Itching with RLS

[jinolke]

I am now on 1500mg of Gabapentin but not seeing much relief. At my next MD appointment I will be asking for an iron infusion as my iron levels are just barely at 100. The biggest problem I still have is the itching that I get all over my body with it most active towards evening. Analgesic creams have helped very little. I have another appointment with my dermatologist in a week to get more insight into what they think I am dealing with. At times my skin feels on fire. It certainly feels like there is a neurological and maybe RLS aspect to what I am dealing with. My older brother (3 years) also had very similar symptoms including leg and shoulder movement that I have now. He passed away before he ever got a diagnosis or clarity on what he had.

Any insight or experience with similar symptoms would be appreciated.

[Joolsg]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

It does seem to be more common in RLS.

Hopefully, if you control the RLS, the itching will be controlled.

Did it stop when Ropinirole and Pramipexole were covering your RLS?

Withdrawal from Pramipexole and Ropinirole can take months to settle.

Also, 1500mg of gabapentin may not be enough. The average dose is 1500-1800mg but many need higher doses.

Are you taking it in split 600mg doses at night?

[jinolke in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you Joolsg for you quick reply to my post on itching. The itching has been present to varying intensity since I first started having RLS symptoms like twitching feet and night time effects like having to change positions to get comfortable. The dermatologist I went to early on said it related to my low iron. I have gotten my iron up to around 100 but if anything the itching is worse as my RLS symptoms have also intensified. That's why I am hoping iron infusion will help. I see a movement specialist doctor for the first time tomorrow. Here in Portland it is extremely hard to get appointments, especially with specialty doctors such as neurologists. Neither a course of Pramipexole or Ropinirole had any affect.

[jinolke in reply to jinolke]

Yes I am taking split doses in the evening. I will see what the neurologist will tell me about doses of Gabapentin to take.

[Jumpey]

I get itching from taking opioids. It could be a medication you are taking. I aldo had itching when I was anaemic and an iron infusion helped.

[SkyCop]

I take Prednisone in the evening for the itching. The topical creams don't work. Prednisone usually takes me 20-45 minutes to work. It doesn't help with the Creepy feeling of ants crawling all over your feet or the jerky movements but it stops the itching. I have tried a dozen medicated creams, hot baths, spent hundreds in over the counter products.... Prednisone is the only thing that I have found that works. It has its own set of side effect problems down the road long term but as you know the itching is intolerable..... It's a tough situation.

[jinolke in reply to SkyCop]

Thanks much SkyCop for your suggestion. I will check with my MD when I see them this week what he thinks of the medication.

[coldfeet7]

I had to stop Gabapentin due to itching. It is not an unusual side-effect.

[auldreekie18]

Itchy skin

[auldreekie18]

Hi Jinolke I had itchy skin all over and yes it drives you mad I was on Gabapentin so I switched to Pregabalin same stuff but different side effects and bingo no more itchy skin also I had neck pan which vanished as well I was on 1800mg Gabapentin divide by 6 to get the same dose Pregabalin 300mg ,hope this helps.

[jinolke]

Thanks auldreekie18 for your reply. I go to a dermatologist again soon and I will see what they advise. I am trying to arrange an iron injection as well.

[vikkkk]

Try raising your feritin above 100, it helped me