Hi everyone,

I'm new here, and I've been looking at what you all have to say. I've had RSD in my left arm/hand for 3 years now and at the moment I'm taking medication and have regular nerve blocks. Most of the time this combination seems to work. But, for the last few months I've had the itchiest legs and tops of my feet. There is no rash, it just itches like mad. My lower legs and feet are such a mess from me scratching them. I take an anti-histamine at bedtime, but I usually wake myself up scratching.

Has anyone ever experienced this? It really is driving me mad. Thanks

I have itching when I am in a flare in my affected parts, left leg and now right arm. It itches when I have edema and my PM doctor says it's from the swelling.

Me to but never new why. I always thought it was from the rsd itself.
That is nice to know. Thanks.

I've been getting itching this past few months too, on the top of my foot and in between a couple of my toes. It typically follows swelling and hot burning episodes. I've been using Arica gel and it really calms it down. It can be picked up at any health store.

MsL

I have it parts of my body that are exposed often. Legs and arms (shorts and t shirts).
It is rsd related according to Dr K.
Try using something like Eucerin, it's VERY soothing.
If you need something stronger, get something with cortisone in it, Aveeno just came out with a cream with cortisone, it's very nice.
(I'm getting over an attack from a spider, I have more than 100 bites, on my right calf.
So, I've just been through the whole steroid thing, with lots of anti itch lotion. I got lots of hives, and that has never really happened to me before..

Hope that helps, stop scratching, or you'll make permanent spots!
Rubbing a good cream or lotion will gently relieve the itch! I've got a couple nasty little scars from this...
(There goes my career as a leg model!)

Pete

Hi Scottish Girl and Welcome to Neurotalk,

I'm glad you found this wonderful group of people that are wonderful in their compassion and combined knowledge. I'm so sorry you have RSD. I've had it 14 years and have found some great friends & tools in dealing with it.
The itching is miserable isn't it. There is a website by Dr. Hooshmand, now retired. But he left his website up full of knowledge. He practiced in Florida for a long time.
The website is rsdrx.com Under puzzles list is 140 questions regarding rsd and his answers. Question 126 discusses itching.. It has several suggestions.
RSD is an autonomic condition, which means it involves the sympathetic nervous system which has 3 major functions:
1) control of body temperature
2) control of vital signs B/P, Pulse & respiration
3) regulation of immune system

I now have both high blood pressure and low blood pressure. The parasympathetic nervous system causes low blood pressure, which can lead to passing out. That happened to me once and hospital 4 days. I have both the cold and the hot body temperature. burning, sweating, and also ice cold to the bones. And my immune system is low.
Some of us have slowness of speech, in a conversation and grasping for words in a conversation. short term memory loss. skin conditions. depression as the Limbic Part of our brain is affected.
We have various tools to distract us during painful periods.. I find music relaxing, scented candles, epsom salt baths or lavender oil baths, visiting my friends on the phone, letter, cards, this wonderful site, journaling, stretching,
Personally, I fight isolating myself, I work on being positive and grateful.
Please join us-we have a lot of kindness and combined knowledge.
Compounding pharmacies can also make up a lotion for your itching with your Drs. perscriptions. I don't have a perscription, but maybe someone that sees this can write to the board with their perscription and you could ask your Dr. if it's something you could try. If fact, I could use it, as I am in a break out in my scalp and back.
Take care and sending you soft hugs, loretta

Hi Loretta,

Thank you for replying and also for welcoming me to the group. I've had RSD in my left arm and hand for a few years now, but recently I've had bother with pain in my legs, swelling, and itching, so I'm wondering if the RSD is spreading. I use a steroid based cream at the moment to deal with the dry skin and inflammation, but as soon as it clears up it's back again.

I have very low blood pressure and I also have problems with speech as you said. I can start a sentence then forget what I'm talking about. Memory is another issue which causes problems for me.

I would be interested to see a prescription if anyone has one. My doctor prescribed an emollient for me, but it didn't do very much.

Thank you very much, Anne Marie