“Burning” skin?

[Mstiles]

I’ve suddenly got a patch of skin on the left side of my forehead start feeling like it’s burning. Has anyone had this sensation? Can GCA/PMR cause this? I Had a very stressful last week. I developed what my primary says is TMJ, it’s difficult to eat because my bite is off. My jaw is swollen. I’m having an MRI On Monday to check it out.

I also had a stressful dermatology appointment about my hair falling out, getting worse every day, and major money and relationship stress. That night I had the weird burning thing on the bottom of my feet and chills, sweats, etc. also more insomnia and tinnitus. Some scalp sensitivity. Gone now. And new joint pain: thumb, wrist, elbows. had more weird skin issues...the skin on my thigh got extremely sensitive and painful if i rubbed lotion on it or touched it. That’s gone now.

Today it is 2 weeks since I reduced from 18.75 to 17.50. I was planning to go to 16.25 before all this stress.

My last CRP and sed rate were fine. Low and hasn’t changed.

I see my rheumy in 2 1/2 weeks, but really don’t want to call her as she is no help. Haven’t seen her in 3 months and been reducing on my own.

Diagnosed Jan this year, PMR/GCA, put on 40 mg pred.

Should I be concerned about this weird skin symptom and could this be a GCA flare? ( the constant dilemma).

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I very occasionally get an area of skin on the inside of my arm that feels as if I have burnt it when touched, it hangs around a few days and is gone as quickly as it appeared. That sounds a bit like the thigh thing you describe. In the early days of PMR the soles of my feet felt as if they had been sandpapered after I had walked for a while - but that rarely happens now.

It's so difficult to tell isn't it? The chills, sweats and tinnitus are a bit concerning though - all potentially GCA symptoms.

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

Yes the burning sensation was weird! Seems to be mostly gone now.

The chills, sweats, and tinnitus are better too. It seems to be a reaction to stress, and the jaw TMJ etc. I’ve had this happen before and then calm down so i think that’s what’s going on. I hope!

[SnazzyD]

Hello, it is very difficult to get oneself out of a whirlpool of symptoms, stress, second guessing the next health disaster, assuming the worst etc. Anxiety is a dreadful drain of resources and if you can you need to get bursts of getting off the treadmill so you can see the wood for the trees. It is easy for me to say, I know.

Try this bit about burning skin related to anxiety

anxietycentre.com/anxiety-s...

[Mstiles in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes easy to get lost in all this and a lot of anxiety about symptoms. Thanks Snazzy D for the information about anxiety and burning skin feeling. So helpful! That sounds like what happened to me. Thanks a million.

[bunnymom]

I had a burning pain on the inside of my arm. Sorry to say turned into shingles. I agree with others all that symptoms are hard to sort and can be draining. I didn't go to Dr until I broke out in a rash. I'm not inclined to call too quickly anymore. Hope you get it all resolved. We are always trying to figure something out aren't we?

[Mstiles in reply to bunnymom]

We sure are always trying to figure out what’s going on and trying not to freak out with a worst case scenario. Thanks goodness for this forum!

[Valnvaughan]

I have a patch of "burning dry skin" on my right foot. I have treated with plain old Vaseline day and night (wearing socks to protect sheets) and it is better tho not gone.

PMR 3 1/2 years. Down to 3.5 mg Pred

[Mstiles in reply to Valnvaughan]

Thank you. Mine seems to have resolved.

[Louisepenygraig]

I have a patch like this under my thigh - I've had it for ages - but I have Fibromyalgia as well and I've put it down to that.

[Mstiles in reply to Louisepenygraig]

Thanks Louise

Mine has gone now. Hope it doesn’t come back.