itching

[Mum007]

I have an extremely itchy right foot every single night. It started intermittently about 3 years ago but now it’s keeping me awake every night and driving me crazy . I have tried antihistamines and many creams but they don’t do anything. My doctor said it is probably neuropathic itch and wanted to put me on amitriptyline but when I said it would cause my restless legs to worsen he said no it doesn’t and and wouldn’t listen to me after that. Is there anyone on here who can suggest something that won’t make restless legs worse.

[Hidden]

Good morning, Mum007. I too suffer from RLS, and I too experienced itching. In the absence of any insights by my "sleep expert" neurologists, I set out independently to identify the cause. Admittedly, some antihistamines will make RLS worse. However, such was not the case for me. In my case, it turned out that the itching was a common side-effect of some of the very medicines that the "sleep experts" had prescribed for my RLS: opiates such as hydrocodone and codeine.

It is my understanding that a person who has experienced itching following the intake of one opiate is likely to experience itching with another opiod. In my case, during my back-and-forth titration from tramadol due to ever-decreasing reserve--I experience some itching each time I briefly returned to the earlier and higher tramadol dose. But so long as my intake of tramadol continues to be titrated downward, the itching has all but ceased.

Yet even after I had noted my finding to one "sleep expert," his next proposed RLS medication was a stronger opiate: methadone! Needless to say, I declined.

Perhaps it would be helpful for you to list each medicine that you are taking--whether per Rx or over-the-counter, and then briefly research the side effects of each. Be well.

[Mum007 in reply to Hidden]

interesting comments but the only thing I am taking is low dose HRT, occasional omeprazole, iron and magnesium. Antihistamines have no effect on the itching whatsoever. Neither do any creams including paraffin based or capsaicin. The itching is also only in one small area on one foot where there is absolutely nothing there to suggest a dermatological problem. Hence the reason why I think it is neurogenic.

[SueJohnson in reply to Mum007]

Omeprazole makes RLS worse in many people.

[Wanted-sleep in reply to Mum007]

Lower leg compression sleeves were of assistance. All the best in mitigating this discomfort.

[RLSofManyYears]

I too suffer badly from itching which is mainly scalp back and sides of body. I've used Capsaicin gel (keep well clear of the eyes!) and have just started Treathay which has Fexofenadine Hydrochloride (advised by pharmacist in discussion on RLS). It's too early to be sure about the Treathay but I think it helps.