Hi all, I joined this forum last summer when I was diagnosed with SFN. I haven't had a lot of time to keep up with all the reading, but am grateful that you all are here. I have a slowly, but surely progressive case that started with pain and numbness in my feet and lower legs, and has progressed to very painful hands as well. I am managing with gabapentin, tegretol, and tramadol. So far my case is idiopathic.

I wanted to know if anyone is struggling with "itch." It started on the skin at both hips. I thought it was dry skin. Then it progressed to the fronts of both lower legs. Last night I even drew blood. Sometimes it spreads to my stomach, scalp, face! I've read this can happen with SFN but I haven't brought it up with my neurologist yet. I am hoping to get some thoughts? Thanks, wishing everyone a blessed day.

Tegretol can affect the blood forming cells in the bone marrow.
Terrible itching like you describe could be a symptom of that.

I'd discuss this with your doctor.

Some blood work would show any negative effects on your white blood cells.

I'd keep a journal to see if anything you are eating is contributing also... Tomato sauces, spicy and hot sauces from peppers, and MSG can also trigger itching. Gallbladder disease, lymphoma, also are culprits.

I have SFN and have experienced an increase in itching throughout the body. I have also drawn blood a few times. Sorry, not sure what causes it or how to stop it but it is a symptom for some.

It could be the Tramadol. Common tramadol side effects may include:

headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;

constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or

feeling nervous or anxious.

itching, sweating, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).


Cliffman

Thank you both, it definitely could be meds, but the itch started before I began tegretol. Actually, I feel a small bit of relief after I chew the tegetrol which is twice a day. I've read quite a bit online from the medical community about neuropathic itch. I wanted to post a link but don't have enough posts yet to do so. I will email my neurologist and I'll let you guys know what he says.

It is quite common to have itching related directly to the neuropathy itself...especially SFN. Sorry to say, but it's just a part of the neuropathy. It can wax & wane a bit, so you might have times that it improves or is less severe. I have yet to find anything that helps it much...just one of those things that I have learned to deal with over the years. Mine seems to flare for weeks at a time that are real bad, then decrease in intensity for a while. I have no idea why, though.

It does seem to be getting worse on the whole. It is definitely worse in the evening, especially on days when I'm exhausted from working hard and have more stress. Well, really all of my symptoms are worse in the evening when I'm exhausted and stressed. I'm learning to live in the limitations of my SFN. It includes learning to rest and relax when I can. I wish I could do more but it never ever pays to push my luck!

I have it too and it started as a dry skin feeling. I do find that if I put hand lotion on before touching fabrics/ folding laundry. It helps temporarily. Also I have to wear dish gloves or that tight dry feeling gets worse.
The sole of my right foot itches insanely at night and is very annoying. Nothing helps that besides scratching it.

Yes scratching gives temporary relief but as I am scratching it actually feels more itchy! I agree lotion helps a little. I think it changes the way my skin feels for the moment, but then once again the nasty itch reappears!! Very frustrating.

I do notice it is worse during winter months or if I get chilled for some reason. So staying warm might help a little.

I know it itches, but scratching can make it worse and itch even more, IMO. I try to avoid scratching and eventually it subsides 'some'. The more I scratch, the more I itch...almost like I'm irritating the nerves.

I find Gold Bond's Diabetic skin moisturizer lotion very good.
(but I don't have the itching problem with my PN, just very dry skin).