notalgia paresthetica

[kwinnipeg]

I have a diagnosis from my dermatologist that a large patch of dark pigmentation on my back is notalgia paresthetica.  He actually didn't seem to know a lot about it and said we'd try treating it with a steroid cream.  Six months later it is still quite itchy when I don't put the cream on, and the spot has not disappeared even a little.  Is this with me for life?  It is very noticable and bothers me.
Thank you!
K from Winnipeg

[sogagal]

I have notalgia paresthetica but it is very painful with muscle spasms, and chronic pain exacerbated by using my arms ,like washing dishes, driving,typing etc. I read an article that says this may be caused by nerve root injury to C4-C7 or  long thoracic nerve or degeneration in T2-T6. The pain is helped by using a TENS. I'm have a Spinal Cord Stim put in on 2/1/2011 and am asking the doctor to place a lead in the muscle where the NP is. What are your thoughts?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2758879/

[Kry82]

Capsaicin cream is often used in the treatment of notalgia paresthetica.  Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers.  As with steroids, it helps some people and doen't help some.
Often, notalgia paresthetica is a chronic problem.    There will be times that you may have no problems and times that you may have flare-ups.