Itching

[bestestinthewestest]

I have had RLS for many years. The itching under my skin is driving me crazy again, the leg movement not so much. I use 4% Lidocaine spray on my whole body after a good scratch with a nylon bristle brush to ease the itching. My doctor knows this. I am tired of taking Repuip and Mirapex to drug myself into a stupor. If I don't scratch the itch, I feel like I am being stung. The sensation builds up to the point where my leg, arm or body will jerk. I don't have atopic dermatitis, or eczema. No rash! Can't take antihistamines because of the RLS. My Ferritin is 93. This is not a skin allergy. This is in my skin! It is neurological not dermatological. I can't take Seroquel or Lyrica or Gabapentin. Does anyone else experience this?

[Madlegs1]

There are antihistamines that don't trigger RLS. Cetrizine is one.

[bestestinthewestest in reply to Madlegs1]

I've tried it before and it doesn't seem to help. Thank you.

[Jelbea]

I can fully empathize with you. I have had this itching trouble for years and never thought to relate it to RLS until I read this. Even taking a bath or shower using only dermatological wash supplied by doctor causes my skin to sensitise. I find that scratching is the worst thing I can do - feels great at the time but only makes things more sensitive. On the worse parts I use Lanacane cream which I think contains Lidocaine. I had not heard of the Lidocaine spray before so I might try this. Unless one suffers bad itching they do not know how horrible it is so I do feel for you. Perhaps you will get more answers here and we may both learn something. Lets hope. Take care

[bestestinthewestest in reply to Jelbea]

Thank you.

[21years]

For the last 3 months I have suffered with an itchy arm, ignored until eventually I went to the doctors. She gave me some hydrocortisone but was totally baffled as there were no physical signs. This eased the itching but now it has moved to my right shoulder and other arm and feels like prickly heat. It is so intense that I have to scratch and always worse at night. I hadn’t considered it to be possibly linked to RLS , but that would explain the doctors bafflement.

As if we don’t have enough to contend with.

[bestestinthewestest in reply to 21years]

You are right! Thank you. I have tried cortisone cream with 0 results.

[TheDoDahMan]

Sometimes instead of scratching with my fingernails, I hard rub with my palms. Also, "Eurax" has 4.5 stars (out of 5) rating on Amazon.

[bestestinthewestest in reply to TheDoDahMan]

Thank you.

[involuntarydancer]

That sounds awful. I use Balneum cream or one similar to the one mentioned by dodahman (can be ordered on amazon)when I get itchy. My itchiness is nothing like as pronounced as that described here however. Mine seems to come when I’ve eaten too much sugar. It’s intermittent and does not seem to be connected with rls. It might be worth trying certrizine as suggested by madlegs.

[bestestinthewestest in reply to involuntarydancer]

Thank you.

[BTABKWJ4561]

Hi, i don’t get itching as such but I also have trouble with my feet and RLS. It’s like a dead dry feeling. At the moment I’m putting a moisturising cream called Flexitol. I do get sharp pains in my feet which feel lumpy or squidgy. That in itself can drive me mad in the evenings and keep me awake at night as well as the restless legs. Not absolutely sure it’s to do with RLS but it comes on at the same time though to be honest the feeling in my feet never really goes completely. It started about five years ago and got progressively worse. Does anybody know if it could be anything else. I’ve had a spinal stenosis which I have had lumbar surgery a month ago on four vertebrae and hoping that for some reason it all would go after the op. But it hasn’t helped my feet or the restless legs.

[bestestinthewestest in reply to BTABKWJ4561]

I hope that you get better. I have spinal stenosis too. No surgery. Thank you.

[Meritus]

I have had the invisible itching for at least 20 years and using Betnovate cream but only on the nights when it is really driving me mad as it thins the skin and is not recommended for every day. I use Dermol moisturiser in the shower every day. It is usually worse after eating fish or pork but I still eat both sparingly and put up with the allergies. My doctor does not believe in allergy testing. It could also be caused by washing powder and my wife is going to try the washing machine just with hot water (apparently recommended by Ben Fogle and other natural remedy folks. Then about 2014 I began to get RLS. I will not take prescription drugs and read that magnesium and vit B6 and reducing salt intake was helpful so following that regime and definitely helps.

For RLS I was recommended to take A.Vogel aesculus (horse chestnut drops) and that sometimes works but the best remedy for the pas 3 years or so has been Restiffic foot wraps available online from a Hereford company and developed by a doctor who suffers from RLS. Wearing them for 1 to 1 1/2 hours before bed usually reduces it enough to get some sleep but up anyway with prostate problems every 2 hours! What it is to be getting old but, hey, lots of folks worse off in these days of long waiting lists for everything. I hadn't better give my views on that just now!

Hope this helps and God bless all sufferers!

[bestestinthewestest in reply to Meritus]

Thank you.

[murano]

Hi i am from NZ my partner has RLS from DIALYSIS he takes Histaclear non drowsy for itching dosent affect RLS .Also a good moisturiser helps with itching something with Aloe Vera .He has a good back scratcher as well .

[bestestinthewestest in reply to murano]

Thank you.

[Corey2000]

I started to itch earlier this year, after many years of taking Requip. I did not make a connection until I say this post. I changed soap and laundry detergent thinking I had become allergic to them. This makes me wonder if it is part of having RLS or if it is from the Requip.

[murano in reply to Corey2000]

sorry replied to wrong person but googled Requip sounds like a dangerous drug to me .

[bestestinthewestest in reply to Corey2000]

I haven't taken the Requip in months. I haven't taken the Mirapex either. My Ferritin is 93. I am not anemic. I am a retired RN and no one can figure this out!

[murano]

Hi sorry not sure what Requip is .Do you know why you have RLS ? anemia is a cause .So many people have RLS its a terrible disease .

[bestestinthewestest in reply to murano]

I have my labs drawn about every 6 months. I am not anemic. My Ferritin is often low though and I require iron infusions since I can't tolerate iron tablets by mouth. Thank you.

[murano]

iron infusions have terrible side effects .Low ferritin probably cause of itching .

[LotteM in reply to murano]

Murano, can you explain that you write "iron infusions have terrible side effects"? I thought there were only two, and these are a risk of iron overload, but only if you predisposed to it, and the (low) chance of an adverse/allergic reaction. The latter is kept in check by starting the infusion slowly and checking on you, as the reaction -if it occurs- occurs quickly after the start of the infusion. But maybe I am wrong.

[murano in reply to LotteM]

Hi If you dont get side effects you are lucky .Here some of side effects my partner gets Bloating .joint pain muscle pain metalic taste Nausea .tired .Its very toxic stuff but without it your health is at risk as well .

[LotteM in reply to murano]

I do get side effects. Mainly tiredness and lethargy. My dose is low, which may help to keep things in check. I hope the side effects your partner experiences settle soon.

[murano in reply to LotteM]

No they never will but to survive he has to have the iron because of dialysis