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Chronic itchiness
Hello,
My mom has been having chronic body itching all over her body for about 2 years now. There are no rashes or bumps. We have consulted an allergist who said there are no allergy explanations. We have consulted a neurologist who simply said it’s “short fiber neuropathy”. We asked why and she said “sometimes we just don’t know”. Her nephrologist (who also ruled at uremic pruritus) said there is always a reason for something. Her neurologist isn’t really digging into it much, and just throws higher doses of gabapentin at us. Problem is: it doesn’t seem to be stopping the itching that well and is very sedating. My mom also has developed full body numbing and psychotic symptoms as well as feeling she’s been raped when she sleeps (no one is near her when she’s awake) and that something is cutting her. Is this really neuropathy? What else can be done to figure this out or at least stop the itchiness? What has worked for other people? I’m very concerned and saddened at how it causes my mom so much stress and that she struggles to wear any type of clothes (goes in a robe when appropriate). She also is very sensitive to smells which she wasn’t before.
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I commented here below but a few weeks ago the NYTimes had a big article on itching which was a surprise to me. Itching is evidently a very common problem and often without an obvious cause. John Hopkins, according to the article,even has a whole clinic devoted to itching. I know itching often appears as a symptom of Leukemia and Hodgins and some other blood cancers like Multiple Myeloma least it did in three cases that I know of. Of course, a blood test would diagnose cancers of that sort I would imagine.
@zachary777
HE symptoms
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21220-hepatic-encephalopathy
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21220-hepatic-encephalopathy
Check with hepatologist for blood results related to cirrhosis. Sometimes bloodwork can be normal or close to normal despite liver damage.
Hoping you find answers. It may not be liver related just worth checking.
@revdorth
I was told to take the capsaicin cream put it on a spatula and rub it on my back. I did do it but it didn’t really bring any more relief than the CeraVe I already was using on my legs so just go with that. Nothing truly satisfies the back itch just lowers it to a level I can live with. As long as I use the cream on my legs on a daily basis it works great but if I am in a rush and skip it the next day the intense itch is back
@reneerogahnthanig
i will remember the CerVe recommendation if - and I hope not WhEN - that itch returns - it gave a whole new meaning to the word ITCH - dorothy slater
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1 Reaction@zachary777. ENA. some antibodies are poorly detected in the standard ANA.
This may be a long shot…I have itch with water contact (Aquagenic Pruritus) and change in temperature. 15 years in, I’m convinced it is nerve pain. Several years ago, on a Facebook page for AP, someone discovered that their preworkout supplement stopped the itch. She isolated it to Beta Alanine, an amino acid that occurs naturally in our bodies…as a preworkout supplement it helps with muscle fatigue and can cause tingling of the skin if taken at a high dose…I’ve been taking it now for 10 years…I buy the NOW Brand on Amazon…it’s cheap…I take 750 mg if an itch starts and 1500 mg before a known trigger…the preworkout dose is much higher…it sometimes doesn’t work as well in the AM…but it is a life saver…
It has been studied extensively as a preworkout supplement and read a ton of medical papers, I haven’t seen any negative side effects reported other than the skin tingling, but at the doses I take, that doesn’t happen.
Several medical websites now suggest it as a treatment for Aquagenic Pruritus.
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1 ReactionI have had what I called neuropathic itch for quite a while and then read somewhere that HCTZ (a pres. diuretic) can cause severe itching. I stopped the HCTZ and my itching was gone the next day!! If you take this it might be the cause of your itching.
I have had the same experience of itching, but in my case, it's been with me since 1972, when I was exposed to toxic chemicals while working as a photolab tech in the Air Force. Even though the wounds to my hands have healed long ago, the chronic itching is still my daily reality. I have read that Hydroxyurea can cause itching, also, but in my case, I'd be unable to distinguish it from the itching I already experience.
Look at the Liver. I too have had itchy all over. Change my diet, cut sugar way out, less carbs. I don't itch any more. Something to look at. There are naturalists that have good info. But way to much info out ther, can overwhelm.
I have had itchiness in the past, particularly when I was on Lyrica. Occasionally I get itchiness now that I am taking Gabapenin (1200mgx3times/day/I treat it w 1 Benedryl tablet…as needed. It can cause some drowsiness, so use under supervision.
Also use OTC BIOFREEZE CREAM and OTC lidocaine cream, on affected areas. BOTH available on Amazon. I have found that Ice Packs on areas (Approximate size of foot) are very useful in stemming the itchiness. Good luck.