Clothing bothers me
 

Anyone know any desensitization things I can do? Many clothes bother my skin. I have had PN for 2 1/2 years. It first started in abdominal area. Pants would bother me. I am female and switched to wearing dresses. Now with winter coming it is getting harder to stay warm. The PN pain is traveling down my legs. I used to wear boots with dresses in past winter. Now I notice the boots bother my legs. Is it possible to get my skin used to clothes?

Those of us with fibro have this problem too. We just experiment with what works. For me it's soft knits, nothing tight. If you are in a dressier workplace it can be difficult. Good luck, sorry I can't help more.

Januarybabe,
I don't have your problem, but have dealt with something similar. At one time, I tried an in hospital cold turkey withdrawl from my migraine meds (narcotics), and had the feeling you describe. Anything touching my skin was intolerable.
In that case, I wound up wearing loose shorts, but this is winter. When you are home, can you put on a pair of light, oversized sweats or scrubs? If you are working, you obviously can't do that at work, but maybe at home.

I know they are not in style, but can you wear long skirts or dresses?

I hope you find some close that won't drive you nuts.

Sam

I've basically gone--
 

--to soft fleece and (non-weave) cotton material. Things like wool are out.

It means I dress somewhat more casually than some people are ready for in certain situations, but I am neat, and I just explain that my skin cannot tolerate many types of fabrics.

I have had this problem off and on. I am also always cold, and cold makes the pain much worse. Have you tried silk long underwear? It is very light and soft.

Footwear gives me the most problems, as I'm sure it does many/most w/ PN. Most of the time I wear some cheapo fleece slippers from a Big Box, but sometimes, oddly enough, when I can get away with socks & shoes, my feet feel better. I've written it off to the ups & downs of the condition.

I've never felt the need to explain my unorthodox footwear. Sometimes I'll be at the local megaplex catching a flick on the big screen with my slippered feet up on the row in front of me, and hear a comment like, "That guy's got the right idea -- come to the movies, put your feet up & enjoy the show! I should do that," and that's pretty much what I'm doing, so I may smile back and raise my diet soda in cheers. :D

Doc

I have the same problem -- big time!
I posted a while back about "hyper sensitive skin". I dread the winter (not the winter per se), simply because of thick clothes. Though, I live in Florida (winter here is not as bad as in othe places), but I still have to wear winter clothes.

Anyway, it has been a trial and error for me before I found a tolerable material. It has to be materials made from "spandex with polyester"or "spandex with rayon. Not the spandex that is fitted but the ones that is loose and barely touches your skin. Its good for pajamas, skirts, and even pants. There are even pants and skirts that are chic.

I am not sure if your arms (particularly the back of your upper arm) are bothered when it touches a sofa, it bothers me. it feels like teeny weeny pricks. I got this tip from one of our kind posters who responded to my post. I wrap the backrest of my sofa with silk scarf. It works!

On footwear, I used to wear really high stiletto shoes, but those were the days. Now, I find Crocs comfortable. I dont buy those with closed instep, that bothers me. I buy my Crocs from the outlet. You can find really nice designs and colors. At home, i could not wear anymore those slippers with thin soles. So, I use the Havaianas flip flops. It has thick and soft soles. Its practical too because you can use it right after your bath with no worries getting wet.

I felt like I am maxed out on tricks to find comfortable clothes. I did try some boots with a shorter shaft and could wear them. The trick for me was to wear a softer sock. Also, the boots are loose fitting. My feet seem to be spared the neuropathy so far. Once in a while I get a feeling of a needle in feet. It just seems like this neuropathy is spreading although the rate of progression has slowed.

What I want now is if any has found a way to desensitize their skin.

Glenntaj, so you are a lady? All along I had the impression that you are a man!:) I dont know why, just a hunch from your name.
I was also wrong for thinking "echoes long ago" as a lady, I just learned recently he is a man. My word, my hunch is getting haywired -- just as my nerves!!!:D

pppsssttttt--- Glenn is a guy! ;)

Glenn is a guy???? really???? so, my hunch was then correct.:) thank you for correcting my wrong impression....

Glenn is more than a "guy" -- he is really a mensch!
That is my opinion.

Hi I have huge issues with clothing and shoes in general. I am only able to wear walking tennis shoes and go on and off with socks and the ability to wear them. Anyhow my experience is that even for ex when I have a different material of pant or sock is to start by wearing it for a short time. Even if it means 30 minutes. Then to gradually build. Now with that I do experience more pain while doing this. Also some materials are better for me then others and for ex for socks I turn them inside out because it feels better. Also nothing too tight. I wear for example plus size socks and I am not a plus size.
I know some people take different materials to the areas such as a cotton ball and rub it gently on the area. When I was at Cleveland rehab they had this sand machine which was supposed to help desensitize the nerves as well.

Last time I looked--
 

--I was male, but maybe I should check again. :D

(I must say this was a hilarious thread addition to wake up to.)

I have had this problem for years with clothing and shoes -- I have switched to the softest, loose fabric's I can buy. I just recently bought new PJ's even though my old ones were fine - just because I need the SOFT touch everywhere on my body. Bra's are the worse for me... again, on to the softest I can find. I live in slippers when home - found some called snoozies that feel like a babies blanket. Usually when it gets as bad as you describe I need more meds - for the first two years I couldn't even wear shoes. Best wishes to you through your challenge!:o

Aside from Glenn Close (no relation), I have a female relative named Glenn. While it used to be primarily a masculine name (Glenda being the feminine, as in the gender bending Ed Wood film, Glen or Glenda), it's become more generic.

These days it's just best not to make assumptions... :Dunno:

Doc