Scritch Scratch
August 17, 2013 2:25 PM Subscribe
Fibro and itching? I'm itching like crazy lately. Is this also a type of nerve pain? I've ruled out allergies and Benadryl doesn't help. It doesn't seem to be dry skin and lotion doesn't help. No changes in detergent, etc and we use free and clear type stuff anyway. The only thing that helps (kinda) is a hot shower.
I've had fibro for years now, but the itching is new. Ordinarily, I'd ask my rheumy, but he's in Korea and I'm back in the US. My GP is happy prescribing the meds my rheumy did but isn't thrilled with futzing with them. Seeing a rheumy here is pretty much out of the question. I don't have insurance and the out of pocket is too much for my pocket.
I'm on Tramadol, Mobic and Gabapentin.
This is driving me batty and interfering with my sleep because it is worse at night. Will increasing the gabapentin help?
Or, alternatively, am I just crazy ;-)
I've had fibro for years now, but the itching is new. Ordinarily, I'd ask my rheumy, but he's in Korea and I'm back in the US. My GP is happy prescribing the meds my rheumy did but isn't thrilled with futzing with them. Seeing a rheumy here is pretty much out of the question. I don't have insurance and the out of pocket is too much for my pocket.
I'm on Tramadol, Mobic and Gabapentin.
This is driving me batty and interfering with my sleep because it is worse at night. Will increasing the gabapentin help?
Or, alternatively, am I just crazy ;-)
Best answer: Definitely could be a side effect of a med, but don't mess with them without checking with your doctor. However, I have noticed over the years, that I start itching horribly when I am working up to a flare. I itch for a week or so, then get hit full blown with a fibro flare. Others on several forums I used to frequent also noticed this. Sometimes cutting back on activity will help alleviate both itching and the oncoming flare to some degree, but sometimes it is too late for that. Sorry not to be of more help, just a possible reason for it.
posted by batikrose at 2:58 PM on August 17, 2013
posted by batikrose at 2:58 PM on August 17, 2013
My GF has similar issues, and her cause is wheat allergy.
posted by Jacen at 3:08 PM on August 17, 2013
posted by Jacen at 3:08 PM on August 17, 2013
You could look into nutrient depletions caused by the various drugs you take. I was on advil daily for about six years. During that time, I took massive b vitamin supplements to keep my restless leg syndrome under control. Before going off the advil, I learned it depleted one of the b vitamins. My need for b vitamins dropped dramatically after I quit advil. And, another example, long term use of zithromax is known to promote magnesium deficiency. (They compete for the same cell receptors.)
So drugs are known to deplete nutrients or interfere with their absorption, etc. When you take them long term, this can eventually produce side effects not associated with short term use.
In case you do not know, you could also inquire about guaifenisen. It helps reduce symptoms for some fibro patients.
posted by Michele in California at 3:12 PM on August 17, 2013
So drugs are known to deplete nutrients or interfere with their absorption, etc. When you take them long term, this can eventually produce side effects not associated with short term use.
In case you do not know, you could also inquire about guaifenisen. It helps reduce symptoms for some fibro patients.
posted by Michele in California at 3:12 PM on August 17, 2013
If you haven't already, you should see your primary care doctor about this. There are some things that cause generalized itching that would show up on basic blood tests. Have you had that kind of stuff done?
posted by killdevil at 4:06 PM on August 17, 2013
posted by killdevil at 4:06 PM on August 17, 2013
Hot showers feel good and it's worse at night? Could be scabies. Head to the doctor for a check, and run your sheets and laundry through really hot water.
posted by FunkyHelix at 4:16 PM on August 17, 2013
posted by FunkyHelix at 4:16 PM on August 17, 2013
Response by poster: I should have been clearer. My rheumy is permanently in Korea. I was an ESL teacher over there and he's been my doc for a couple years. I can afford to see one over here, and can't ask my family for more help.
I do take a multivitamin, a vitamin D supplement (my levels were so low as to be almost off the charts) and fish oil.
The itching is localized. I scratch and the itch goes away for a minute but comes back. I've got my nails trimmed down so I don't scratch my skin to hell. If I can breathe through it, sometimes I can last until it stops itching. It also always seems to start with a stab of pain.
I'll definitely give my GP a call, though I suspect she doesn't know much about fibro.
I wouldn't be surprised if I was working up to a flare. My pains been worse, especially in my hands and feet (no RA, was tested in Korea).
Sorry to thread-sit.
posted by kathrynm at 4:31 PM on August 17, 2013
I do take a multivitamin, a vitamin D supplement (my levels were so low as to be almost off the charts) and fish oil.
The itching is localized. I scratch and the itch goes away for a minute but comes back. I've got my nails trimmed down so I don't scratch my skin to hell. If I can breathe through it, sometimes I can last until it stops itching. It also always seems to start with a stab of pain.
I'll definitely give my GP a call, though I suspect she doesn't know much about fibro.
I wouldn't be surprised if I was working up to a flare. My pains been worse, especially in my hands and feet (no RA, was tested in Korea).
Sorry to thread-sit.
posted by kathrynm at 4:31 PM on August 17, 2013
Best answer: Yes, this can absolutely be a sensory nerve dysfunction. It could potentially be a nerve dysfunction that is independent of your fibro. There are a few medical conditions that can cause this. Have you tried ice/ cold pack on the area? Try it, it might help, and hit up your GP for sure.
Tread carefully with cold, I know fibro sufferers sometimes have trouble/ respond poorly to it- start with short time frames and see how you respond
posted by windykites at 5:25 PM on August 17, 2013
Tread carefully with cold, I know fibro sufferers sometimes have trouble/ respond poorly to it- start with short time frames and see how you respond
posted by windykites at 5:25 PM on August 17, 2013
Not to frighten, but when my aunt developed terminal gall bladder cancer, the first symptom was generalized itching. Get a full workup (and downplay previous history, since if you mention fibromyalgia, they'll probably say it's all in your head).
posted by bad grammar at 7:09 AM on August 18, 2013
posted by bad grammar at 7:09 AM on August 18, 2013
Itching can also be a sign of liver inflammation. See a doctor.
posted by theora55 at 10:09 AM on August 18, 2013
posted by theora55 at 10:09 AM on August 18, 2013
I also have fibro, was diagnosed in the early '90's. I have had the localized itching, mine usually results from pressure on my skin. Sometimes will precede a flare up. You didn't mention if the itchy area becomes raised and swollen, much like hives, but looks different. Delayed Pressure urticaria is different from Dermatographic urticaria also know as skin writing.
The hives from delayed pressure urticaria are not typical looking hives.
Delayed pressure urticaria is thought to be a type of autoimmune disease. Cause unknown, much like fibromyalgia.
During a bad episode of itching, I was wearing a mu-mu with nothing underneath. I sat on a bench with slats, about an hour later I had the imprint of the slats across the backs of my legs, buttocks, and back in huge hives. Scratching the hives made them spread more. I will also get them deep in the soles of my feet. The area on the sole of my foot will look pinkish, the itch itself feels deep in the skin. Honestly, this is pure misery, Benadryl extra strength gel seems to be the only thing that helps.
posted by JujuB at 12:03 PM on August 18, 2013
The hives from delayed pressure urticaria are not typical looking hives.
Delayed pressure urticaria is thought to be a type of autoimmune disease. Cause unknown, much like fibromyalgia.
During a bad episode of itching, I was wearing a mu-mu with nothing underneath. I sat on a bench with slats, about an hour later I had the imprint of the slats across the backs of my legs, buttocks, and back in huge hives. Scratching the hives made them spread more. I will also get them deep in the soles of my feet. The area on the sole of my foot will look pinkish, the itch itself feels deep in the skin. Honestly, this is pure misery, Benadryl extra strength gel seems to be the only thing that helps.
posted by JujuB at 12:03 PM on August 18, 2013
Another anecdata point: Tramadol (and "real" opioids, too) does this to me. I do not have fibro, though.
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:20 PM on August 18, 2013
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:20 PM on August 18, 2013
I don't know where you live, but there MUST be some way for you to see a rheumetologist. If you have a GP, you should be able to get a referral. Your first task should be to figure out how to see a local rheumetologist, because if you have fibro, you will need to see one regularly.
And yes, calling your GP is the first step.
There is really no advice any of us can give you drug-wise. It wouldn't be sensible to discontinue any of your drugs... you might have worse fibro pain as a result. And you can't get anything new prescribed without seeing a GP.
posted by htid at 9:42 AM on August 19, 2013
And yes, calling your GP is the first step.
There is really no advice any of us can give you drug-wise. It wouldn't be sensible to discontinue any of your drugs... you might have worse fibro pain as a result. And you can't get anything new prescribed without seeing a GP.
posted by htid at 9:42 AM on August 19, 2013
Response by poster: Talked directly to my GP today. She agrees that it's part of a fibro flare and is having me slowly go up on the gabapentin.
The comment about cold is interesting. My dad keeps the house freezing at night. I'm going to try blocking off the vent right by my bed to see if that helps.
I'll hopefully be heading back to Korea the first of the year, so I'm going to try to hang in there until then. If not, I'll bite the bullet and pull money out of my meager savings (used to pay for meds too) and see a rheumy, though I'm not sure what else they can do (besides Cymbalta which I can't afford)
posted by kathrynm at 2:35 PM on August 19, 2013
The comment about cold is interesting. My dad keeps the house freezing at night. I'm going to try blocking off the vent right by my bed to see if that helps.
I'll hopefully be heading back to Korea the first of the year, so I'm going to try to hang in there until then. If not, I'll bite the bullet and pull money out of my meager savings (used to pay for meds too) and see a rheumy, though I'm not sure what else they can do (besides Cymbalta which I can't afford)
posted by kathrynm at 2:35 PM on August 19, 2013
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posted by htid at 2:51 PM on August 17, 2013 [1 favorite]