Skin that is painful to the touch

I also want to mention that back in the forties if people drank too much alcohol on the weekend they would rub castor oil (dont think Jamaican Black castor oil was on the market in those days) they used plain castor oil and rubbed it on their abdoment especially over the liver area then put the flannel cloth over it and went to bed for the night. Also, when I rub it all over my stomack from under the breasts to my crotch I have a bowel movement upon waking the next morning. I really it can help with constipation also.

@lwmarcrum May I ask Do you see a pain management doctor for fibromyagia? I am really not getting much help/answers from my rheumatologist. Do you know the ingredients of the compounded cream?

@robinsmm Yes, I see a pain management doctor for fibromyalgia. The components of the compounded cream are the following: diclofenac 4%, lidocaine 5%, piroxicam 2%, gabapentin 6%, and amitriptyline 2%. Warning - it stains clothing and other fabric.

Thank you so much for the information

When I was first diagnosed with fibro back in the mid-1980s, I often had to deal with all-over skin pain. I could not sleep on sheets…I bought a washable sheepskin mattress pad and slept on it. A faux-fleece blanket works, too. Flannel nightwear helped and fleece fabrics for clothing helped. I found all of these helped calm the hyper-sensitive nerve issues I was experiencing. For the first 5 years after diagnosis I also took low dose Elavil, muscle relaxer Parafon Forte, and prescription anti-inflammatory drugs. I’m 76 now and can’t do those drugs, except for Parafon Forte if I have a tight muscle. About five years ago I needed a new primary care Dr (sadly, my Dr of many years passed away). I’d developed other issues of muscle weakness, fatigue, etc, that didn’t seem to be associated with fibro and my new dr thought a new neurological work-up was necessary, as it’d been forty years since the previous one. This time I was diagnosed with idiopathic (no known cause) peripheral neuropathy. I had numbness, but no tingling pain, in my lower leg that I was unaware of. That leg is weaker and the PT determined my balance issues were related to the neuropathy. I was using my eyes, he said, to compensate for the lack of feeling in my leg. When I closed my eyes and just tried to stand still, my body wobbled terribly. I use a cane now - also have a bum knee (same leg) and have found a wonderful exercise machine at our senior center and YMCA that requires little exertion, yet offers moderate aerobic exercise. Puts no pressure on joints. It’s a recumbent stepper by the company SciFit. My PT folks have one, too. It’s wonderful - the first exercise I can sustain for 30 minutes (too much exercise gives me post-exertion malaise). Google a YouTube video to see how it exercises both arms & legs - really strengthens thigh muscles that support the knees - which regular walking doesn’t really do for thighs. I try to go to the Y everyday and use it for 30 minutes - it counts steps and I can do 3400 steps in 30 minutes usually. It’s ideal for folks who suffer from post-exertion malaise or have knee issues. I find a recumbent bike too strenuous and I end up quitting. The recumbent stepper really works for me! I’ve also developed neuropathic itch at the end of my spine (I have degenerative discs in my lower back). I’ve found Biofreeze cream numbs areas of pain - its skin cooling properties send a signal to the brain that masks the nerve pain and itching, so I’m not scratching, not experiencing intense itching, and am able to walk around when I go to the store. Also use it on my bad knee. My legs still tire easily. Also, if I don’t get 8 hrs of sleep, my leg muscles are literally good for 2-3 hours and very suddenly quit on me and all I can do is shuffle my feet. I get as stiff as cardboard and it’s so noticeable, people ask, “what’s wrong”? It resolves with sleep. I also use a C-Pap machine, too. Good luck in resolving your issues!

@celia16 Dear Celia, It feel exactly as you described. The lower part of my legs, halfway between my knees and ankles looks red (as though it is sunburnt) and if I touch the area it feels as though it is bruised. It was mentioned by a doctor that took care of me at Urgent Care for another reason that I have Sjogren's and Lupus so they are connective tissue diseases and that was probably related to the authimmune diseases. It was not a detailed diagnosis.

@dianedonohue, I appreciate that. I have been evaluated for Sjogrens, RA, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia multiple times and it’s always been negative. So, it’s hard to know what to rely on. I have also described these symptoms to multiple physical therapists I have seen and they have no opinion on it. Oh, I have had Type 1 diabetes for over 25 years.

@celia16 Dear Celia, I started have this problem when I was in my late 30ties or early 40ties and at that time no one knew what it was caused by either. However, if you live long enough and keep trying some enlightened doctor will figure it out. Once I was diagnosed as having Sjogren's and Lupus and erosive osteoarthritis the doctors feel that it is related to connective tissue disease. Taking an educated guess it is probably related to diabetes or a disease that they have failed to diagnose at this point in time. Best wishes on your journey. Diane Donohue

@dianedonohue, that’s when my problems first started. I’m going to try a new rheumatologist. In 2023 a negative ANA. In 2024 a positive ANA.

I have an aunt who was diagnosed with Lupus years ago, but now at
79, they say she doesn’t have it now! She took meds for it for many years.

Most of my dad’s side of family have RA. One cousin has psoriatic arthritis. Another has type 1, so lots of autoimmune.

If I do have connective tissue condition, what’s the treatment? Meds? It’s scary. Thanks for the info.

I don’t have fatigue or redness. No dry mouth. Most days feel great, except for the muscle issues. I’ve got to figure it out.

@margaret69 Dear Margaret, I am positive that you will feel a difference. I am not sure if I mentioned this before but I have used regular castor oil initially but when I went online I found that Black Jamaican castor oil is available also. What I want to say is that it is a little more 'golden' in color but not 'black', fortunately because this would make it quite a nuisance to use I think because of possible staining. There were so many natural ways of caring for ourselves back in the 40ties I hope I can access some other success stories. I agree with you as far as boycotting Amazon but sometimes I fall off the wagon. That's an old expression too.