I know that not everybody gets this miserable sensation, but since it IS one of the symptoms of MS, I thought I would ask. For months on end, I have been itching unmercifully. My back, my arms, and my legs are one mass bruise from scratching. And, my hair is about to start falling out from the bo-bo's that I am putting on my scalp. I have (one-by-one) gotten off of all drugs to see if it was a reaction. Nothing helped. Now, I am on totally different meds, and I still have it. I go for my lumbar puncture on the 15th, and I will be embarrassed because the doc will think somebody is beating me. Any ideas???

Thanks......sally

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...iple+sclerosis
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http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sourcebook-Itching.asp


Itching

From The MS Information Sourcebook, produced by the National MS Society.

Pruritis (itching) may occur as a symptom of MS. It is one of the family of abnormal sensations-such as "pins and needles" and burning, stabbing, or tearing pains-which may be experienced by people with MS. These sensations are known as dysesthesias, and they are neurologic in origin.

Different from Allergic Itching
Dysesthetic itching may occur suddenly and intensely, but for brief periods. It may be present over any part of the body or face. It is different from the generalized itching that can accompany an allergic reaction, as there is no external skin rash or irritation at the site of itching. Corticosteroid ointments applied to the skin are not helpful in relieving this type of itch.

Medications Can Treat Itching Associated with MS
There are, however, several medications that are usually successful in treating dysesthetic itching. Among them are:

anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol®), diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin®), and gabapentin (Neurontin®); antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil®) and the MAO inhibitors; the antihistamine hydroxyzine (Atarax®).

People who experience itching should consult their physician.

Kitty...thanks so much for your response. I read several of the sites about MS itching. But, when I read this portion of your message, **"There are, however, several medications that are usually successful in treating dysesthetic itching. Among them are: anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol®), diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin®), and gabapentin (Neurontin®) antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil®)"** , I had to step back. I ALSO had this symptom when I used amitrypteline. Guess I won't have to bring it up to my doc, as it will be very obvious. I was hoping that somebody knew of some home product that might be able to help me until I see the doc.

Thanks again for your attention...............sally

Hi Sallyb and KittyKat,

I've never had this itching problem except when I found out I was allergic to Percocet and Vicodin. I would get what I would call Pharmacuetical Itch all over my body and enough to drive me crazy.

The info you guys have provided has been very educational and I really appreciate it. This was something I was not aware of or would have even connected it to MS.

Thanks for the post Sallyb and the follow up KittyKat.

Hi, my second post since finding Braintalk2.

I have itching sometimes. I'll tell you what helps and does not help or makes things worse.

Like SallyB, all of the above medicines would be bad for my co-diagnosis, Porphyria. There is one I have on hand but have not tried yet, called L-Histadine, from a natural foods source. A fellow porph has bad itching which responds to this.

I myself am helped by having enough calcium and D3. I have not pinned down what on earth could be the reason for this helping, although I know it has been shown that D3 helps MS. I am so glad that Nick told me about D3 being better than D2. This is not a help which occurs over time--I get better with itching right away if I take enough D3. For me, enough is about 500-600 IU a day plus whatever I get in my D3 enriched skim milk.

Another thing I must do is use baking soda in the rinse water of the washing machine, so that all clothes have hard water residue removed. And I use Aveeno in the bathtub, Aveeno oatmeal and esssential oil Lavender. This does not wholly remove neurogenic itching but it does cut down on whatever itching comes from my delicate skin which I have from Porphyria.

Anyone who is reactive to so many meds should talk to me. I think my e-mail works here, but I'm new to this site.

Mariel

Hi, my second post since finding Braintalk2.

I have itching sometimes. I'll tell you what helps and does not help or makes things worse.

Like SallyB, all of the above medicines would be bad for my co-diagnosis, Porphyria. There is one I have on hand but have not tried yet, called L-Histadine, from a natural foods source. A fellow porph has bad itching which responds to this.

I myself am helped by having enough calcium and D3. I have not pinned down what on earth could be the reason for this helping, although I know it has been shown that D3 helps MS. I am so glad that Nick told me about D3 being better than D2. This is not a help which occurs over time--I get better with itching right away if I take enough D3. For me, enough is about 500-600 IU a day plus whatever I get in my D3 enriched skim milk. But

Another thing I must do is use baking soda in the rinse water of the washing machine, so that all clothes have hard water residue removed. And I use Aveeno in the bathtub, Aveeno oatmeal and esssential oil Lavender. This does not wholly remove neurogenic itching but it does cut down on whatever itching comes from my delicate skin which I have from Porphyria.

Anyone who is reactive to so many meds should talk to me. Many of my MS and Porphyria neurological symptoms are interchangeable. I have lots of brain scars although only a few are periventricular.

Mariel

I have the itching symptom, and often scratch at night when I am sleeping. I wake up with marks all over my skin too.

If I catch myself doing it, hydrocortisone 1% cream seems to relieve the itching somewhat, and helps to heal the wounds. I don't know how it is that it works (since it's "nerve" related), but it does help.

I also avoid hot showers when I am having a itching spell, because that causes it to be even more itchy. Cold compacts to the area help as well.

Cherie

Ah yes, the MS Itch....sounds like a dance..

I have exema on the palms of my hands and that itches like crazy. But I also have, what I call Nerve Itches, that are under the skin and you just can't reach them. I use Calydryl Clear (calamine lotion), and it almost immediately stops the itch......for awhile.

Good luck in finding a good remedy and when you do, post it here.

Ohhhhhhhhh........thanx for all of the info. My neuro liked to have had a stroke when he saw my bruises and scratches!!! I was embarrassed. But thank you all for all of the good advice!!! I am off to the pharmacy!!!!

I have itching too - I'm on Zonegran. It's actually an epilepsy drug. From what I understand, Zonegran fools the brain into not receiving the phantom itching messages from MS itching. Topical creams don't work with me because it has nothing to do with your skin (unless you scratched the area so hard that you've created sores), it's the nerve endings only. Mine is constant and I have tio take this Zonegran probably for the rest of my life. If I forget to take ther pills for a day or two... I am unpleasantly reminded!! But it does work!!