Anyone with RA have skin pain?

[1cross+3nails=4given]

What now? It's always something wrong with me. I stopped even going to the upid doctors. Then I was in a wreck 9/26/08. My "issues" I've had for 2 years (rheumy dxed RA 3/24/09) are 10 times worse. I can deal with most of them. Now it's something else. I get the "slapped face" (aka:SF) when I have ocular migraines. Which ever eye is effected, that side of my face is ultra sensitive. Like cold is freezing & hot is like fire. Almost a sunburned feeling with no change is skin color or texture.
Well I've gotten this feeling other places on my body for very short periods of time. In June or July I had some kind of infection in my right ear & glands. That side of my face, ear & neck were like SF. Oh, I call it this because the 1st time it happened I swore my hubby had slapped me while we were sleeping. Any how, it didn't bother me too much. The migraines on the other hand make me feel like I'm dying. I had my 1st true "come to Jesus" moment during the worst migraine I'd ever had in my life.
Well SF took over the top of my thighs & upper arms about a month ago & lasted I guess a week. Well it came back with a vengeance 2 weeks ago left for 4 days & is back again. I am in so much pain right now. No one can get even close to me without me grimacing. My skin feels bruised, sun burnt, hot, swollen but it looks perfectly normal. I actually felt it come on around 7pm last night. My hands feet & face are swollen too. Not my joints but my tissues. I'm kinda itchy too. Can't rub my skin at all. I feel like 1 huge bruise. My upper arms, all parts of my legs, my shoulders & back. My boobs (sorry if TMI) started to hurt so bad the 1st time it took me over & now too. I figured it was something hormonal at 1st. Then I realized it was SF taking over my body. Even my pant legs touching my calves hurt. Even a light breeze hurts or taking a shower. I have to take rx sleeping pills to be comfortable enough to sleep.
When will this madness end? I am so freakin sick of getting new symptoms upon new symptoms. Sorry about the whine. I just really needed to get it out. I've tried reaching out on other boards & forums. I'm hoping someone will read this & "feel" my pain & tell me what it is. Is it a symptom of RA? If so, what can they do about it? I am nearly miserable. I try to tell my hubby & friends but they just don't get it. I so wish I could give everyone I know this pain for 1 hour. They probably still wouldn't understand. Thanks for reading such a long post! My mood is wonderful but this is bringing me down. I've got to get a grip. Take care!
Jen

[Marin600]

The posts here are a composite of what I've experienced.  Take chelation IV's and mega vit/min IV's at a holisitic clinic, plus give my own multi B, B12, and magnesium injections, plus some other oral supplements. The electric zaps don't happen now, unless i go a few weeks without all the rigmarole.  Get so tired of going to appts, because am so tired with no appts.  But if I go at least once every week in a half, i can keep them bearable.  They're expensive; my ins pays zilch.  That's a big drawback.  Took olive leaf extract hoping to alleviate a constant thick phlegm in my throat, and had myriad benefits, which was a huge pleasant surprise!  One of the problems that was alleviated was the irregular heat "pockets" over my body; another was the "waves" of strange sensations--- hot-cold-stinging-zapping-needles-dry ice.  My skin is almost never sore now, but left leg still burns on occasion.  Read about vit/min deficiencies.  Magnesium and the B's definitely help me, and I definite regress when i slack off taking them.  But because they work synergistically, you need a goot mult vit and a good multi min, so that you've got all bases covered.  People are rarely deficient in just one thing.  Wish you could get the MRI.  Read testimonials on LaserSpineInstitute and see if any of those patients have any of your symptoms.  Can you get a free evaluation at a chiropractic deompression office?  See, in this Arthritis Forum, the question by denised 508, on 4-7-09:  What Can I Do?  Psoriatic Arthritis/Fibromyalgia
Look into the live blood cell therapy.  Also, if you take the olive leaf exract, start out slowly, because it will kill the bad guys in your system.  If you do it too fast, you'll have a herxheimer effect, with die-off from all the toxins, and will feel as though you have a bad case of the flu.  That's actually a good sign that the olive leaf is working, but it can make you feel pretty ragged.  I started with 1/2 tsp with breakfast for 3 days, then added 1/2 for lunch for three days, building slowly by 1/2 tsp at a time, for 3 days, before adding another 1/2 tsp, until I reached 8-9 a day.  For about 2 weeks I took 12 a day.  I did not have the herxheimer effect, however, by starting rapidly, you clear your body sooner than I did.  I'm very sensitive to drugs or supplements, so went slowly so I wouldn't have to miss work from the wretched feelings caused by the toxin die-off.  I'll totally quit on them, but some old symptom creeps back at the 2-3 month mark, so I re-start taking them.  Feel my best when taking 2-3 per day, depending upon whether sinues have been flaring, etc.  Know the info in the question thread I cited sounds weird, but your situation is weird.  It's certainly worth checking into.  Let us hear what continues to happen with you.  Best wishes.

[1cross+3nails=4given]

I went to a neuro May 07'. I don't plan on going back anytime soon. I've thought about it but I just don't want to spend the time & money. I have the same feelings you have described. My skin hurt real bad for 2 weeks on a row for 4 days at a time. I was about to loose it. I've started working 2 jobs. I keep 2.5 year old twin boys 2 days a week while my kids are in school & I work at Target at nights. I just started all this, this week. After being on my feet 6 hours at Target Sunday, I called the doc Monday morning & she called me in some narcotics. I don't like them & never take them but I'm desperate. I haven't worked this hard since before the wreck 6.5 months ago. I hope to get used to this work schedule soon. I went from sleeping all day to working 30 hours a week & having kiddos here so I can't get a whole lot done.
I feel like I have to work while I can. I just have to. Pain or not. Take care!
Jen

[Lori707]

Either most of my skin feels hot or freezing. Sometimes I feel okay. I also had skin pain along with pins and needles. I also have RA-recently diagnosed. I went to a neurologist who couldn't make heads or tails out of me. I took all kinds of tests. I do have some nerve damage. I was put on neurontin. What a relief! I still feel the electrical impulses through me but at least they don't hurt. The doc said the meds are like a bandaid and they still don't know what's causing it. I still get the heat feeling but I get it along with the feeling of being clammy which I'm not. I feel stronger and can do more things now since I'm not exausted by the pain.

Jen..any ideas?

Lori

[1cross+3nails=4given]

Thanks for your reply! I saw a neuron years ago before all this. Now a neuro won't see me because of the wreck I was in 9/26/08. I guess now that my case has gone to court, I can seek the help of a neuro. I really didn't like the one I saw & I owe them money so she's out of the question. I finally got a job after 5 months medical leave & another month trying to find work. It's only $7 an hour so I don't know when I'll be able to seek out another neuro. It costs for the visit & they will probably want an MRI which I can't pay the deductible for. We're filling bankruptcy next week. Times are hard. Kinda stuck in a boat without a paddle. Thanks again!
Jen

[txsilver]

I have RA but have not had the symptom with which you are suffering.  Except after surgery.  I had that kind of sensation then.  It was the result of nerve damage from the incision.  In that case, it healed at a rate of approx 1 month per inch of incision.  Have you seen a neurologist?  That may be your best bet at this point.