What do you do for Neuropathy itch?

Good morning everyone. I am desperately in need of help with what is called Neuropathy itch. I have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and am a medical cannabis user for pain. I don't know what to use for this itching. It appears that it reaches through several skin layers. No matter how much you scratch you make it worse, not better. Once you start itching, it's over....your are stuck scratching.

Have you tried certain baths? Oatmeal? I have a steroid cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide. Not exactly a wonder drug. Is there a better one?

The itching results in a terrible level of anxiety. I try to run away from it and cannot. It reminds me of summer in Minnesota when the mosquitoes launch their attacks. I am female with "O" negative blood which they just devour.

Even if you have a solution for other than neuropathy, please share and I will happily do the research. The stress of isolated living and a form of depression that is about our global community also creeps in.

The only thing that works right now for food is gelato.......Salted caramel, if you please. I hope you are all well and blessed with good health today.
Chris

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.

@artscaping

@candyjohn1, @stobie2019, @lorirenee1, @helennicola, @ww2valentine, @teresarb6, @rwinney, @jesfactsmon ,

Good afternoon itchers. I do have some new information based on my telemed appointment with my dermatologist. She was the one who jumped in and got immediate help for me when I had the greatest itch of all time.

At first, she wanted to just start trying some medications. Then she said, "Chris, you have had these fasting tests sometime in the last 20 years. Let's start over and make sure we have current markers. Attached you will see the list of labs.

When all the labs have been reviewed, I will have another telemed appointment and try to figure out the source or causes of this increasingly debilitating irritation known as an all-over body itch. In the meantime, she prescribed two medications, an internal one and a topical.

I will also add a copy of the medications. I am sure we will learn something.......and hopefully find medications that will keep it under control. She also noted the medications that you reported and will add them to a list to learn from.

Have you experienced any further itch attacks or flares? If so let all of us know. What is working for you? I did enjoy the toothbrush idea. Anyone else try it?

Be safe and itch-free.
Chris......and thank you so much for your help.

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@artscaping Great start! It sounds like a smart plan instead of only the medications without further investigating. Good luck with revealing a source. I no longer have itching...whew! Seemed mine was isolated from Chilblains and then I had a small bout of arm itching but, then disappeared. I will be prepared with Connect knowledge if it ever returns.
Thanks for the update.
Be well,
Rachel

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@sjhedcon

Thanks for the information. Where did you purchase the 3:1 and 1:3 CBD/THC. I am looking for a reliable source. Thanks for any info.

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Hi there @sjhedcon, how are things going for you. Spring is truly here and if you like green, you are loving the different shapes and shades. In response to your question, I use products from Papa & Barkley called Releaf Balm. Chris

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@colleenyoung, @lorirenee1, @rwinney, @chandyjohn1, @helennicolla, @stobie2019, @ww2valentine, @johnbishop

I have promised to keep in touch and share information as I stumble through the Neuropathic itch issues. For the last month, I have followed my dermatologist's protocol to include, Sarna cream after the shower which calms the outer skin, Doxepin,10 mg at bedtime helps with staying asleep and not scratching. I still need my medical cannabis to be comfortable during the day and night.

Here is an interesting article about the itch/scratch cycle process especially the neuropathic kind.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502296/

My dermatologist has discovered two medications waiting for FDA approval. The first one, Seriopitant, is explained below.
https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/home/topics/general-dermatology/serlopitant-benefits-patients-with-treatment-refractory-prurigo-nodularis/

The second one is Aprepitant. I don't see much of a connection with this one but then I am not a health practitioner and just don't understand everything. Here is the Wikipedia explanation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aprepitant

I hope you are all doing well. Colleen, if I left anyone out please let me know. Members, ask more questions and let's see if we can uncover the "witches' brew" for this annoying condition.

And if this sounds repetitive, this is the 3rd time I have written this. It just keeps disappearing.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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@artscaping

@colleenyoung, @lorirenee1, @rwinney, @chandyjohn1, @helennicolla, @stobie2019, @ww2valentine, @johnbishop

I have promised to keep in touch and share information as I stumble through the Neuropathic itch issues. For the last month, I have followed my dermatologist's protocol to include, Sarna cream after the shower which calms the outer skin, Doxepin,10 mg at bedtime helps with staying asleep and not scratching. I still need my medical cannabis to be comfortable during the day and night.

Here is an interesting article about the itch/scratch cycle process especially the neuropathic kind.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502296/

My dermatologist has discovered two medications waiting for FDA approval. The first one, Seriopitant, is explained below.
https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/home/topics/general-dermatology/serlopitant-benefits-patients-with-treatment-refractory-prurigo-nodularis/

The second one is Aprepitant. I don't see much of a connection with this one but then I am not a health practitioner and just don't understand everything. Here is the Wikipedia explanation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aprepitant

I hope you are all doing well. Colleen, if I left anyone out please let me know. Members, ask more questions and let's see if we can uncover the "witches' brew" for this annoying condition.

And if this sounds repetitive, this is the 3rd time I have written this. It just keeps disappearing.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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Interesting articles Chris. Thanks. I discussed in a previous post about my wife's use of a sonicare toothbrush for her foot itch which has been a big help to her. Her itch problem has been pretty bad at times, though it has calmed down a bit in the last few months thankfully. But I want to say that she started using a product called Penetrex (the roll-on not the jar of cream) from Amazon several weeks back and she has found that by using it she gets a lot of relief from her itch problem. It also has helped somewhat with the burning in her feet but it seems to be of most benefit with the itch. It is arnica (homeopathic) based, the main issue with it is it's not cheap at $24 per bottle which lasts her about 2 weeks. I am grateful that her itch has calmed down of late. She has enough to deal with with the burning in her feet and her recent sensitivity to changes in barometric pressure which give her debilitating migraines.So seeing the itch subside has been a nice benefit. Best, Hank

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@artscaping

@colleenyoung, @lorirenee1, @rwinney, @chandyjohn1, @helennicolla, @stobie2019, @ww2valentine, @johnbishop

I have promised to keep in touch and share information as I stumble through the Neuropathic itch issues. For the last month, I have followed my dermatologist's protocol to include, Sarna cream after the shower which calms the outer skin, Doxepin,10 mg at bedtime helps with staying asleep and not scratching. I still need my medical cannabis to be comfortable during the day and night.

Here is an interesting article about the itch/scratch cycle process especially the neuropathic kind.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502296/

My dermatologist has discovered two medications waiting for FDA approval. The first one, Seriopitant, is explained below.
https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/home/topics/general-dermatology/serlopitant-benefits-patients-with-treatment-refractory-prurigo-nodularis/

The second one is Aprepitant. I don't see much of a connection with this one but then I am not a health practitioner and just don't understand everything. Here is the Wikipedia explanation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aprepitant

I hope you are all doing well. Colleen, if I left anyone out please let me know. Members, ask more questions and let's see if we can uncover the "witches' brew" for this annoying condition.

And if this sounds repetitive, this is the 3rd time I have written this. It just keeps disappearing.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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Hi Chris @artscaping
Both Aprepitant and Seriopitant are in the same class of drugs called NK-1 receptor antagonists. Currently, the main indication is for nausea and vomiting of chemotherapy.
I asked my neurologist if he knew of any use of these for the pain of peripheral neuropathy, particularly the burning pain associated with minor pressure, like wearing shoes or the touch of bed sheets (called allodynia). No answer yet.
Jeff

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@jeffrapp

Hi Chris @artscaping
Both Aprepitant and Seriopitant are in the same class of drugs called NK-1 receptor antagonists. Currently, the main indication is for nausea and vomiting of chemotherapy.
I asked my neurologist if he knew of any use of these for the pain of peripheral neuropathy, particularly the burning pain associated with minor pressure, like wearing shoes or the touch of bed sheets (called allodynia). No answer yet.
Jeff

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Good afternoon @jeffrapp. Thanks Jeff.....I kind of thought you might know something to add to this search. I don't know if the neuropathy itch is considered burning pain. What do you call severe internal itching that causes acute agony? I am grateful for your participation. Stay tuned, as they say.

May you be healthy and free.
Chris

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Hi again @artscaping
Here is an article I found which has some good info:
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/itch-brain#:~:text=Neuropathic%20itch%20is%20a%20different,a%20very%20common%20viral%20infection.
Most relevant is the third paragraph under "Insatiable Itch".
As explained, "internal" itching can have many causes, one of which is neuropathic. The pain of neuropathy, such as the allodynia I described, is a different sensation.
Let's hope that the brainiacs come up with a treatment for both soon.
Stay well.

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@jeffrapp

Hi again @artscaping
Here is an article I found which has some good info:
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/itch-brain#:~:text=Neuropathic%20itch%20is%20a%20different,a%20very%20common%20viral%20infection.
Most relevant is the third paragraph under "Insatiable Itch".
As explained, "internal" itching can have many causes, one of which is neuropathic. The pain of neuropathy, such as the allodynia I described, is a different sensation.
Let's hope that the brainiacs come up with a treatment for both soon.
Stay well.

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Hey there @jeffrapp, Now we're talking. Insatiable is a good description. So....my sense of it being Internal, inside the body is apparently also correct? There is no skin sensation. When you scratch.....your leg may bleed but the itch is still there.
Thanks again,
Be healthy and content.
Chris

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Hello @artscaping
I am not an expert. I eagerly read this forum to get information, as a sufferer.
As I understand it, neuropathic itch is not a skin condition, but a variant of peripheral (and perhaps other forms of) neuropathy. As such, it is "internal" (meaning not from the skin).
Furthermore, I believe that it may, or may not, be associated with a rash.
However, in your case you may have another form of "internal" itching.
As always, it is important to consult your doctor, although he/she may not have any better answers. Not everything is known.
Here is an informational article on neuropathich itch:
https://www.dermatologytimes.com/article/presentation-management-neuropathic-itch
Jeff

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I had the same problem as you, including pain. I have studied the new breakthrough informatiom, via the book pictured.Author is , now very famous, Norman Doidge MD. Title of book is " The brain that Changed Itself". This book is not , just a book to be read, but for you and me, a mandatory study. Chapter 7 is on PAIN , and as a result I was able to reduce pain, without medication, and , as you can imagine I was very pleased.But that left me with itch. I have visited many specialis skin specialists, without finding success. My itching, was constant, but at night, unbelievably bad. One desparate night, I decided to try the method I had used for pain.. Read the book , but basically the deal is to not ever, scratch the itch, whilst deliberately changing your thought patterns. The first night the itching was intense, BUT, an there's always a BUT, my itching has now almost vanished . I have not scratched an itch for several days. I still get them occasionally, I take pleasre in ignoring. Last night as an example, as I got to bed, I had an itch in the middle of my , ignored it , and had a great night's sleep.

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