Just called and got my zinc/copper ratio blood test results back. Everything came back normal. What the heck is wrong with me, haha!

I remember reading a post way back stating that if you have a rash, it can permanently stretch the skin cells beyond their normal capacity with no chance of returning to their original state. Is there any truth in this statement?

Thanks again guys

No I don't think so. Never heard of that. The skin replenishes cells all the time. The outside layer is dead, you know. Much of the "dust" in your home is dead skin cells.

If you were low in zinc, there would be poor skin healing. Since yours is okay, that is one less thing to worry about.

Ok, so now I'm kind of at a loss of what to do now. I am still experiencing my hyper-sensitive skin symptoms and am not sure what to tell my doctor on my next visit in 5 days. I have some ideas floating around and I wanted to see what you guys thought of them before I mention them to him.

1. I've read some things on this board regarding Lidoderm/Fentanyl patches. Should this be something I should look into?

2. Cymbalta. I've been on Gabapentin for almost a year now which diminishes but doesn't get rid of my symptoms. I tried Lyrica for 2 weeks and couldn't take it. I felt super loopy all the time. I am since back on the Gabapentin. Is Cymbalta something I should consider?

3. Should I consider getting a skin biopsy? Even if this helps diagnose the problem, will help find the 'magic' drug that will cure my symptoms?

4. Should I consider going to a neurologist? I've heard good and bad things about them and am still undecided.

Yes, you can consider a skin biopsy.
Everyone has "trigger points"... so I can't comment on yours.
Fentanyl is not an option, and I don't think a doctor will give it to you.
Lidoderms cannot cover your whole body, and are not indicated either. Central drugs like Neurontin/Lyrica and/or Cymbalta are offered to help you not pay attention to signals from the body. They don't change whatever is causing the misfiring however.

The Mayo Clinic information on this, pityriasis rosea states it may be due to a virus in the Herpes family. HHV6 or HHV7. I believe you can be tested for these to see if you have elevate titres. If elevated, perhaps an antiviral would work. No guarantees for that, though.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pit...ents-and-drugs
All I see on this rash is that it may be "itchy"...and is common and goes away.

There is one skin condition, that is connected to PN... it is intolerance to gluten. The skin condition is called dermatitis herpetiformis.

http://www.csaceliacs.org/dh_symptoms.php
Your pictures don't look as severe as this, but you might have photographed them at a different stage.
This rash comes from the allergy to gluten, and blood tests exist for diagnosing it. They are not allergy tests, but IG tests and this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-tr...ase_antibodies
Not everyone with gluten intolerance gets its however.
There are blood tests for this too. Gluten neuropathy does exist and some here in the past have had it.

Hey I'm back. I just stopped in at an organic foods store to see if changing my diet could help my sensory neuropathy and I got a lot more than I expected out of the trip to say the least! I ended up talking with one of the wellness consultants for an extended period of time and she directed me towards Thera Neem products. I bought some Thera Neem gel caplets and a Thera Neem soap bar. Their Thera Neem oil was on backorder but that was something else she suggested.

Has anyone here tried this stuff? If so, what are your thoughts? Any good/bad experiences?

Never heard of this. It is from India.

This is the Wiki on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem

Just got done speaking with an employee at a vitamin store and she recommended glutamine for the pain. Can anyone back this statement up?

Hi, I'm very relieved that I found your post. I am a 40 year old woman and I had a bought of PR in March 2010. It was pretty much a text book presentation and cleared up in about a month. However, in mid-April I began to experience all sorts of strange itching/tingling/burning/biting sensations all over my body, with no rash and very much like what you describe though not as severe. I've had all sorts of blood work done and an ultrasound -- all results were normal. The sensations come and go and the doctors I've seen aren't sure what's causing them. Antihistamines take the edge off but don't do much else. My gut instincts tell me that this is all somehow related to the PR virus since it basically followed directly from that. Doctors don't seem to be interested in this theory. I know my experience doesn't offer much in the way of consolation but at least we both know that we are not the only ones this has happened to.

I contracted a severe case of chickenpox when I was 19 years old. I often wonder if this predisposed me somehow to my current illness.

It was terrible and I had been married for only two months and was starting a new job... Boy did I look like a mess... I remember my husband drawing oatmeal baths for the itching. More than anything, I remember being so terribly sick...

Also, my husband contracted piteous rosea when he was in his 30's. He had the classic rash for quite a while, but it ran its course and he was fine. No lasting illness. As I recall, he didn't really feel poorly when he had it. But it was diagnosed by a MD - classic symptoms. She even had all of her staff inspect it because it is rare in adults.

Mere

Hey Shaun thanks for the reply. I'm glad I'm not the only one this has happened to. Recently I have found that Tramadol takes the edge off the pain and stinging sensations. I take 100mg when I wake up and again around 5pm. I am going in on July 7 to have a skin biopsy. I will update everyone with my results when they come back.