"Super" Hypersensitive Skin
 

I have noticed that most of the symptoms who posted here would be burning, numbness, tingling and only a few with very hypersensitive skin.

I have burning (used to be severe but now is lessened), patchy numbness, painful feet, no tingling but I have super hypersensitive skin!!!! It is very hard for me to wear anything particularly in my legs and arms. Anything that touches my skin is painful... I like this weather because I dont have to wear thick clothes. Last winter was my first winter with PN, wearing the thick winter clothes was a challenge. Now, I am wearing shorts and sleeveless and this gives me a relief!

To those with similar sensation, what kind of materials you use for your pants? I could no longer use jeans. Even the cotton and fleece pajamas hurt. When I use long pants, it has to be loose to minimize the contact to my skin but even then, when it touches, just a loose fiber or thread in my clothing gives me pain.

I suffer from this hypersensitive skin. I am a woman find it difficult to wear pants. I have been wearing cotton or nylon dresses. I have some nylon exercise pants that I can wear over a dress if I have to be out in cold weather. I get pants in one size larger than I normally wear.

On the Fibro board, some say silky material. Nothing tight, no elastic anywhere. Draw string type pants, loose tops.

I have not suffered from this until the last few days. I have small and large fiber neuropathy, hereditary, most symptoms confined to lower legs and arms but a skin biopsy two years ago did show nerve fibers breaking down at upper thigh. I have recently been experiencing pins and needles in thighs and bottom, but that was all.

In the past week I have developed severe burning and sensitivity over all of my legs and hips, to the extent that sitting in a chair or the car is unbearable, my softest clothes are irritating, I can feel the seams in my sweatpants, and I am fully conscious of the elastic on my featherweight nylon panties. It is driving me crazy. I am using a lot more of my Percoset than usual, and I am still only getting partial relief. I had the idea when this started that it was a temporary situation, but as the days go on I am beginning to panic.

It feels exactly like a severe brush burn or sunburn over the area, but there is no visible rash. I would love to hear more fom anyone with this experience, in particular about pain relief. I will have to move my doctor's appointment up because of using up my meds, and I am nervous about explaining this development, it seems so extreme.

I am on gabapentin, Tramadol pills for pain relief. I use Lidoderm patch in most painful areas.

You mentioned underwear. I went to Victoria's Secret and asked young saleslady which underpants were the most comfortable. I said I had nerve condition. She said she had one, too, and used Lyrica meds.

I was surprised that some one so young had this. This led me to ask "Were you in an accident?" She said yes that she broke her neck.

I am on Gabapentin and of course the supplements listed in the "supplements thread".

I could not wear anything that is tight (thermal clothes, leggings, etc). The seams of my skirts and shorts bother me, even the tags at the back or sides of the dress. When I sit on my recliner made of swede, the fibers really give me pain in my arms. It seem something small fine needles sticking out of the sofa. When I lie down, I try to minimize movements of my feet because any new contacts to the skin will give me the sensation of like a "sunburn being rubbed". I am using now silk pajama, its fine with me (but of course this will not hold come winter). I have to wear seamless socks and underwears because the garter bothers me.

I put Lidoderm patch, it gives me temporary relief. SInce the sensitive skin is all over my body, I have to be patient cutting it into little patches. Also, I had to limit the number of patches being used at one time. The patches dont hold much so I used the soft 3M Medipore to hold them. Of course, this makes me look funny with all those little patches all over my skin (but who cares;)).

I am on 1800mg gabapentin and am currently taking about 3 325/5 oxycodone daily in two doses to try and get through this. That is double my usual usage of 1 or 2 per day. I am still in considerable pain and unable to carry out my usual responsibilities which include teaching part time. This has come up so suddenly I am hoping it goes away like it came.
For those of you who are experiencing this, and the burning in my hips and thighs is awful, did it happen slowly or all at once? Has anyone had the symptoms subside? The gabapentin was controlling the burning and zaps in my feet and legs quite well. Should I ask for Tramadol rather than a stronger oxycodone? My doctor has encouraged me to try the Butrans patch before. At this point I would take anything not to be able to feel my pajama pants laying like a 30 pound housecat on my lap.
I am also experiencing some burning sensation in my shoulders and upper arms, not nearly as severe. If i put on a sweater or jacket it feels like it weighs a ton.Does this sound familiar?
I would appreciate any advice.

I am fascinated by your mention of the suede sofa bothering you. We just got a new microfiber reclining loveseat which has a faux suede finish. My symptoms date from eerily close to its arrival. Is there any possibility that the upholstery is causing this? The symptoms are consistent with my CMT, but the sudden onset is not.

Several mentioned PJs. I have worn nightgowns even before PN. I also removed clothing tags before PN. I started out with noticeable pain in abdomen. It has let up somewhere, but it has spread to other areas of body. I do notice leather in car seat. I have been wearing a large silk scarf when I go about the day and wrap it around my legs if chair bothers me.

I find knit clothes are more comfortable.Also, gaucho style pants are more comfortable as they flare away from body.

The only times my skin "hurts" is when I am having a serious infection. Often with the flu or a fever.

Have you tried an antihistamine? A strong one like Benadryl or Zyrtec? That seems to help me when I am ill. Its been a while for me... when I increased my Vit D...I stopped getting colds/flu.
I still get allergies however.

Mrs. D, is Benadryl safe to take with my other meds? Gabapentin and oxycodone? I would love to give it a try, I'm pretty desperate! Thank you!

I am so sorry to know about your hurting. One of the values of this forum is when someone talks about a specific symptom and another has it, we completely and deeply understand what we are talking about.

My skin sensitivity came up so suddenly. I just woke up with the severe itchiness all over my body, mostly in my legs and arms (with no rashes or anything). In fact, it was the first major symptom that I experienced. At that time (a little over 6 months ago), I thought it was a reaction to Plaquenil, which at that time I was taking. The rheumatologist told me to stop it and take Benadryl. After two weeks, the itchiness did not improve. My primary care physician gave me Vistaril (which is stronger than Benadryl). It did not help me either, instead, the itchiness turned into pain. It was like a sensation of "pins and needles". It was deep and stabbing pins and needles. Last winter was very difficult for me because of having to wear thick clothes (and it was my first winter with the PN symptoms so I was adjusting!!!).

My burning sensation has now been significantly reduced. I still feel it once in a while but I could live with it. What is very very challenging is coping with this hypersensitive skin and of course the painful feet. I dont experience that feeling of "weights" in my skin. According to my doctor, the pain will reach a plateau. He has been encouraging me to try Lyrica, but I think I prefer Gabapentin. They both have unpleasant side effects, but given our pain, we have to bite the bullet.

How strange to be reading this topic. We purchased a new bed/mattress/bedding recently, and I no longer sleep well in the bed. The sheets tend to bunch and wrinkle, and the wrinkled sheets hurt my skin terribly. If I don't take something before bed, I am likely to wake up frequently in pain from the lines made by the sheets. I cannot even put covers on my feet, as they feel like they weigh 100 lbs.

As a woman, I find bras horribly painful too. Everything from the straps to the fabric is uncomfortable, and sometimes my clothing feels like it weighs 100 lbs. too.

Since I am not working, I usually get by with silky/nylon dresses. They are lightweight and somewhat comfortable.

I use jersey sheets now... no top sheet, only bottom. There is no wrinkling with them, and they are soft.

Benadryl is somewhat sedating. Also has anticholinergic effects.
For people with Sjogren's it might be too drying. Zyrtec is a less drying but still a strong antihistamine. Males with prostate issues have to be careful with these two antihistamines.

I only take the antihistamines at night.

Also Gabapentin and Lyrica have a warning about skin itching/allergy potential. They also can affect breathing causing shortness of breath.

You could try Allegra. But it has been my experience that Allegra is weak in action. But it is non-drying and for those people with sensitivity to the drying effects, it is worth a try.
I think Claritin is useless, and also it has potential for raising liver enzymes.

Oh no!!!! I wonder if my shortness of breath is a result of Gabapentin. (My appointment with the pulmo is still in July.)

I am trying to get away from Gabapentin but everytime I (very) slowly reduce my dosage, my symptoms would become intense.

I hope that one day, I could just take the supplements and not the gabapentin. That would be THE day!!! ;)

Did you have the breathing issue before the gabapentin?

As I understand it, Lyrica is worse in the breathing department.
But gabapentin is also listed as having this side effect in some people.

But do discuss this with your doctor.

Hi
My daughter is having issues with the hypersensitive skin she says it feel like the worst sunburn she has ever had.She also says that bras hurt ,as well as other clothing.I went with her to the neuro yesterday and he is running test to see what is going on , but he thinks she has sfsn, little side note i was dx with this in feb and her dr said that because i have it, it is very possible she has it also.She will have blood work done next week as well as emg , and skin biopsy
Since she is a nurse it is very hard for her . Will see what she finds out .Btw she has found the genie bra is as comfortable as she can get.

Here are the stats to Drugcite.com for gabapentin:

http://www.drugcite.com/?q=gabapentin

If you click on a reported category it will open up with details.
You can print this out and take to your doctor when you discuss this possibility.
Not all negative reports are made to the FDA-- only a tiny fraction in fact. So interpreting the numbers is only a general thing. A symptom may be more common therefore than it appears on this list.

I did try the benadryl, once before bed last night and again this afternoon after school. It definitely made me sleep very soundly. It may have improved the pain, but the effect was not long-lasting. I had an hour or two of lessened symptoms, but the burning and sensitivity is back already, and about the same.

My students said something very funny this morning and I reflexively slapped my thigh. I almost screamed, the pain was excruciating!

BGT 1121, please keep us informed about your daughter. It sounds as if she has a hereditary neuropathy as well, and I am very curious how they will view her skin sensitivity. I was not expecting this symptom, certainly not this suddenly and severely.

Yes Mrs.D, I have the breathing issue before Gabapentin, but it seems that its getting worse now. I am using the peak flow meter and my results are lower than it used to.
I was searching on the symptoms of COPD/Emphysema last night, and it seems that the only symptoms consistent to COPD is the shortness of br eath. I dont have a cough...and I can exercise without gasping for air. My wheezing is very very rarely.

I have had hypersensitive skin for years, winter is a nightmare when I have to wear shoes. At Christmas I changed from Gabapentin to Lyrica and for the first time in years I am able to put my feet in the bed instead of sticking them out the side. I am also feeling much better, Gabapentin always made me feel exhausted, my GP always sympathised with me over the rotten way I was feeling and never offered Lyrica( the cynic in me says this is because it is so. much more expensive ).
I have also been taking tramadol for breakthrough pain and it works a treat.

Is your hypersensitive skin has improved?? Is it not bothering you now? And all this because of Lyrica?

WInter is also terrible for me because I need to wear heavy clothes.

My neurologist has been talking me into shifting from Gabapentin to Lyrica. I am have not been too receptive because I remember when I started with Gabapentin, I had very very negative thoughts! These two medicines are "cousins" so I am concerned that I might go through that same thought process and it was scary.

For those with hypersensitive skin PN'ers/Mrs.D : Is there a supplement that work for this symptom? Do you have any suggestions, other than wearing silk, fleece and 100% cotton dresses?

I am trying so hard to maintain my sanity but its making me nuts :eek: My feet are equally bothersome (which is going now halfway to my knees:(,) but between the two, I can be compelled to accept the painful feet but this jabbing, stabbing pain in my skin is too much.

Thank you.

I have developed hypersensitive, painful skin just about all over my body following several weeks of itching. I suppose the itching was early signs of the neurons getting sick.

I use a TENS unit at low setting that partially distract me from the hypersensitivity and helps "take the edge off" when it is especially bad.

My hypersensitive skin started from severe itching. It started all over my body -but mostly on my legs and arms. Prior to the severe itching, I was taking Plaquenil for my arthritis. I was taking it for about 4 months and then the itching started. I immediately stopped the Plaquenil. After 2 weeks of itching, the sensation became lancinating and stabbing pins and needles pain. Everything that touches my skin was (and still is) painful. I no longer wear pants. Sometimes, I could wear light/cotton long sleeves but on most times, I avoid long sleeves.

I have troubles wearing pants also. I wear dresses with a straight line. Yoga pants with fold over waist are the most comfortable pants as I can adjust waist band.

I use CVS fragrance free anti-itch lotion which helps a little.

I have to sit on ice packs (under my thighs) when at my desk. I keep two pairs rotating in the freezer at my office. I can now only wear flip flops for shoes, which I guess is ok since I'm in So. California. Socks are out of the question.

I'm wondering now about the furniture I'm dealing with. Both my chair in the office and chairs and sofa at home are made of a pretty rough material, so maybe i need to think about buying something smoother. I sat on a friend's cushiony, plush leather sofa and it didn't seem to bother me too much. It looked pretty expensive though.

The whole situation sucks if I let my mind go there.

There are memory foam cushions you can buy. Some are made for wheel chair users.
I use one for my computer chair...I bought it at Overstock.com

Oh, that sounds like such a good idea! My problem has subsided to the point where I can stand wearing pants for part of the day, but by the evening sitting or lying on the sofa really irritates the back of my thighs and hips.
I am still not sure what triggered it, but it is about 75% reduced, primarily confined to the back of my legs where it started. I do find it worse if I sit on the new microfiber loveseat which has a fake suede finish, and the symptoms started when we first got that. Just weird.

I carry large silk scarves. I can put over shoulders and move to around legs when sitting in chairs. This would be when I am out of house in waiting rooms.

I think I will start taking silk scarves to cover my shoulders and arms.
Thanks for this idea.

Thanks for the tip mrsD. Is the memory foam pretty easy on the skin? I guess I could put som sort of pillow case over it if it bothered me. The ice packs work, but I'm not sure how good it is for my body to be 'iced' most of the day.

My cushion is covered in a plastic cover... I put a towel over that because it makes me sweat in the heat.(we don't have A/C)

Comes in two sizes.
http://www.overstock.com/Health-Beau...1/product.html

The fibers of the towel, MRs.D, bothers me. Maybe to some, it's okay.
thank you.

I put quilts under me a lot, so I would probably make a quilted pad to put over the memory foam. Upholstery fabric bothers me, and so would a towel. But memory foam does sound wonderful.

I hate having the house look like an invalid lives here, but quilts and pillows and soft things make such a difference!

comfortable clothing.
 

For well over a year I have been mostly wearing sport clothing that is water resistent. Zip off pants and button up shirts that are as light as a feather. They can pass as casual dress clothes for work or for any activity. Closest thing to wearing nothing and now when I put on a pair of jeans I change right back. They make this stuff for both men and women but many of my female friends have better luck in the mens section. they are in any sports store. the moisture resistance also adds to the comfort and they dry very quickly.

I read about zip off pants. I think I would feel the metal in zipper. I have found nylon does work out for me. I found nylon dresses at Gordman's. I found some nylon Danskin pants at Walmart. I go a size up on pants.

Any relief/tips for burning hypersensitive thighs?
 

Just came across your post and wondering if you or others have any lessons to share. I've got burning thighs (both). Diagnosed as PN but I almost feel like I have some type of skin infection + a nerve issue. Serious unbearable discomfort on wearing pants but some pants are not bad compared to others (even though all are 100% cotton - but seems like pant to pant the sensitivity is significantly different). I am using Gabapentin at a very low dose. I have tried Bcomplex but not B12 directly. Calamine lotion too. Nothing works though except being in shorts!

* any specific pants of material/brand of pants (mens) that works best? basically it seems like softest would be best based on my experience so far
* do pants that use twill/stain free/wrinkle free have something that could increase discomfort?
* any specific relief therapy - acupuncture?
* any specific skin treatment (topical ointment)?
* any other issues that could play a role (ex: I have been taking high BP and baby aspirin for years)?
* any impact of laundry detergent used on comfort of pants?
* any other ideas to get through a work day/commute?

Thanks for any tips.

Only the thighs? I have another question too. What type of blood pressure pill? Is it an ACE inhibitor? This family of drugs causes all sorts of grief for some people. I had a massive crisis reaction to lisinopril last Feb...due to the build up of bradykinin that these drugs cause. Burning stabbing pain everywhere, and swelling, and GI pain, and breathing difficulty.

Pain only in the thighs may be meralgia paresthetica. This is a sensory pathway nerve from L4-L5 in the back and gets compressed as it passes thru the abdomen. It exits at the top of the thigh near the side. Using Lidoderm patches at the exit,
sometimes puts the nerve to sleep (lateral femoral nerve).
this link has more:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2109.html
Figure 2B shows the location where the nerve exits the abdomen.
I had this as a consequence of a surgery (C-section). Using the Lidoderm patches when they first came out, resulted in a remission for me, after 14 days or so. I had had it for over a decade before! I only had it on the right side.

I do have burning on the tops of my thighs intermittently as part of hereditary neuropathy which has progressed up to my shoulders and hips. I pick my pants with care as some of them are more likely to cause trouble than others. A man would have far fewer choices, loose yoga pants are the most comfortable for me, they are a poly/Lycra /rayon blend. Jeans become unbearable after a short time, especially if I give into vanity and wear ones that fit closely as opposed to baggy, saggy ones. My favorite hiking pants are a nylon blend and they do irritate the skin, despite not being tight. I think the nylon fibers are the culprit- they seem to create uncomfortable friction.
A soft, all cotton khaki, such as L.L.Bean makes might be your best best, pre washed, and a size up. Polyester irritates my son, who has this disease as well, and wrinkle free finishes are chemically treated. If you tolerate microfiber, there are some extremely lightweight men's dress pants available. It is polyester, but has a softer hand.
If it is any consolation, this is a symptom that waxes and wanes for some of us, so it may improve.