Fibro, meds, or laundry detergent?

[Marielaveaux10]

I have used the same laundry detergent and dryer sheets for YEARS, the only difference has been switching to the HE machine (using HE detergent) about a year ago. Approx 6 months ago, I started noticing an almost constant itch between my breasts (where the front of my bra touches), and also around my ankles when wearing socks. 3 weeks ago I started taking Savella for fibromyalgia. Suddenly (only for about 3 days now) I have INTENSE, constant itching on the areas of my body that have the most constant contact with my clothing, ie my back, chest, ankles (around tops of socks). There is absolutely no rash or redness (other than the redness when I scratch), just this almost unbearable itching. I don't think it is due to the Savella, as I have no problems at all with my legs or arms (wearing shorts and short sleeves)....only where my clothes have the most contact with my skin. I also have a hard time attributing it to the Savella since it started (although only in a couple of spots and not NEARLY as intense) long before I started taking it. Could this be my detergent? Dryer sheets? Could I have suddenly developed a sensitivity after all these years to one or both of them? Could the Savella be making me more sensitive to the detergent/dryer sheets? Or is it simply another symptom of fibro? Please help before I skin myself alive!  :)

[Marielaveaux10]

Thank you for your response.  :)
I have not been tested for lupus...only thing so far has been the blood test for RA. I am still seeing my primary care doc at this time, no specialists. He is trying to do as much for me as he possibly can because my insurance coverage is almost useless. What meds do you take (if you don't mind me asking)? Doc tried me on about 6 different anti inflammatory type meds before doing the RA blood test, and then gave me samples of the savella. I have only been officially diagnosed for a few weeks, although I have suffered with these symptoms for at least 10 years or so, so I don't have alot of understanding about this disease yet.
As far as my itching, I guess I'm most concerned that it might be a reaction to the savella, it just seems so odd to me that it took 3 weeks to show up, and especially that it is only itching underneath my clothing. I guess you could call it an itchy/prickly feeling, very similar to a moderate sunburn....but with no visible rash. I'm going to switch detergents, and I have already started using a very good lotion to try and make sure it isn't just dry skin from the cool weather (I'm in Florida, so not really "cold" LOL). Other than that, I guess as long as it doesn't get any worse, I will wait the 3 more weeks for my next doctor visit.  :)

[Latina66]

Hi I'm not a Doctor but I do have Fibromyalgia and the Lupus and the only rash that I have gotten is from the Lupus but lately my husband has gotten a rash and so have I (and not a normal lupus rash) he went to see his Doctor and she told his that it can be a few things 1. the detergent we use to wash clothes, 2. soap that we use to wash our bodies, 3. The cold weather can dry up our bodies and that can cause use to itch and break out in a rash.
Have you ever been tested for Lupus?