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

Google Dr. Gil Yosipovitch, MD- he is a dermatologist that specializes in itching. In particular, watch a 11/2018 you tube video where he speaks about treatment for various itching, including the neurogenic itch, stemming from the sensory nerves below the skin surface.

Also it helps to rule out any possible underlying issues with spinal nerves via xrays, mri, and high quality neurologist/ neurosurgeon.

I have found you have to be your own advocate. You may find yourself educating a doc. The MD doesn’t mean they know everything. They only know what they have been taught or focused their practice on. They don’t always even know to refer or who to refer you to. I have had to seek this out myself and pass by several docs to get to the “high quality” ones with respect to this neurogenic itch- the ones who know about it and have been treating patients for it.

I have had this off & on for years. I thought that it was very dry skin! A dermatologist in Dallas gave me a bag of lotions to try, but none worked. Rubbing something on my arms & legs made the burn worse. At this time I have seen a new dermatologist in my city & have started Gabapentin three times a day. I have learned that I have to be careful putting on my top or taking it off-if it rubs across my arms, I have a slight burning. When the burn has been bad at night, I’ve taken a sleeping pill! I just did some research & figured out that this is what I have. I’m going to have an MRI & will find out if there is an impingement. I will let you know.

Many people with neurogenic itch take Gabapentin. One dermatologist suggested that to me, but I view it as a last resort, due to concerns about side effects.

Also wondering about those who take it?.......Does it work to reduce or eliminate the itching and burning? I would not want to take it if it is only partially effective.

I have been taking Gabapentin for about three weeks. It does help, but I still have issues after I shower at night. I sleep much better & have a little memory issue-it takes a few minutes to remember something. It sure beats the bad burning that I had experienced.

Options do nothing, dermatologists think you have dry skin. I used one for years, then stopped for the rest. They assume you don't know the difference which is typical. I had a cervical and brain mri for something else a few months earlier and re-read it. I have spent a lifetime doing research, discovering the problem and confirming it with doctors. Frustrating I have had to do all the research for all my illnesses. Not sure why one dermatologist did not figure it out. All I got was try light therapy but that will cause issues with lupus. Plus insurance didn't cover it.

They have upgraded me to 2700 mg of gabapentin a day but it seems to help alot. Ice is still the only thing for me for relief and if I get 4hrs sleep a night in the bed I've done good. Long sleeves drives it completely nuts. I do better on sleeping if i just sit in a recliner. Now the condition was not as bad when i was younger but the past 2 years it's almost constant every night. A little in the day time but not much itching then. It's like an attack from the inside of the arms when i wake up or it wakes me up. Again it takes ice to settle it down.

I'm getting some relief by taking one Zyrtec in the morning and 2 Benadryl at night. Not perfect, but better

Just had 3rd series of PIT shots. 3 1/2 weeks virtually itch free. Off Gabapentin for last 3 weeks for first time in over 5 years. Scheduled for 2 more series of shots this month. Too early to tell for sure, but extremely promising.

That’s awesome! Thanks for the update! The concept makes sense!