Itchy Itchy

[geminijwl]

I have been battling itchy armpits as well as thighs and arms for about 6 months. There is no rash. I am also tired alot. About a year and half ago, I started getting achy muscles and was tesed for mono... negative. Then I got sick with strep about 4-5 times but the tests all came back negative. During the times when I get achy, my spleen area feels tight. It's the itch that is driving me crazy. Lotions don't work and benadril only lasts a few hours.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
How are you doing now?
I agree with you that there is a need to seek the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing.  You need to consult your doctor for further evaluation.  Only after when the cause is certain that treatment can be instituted.  The antihistamines given to you are supportive measures to control the symptoms.
Good luck.

[geminijwl]

I had a blood test for "south florida" allergies and that came back fine. I am not allergic to anything that I know of. I am currently taking Paxil and Yaz, I started taking them about the same time, Aug 07. The first time I got sick with mono-like symptoms was Aug 06. I was tested several times for mono and strep throat. The mono test came back positive 1 of 3 times. The strep tests always came back negative. One blood test showed abnormal results for my thyroid (hyper) but the follow-up test came back fine. The time when my spleen area was hurting, I had a sonigram but by the time that appointment came around, it wasn't really hurting anymore and the test showed nothing. My doctor thought I had fibromyalgia but never confirmed it. I'm 25 years old. The last time I went to the doctor was Dec 07 about the itchy skin. They prescribed allergy medicine but I was about to lose insurance so I didn't take the prescription. Plus I felt the allergy med would just cover up the problem, not fix it. Lately I've been having bad headaches, especially on the top left side. Maybe I' not getting enough sleep.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Just have some clarifications.  Aside from the itchiness and fatigue, do you have other signs and symptoms?  What other examinations were done on you?  Are you taking any medications now?  Your symptoms are nonspecific and do not point to a single disease entity.   It could be an allergic reaction to something you are taking or using now.  
For now, you can take any antihistamine just to control the itch.  You can try Cetirizine or Loratadine for the itch.  But you have to be seen again by your doctor since your symptoms have been persistent for the last several months.  
Good luck.