Itching and break outs.
 

I know we talked about this before but I couldn't find the thread.

Do you think itching is from the RSD, I'm on no meds execpt my Prevacid and a new one my Dr. just put me on for my stomach. I am having such a time with itching and I can't figure out what I might be itching from.

Breakouts, I see my Dermotogist on the 24th again due to some places on my face that just keep coming back. He gives me shots and he cleared them up for awhile but they come back in the same place. He says they are pre-cancerous, I don't know. It's just frustrating.

I'm getting ready to change laundry detergents and I was wondering if you had any ideals on one.

I also take Allegra D for allergies but it doesn't help.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ada

Please have the dermatologist swab the breakouts and test them.

I only recommend this because I have just dealt the last three months with a zoster breakout (aka shingles) and I only have one sore that I never would have guessed was zoster based on where it was and what it did to me symptom wise.

Hello Ada,

I haven't got any experience with break outs.

However, I have trouble with itching. Anywere pressure is applied when it is released I will itch like crazy. It started two years ago. My PM had me taking benedrial (spelling) until I could get into see an allergiest. I have been taking 4mg twice sometimes 3 times a day if needed of periactin. There is a small part of the brain that controls itching. In my boby, because of my RSD the nerves that respond to that part of the brain for itching keep itching even though there is no reason to itch. Once I started the periactin I got it under control. Sometimes when I am flaired I will have break through itching so I take an extra pill (approved by my doc).

The itching can drive you crazy it's like having poison ivy all over you body.

I hope this helps!!
Take care,
Sherrie :)

Me Too
 

Ada,
I dont have the breakouts either, but I sure do have the itching. Its not from meds on my part as well. It can drive you crazy. I also have pin pricks. I really hate that. Guess what? I get to see you soon. :hug:Di

Hi and thanks,
 

Diana, I am counting the days.

Thanks for the replys. I have a friend that is dealing with shingles now. I had them years ago and they are very painful. I now have RSD in my right side due to having them.

Shelley, They biopsied one of them and said it was unidentifiable. It was sent to Denver Lab. I will ask the Dermo. to do it again though. I've dealt with these for over 4 years. I actually got them after I laid out in the sun one summer. I've never heard of the med you mentioned.

I've been tested for allergies. I am allergic to dust, trees, grass, horses, guinnea pigs and mold. I can stay away from horses and guinnea pigs but can't stay away from the other things.

I itch all over at times. I do think at times it might be nerves. Other times I think it's from something I'm around or use.

It's frustrating though that we can't seem to get the itching under control. I know I sure can't.

Thanks again for the help.

Ada

Prevacid can cause allergic reactions.

A friend of mine's husband had a huge reaction out of the blue from Prevacid! His reaction was severe and lasted two weeks from one capsule!

You might discuss changing to another drug.

There are some cross sensitivities of Prevacid with penicillin.
I don't recall if other antibiotics were included, however.

What is the other stomach med you are using?

The two best antihistamines for skin itching are Atarax (RX) and Benadryl (OTC). Zyrtec is a cousin of Atarax and may help. I don't think Allegra is very effective for itching. It is a mild antihistamine.

Periactin is an odd duck. It is used to encourage weight gain.
Because of the side effects and also the antiserotinergic effects, it is
not commonly used as an antihistamine, since some others are just as
potent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyproheptadine

It is often not found in pharmacies, so if you do get an RX for it, it may
have to be special ordered for you.
I don't believe Merck makes the brand anymore. I only see generics listed
at the FDA.gov site.

Zyrtec and its generic are OTC now. I have found that sometimes you can
get good effects with 5mg or 1/2 tablet even.

Avoid Claritin-- it does nothing IMO.

Hi MrsD,
 

I am on Metformin for my stomach issues. It's used for diabetes but it's also being used for what I am dealing with. I just started it about a week ago.

You might be right on the Prevacid. I can't go off of it though. We have tried everything else for my GERD and in 3 days I'm in a mess. I have been on it for about 6 or 7 years. Can't remember but I could find out when I find my diary I kept. I never thought about the Prevacid though causing the problem.

Weight gain I don't need. I gained weight on Lyrica and because of this stomach problem that I think the Lyrica caused, I am having trouble getting it off.

Thanks for the info. I am thinking I might try another stomach med again and see if this clears up.

Ada

Hi Ada,

I also get itching a lot. I think mine must be from the RSD as, like you, I am on no medications other than Ketamine when I am in a really bad pain flare because none have really helped me.

I itch a lot! I itch nearly all over, even on the areas that dont have RSD although it IS worse on my RSD limbs. I spoke to my Pain Management Doctor and he said that it is a common symptom of RSD and said that there wasn't much he could do for it but suggested trying Anti-Isthamines (sp??).

I get breakouts a lot also, especially on my nose and just between my eyes. I have a breakout of spots on the top of my head at the moment and they are painful and bright red - ugh! Its hard sometimes with me to tell whether it is from the RSD or my hormones because of my age - I personally think it is a bit of both though.

I'm sorry that you get this also. I really hope you get some answers soon! Please keep us updated!

Ali

Metformin can cause acidosis in some people. This takes time however. But one sign is tingling of the skin. It does not commonly cause itching.

If you have been on acid blockers for a long time, I think it would be a good idea to get your B12 checked. Acid blockers block absorption of B12. (other nutrients affected are folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc)
Any number below 500 should be supplemented. (US ranges remain behind the times and quite low for normal). Many people with neuro problems are low in B12. When the serum levels get low, so does the spinal fluid concentration. Two conditions with proven low levels of spinal fluid B12 are fibromyalgia and MS, for example. But not everything has been studied yet.

Metformin inhibits B12 absorption too, as a side effect. So the longer you are on it, the likelihood of low levels developing increases. Normal people can have stores of B12 in the liver that can be as long as 5 years lasting. After those are gone, that is when symptoms start to show up. So if you have testing done in the past, reflecting using up those stores, after 5 yrs ( is a maximum optimum time) you may then test lower.

Hi MrsD,
 

I see my Dr. tomorrow, I will ask him about the B-12 and doing some test.

Ali, I itch all over too. I can't remember the itching though the first years of RSD. Yesterday it was driving me nuts.

Does your places go away very fast? Mine takes forever to heal. Then they'll come right back in the same places.

Have a Happy Easter, both of you.

Ada

In the meantime, sometimes for some folks the oatmeal baths work very well to relieve itching. Aveeno is a name brand.

Does anyone get (I don't know what to call them), but they're little red dots on the skin.
I wear shorts around the house alot, and roll my sleeves up. It's on those exposed places that I get these things. Occasionally, one will seem to become like a pimple.
And, it won't seem to heal for the longest time, leaving a dark spot on my caucasian skin. My doctor has taken pictures of it on my calves, and calls it "Classic RSD".
I have one (my second) that is now sort of an open sore.
I put neosporin on it, and a band aid.
I don't know what else to do?

pete
asb

I don't think "itching" is an RSD symptom. And there's "itching" and just plain having an itch sometimes.

But you might have 2 things going on at once if the itching is really serious and unrelenting, esp. if there are break-outs going along with it. Might be an allergic reaction to something or other. I wouldn't immediately chalk everything up to RSD, without a serious doctor's exam.

Hi CRPS,
 

You are right about this.

I think mine is actually coming from something else.

After Bill passed away I moved into a smaller place and every since I moved in here my allergies have been worse. My Dr. even said I got worse after I moved here.

I am going to change my laundry detergent and I did do a lot of different things to the house. I am going to be taking up the carpet and put tile in the bedrooms. We have painted and cleaned everything but I still believe it has something to do with this place.

I have just started having rashes also. One got as big as a grapefruit and we have it healed up but I still keep getting them. We are tackling them before they get as big as the first one.

Ada

Hi, I also have the itching and it is from RSD, I've never had it b4, mine was so bad it was actually embassing. Someone on this site told me to try Aveeno and I also got the body wash for showers..it hasen't stopped it but it really helped a lot...I also have the itching in my head (which is really embassing), for that I got T/Gel therapeutic shampoo-extra strength and head and shoulders dry scalp care conditioner..they also help, I changed everything and the doctor told me it is from the RSD and not from detergent etc...hope this helps

RSD attacks cause itching
 

My rsd when it does a large attack it makes my pain sky rocket outta control beyond the extreme it is now, in which my body can't take it so it revolts against the pain even though it can't do anything to stop it and only makes things worse for itself. When my body revolts it becomes extremely itchy all over or at other times in just certian places, because of the pain levels i begin puking and as well my body becomes so weak i get dizzy/light headed and daze in and out of being alert and falling asleep. Your body temp can have you feel like your boiling or freezing or some parts of each. Its all the joy of attacks. I've Seen Small, Medium, Large & Extreme ones and even the smallest are very hard to deal with. So with the question of can RSD cause itching yes it can very much so. Itching so bad your literally scratching ur skin off. Or anything in between. Hope it settles down for you.

Ada,

Ask the doc if he can swab it and do an amplied DNA test for varicella virus. Shot in the dark but could not hurt.

Hi Ada, I'm so sorry about the itching. It is maddening for sure.My RSD Dr. said it's important to use sun screen when in the sun. I get rash break out from the sun and it itches. There is someone on here that has a cream made by a compounding pharmacist for the itchiness. If I can find it I'll PM you. I just had my first skin lesions and it took3-4 months to get rid of. They got infected. They are gone now. It's imortant not to keep them greased up, it keeps them from healing. I put some acne cream on some red dots and they got bright red and started itching bad. The Dr. said stop using anything but water and keep them uncovered. They eventually stopped itching and went back white. Still have the bumps but not itching. Skin problems go with RSD Iknow. I wear cotton and try to not sweat. I can use afan in the room to keep the air moving and cool. Dreading this summer in the arizona heat. As for soap, I use tide with no perumes etc. don't usedryer sheets either. Use Dove soap with no perume.and amild soap for face.
I also gained weight on Neurotin and then Lyrica. Went off about6 months ago and have lost 30 lbs. Feel better off. I did have one seizure the day I found out about one of my best friends daughter losing her first baby a few days before birth date. They think it was the cord. I kept her the first several hours to save on nursery bill. I was terribly upset for both of them. I'm working on cutting back on meds. Went off of two antii-depressants and went on just one newer one, cymbalta. I'm working on my 2nd set of 30 lbs and hope to go off or down on blood pressure meds. I was on 3200 mg of neurotin. Was alway so tired, but it did stop my jolts, spasms, shocks etc. Have had RSD 13 years now full body and feel my sympathetic system as calmed down alotl The anti-anxiety med Lorazepam has helped a lot. And I'm slowed my life down, and use exercise, meditation, music etc especially my furry kitty kat Sabrina. I'm learning to by optomistic and grateful and mostly have accepted my condition and want to help others that have this and other tragic circumsances in their life. It's tough. Take care of yourself, and I'll try to find that cream somewhere. I know Iwrote it down within the last couple weeks or so. Your friend, loretta jewell

My hands have the itching problem, the most. It is annoying.:Sigh:

Before my RSD/CRPS diagnosis:

My Mom use to tell me when I was a child,per itching hands:
Itch on the left:money coming in. Itch on the right; money going out,LOL!

Hi Loretta,
 

I would like a copy of that cream. Thanks.

I am getting ready to change laundry detergent. I am thinking that might be one of my problems. Also I had bought some Skin So Soft from Avon and I had forgotten about not being able to use it. I have always been allergic to it but I hadn't used it for so long, I couldn't remember.

The places on my face seem to get infected also. I get them healed and then they start again. The shots the Dermo put in them seemed to heal them up pretty good. The last time he gave me some tape with medicine in it to use on them and it did nothing for them.

I dread the Colorado heat. I have more pain in the summer then winter. My skin dries out more in the winter though.

I do have to stay out of the sun also. It makes me itch. I wear Sunscreen and makeup with sunscreen in it to help when I go out.

I'm working on getting my weight off too that I gained from the Lyrica. It's been hard for me due to the metabolic syndrome but with summer coming on, i hope I can get the rest of it off. I need to lose 20 lbs.

I'm like you with getting off of the meds. I think I am going to try and find a way to get off of the Prevacid next. Maybe try a different kind and see if MrsD is right about me being allergic to it.

Dew, my hands don't itch. It's just the rest of my body that drives me nuts.
Maybe someone will come up with something good to help us with this. It sounds like a lot of us deal with it.

Thanks

Ada

Dear Ada....
 

Dear Ada,

Maybe that means you will win the lottery:)

per my Mom's thoughts on itching hands...:D

Hi I can relate to this and at one point I was so dry and itchy clumps of skin was shedding off. I did get dx with seborrehic dermtitis and started steriod shampoo for that and the skin I used a very mild otc cream. It has gotten better but I still am very dry. I sleep with a humidifier and am trying to increase my omegas. I am not sure if this has to do with rsd the dry or the immune system more sensitive. I know that the pain doc I saw who deals a lot with rsd said one with rsd has more infections and conditions like this.