Brachioradial pruritus. (severe itching on forearms and neck, no rash).

For all suffers...may I suggest Clove oil...it deadens the nerves at least for me. Doctors dont know or care what causes this disease. Ive given up trying. I refuse to take there very dangerous drugs and those that do so need to proceed with caution, understanding that this is so maddening you dont really care and all you think about is relief. I have lumbar and cervical spine issues..I am also convinced that I have an autoimmune disease of some sort but cant find a Doctor knowledgeable in these either..It is a never ending battle and this disease has truly ended my life.

Wow I’m shocked at how many of us are suffering from this insane Brachioradial Pruritus. I’ve had it for approximately 12 years now and there have been seasons that it’s disappeared but then come spring & summer it flares up with a vengeance. I’ve gone to many doctors and chiropractors & found no answers until 2017 I stumbled upon a dermatologist who finally knew what this was. He put me on Amlactin cream which has offered very temporary relief & I’ve tried bio oil, coconut oil, steroid creams, antihistamines, etc... all to no long term relief. The other day I was on one of these forums for BRP and came upon a woman who has fought this for years and she decided to research it in a healthy natural way and she has now been itch free for 2 straight years. I’m starting her regimen once I receive my shipment which is:
DoTerra Essential Oils consisting of •Deep Blue Rub for immediate itch relief, •DDR Prime oil, •Copaiba oil •Veggie Caps
Directions: 2-3 drops of DDR Prime into the Veggie caps & take 3x daily until you start seeing a decrease in flare ups then gradually work down to 1 capsule daily, Mix the Copaiba oil in with a 100% organic coconut oil and rub on arms & you can also ingest 2-3 drops of the Copaiba oil when in severe itchy times, Use the Deep Blue Rub on arms when needed to calm the itch.
This is what has worked for her and I’m the 4th or 5th person she has been able to share her success with who also suffers with BRP. I’m praying this will work for me too. I will touch back here & post my results in a few weeks. My investment is $170.00 for my first month...but I’m willing to pay to stop My misery in itching 24/7 & my life being upside down because of this...
God bless us all through this crazy sickness I know there have been way too many days I’ve just cried out to Jesus to take me home to heaven because I can’t stand another agonizing moment of BRP!!!

I have been suffering from this for several years now and it can make a person lose it!
I haven’t had any flares for about a year, but 2 weeks ago, it started up again.
I hate that the “itch” is so severe that I can’t help but to scratch it bloody, and then I have to keep explaing to people when they comment about the condition of my arms.
People love to give their opinions and they tell you to “just stop scratching”.
It’s maddening!
I guess I will look into to the chiropractor angle and see if that works.
I also have RA and I had a bad flare 3 weeks ago and the itching seemed to have started again about the same time,
Thanks for listening and I’m glad I’m not the only one out there suffering.

I also have RA but I don't think it is connected. I think it was too much sun.

Hi Darlia, I finally found relief from BRP when my neurologist prescribed "gapapentin capsules". I didn't notice any improvement for the first 3 days but then it kicked in and now, at last, I can sleep the night through without clawing my left arm until it bleeds.

Why isn’t there a mayo connect group designated to BRP sufferers? This thread was difficult to find! For anyone that is interested, please join the Facebook group where over 600 of us connect.

Yes, I too have " moderate to severe disc space narrowing and anterior osteophytosis at C5-C6. I have been experiencing the sting/burn/ itch for many, many years. It started on my neck and on really bad years (during summer and into fall) such as this one, has spread to my elbow area on my right arm and to my wrist on the left arm. It seems to be mostly at the area around the joints (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist). It took me years of searching the internet to come up with my diagnosis, which was later confirmed by a dermatologist. I have also been diagnosed with MCTD and the rheumatologist prescribed gabapentin 300mg at night. This helped last year to make it bearable, but certainly didn't eliminate the itch altogether. This is a very small dose and I'm wondering a couple of things....number one, what dose has been effective for others? And....is this more common in those of us who also have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that causes arthritic problems? I know the feeling of wanting to rip off my skin, or have a shirt with sleeve inserts made of freezer gel packs, or wanting to smash my head thru the wall being driving mad with itching. Talk about something that interferes with "quality of life"!!! Is there anything that actually "cures" this?? One wonders how many people with or without a mental illness may have been diagnosed as being delusional after complaining about feeling like there were bugs crawling under their skin, that may have actually had BRP. I usually describe it as feeling like the "Backwoods Off" commercial where the guy puts his arm in a screened box full of mosquitoes and they swarm all over his arm. Too bad "Backwoods Off" does't work for this....sigh. The only thing that works for me is ice (and the Gabapentin takes the edge off, usually). The areas of my joints also are much warmer to the touch than the rest of my skin with some redness and mild swelling. It's awful! What medical specialty deals with this problem....rheumatology? neurology? orthopaedics? I do know that dermatology doesn't, as it's not really a skin disorder. I'm so discouraged....

I just knew I wasn't crazy. BRP is tormenting me. I can't sleep right now because of this. The only thing I have found to help is ice, which is also uncomfortable, but more tollerable than the itching. My itching is on my uper arms...close to my shoulders and armpits, on both arms. I recently started seeimg a chiropractor because I have neck issues. The chiropravtor has given me relief for my sore neck but unfortunately, it hasnt helped the itching. I am just desperate for sleep.

Hi Leah... I suffered through the same agony of BRP for two years until my neurologist prescribed Gabapentin capsules that at first provided no relief; however, after about a week of daily dosing, my symptoms slowly decreased and after two weeks on Gabapentin I was cured. It worked for me! That was six months ago and now I only have the memories of all those sleepless nights, scratching my arms until they bled.

Give the Chiro some time. it worked for me.