long post.
kathy

hello all! I am a 45 year old white female in Alabama, USA. Last August, I went to a dermatologist after suffering for several months with this horrible itching/burning/tingling in my upper left arm. I was diagnosed with hives and have spent the last 15 months on the internet trying to get helpful information on hives. Last night, at, say, around 2:30 am, with ice paks held to my arm, I typed “intense itching” for a google search and utlimately found my way to this site. WOW! The shared particulars of this condition are fascinating.

I’ve tried all the creams & lotions, been saturated with all manner of anti-histamines, had IV therapy with solemnutrol & benadryl – nothing helped. Doxepin worked for several months then quit working. I have ice packs in the freezer at home and at work, though daytime is seldom bad.

I’ve altered my diet, my soaps, my vitamins, my environment. All to no avail. Sun exposure does seem to aggravate it. The effects of stress is a hard call for me; I work a very stressful but satisfying job and care for my elderly mother, but have a great husband and support group and take pretty good care of myself.

I have an appointment Tuesday at the dermatology clinic at the University of Alabama/Birmingham. I have felt that if I didn’t get relief I would lose my mind. Sleepwalking through work, terrible fatigue but going to bed fearing, then realising, the wake-up scream of ITCH/BURN 2 hours later.

Thank you all for all your comments. Finding this forum was very emotional for me. I’ll keep reading and will post the results of Tuesday’s appointment.

By the way, I had a discectomy for a herniated disk at L5/S1 (I think) a few years ago.

Here’s wishing us all a good night’s sleep!!!

Hi everyone, comment to Adrian, if it is toxins, would a Dr. knowing what is the cause,would pray they could find a better way to rid the body, without scratching endlessly, it seems!!!!! i do not know, justing hoping for some right answers! And yes it is important to read all the comments, it is interesting that we all have the same symtoms.Meantime e-mail Dr. Phil, he will help us all, God bless you all, JoAnn

I’ve been frequenting this page for a while now, trying to find out if anyone has been formally diagnosed with anything that could cause this “drive you crazy” arm itching. All of you have tried all the things I’ve tried, to no avail. My doctor just flippantly says it’s stress…I think they say that when they don’t know what else to say. But I am not under any stress right now. The most stressful year of my life was last year, when my daughter almost died twice. During that time, NO ITCHING! But now, in the fall, it is so bad at night that I’ve considered shaving my skin off or amputation. It is such torture. Ice helps in the short term and my doctor won’t prescribe Neurontin for me (why?). My daughter takes Neurontin and I’ve tried it and it helps, but I can’t keep taking hers!! I am 53, brown hair and eyes and have virtually no exposure to the sun. I live in Georgia, but have never been a big fan of being in the heat and sun. Worst times are Sept, Oct, and November and now December. Something has got to MAKE IT STOP!!
I’ve used ice, Lanacaine, Cortisone lotion, aloe….nothing works longterm. There must be a doctor out there somewhere who is willing to take on this mystery. My arms are scarred and ugly and I’m going nuts.

Hi everyone,
After itching and scratching myself raw from the beginning of june, the itch stopped totally a week ago as fast as it began. This is the 3rd year this has happened. I haven’t changed soaps, detergents, or any of my usual habits, so that rules them all out. I am 50, brown hair, brown eyes and did not have this problem when I lived in N.J. It started when I moved to N. Carolina. It was my left arm for about 3 months and then it moved to only my right arm for the next 3 months. (ironically I had just made a comment to my husband about how it was odd that it was only the left arm right before it shifted to the right. ( Maybe it is subconscious) Last year it was both arms. I too tried all kinds of remedies and doctors with no relief other than ice. Good luck to all.

Further, I just saw someone commenting above that this is or could be related to candida. I have a stubborn skin condition which is very subtle, tiny faint pink patches that then become flaky. There is no itch associated with these or any other feeling and they are almost invisible. I found that these are a skin symptom of candida going by a description on the net. I have been taking the threelac for a few months but ran out and have not reordered. It has been two weeks since I stopped taking the threelac and suddenely the itch has started up with a vengence. Im going to get back on the stuff. Importantly when treating yeast you need to address the PH balance in your body because yeast like almost every other ailment of modern times thrives in an acidic environment. I can say that since I have been staying out of the sun and eating a WHOLE LOT more alkalising fruit, (about half a watermelon a day!) the itch has been diminishing. Will report back soon.

Now that I’ve read all the new posts since I posted my comments on Saturday, I’m going to try everything that has been discussed. I just tried the Aloe with Lidocaine like someone suggested, but no help. I can’t stand any type of fabric on my arms when itching, but if they are bare and in the sun during the summer, they itch also. I get no relief with anything except ice and that’s short-term. I hate that ice is such a risk, but I have to use it to keep from going crazy. It gets me to sleep and then I have to get fresh ice packs when the itching wakes me up a few hours later. Mine is worst in the evenings and at night. Daytime is less bothersome. Another note: I think Dr. Phil is a great guy, but he’s a therapist or psychiatrist so I don’t think he’ll have much input except to try to find reasons to blame it on “stress”. There must be a doctor somewhere in the world who has itch arms!! It can’t just be those of us not in the medical profession. I’m frustrated and sleepy.

A friend of mine just gave me a magnetic pad that velcros around the arm. I saw someone above mentioning this I think. Anyway it does seem to sooth the symptom. I have usually put it on after using ice which allows me to sleep without the intensity returning. I dont know where to get these magnetic pads from but they are around. I kept one on all day last week. It was very soothing and I think it really helped.

We all have to have something in common. I am a 49 yp wf. I have a somewhat stressful job. My kids 3 boys are adults and both are going through stuff that causes concern. I have 2 grandchildren.
Allergies- YES! I was in the hosp for 1 week because of an allergic reaction. I have a dog.
I spent a week in St Thomas in OCT.
Itching began in NOV.
Fabric on my arms in the PM is irritating. I wake with bloody sheets from scratching.

I forgot to add 15 years ago I was in a very bad car accident and my neck was in a brace for over a month. I am epileptic. I am also tired!

hello all! update to comment #205.

I went to the dermatology clinic at the University of Alabama/Birmingham today. what a difference the right doctor makes! he diagnosed me with brachioradial pruritus and prescribed Neurontin (gabapentrin), which I will start Thursday night. He said the diagnosis of hives, which I got from a dermatologist 15 months ago, was wrong. He quickly recognized the use of ice as an indicator.

The doctor told me that they aren’t sure what causes BRP. They believe it may be nerve damage in the neck and that sun exposure may also be an issue. He told me to use SPF 30 on my arm at all times.

The doctor also called in a couple of residents so they could see what BRP looks like. I told them all about comments from this page, how remarkably alike the particulars are, and reiterated that people are DESPERATE.

I’ll let you know how the Neurontin goes. Based on what I’ve read here and from Garth Woods’ report on other posts I am (at long last) very hopeful. I’m also scheduling a massage.

In the meantime I would say to you, don’t let anyone tell you this is “just” stress. I think hearing that from a doctor would “just” make me pull their hair out! If your doctor won’t help, find another one. I went through my GP and a dermatologist before I found these people today.

so, 2 more nights with ice packs and then please, please, please some relief!

Eva

I believe Eva is exactly right. Early on this site it has been mentioned and I did look into it. Now I have found even more information that goes with what i believed from the beginning. Its nerve damage. It does say it can be caused from the sun or hernitated discs, etc. However also caused by other diseases that cause nerve damage. A cream for this is Capsaicin cream, which over time reduces substance P, which transmits neuralogic signals from the nerve endings to the brain. Has anyone tried this??? I would be cautious of taking Neurontin, as it actually shuts off a part of the brain, has side effects, and only works while taking it. This cream is for a long term treatment… interesting. My cousin suffers from this, and as of now has minimal itching, but tis the season. BRP does state it happens during the season everyone complains about. I truly believe this is what everyone has, I have encouraged seeing a chiropractor for this reason. Please ask several doctors, research the facts, and press them! Dont settle for stress, dry skin, allergies, etc! Good Luck!

RE: Comment #215
Eva, you might have just saved my life!! Hearing that someone has actually gotten a diagnosis and that this thing possibly has a name is music to my ears! I also have had neck/vertebrae problems in my past. I’m making an appointment with a dermatologist today and thinking maybe I should see an ortho about possible neck problems? I’ll stay in touch.

hello to all, thought i would give you an update. I am still taking the lyrica, ambien cr 12.5 mg. I am sleeping good at night for the time being. I’m not sure if its the medicine or if its just the time of the year for it to stop for awhile. I want to tell you everything I’m doing to try to get rid of the itch. I saw my dr. monday at wake forest medical university in winston salem, n.c. He told me to keep taking the lyrica, doesn’t want me to take the ambien (my regular dr. gave it to me), says it is addictive and does’t really like for me to take it. I asked whats the difference i’ve been on neurontin off and on for a couple of years, now the lyrica, at least i’m sleeping. He replied that the ambien doesn’t work on my problem, just puts me to sleep and that the lyrica does. He gave me a perscription for lunesta ( its not addictive). I have not had it filled yet. Also, i went to a homeopathic dr and she told me she could help me, that all the drugs i have were bad for you and that i had been on so many drugs for years dating back to my childhood with allergies, eczema and sinus problems. I took shots for many many years, benadyrl i didn’t go anywhere without it. She said my body was in a vapor lock, the yeast you found in many foods was like feeding it. I never hardly drank water. I’m suppose to drink a gallon a day and i drink a 1/2 gallon a day and am building up to the gallon. I have not eaten any bread, rice, potatoes, sweets or cheese products or milk in 3 weeks. I take a bunch of vitamins and homeopathic each day. So, now to tell you the truth i don’t know whats really helping. I didn’t tell my dr in n.c. about going to her. You know drs and pharmaceutcal companies don’t think a whole lot of the natural way, can’t say that i don’t blame them but i am tired of itching to death, not sleeping and being a witch. I am going to do whatever it takes (taken thousands already), to get to the bottom of this. I will share with you my experiences and hope that one of us find some answers and relief. Brachial radial pruritus is some form of nerve damage, and if thats the case why go to dermatologist and not a neurologist, and if that’s true, why is it, the lady whose husband is a neurosurgeon has never heard of brachial rad. pru. I wish all of us a good night. Merry christmas

I was in an auto accident 7/21/05 and in August noticed severe itching. It took me about a month of trying everything before I realized it was related to the nerves in the neck. The best thing that has happened to help is massage therapy. The itching has almost completely gone away. My neck is still tight and stiff, but I am 100% this was the cause of the itch that drove me crazy. It was almost like a crawling under the skin that scratching could not relieve. I tried benedryl and all sorts of creams. Switched detergents and changed my diet. Nothing. Started massage to relieve the neck and the itching started to disappear. I begin to feel it now and then when my neck is feeling tight and usually about 1 wk after massage.

So happy to find this site! I truly thought I was the only one! For me it is both my arms and legs for the past 15 years. I have also tried most of the said medications. The only thing that really has helped is having ONE glass of red wine. Red wine has some sort of natural anthistamine in it, I have heard. I get migraines from wine, but would rather suffer that than itch, and that is a sad predicament. One thing I notice to be common is sun exposure. A lot of us are in FL. I am 35, fair, blonde, fair and brown-eyed. I notice that I begin the intense itching in the fall as well. However, it is when I have lost most of my tan. If I maintain the tan, I do not itch. Therefore, my bad sun-worship has never stopped. I will probably die with tons of scars from having lesions burned off and cut out…I just can’t handle the itch. My dermatologist reluctantly conceded that a LIGHT tan would help. I think he wanted to die for saying this to me, but ironically, small amounts of sun is the treatment for people with itching, like those on dialysis. I hate that I am perpetuating the problem, but if I lose the tan, the itch is terrible. Even so, the first few sun exposures also make it miserable, until the base is worked back up. I resort to using a tanning bed every couple of weeks in the winter. I cerainly am not condoning my behavior, it is just the combination of bad things that has worked. Honestly, I can’t see them being any worse than pumping myself full of other meds, either. I am certainly not judging those who take the meds, because if I had found one that worked, I probably would never go off of it. Anyway, I am just relieved to know I am not the only one, but am sorry anyone else has to deal with it. The comment that convinced me that you guys know how it is was the one about it feeling like the itch comes from inside. I feel like someone is poking me with needles from the inside out. How do you explain that one to someone who doesn’t have this problem? You just sound crazy, I guess. Thanks everyone.

Cure for itchy arms!!!
I had itchy arms for about 8 yrs. Went to 3 doctors and no one could help me. I tried every ointment, cream, and miracle cure around, nothing worked…
But i finally found a cure for real, it turns out that I have Candidas(yeast overgrowth) in my body. This in turn can cause all kinds of odd symptoms. The yeast actually gets out of your digestive tract and into your blood stream. The cure is simple and cheap, GSE (grapefruit seed extract), which is a natural antibiotic and a yeast killer. Just use 20 drops in water, orange juice, or some type of natural juice, take this about 3-6 times a day. For more info just google; candidas and grapefruit seed extract and learn for yourself.
It may help you feel better very quick, but it will take months to completely clear your body. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

comment to Karie in Phoenix, I have mentioned the fact that I’ve used this Capsaicin cream in comment 11 and 186, and I found it intolerable. It had no effect on my itching. I know that this cream has to be used continuously for at least 8 weeks for it to begin to be effective. I could not use it for moe than 5 weeks as my face and eyes were becoming sensitve. If your arms get warm whilst using this stuff, they feel as if they are on fire which is’nt helpful for releiving the itch. Good luck if you’re going to try it and let us know how you get on.

hello all! update to comments #205 & 215.

Day 2 on Neurontin. I’ve been a bit (sometimes more than a little bit) loopy and uncoordinated, but slept like a baby last night! what a relief! I am still feeling some mild tingling/itching, but will not be at full dose until tomorrow. I expect the loopy will go away as I adjust to the medicine.

I made an appointment for a massage on Thursday and am really looking forward to that. “Concentrate on the neck and shoulders, please.”

I completely share Karie’s concerns about this drug – the side effects and the limitations. My plan is to get some good sleep while exploring other options and trying to find out as much as possible about this condition. I want to talk with some physical therapists to see if they can recommend exercises and will also take care about sun exposure. I’ll also probably ask for an MRI just to rule out obvious damage or problems. I’ve seen a couple of articles listed in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology that I’m interested in reading, but at $30 a download, I’ll need to spend some time in the library instead.

In the meantime, I am grateful for this relief in a way that only fellow-sufferers can understand. Tonight, for the first time in a long time, I am not scared to go to bed.

Thanks again for this wonderful forum. I wish for you all sweet sleep and a happy holiday!

“If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask,
my Father in heaven will do it for you.” (Matthew 18:19)

Please, please could you all pray for me fervently, depersately? My
chiropractor muscle tested me for coconut oil and said that it is good for
my body but it wont tolerate it. I’m stopping all supplements that she says
aren’t tolerating, and being retested on Tuesday, to see if this helps and I
can tolerate then. Please please pray that I can tolerate it on Tuesday. I’m
screamuing from so much pain and I just desperately cry out to God that I
can tolerate it and stop feeding this awful stuff thats gong on in my body
and making me so ill. I am desperate to get off this candida and parasite
feding poison and begin to heal and at least stop feeding the beasts.

Please pray that my body will test positive at tolerating the coconut oil
and/or MCT’s (used for people with fat maldigestion and digestive problems
in hospitable) on Tuesday.

Please, please, please.

A depserate and insaley ill and hurting nineteen year old, Emma.
Lots and lots of love, Emma

Update to #167
Comment to Eva #205, thanks for your comment, it tells my story. I have an appointment with Neurologist right after Christmas, recent MRI has confirmed another disc problem, this time in my neck, was treated before with lower back (still painful). November appointment with Dermatologist resulted in “classic BRP” symptoms. I quit the Doxepin, it was helping me sleep, but the side effects were not worth it. I haven’t had a good night sleep since.
“Mineral Ice” is not a cure, but it does seem to calm the itching for a short time. Somewhat messy, smells strong, arm feels like it is on fire, but for a brief moment the itching subsides. Not sure if this is harmful in any way. This may be the “blue gel” Susan mentioned in #169. Thanks Susan.
I will give update after appointment with Neurologist after Christmas.
I am white female, 45 years old, disc and allergy problems, but I am becoming more certain this is more from the disc. I don’t think I mentioned before my older sister has had something very similar to this, At this time she says she hasn’t been bothered with the itching for a couple of years. But lives in fear “IT” will come back.
My Grandmother itched for years before she passed away at the age of 90. At the time doctors told her, “allergies, nerves, etc…..”
We are fair skinned and have a history of disc problems.
Thanks for listening.

To Eva – So glad the Neurontin is working for you. I have been taking it for 2+ months. I read everything I could about the drug and spoke with the doctor at length. I really could not find any serious side effect so I am not sure what others are talking about. Although it is recommended to take it all day I only take it at night. As the itching has subsided I am down to 100 mg (1 capsule) each night. My life is nearly normal again.
To Kim G – I am not sure about anyone with itching on the legs as well as arms. It seems that most here have itching only on arms, shoulders and neck.
Has anyone considered the roll “heat” in general causes? i.e. clothing, blankets, hot showers etc?
I took a hot bath the other night and suddenly realized every time I take a hot bath my arms start to itch. Just a thought.
Finally, the other day I remembered that for several years before this started I had some problems with scaly scalp. Also only seasonal. Anyone else?
kathy

Check out this link…it explains a LOT and another form of treatment for our itching

http://www.anaisdedermatologia.org.br/artigo_en?artigo_id=44#ref3

To Kathy- I think you are right about heat. I would imagine it would act as a vasodilator- bringing your blood to the surface so quickly you begin to itch. I hate jacuzzi’s for this reason–mixing hot water with water pounding on you is a recipe for disaster for an itcher.

This condition is called “Brachiaradial Pruitus.” I’ve just discovered it, as the itching arms has been driving me nuts for 10 years. There’s a debate whether is caused solely by sun damage to the nerve endings in the skin (arms get most exposure) or if cervical disease/problems causes it. Mine is caused by years of being a sun worshipper. ASK YOUR DOCTOR to let you try Neurontin! It is the ONLY thing that has completely gotten rid of the itch. If I dissolve a half pill in water and drink it, the itch is dead within a few minutes. This medication is a God-send, but there are not many doctors out there that know about Brachiaradial Pruitus. Do a search on it in Google and you’re find forums and the info on it! I couldn’t live without it!

#227 – Thank you Leslie.
The article certainly describes it all. Does say all cases were white so I guess that answers one question that has previously been asked. Also that all cases lived in warm climates. No solution to the seasonal nature. I live in a warm climate starting in April but do not have the itching until August.
The article also talks about the promising results of gabapentin (Neurontin).
kathy
Thank you for the link.

I have always wondered if the itching on my arms occasionally before bedtime is related to having dandruff. Ususally worse in winter and almost always before bedtime. The only one I have found that works is T-sol (for the dandruff), the one made with coal tar extract. Have not tried it on my arms but if I shower before bed I don’t have the itchy arm syndrome.

Hello fellow sufferers. This is so amazing to be able to share “the Itch” after many years of isolation. I am English but have lived in Perth, Western Australia since 1966. Age 62, brown hair and eyes, Grandfather Maltese, sun lover from way back. I was diagnosed with Discoid Lupus in 1985 but blood tests were clear of that after about five years. (That Lupus type is sun sensitive.) My arm itches started about 15 years ago. I remember the first time it happened, I was driving the car and suddenly had this electric shock sensation in one forearm. It made me jump and itch like mad. I remember racing into the house and holding my arm under the cold tap to try to get relief. I didn’t understand what was happening. Since then I have had regular bouts of itch, usually starting on the elbows and spreading down arms from shoulders to forearms. The itch is identical on both arms, simultaneously. I can imagine nerve irritation from the neck ( I have neck problems) travelling down inside each arm like an electric current. Ice packs have provided the only relief to date. What else can I tell you? I have just been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and started taking Thyroxin. Initially my GP sent me to a skin specialist who looked at my red, scarred and scabby arms and said that the problem came from my neck. He suggested that I had Brachioradialis syndrome ( presumably what you are all calling Brachiaradial Pruitis) and to visit the chiropractor. I went once but was frightened by the bone-cracking attack on my spine and was too scared to go back I decided to go to a physiotherapist instead and he massaged the arms, and then put me on traction twice a week. My itching gradually subsided but I think it was coming to its natural “disappearing act “time anyway. Next time the itching began I went to a new dermatologist. Through her I started to do pilates which I have been doing ever since. I believe that this has helped by building muscle strength and improving posture, especially taking stress off the neck and shoulders. My last bout of itching started after I went for a bike ride Dec 1st, on a really dull day, but apparently high uv rating, and for once I did not wear sun screen. I was sunburnt ( not badly) and have been itching ever since. Seems that sun sensitivity, heat, thyroid, disc degeneration are some common threads throughout these emails. I did try Vicks vapour rub this afternoon with some immediate relief. Two hours later I need to reapply. I take a bottle of frozen water everywhere I go – to the movies, to the shops, for a walk, everywhere. I know you will all understand and that helps.

Follow up on my last comment- I also have itchy scalp which comes and goes at about the same time as the arm itch. I use T- Gel also as does Kathy #226

Jude-Perth , Western Australia

Wishing everyone here a Happy New Year. Itch free will be my wish for all of you.

Thanks for New Year wishes Meash. Same to everyone from me. Great news! Sh!sh!sh! I hardly dare to say it but I have been without ice packs and slept through for two nights now. Maybe it is the natural end of the itch cycle ( exactly one month this time) maybe the two applications of Vicks Vapour rub I put on two days ago, maybe because I have been wearing long sleeves when out in the sun ( Summer season in Australia right now) maybe because I have been taking Telfast 180gm before bed for 5 days ……who knows. It all seems like guesswork but I am just relieved to be itch free for the moment. May you all be so blessed and soon.

Jude – Perth W. Australia

wanted to let everyone know whats going on with me. i have been on the lyrica for 4 wks and ambien at night and have been sleeping great, and am pretty much itch free, still going to homeopathic, haven’t eaten bread, rice, potatoes, pasta since nov 28. i cheated a little at christmas and i itched a little also. i’m not sure whats going on or if its the end of my itch cycle for now. i will continue to take the lyrica and homeopathics for several months, probably until next december, and if i remain itch free thru the summer and thru december i will then decide what to do, as for now i won’t stop anything for fear the itch will come back. hope you all had a good xmas and a happy new year and will have many peaceful sleeping and itch free nights. if i were to suggest to you what to do, i would recommend the lyrica and if you also need something to help you go to sleep. the quality of my life is so much better. i didn’t sleep for months at night.

Relieved I found this site. I thought I was alone with this problem. I have light brown hair and green eyes. I tan easily but am normally fair skinned. I have itched for approx. 13 years off and on. Sometimes Tiger Balm seems to alleviate the itch. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and comments.

P.S. My itch is in mainly in my shoulders although it does move down my arms on occassion.

Eva – What part of Alabama do you live in? I also went to the Dermatology Dept at University of AL in Birmingham approximately 2 1/2 years ago. I went throught the “Grand Rounds” and was diagnosed with Brachialradial Pruritis. My dermatologist in Montgomery had never heard of it. I’ve been taking neurontin since Nov 21st, but really no relief from it – unfortunately. I’m in the process of getting an appointment with a chiropractor and hoping it helps.

hI everyone, i have not written in weeks,on November 16 2005, i wrote in that evening and was itch free for a couple of days, which have continued itch free days, thank you Jesus. I read where a person did not think Dr. Phil would be into , “our itching problem”, well i think Dr. Phil would help us,we really need some answers. It is jan 2006 and i am still itch free, and i do not know why, i just hope it never comes back, i have gone for a few years before without it!!!! Well, the Holidays were wounderful,such fun. God bless you all,sleep softly… love JoAnn

hello all! update to earlier postings and reply to Cathy,

Cathy, I live between Montgomery and Troy. Perhaps we’ve passed one another on the street, trying to scratch without being obvious. 🙂

I have been on Nuerontin for 3 weeks now and love it. The doctor at UAB started me on 900 mgs of Neurontin/day and I have slowly worked my way up to 1500 mgs/day. I still have occassional flare-ups and require about 10 minutes of ice. I figure I have about 90% coverage with the current dosage of Nuerontin and will eventually end up at 1800 – 2000 mgs/day. The only real problem I have with it has been adjusting to having to remember to take meds at a certain time each day.

Cathy, I wonder if you didn’t take a high enough dose of nuerontin?

Yesterday I saw my GP who said in his 26 years of doctoring mine was the first case of brachioradial pruritus he had seen. ok. He also said that his experience with Neurontin (for other applications) has been that 1500 mgs/day is about the lowest therapuetic dose. I know I’ve read other people on this post say they take less and get relief.

I feel like my head is clearer than it has been in ages. Sleep is a marvelous thing! And, the skin on my arm is returning to normal. I am very careful not to expose my arm to sun, even winter sun.

I go back to the University of Alabama/Birmingham Dermatology Clinic on the 17th and will ask for an MRI on my neck at that time. In the meantime the neurontin has worked wonders for me. Don’t know how I lived without it.

good sleep to us all!

oh! one more important thing. If you are taking Neurontin DO NOT take anything with magnesium in it, Pepcid AC Complete, for instance.

I had one bad night since taking the Neurontin and then made the connection while sitting up with ice packs and (again) reading everything I could find online. I think I read about the magnesium/neurontin connection on one of Garth Woods’ postings. thank you, Garth! I don’t know what dose of magnesium interfers with the neurontin: Pepcid AC Complete has 185 mgs and my Women’s One-A-Day vitamin has 85 mgs. I’ve quit them both.

All

I have not had a chance to read every email on this site but those I have read are incredibly valuable to me if only in the struggle we all share.

I am 46, blond and blue eyed and have itched for 8 years now. I get really down from it. I have tried just about everything from allapathic to homeopathy, acupuncture to stress reduction meditation and yoga techniques. I have completely changed my diet; I do not drink or smoke or eat candy or bad stuff. I pray for relief although sometimes I feel as though I am not doing enough spiritually; “God, why have you sent me these locusts?” like the Lamentations.

I can only remember one time I got too much sun. I was about 16 and got very sun burned, but sunburned all over. I am always mystified that I get the itch on the upper arms, sometimes the back of the neck and occassionally on the upper back. But, usually, it’s the upper arms and the pain and itch is so unmanageable, I just don’t quite know what I am to do.

For now, I find ice is best. I put what I call my “blue ice cube” (one of those little hard ice packs you put in a cooler) in a tea towel under my arm pit when going to sleep; I now take Seroquel in small doses to sleep. It’s the only thing that lets me sleep through the itch. Even if I wake up, I go back to sleep more readily. I wear gloves when the going gets really bad so I stop scarring myself.

I don’t know what we are all going to do but it is a big help to me tonight to have all of you out here sharing this problem.

Thank you and God Bless.

Hi,
I have only recently developed intense “under skin” type itching, mostly on my left forearm but sometimes on my right too. Even wondered did I have scabies but as I said, no rash. Interested to read some of the above messages. I have reasonably fair skin and originally had dark hair, my eyes are hazel.I live in UK and have never been a sun worshipper,but do have a history of spinal problems. I have been tested for thyroid function, (no probs) but am overweight. Could this be related to glucose intolerance or early Stage 2 diabetes? So far I don’t have diabetes but at 52 I know I am at risk. I also have a history of dry sensitive skin and excema and psoriasis on other areas of my skin. Again the auto-immune system seems to feature in a lot of the preceeding cases. Haven’t seen my doctor as yet but will keep you posted.

Eva, How funny that we live so close! I live in Millbrook and work at Gunter AFB. When I went to UAB at B’ham, I saw Dr. Bonnie Ewlewski. I felt such relief just having someone make a diagnosis that made sense!! I only take 200 mg of neurontin before bed because of another users suggestion. When you take it throughout the day, does it make you sleepy? I’ve been seeing Dr. Phan in Montgomery. But with a new health plan for 2006, Dr. Phan is no longer a preferred provider. I will start increasing my dosage on my own and see what happens. Thanks SO MUCH for the advice!!!

hi Cathy & all! the recommended method of increasing dosage of neurontin is SLOWLY. I took one 300 mg pill day one, two pills day two, three pills day three. The first three days I was very loopy (no driving! no sharp objects!). But, after those first three days I’ve had no problems with drowsiness during the day. A little uncoordinated at times, but that’s not a big change for me 🙂 I am careful of my dosing intervals.

Cathy, you are welcome to write me off-post at EvaOnTheFarm@aol.com for more particulars of my experience in adjusting dosage.

And a big thanks to A Big Pink Cookie in Paris for hosting this post! sleep well!

Like you I am gobsmacked by the amount of sufferers. I have had the itchy symptons for 2 years now but only in the upper right arm. It occurs mostly when I´m very warm and is worse during the night. Its usually worse in the summer but I am presently suffering with it and its January! I live in Spain but dont sunbathe hardly at all. I have been going through a hell of a lot of stress but no thyroid problems. The only thing I´ve found eases the itchiness is cold water but will now take an ice pack to bed with me and try lanocaine or calamine. I´ll be checking this site over the coming months hoping for a miracle cure!

I, too, have had the itching for 3 years. I have been to the local ER 3 times and each the first time they gave me a couple of shots which were only a temporary fix. I finally changed MD’s and was at least taken seriously. I’ve since been referred to an allergist, dermotologist and skin cancer specialist. I’ve had bloodwork done, xrays taken and biopsies. One diagnosis I do have that is real is Aquagenic Pruritus and Cholinergic Urticaria. This means an allergy to water (showers, humidity, sweat) and very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. I have a script for Hydroxyzine, which just barely puts a dent in the itching but it also makes me drowsy so I do sleep better. I am on several meds, some of which I think may be a problem. I know that the diagnosis is only a part of the problem as the itching rarely seems to stop. It is not only my arms, it is also my neck and entire backside. I used to go to bed with 3 or 4 ice packs. After checking on the internet, I found a suggestion to try a heating pad. Believe it or not, it works!! In the meantime, I continue to search for answers. I keep an on-going journal of what changes take place or how my body reacts to different things. It’s a great tool to bring to the dr’s office. I also mixed up an unusual body cream for myself that works wonders. I buy the cheapest lotion I can find without perfume or dyes and I also buy a small jar of mentholatum. I melt the mentholatum in the microwave and whip it into the lotion. It’s a much cheaper solution than a lot of the other lotions on the market that cost $8-$15 a bottle. I put this lotion on as soon as I get out of the shower. Baby oil only clogs up the pores and other problems will eventually come along. The doctor also told me to take tepid showers but I found that ending the shower with extremely hot water really works. A lot of these ideas I got from the aquagenicskin forum. Keep searching on the internet and be open to new ideas. This seems to be my last resort as I’ve tried everything else after being told in the ER to go home and take more anxiety meds. There is nothing more irritating/annoying/life-changing as an itch that can’t be scratched cleared up.

I haven’t read all of the postings, but would like to let everyone know what helped me w/brachial radial pruritus. My doctor prescribed both Capsaicin 0.025% cream (over-ther-counter) & Temovate 0.05% cream (prescription)- generic = clobetasol propionate. I used the Capsaicin twice/day for 12 days. Took a day off & switched to Temovate for 13 days.I stopped using anything. It has been 3 weeks & I’ve had no itching. Praise the Lord!! Noteworthy: Capsaicin may take 1-2 weeks for relief. Temovate is not to be used for more than 14 days at a time. Hope this helps everyone or at least someone.

To Jude Kaminski- Finally someone from the southern hemisphere- You mentioned that your arm just started itching again on Dec. 1st. As you can see from all the posts on this site, most of us seem to be affected with this mainly from August-Nov. or Dec. This year mine started in early Sept. and disappeared in early Nov. So I want to know, altho you had a bout in Dec., are you bothered by this certain months of the year more than others? The opposite months from the rest of us perhaps? Am very curious about this.

By Christine

1,336 replies on “Itch Relief…”