MS Question

[Midnight-Blue]

Every so often my whole body itches; like it’s inside & you can’t get to it. On the bottom of one foot, my arms. Each time it’s different but has the same result - it’s maddening! I tried Benadryl but on me where most people sleep with it, I can’t get to sleep! It stops the itching to a degree but I can’t function without some sleep. Any suggestions? HELP!

[rjoneslaw]

Well you’re in luck because I had that itch that was so painful I was ready to pill my skin off. My itch also felt like I was being stabbed. The worst part about is when it was in a place I couldn’t reach.

My neurologist told me that what I have is called neuropathic itch and I take gabapentin 3x a day. Since I have taken it that itch is gone

[Midnight-Blue in reply to rjoneslaw]

I take 1800mg of gabapentin/day (Not for that,) it’s not painful but the “sensation” is about to drive me nuts! I hate it!

[rjoneslaw in reply to Midnight-Blue]

I hope when you talk to your neuro be sure to talk with them about it

[Midnight-Blue in reply to rjoneslaw]

Thanx for your reply. I intend to ask my Neurologist about it. Can’t understand why it only happens in the early morning hrs though.

[greaterexp]

I'm sorry about this maddening symptom. Please talk to your neurologist about it to get some help. There are medications that should help you at least reduce the itching, and he/she can rule out any other cause just to be sure.

[Midnight-Blue in reply to greaterexp]

Oh, I plan to! 🤗

[CrazyCatWom]

I've gone through this as well. And after 24 years (25, next month), I'm always going through the "Is this MS? Or is this something else?" Ive had what I call The Creepy Crawlies" for years, and I determined it was my MS--it was annoying, but somewhat tollerable. But then, back in 2017, the itching came on relatively suddenly, and was absolutely maddening! It felt like every square millimeter of my body was itching and I was clawing myself bloody! It finally calmed down enough for me to go to bed. Woke up the following morning, scarred, but no more itching. My partner was certain I'd brushed up against something and just had a reaction to it. About 4 months later, another tooth started abscessing, and on to another round of antibiotics. At 4:30 pm, I took my first one. At 5:00 pm, that crazy clawing itching began, and so did explosive diahreah, dizziness, my back feeling like I'd been kicked by a mule. nd then my throat locked up! I couldn't swallo! Fortunately it was locked open, so I could breath. But I was experiencing an allergic reaction to amoxicillin! And that's what happened when I had the itching earlier! I'd taken the last pill of a round of amoxicillin just before my bed time and started itching!

So note when the itching begins and if you've taken a medication. It could be one you've taken with no problems for a long time. it could be an allergy.

[Midnight-Blue in reply to CrazyCatWom]

Yup, considered a reaction to something but there is nothing new in house, ate nothing new - nothing! It just happens! And, always when I’m still awake between

1-3:00am.

[Midnight-Blue in reply to CrazyCatWom]

Hadn’t thought of that. Thanx

[Midnight-Blue in reply to Midnight-Blue]

Forget that comment

[Boxofchocolates]

Yes, the itching is miserable. When it happens to me I get the awful sensation of something pricking my skin, like random pokes of a toothpick or something; hard to describe.

Definitely talk to your neurologist because he should understand neuropathic itch, whereas a regular family doc may just want to blame it on an allergy to laundry detergent.

[RoyceNewton]

Ice directly on the spot, then ice at the major junction of the nerves, take a cool, not cold bath. Pay attention to what your trigger is, stop doing that. Be creative in your solution to this problem, pharamaceuticals may not always be the answer.

[Neworleanslady]

I have that on my scalp. Ive always attributed it to a med reaction

[Midnight-Blue in reply to Neworleanslady]

My dermatologist said I had acne on my head! Of all stupid places to have it. She suggested using “Head & Shoulders” for dry hair. Worked like a charm & have continuing using it! Can definitely tell when I don’t.

[pamgarner]

itching is part of it i guess,but mine came from a medicine i was taking,amantadime,my doc told me to stop taking it ,i did and it was gone

[Amore55]

I have that all over itching everyday, but most of all on my scalp. It is maddening. Have tried everything under the sun, only gabapentin helps somewhat, but do not care for how sleepy I get, it is a trade off. Neurologist has confirmed it is MS caused, nothing else. Good luck on your quest for relief. It is truly miserable. Kelly

[Midnight-Blue in reply to Amore55]

Thankyou! Thankyou! I was afraid it was a part of MS, nerve endings or something. But, that doesn’t help me (Or you ☹️) when

I get it & all I want to do is scream (Can’t do) and cry ( I do but no one cares which leads to depression & loneness And we definitely don’t want to go THERE!)