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Avatar universal

Itching, anyone?

I have had, off and on, this terrible itching! It's back, and it's driving me up the wall! It's nothing dermatological and topical treatments don't do a thing. My Fibro dr says she's never seen any patients with this symptom before. Anyone else have this?
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Avatar universal
I hate it--it seems that 1 out of every 5 days I itch just around bedtime....all over my body and even my hair. It drives me crazy. My doctor said it was dry skin----I tried expensive and inexpensive creams and lotion and nothing stops it. I can take up to 4-6 benadryl and it will finally resolve. My Nuerologist test me for Sjournes Syndrome and it wasn't that. But she said many patients have Sjournes and don't know it. The symptoms for that is itchy/dry skin, dry mouth, and insatiable thirst. But those same symptoms can relate to medications or even diabetes. I'm also clean for diabetes. The test is just a blood test--so you may want to ask your doctor for it. Even though it was ruled out for me it may be you have it.
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1378309 tn?1551270038
Yes I have had itching on my forearms and below elbow many times and creams do not help. I thought it was Hep C but I treated and got rid of it and the itching is still random. I guess it is Fibro, Doc said dry skin and I bought expensive lotions and that is not it. Frustrating!
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Avatar universal
i only came on here today because i wanted to see if anyone else has itchy feet on the soles of there feet its driving me crazy i cant sleep with it and it seems to be when my fibro is at its worst which is most days as well as the ringing in my ears
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1 Comments
Hi milliemoo222.
Try ruling out hypothyroidism by doing Free T3, Free T4 and Reverse T3 tests (all 3 are necessary and you must insist for them).
You can also do on your own
Dr. Barnes basal Temperature Test.
Just look it up and follow the simple online instructions
PRECISELY!
Best,
Niko
1530171 tn?1448129593
Liver detox at 4 am?
Not quite sure about this statement, however...
The liver has a 2-phase cycle, with the assimilatory phase beginning normally around 3.00 PM in the afternoon and reaching its maximum at around 3.00 AM, when the liver enters the secretory phase for the next 12 hours.
When meals and snacks are taken late in the evening, the liver "schedule"
gets interrupted and even more so, when there are underlying liver issues.

Many people with sluggish liver function, who wake up in the wee hours of the morning, will benefit from doing a comprehensive detoxification and also optimizing: diet, spring water intake, breathing, meditation and physical activity.

Prescription meds, chemicals, sugars, additives, artificial ingredients,
processed foods, inactivity, stress, depression, anxiety are all likely culprits.

Avoidance of wheat/grains/gluten, night shades and sugars, in people who have joint issues, has shown pain & symptom severity reduction in most sufferers.

I hope this helps.
Niko

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Avatar universal
I also have that 4 to 6am wake up call. Joints become painful and you keep stretching to get it to go away. Have you figured out what causes this?
Thanks
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Avatar universal
I also have that 4 to 6 am wake up call. My joints become in pain and I keep stretching to work it out and at about 6am I can detect an exact minute when it stops and can go back to sleep. You say it is the liver detoxing at this time? Why do you think this problem is happening?
Thanks
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747988 tn?1396536878
Don't forget opiates make you itch worse!
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Avatar universal
I scratched the blood out of my finger, just below my wedding rings, and my thumb last night. It's only been a week or so since I did that to the top of my foot also. That itch is just about enough to drive you out of what's left of your mind. It's definitely nerve related.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with fibro a few months back.  While I don't recommend this to anyone, it does works for me: You take a shower using a hand-held shower unit with the hottest water you can stand on the sensitive underside of your wrist. You then apply the water stream about 4" from a spot. It will burn like hell for a brief moment then you move on to another spot. In my case I have it from the neck down to my feet. Remember ... it burns like hell so check to make sure the water isn't too hot. I then apply a good skin lotion. This gives me relieve for 4 to 6 hours but by then my lorazepam has kicked in and I finally get some sleep.
I take oxycodones as well as wearing a 75 mcg/h Fentanyl patch but not for the Fibro. I take them for other reasons (D.I.S.H.) and they will do nothing for the Fibro or the itching, just a waste of money for Fibro.
Jim ...
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1530171 tn?1448129593
Hi jacquieraff.

My, my, "they" have transformed you into a ...walking pharmacy.
Please no more meds! It might be good that you can't afford it.

Sorry, I have no intention to sound critical but, your body cannot handle the effects of all those chemicals in the drugs and stress amplifies it!
The toxicity is coming through your skin.

Your issues are likely foundational ie: serious nutritional, mineral,hormonal, neurotransmitter deficiencies, biological stress, unresolved past trauma,etc.
and simple symptom relief meds and narcos only make it worse in the end.

Please read my earlier post in this thread. If interested in the spinal release procedure, look in your area for an "allergy antidotes" practitioner
and if you can't find any, look into NAET trained doctors or practitioners
who might be able to help you with the severe itchiness.

Best wishes.
Niko
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have severe itching over my entire body even my scalp.  My doc gave me aluminum lactate, but it doesn't cure the dry skin.  My lower legs are so scared that I have to wear long skirts or pants.  I started having a panic attack over it so I just took a xanax.  I use a knife to scratch because I don't have any nails and the intensity of the itch is so bad that my nails couldn't relieve it anyway.  I'll probably end up seeing yet another doctor and more medication which I cannot afford, because I hit my coverage gap.  Its bad enough I'm up to 3 morphines and 3 oxycodones with about 11 other drugs.  I'm so sick of seeing doctors and spending what little money I have with these guys.  I'm so pissed off right now.
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Avatar universal
I have severe itching over my entire body even my scalp.  My doc gave me aluminum lactate, but it doesn't cure the dry skin.  My lower legs are so scared that I have to wear long skirts or pants.  I started having a panic attack over it so I just took a xanax.  I use a knife to scratch because I don't have any nails and the intensity of the itch is so bad that my nails couldn't relieve it anyway.  I'll probably end up seeing yet another doctor and more medication which I cannot afford, because I hit my coverage gap.  Its bad enough I'm up to 3 morphines and 3 oxycodones with about 11 other drugs.  I'm so sick of seeing doctors and spending what little money I have with these guys.  I'm so pissed off right now.
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Avatar universal
I know just how you feel. I don't have FM but I do have Sjogren's Syndrome. It's an auto immune disease most often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It affects the moisture in your body which is one of the main cause of the itching. It also causes severe dry mouth and eye. It is very rare and most doctors don't think of it. Ask your doctor about it.
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1530171 tn?1448129593
I just copied and pasted my response from yesterday to another poster.

Here's my opinion.
Dysregulation of neurotransmitters (NT) in FMS, affects the Merkel's discs,
sensory nerve ending pressure plate receptors located in your outer skin.
They translate touch, pressure and texture and send it to the brain, but their default is itchiness when they don't know what  message to send, b/c of the dysregulation of NTs.
Dryness will make it worse.
Energy medicine (spinal release  procedure) might correct it, specially if connected to anxiety and stress.
I suggest testing for NTs if available-tough field in medicine- pm me for link
if you need.
NTs testing should be a must for FMS, as they have to do with sleep regulation, pain regulation, pain sensation, immune function and more.
Take care.
Niko
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4671977 tn?1357823817
Wow I itch like crazy , legs , arms , back and shoulders and head. It does feel like I have bugs . Went to the doc one time and had her check me for bugs,,, none there..I  have not been diagnosed yet by soon I am hoping. First I have positive for RA in my blood factor then I don't , I find this whole medical romp frustrating and confusing. After my year wait to see the Rheumatologist waiting a month now seems like nothing. I sincerely hope he can help me. Mostly pain but itching will be on my list of symptoms.. Thanks for your post as it is nice to know  we are not out there all alone.. Patti
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Avatar universal
I'm convinced it's Fibro related...I have no allergies (I do have hashimotos hypothyroidism) Low levels of Vit D....however, after doing a 3 day fast and liver detox (using Almased) and then introducing foods in a certain order (proteins, vegetables, fruits, then lastly carbs..)for the following 6 weeks..I found out that large amounts of SALT (caused severe itching) and some carbs like Oatmeal (caused weight gain). These were foods that affected me.

I had a masseuse happen to work my muscles really well..when she hit a spot on my hip..it really hurt sore..like I was bruised there....it turned out the exact spot was causing me itching all day before....this was the first thought connection between the "sore spots" and the itching.

Bigelows makes a mint lotion which in small quantities helps with these itching spots and after hot baths...helps with that crawling itching.

Someone needs to find out what we are lacking in those neurotransmitters or why we cannot repair them at night. 4am to 6 am is the WORST for me.
Note..this is also the time at night the liver detoxes!!!
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Avatar universal
That's exactly the symptoms I have. I thought they were mites, but there's no sign of bites or rash. The pharmacist was baffled. I suffer from fibromyalgia and it's been bad in the last few days, so I searched to see if there might be a connection and I found this page. Did you find anything to relieve your itch?
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3517056 tn?1347503943
I myself itch with my Fibro, I also know that when I itch, my Restless Leg kicks in.....I was in a pinch and took an Ativan to calm my nerves, and about 15 minutes later I took 2 Benadryl.  I hopped in the shower before the meds kicked in to see if it would help.  After that I got into my P.J.'s and the itching and the RLS calmed down.....Hope this helps.
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136956 tn?1688675680
I have the itchiest skin ever. My big toes especially.  They itch and itch and itch until they turn red and the skin gets hard turning a darker reddish purple color. After a week or so the skin is so thick. I peel it off and the process starts all over again. I was told it was contact dermatitis but all the creams they have given me it has never gone away or even helped. Its irritating.
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Avatar universal
I am a 61 yr-old female and recently was diagnosed with fibro after years of dealing with the allover pain, fatigue and insomnia.  For years I considered that I might have this condition but was hesitant to mention it since I know that many people still believe that this very real condition was "all in my head".  Believe it or not I had to go through a severe depression and treatment in order to have the correct diagnosis. Intense itching is a very real symptom for me and have to take Atarax to stop the itch, otherwise I scratch and scratch until I bleed.   Being that Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is intricately connected to the emotions, I  am certain it presents with varying symptoms in different individuals.   Most of them are the same but nervous itching may just be a symptom that presents in some and not in others.
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681148 tn?1437661591
I hadn't thought of this as being part of the FM, because I have so many allergies to begin with and even have MCS.  I've always had dry skin, too.  I never attributed any of this to the FM.  I definitely got terrible itching all throughout the body with Tramadol.  I do get parasthesia, too, and that is sometimes itchy along with the pins and needles feelings.  I get the neuropathy in the scalp as well as eczema, which definitely drives me nuts.  I never realized that this itching you're talking about was the FM.  I thought it was the allergies or the MCS.  I'm glad someone mentioned this.  I wonder if the itching and the parasthesia are part of the same nerve problem, too, since some of the parasthesia definitely itches more than burns.  This is very interesting, since it's something I never thought about as being part of the FM before.  One more thing to confirm the diagnosis for me, too, I guess.
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Avatar universal
Oh my goodness.. Yes!  This is the first forum I have come across where someone has actually mentioned the intense itching that I get from time to time.  Several years ago it was so severe that it was interfering with my sleep, work, and making me feel like I was going crazy.  It feels as if little tiny bugs are crawling all over.  You literally feel as if your skin is crawling.  I did however find a solution and hope that it works for you.  Antihistamine.  Not applied topically, but a 24 hour allergy pill.  What works for me in particular is Zyrtec taken once a day.  You might get the same relief from Allegra or Claritin.  I haven't tried those.  But I can say that my itching episodes are pretty much gone as long as I remember to take my Zyrtec.  You should ask your doc about this!  Good Luck!
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Avatar universal
WOW... thank you for writing this!!  I have had itching on my right inside forearm for over a year easy, and it does drive me just crazy!  Days I feel I could itch the skin right off!!  I have the burning on places too and so many other symptoms.  

I get the bee stings, cold feelings like cold water on my skin, cramps, and restless Leg, fatigue, hurt all over, and among other many others things.

I had a MRI of my brain and a EEG done, next week I get results..
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Avatar universal
I itch from the very top of my head to the soles of my feet.....and everything in between!  I have tried lotions, antihistimines, aveeno, etc.  NOTHING has worked.  I have even taken xanax...hoping that would help.  Sometimes the rims of my eyes itch so bad, I just want to rip the skin off.  It all feels like something is crawling on me.  ANY SUGGESTIONS?
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