Brachio radial pruritus

[Peggles30]

I have had itchy arms now for about 15 years. Comes August generally and goes in about February. This year it started in June and has been worst ever.  Both arms from wrist to shoulder and I am awake itching during the night.  Been to my GP (I live in the UK) numerous times and had steroid creams, moisturisers etc. Was referred to specialist in dermatology but by the time I got an appointment in February 2012 it was on the wane. He had never heard of BRP anyway! Yesterday because it was so bad saw my GP and printed off info on BRP.  He had never heard of it but googled it and has prescribed Amitriptiline 10mg at night. I am not keen on taking what is essentially an anti depressant drug but am desperate so took one last night and didnt itch much and slept like a log!  I also have cervical spine degeneration as I had a neck MRI a few months ago.  Has anyone in the UK seen a doctor or consultant who knows about BRP and could you recommend? I live in London. And has anyone else had luck with Amitriptiline?

[Peggles30]

Thanks so much for this.  Disappointingly although the Amitriptiline worked well the first night, the subsequent three nights the itch has returned.  I will continue it for a couple more weeks I think and then return to my General Practitioner.  I want to request a referral to a consultant - I am guessing it needs to be a dermatologist but can you let me know if you think a neurologist would be more appropriate? Or orthopaedic surgeon with an interest in cervical problems. Many thanks Peggy

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The main cause of BRP is not known but there is evidence to suggest that BRP may arise in the nervous system. BRP may be attributed to a neuropathy, such as chronic cervical radiculopathy.

No cure has been found.The only thing that seems to help most sufferers is the application of ice to the area until the itch is diminished. Other treatments include cooling lotions like those containing camphor or menthol,capsacain or local anesthetic creams,amitriptyline and gabapentin tablets and electrical cutaneous nerve field stimulation.
You can take amitriptyline as your dermatologist has suggested.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.