Can chronic itching be caused by Neuropathy

Posted by Rosebud @rosebud123, Feb 6 6:07pm

I have had Peripheral Neuropathy for about 20 years.
The only symptoms I’ve ever really had is a lot of tingling, numbness and spasms in the legs and toes.
For the past 12 months I’ve developed this chronic itch that started in my scalp but is now my whole body.
I have absolutely no rash or dryness anywhere.
My neurologist has told me he hasn’t heard of neuropathy causing itching which surprises me.
I’ve been to a Dermatologist who says he can’t see anything that’s causing it.
My Dr says she thinks it’s from high Uric acid.
In totally confused as to what it could be as it’s driving me crazy.
All three of them can only suggest Amiltriptyline which I’m not willing to take as I’m super sensitive to medication.
Has anyone here had the same problem and what did you do for it please.

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

Every time I check in this group another supposedly (by me) random element of my life ties in with sfn. I’ve had terrible itchiness on my back for the past four years. My dermatologist has no comment or suggestions for helping it. Thanks for informing me that this could be another part of the neuropathy…..now I’ll go in search of the suggested helps for the problem.

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I have small fiber neuropathology and terrible Sjogrens disease and dryness. It’s awful. A specialist at Mayo just added EpiCeram. Controlled Release skin barrier Emulsion. RX Only. It is helping calm the awful itching for a little while. Please ask your Doctor about it. It’s the first cream that has even calmed the itching a bit.

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@dancing1

I have small fiber neuropathology and terrible Sjogrens disease and dryness. It’s awful. A specialist at Mayo just added EpiCeram. Controlled Release skin barrier Emulsion. RX Only. It is helping calm the awful itching for a little while. Please ask your Doctor about it. It’s the first cream that has even calmed the itching a bit.

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@dancing1 @ebero I was at Mayo last week and my dermatologist there prescribed Gabapentin 3 times a day for relief. My itchiness is primarily facial, ie. nose, eyes, ears, scalp, etc. Looking briefly online, I found a bottle of EpiCeram for $26K or discounted by a coupon from WebMD RX for over $14K. I am not completely cured with Gabapentin thus far, but it is a satisfying start at $12/month.

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@ebero

Every time I check in this group another supposedly (by me) random element of my life ties in with sfn. I’ve had terrible itchiness on my back for the past four years. My dermatologist has no comment or suggestions for helping it. Thanks for informing me that this could be another part of the neuropathy…..now I’ll go in search of the suggested helps for the problem.

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Good evening @ebero. Perhaps you haven't seen the information on Connect about "Dupixent", It is a total solution for what I call the "neuropathic itch". To read more about this medication on Connect....just place the word "Dupixent" in quotes in the Search bar at the top of this screen. If you are interested in additional information, just send me a message.

I also never leave home without a tube of "Dermeleve". My dermatologist recommended this OTC cream. You can order it online at http://www.dermeleve.com. It lasts about 8 hours. Last month they introduced a Dermeleve shampoo for scalp itch. I ordered it right away and hope it arrives this weekend.

May you be free of suffering from the "itch".
Chris

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@artscaping

Good evening @ebero. Perhaps you haven't seen the information on Connect about "Dupixent", It is a total solution for what I call the "neuropathic itch". To read more about this medication on Connect....just place the word "Dupixent" in quotes in the Search bar at the top of this screen. If you are interested in additional information, just send me a message.

I also never leave home without a tube of "Dermeleve". My dermatologist recommended this OTC cream. You can order it online at http://www.dermeleve.com. It lasts about 8 hours. Last month they introduced a Dermeleve shampoo for scalp itch. I ordered it right away and hope it arrives this weekend.

May you be free of suffering from the "itch".
Chris

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Thanks! I would love to not constantly be trying to scratch the middle of my back, right where I can’t reach, haha. I’ll check it out.

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@collegeprof

@dancing1 @ebero I was at Mayo last week and my dermatologist there prescribed Gabapentin 3 times a day for relief. My itchiness is primarily facial, ie. nose, eyes, ears, scalp, etc. Looking briefly online, I found a bottle of EpiCeram for $26K or discounted by a coupon from WebMD RX for over $14K. I am not completely cured with Gabapentin thus far, but it is a satisfying start at $12/month.

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This is helpful. I have developed a subdermal itch about a month ago and believe it is linked to my peripheral neuropathy, It is worse at night and on my own, I realized the gabapentin I take for night time leg issues resolves the itching until morning. Benadryl does not work. Occasionally I will try a combo of pepcid and zyrtec 10 mg. Was advised by urgicare doctor I saw for a rash (different from the itching problem) and was informed that pepcid and zyrtec taken at same time reinforce the itching relief. I also read that combo is helpful for interstitial cystitis. Go figure on that one.

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@collegeprof

@dancing1 @ebero I was at Mayo last week and my dermatologist there prescribed Gabapentin 3 times a day for relief. My itchiness is primarily facial, ie. nose, eyes, ears, scalp, etc. Looking briefly online, I found a bottle of EpiCeram for $26K or discounted by a coupon from WebMD RX for over $14K. I am not completely cured with Gabapentin thus far, but it is a satisfying start at $12/month.

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Surely you're not paying $26,000.00 per bottle? "K" usually means thousands.

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@collegeprof

@dancing1 @ebero I was at Mayo last week and my dermatologist there prescribed Gabapentin 3 times a day for relief. My itchiness is primarily facial, ie. nose, eyes, ears, scalp, etc. Looking briefly online, I found a bottle of EpiCeram for $26K or discounted by a coupon from WebMD RX for over $14K. I am not completely cured with Gabapentin thus far, but it is a satisfying start at $12/month.

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Watch Out for Gabapentin..known to increase PN. I quizzed my neurologist about it and his response: “oh…it’s like Tylenol for a headache”. this was very upsetting and an example of Pharma-based symptom treating only….with major side effects, and not addressing the cause. I’ve experienced some itching/skin crawling, primarily in the evenings….after eating inflammatory foods (sugars, alcohol, bread, pasta, etc. ). Extreme lifestyle changes got mine under control: Keto/Intermittent Fasting. Youtube: Dr. Berg, and others.

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@bcool123

Rosebud, I have peripheral neuropathy but so far (2 years) only my feet. The last couple weeks my scalp, forehead, temples and upper lip have started itching. I’m wondering if that’s how your itch started out? Saw dermatologist and he saw nothing and said he’s not heard of neuropathy causing itching. He gave me a cream, Ketoconazole, which seemed to calm the itching for that evening but not so much today. Is that how yours started? Appreciate any response and sure do appreciate Connect.
Bcool123

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Yes it can ich like he'll at times. I have heard that an ich can be considered a low level pain response of the body. I have SFN and I know that feeling. I have not found a good treatment yet. I take Lyrica and have a medical marijuana card in my state.

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Doctor said I had PN old me to do IVIG After 5 days of infusions developed rash all over body. Dermatologist said i had scabies Test negative pointed out to him that a not too uncommon reaction to IVIG is severe excema now on DUPIXENT for nine months np more IVIG for me

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