brachioradial pruritus

[cottagestyle]

Hi, great to find this website.  After reading some of the posts it seems like we have other Western Canadians with the same problems that I have, sometimes you are made to feel like a neurotic when you ask for help.  I noticed this horrible burning itch coming on in August with no occurance of hives or rash.  It was contained to my left arm between the wrist and elbow on the upperside of the arm.  About 2 weeks ago it started to get so bad that I could hardly contain myself during the night.  It had now started to move to the right arm also.  Becouae I was away from home visiting relatives, I went to a local pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if he could recommend anything.  He said it souned like scabies (because the symtoms are so much more intense at night) and gave me a herbicidal cream to use.  This bothered me, the thought of bugs, but at this point I would try anything.  It seemed to help a slight bit and then it got much worse again.  The burning and itching is unbearable.  Alcohol based astringents, cooling creams such as gold bond, tea tree oil on a wet cloth, antifungal medication help but only for about 3-4 hrs. Saw my doctor again 3 days ago and we have been trying to figure this thing out.  All my physical and bood tests. chest x-ray came out normal.  He said it definitely is not scabies.  I now have quite a rash and puscules from scratching so much.  He believes it may be Brachioradal Puritus and afer spending the last 2 days doing research, I would have to agree with this diagnosis.  He gave me a prescription for Hydroxyzine for itching and sleep.  It help some to take the edge off.  I also use chlorpheniramine which helps a bit also.  From research it would seem that there is some nerve damage about C4 to C6.  I was in an accident as a child and my back and neck were affected.  I have always lived with the pain, but now there is this itching.  I also have stopped eating gluten since I believe I may have celiac disease but have yet to be tested.  I have for about the last 10 days or so tried to adhere to this diet (very tough, as even things like soya sauce and ketchup and baking are all out), however this seems to help a little so far.  I believe there nerve damage can occur with celiac and I am wondering if this might be plausable.  Can nerve damage be healed?  Would taking Vit B's, Omega oils help?  Has anyone used Arnica?  I also wonder if a parasite cleanse may help?  I have also purchased a Nordic exersice machine that hangs you upside down (like a bat).  This is suppose to improve circulation to the upper extremities and decompress the vertabrae.  Possibly this may help with the spinal nerve damage theory?  Also they have been doing new wonderful cures with botox for migraine headaches and since this is nerve related, I wondered whether there is such a therapy.  Any new ideas are appreciated.

[reddogrippey]

I have been suffering with BPR for years and it has gotten worse and worse.  I finally had a dermatologist agree with me that it is BPR.  I have been told for years it is eczema.  I have tried everything, cortisone creams, coritsone shost, every lotion you can imagine, benadryl, accupuncture, chiropractic care, capsacian.  Only gel ice packs provide relief.  My itching is much worse at night and I typically go to bed with ice packs on my arms and shoulders.  Finally the dermatologist just prescribed hydroxyzine (10 mg) . I have only been on it for 3 days but it is helping me already, I am so hopeful now!!! I am also picking up a prescription today for Epicerum to help with healing of the skin.  Today I woke up with a numb hand which I believe points to my BPR being a neurological issue (I had surgery on C5 and C6 in 2005 - removal of ruptured discs) and for the first time in a long time I woke up without blood underneath my fingernails!   If the hydroxyzine does not work I will then try gabapentin or nuerontin.  Please advocate for yourself and keep going to the different doctors until you can get one to listen to you.  

[Desrtdove]

Hello cottagestyle,
There are several of us BRP sufferers at the itchy arms=Brachioradial Pruritus section of this forum....You can join us there. I have personally had BRP for 8 or 9 years and have found the cause of mine to be a severe disc herniation compressing the spinal cord centrally at C5-C6. My itching is now under control by taking a supplement that controls the inflammation from the disc herniation. I have tried topical pain relieving lotions, hydrocortisone cremes, ice, traction, micro-current, TENS units, electric muscle stimulation etc. The ice helped the most for a while....it then stopped working all together...the traction 3 X week had good results for several months...but nothing really got rid of the itching until I tried this supplement. Many people from the other thread have tried Serrapeptase with great results too.....some are on gabapentin. Cone on over to the "itchy arm=Brachioradial Pruritus" thread and read all about everyone who shares your same problem!! Perhaps you can find the answers you seek!! We'd love to have you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Well, your symptoms are typically suggestive of brachioradial pruritis. Brachioradial pruritis is an intense itching sensation of the arm usually between the shoulder and elbow of either or both arms. The itch can be so intense that sufferers will scratch their own skin to a bleeding condition.
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. No treatment is there for the nerves that have been damaged but electrical cutaneous nerve filed stimulation can be tried.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.