Severe itching?

[book lover]

Hi,
Anyone have severe itching? If so, do you know anything that helps?

I was recently dx with ppms and in reading about ms I noticed that they mentioned itching as a possible sx.

I realize now that I have had extreme itching for many years -- mainly my back but sometimes my arms; it's not constant.

The dermatologist has given me many different lotions and creams over the years but none have worked for more than a minute (the coolness when applying it).

TIA

[Kimba22]

Hi book lover,

The intense episodes of itching you are referring to actually falls under a category known as dysesthias, which are neurologic in origin. What has been helpful for me is Gabapentin. Something else I found that helped (before I was diagnosed and before I started medication) was by using cold therapy (one of those gel ice packs) to alter the sensation until it passed. I would wake up from a deep sleep because of it, and there were times I'd scratched hard enough in my sleep to cause bleeding. My pcp at the time kept insisting it was due to allergies (not quite ).

Here's a link to the NMMS about itching: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...mptoms/Itching

There are medications that help, so talk to talk to your neurologist. Good luck!

[book lover]

Thanks Kimba.

I am going to try the ice packs until I meet with my neuro again. Like you, I've also woken up from time to time bleeding from scratching myself while sleeping.

Interesting, that you mentioned Gabapentin; I know of that medicine by the name of Neurontin. As an ovarian cancer survivor, that medicine is often prescribed for neuropathy caused by chemotherapy.

I now also realize that the last time I went to my dermatologist (he has since retired; this was before I had any idea that I might have MS) he said if the cream he prescribed that day did not work he would recommend another dr for me to go to. Didn't think of asking what kind of dr - just assumed it was another dermatologist since I knew he would be retired when I was ready for my next appointment.

Thanks again.
Have a good week.

[Lianne]

Yes, I woke up last night with severe itching on my chest that turned into a burning sensation. I wanted to try ice, but it was pretty cold so I couldn't get myself to do it. I've had this before on different areas of my body and it sometimes progresses to numbness .

[hunterd]

I also have severe itching, it is on my scalp, and it is pretty much constant. I have tried different soaps that had moisturizer built in, and shampoo with moisturizer, and I have even used plain old moisturizing cream that I use to prevent dry skin but nothing seems to help. I had read about this before, but my brain did not want me to remember it. Good luck to everyone.

[33NaNa]

itching on top of toes and head

I use all kinds of shampoos and conditioners for my scalp. It seems to itch all the time. Now the top of my toes burn and itch, especially at night. I wake myself up scrubbing the tops of my feet on the covers or even worse on my husbands feet.(worse for him) So many sx are other things sometime. Just wondered if it was an MS thing? Got a knot in my throat going to dr next week to see about. Wonder if it is MS related? I have had the problem swallowing but this is not the same thing.

[Tawanda]

Hi book lover,

The intense episodes of itching you are referring to actually falls under a category known as dysesthias, which are neurologic in origin. What has been helpful for me is Gabapentin. Something else I found that helped (before I was diagnosed and before I started medication) was by using cold therapy (one of those gel ice packs) to alter the sensation until it passed. I would wake up from a deep sleep because of it, and there were times I'd scratched hard enough in my sleep to cause bleeding. My pcp at the time kept insisting it was due to allergies (not quite ).

Here's a link to the NMMS about itching: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...mptoms/Itching

There are medications that help, so talk to talk to your neurologist. Good luck!

Hi Kimba,
Do you mind me asking how much Gabapentin you take and if you take it on a regular basis or just for severe itching spells?

[Kimba22]

Hi Kimba,
Do you mind me asking how much Gabapentin you take and if you take it on a regular basis or just for severe itching spells?

Hi Tawanda,

I take 800 mg/ up to 3 x a day = maximum 2400 mg/ day. It can be prescribed up to 3200 mg/ day. I have heard of people who take higher doses than that, though. I've been taking it for a long time (13 years), and have fluctuated my dose several times before settling on that one. It's been higher, been lower, and while it's not perfect, what I take helps me make it through most days.

So no, I'm not taking it on a regular basis throughout the day. Mostly I take it now as needed during the daytime for itching or when other paresthesias kick into high gear. The itching episodes don't happen daily, or anywhere near as often as they did years ago. I've actually gotten used to other paresthesias, like pins and needles or burning, so can tolerate those better during the daytime.

I tend to reach for cold therapy first if the itching does present itself during the daytime, just because it works faster than waiting for the Gabapentin to take effect. But if it still bothers me, I will take a dose of the medication. Or when I go out, I always carry a few doses with me.

But, I always take my night time dose. Besides the other symptoms seeming more pronounced during the night, the intense itching episodes tend to happen most often then. I'd always thought that was strange, but then I read somewhere it's often a nocturnal symptom.

It doesn't really make sense for me to be on it 24/7 unless I'm going through a rough patch with my sensory symptoms or the MS. Just what works for me. I'd take it more often if I felt I needed to, but at this point in time it doesn't make a huge difference, at least for what I need. But, it does tend to work better after you've attained therapeutic levels in your system.

I've also used it for neuropathic pain, but for now, have given up on using it to treat that. It just doesn't seem to help me a whole heck of lot there, even at higher doses. *sigh*

Best of luck finding what works for you!

[Tawanda]

Hi Tawanda,

I take 800 mg/ up to 3 x a day = maximum 2400 mg/ day. It can be prescribed up to 3200 mg/ day. I have heard of people who take higher doses than that, though. I've been taking it for a long time (13 years), and have fluctuated my dose several times before settling on that one. It's been higher, been lower, and while it's not perfect, what I take helps me make it through most days.

So no, I'm not taking it on a regular basis throughout the day. Mostly I take it now as needed during the daytime for itching or when other paresthesias kick into high gear. The itching episodes don't happen daily, or anywhere near as often as they did years ago. I've actually gotten used to other paresthesias, like pins and needles or burning, so can tolerate those better during the daytime.

I tend to reach for cold therapy first if the itching does present itself during the daytime, just because it works faster than waiting for the Gabapentin to take effect. But if it still bothers me, I will take a dose of the medication. Or when I go out, I always carry a few doses with me.

But, I always take my night time dose. Besides the other symptoms seeming more pronounced during the night, the intense itching episodes tend to happen most often then. I'd always thought that was strange, but then I read somewhere it's often a nocturnal symptom.

It doesn't really make sense for me to be on it 24/7 unless I'm going through a rough patch with my sensory symptoms or the MS. Just what works for me. I'd take it more often if I felt I needed to, but at this point in time it doesn't make a huge difference, at least for what I need. But, it does tend to work better after you've attained therapeutic levels in your system.

I've also used it for neuropathic pain, but for now, have given up on using it to treat that. It just doesn't seem to help me a whole heck of lot there, even at higher doses. *sigh*

Best of luck finding what works for you!

Thank you for the response. The itching has been rotten this summer. Perhaps the change of season will bring some relief.

Because MS symptoms come and go, I always ask my doctor "is this a drug I can take on an as-needed basis?". I think the pharmas would like us to believe otherwise.

A lot of times I tough it out, but if I can't sleep because of a nagging MS problem, I will hit my meds. Being sleep deprived just makes everything worse, so I try everything to keep that from happening. I take as little medication as possible, but if I need it to maintain some kind of quality of life, it is worth it.

When it comes to meds and lifestyle changes, I am forever "tweaking" to get a decent balance. Once I get a system in place, it seems my body decides to change again! Oh well...that's MS ("Messy Stuff") for ya!

Thanks again.

[Kaytee]

Have you had your bilirubin levels checked?
Pruritus is strongly indicative of this - and it can be caused by many things (although liver is usually the first they check on) but it can also be caused by medications.

It might be worth your doctors looking into the cause rather than just treating the symptom?

[Tawanda]

Have you had your bilirubin levels checked?
Pruritus is strongly indicative of this - and it can be caused by many things (although liver is usually the first they check on) but it can also be caused by medications.

It might be worth your doctors looking into the cause rather than just treating the symptom?

Thanks for pointing this out. Not everything that goes wrong with us can be attributed to MS. Itching is a major symptom of kidney disease.

[Diamond57]

In between toes

Hi all!

I have been getting terrible itching in the front of my foot and in between the toew and I am on 1800 miligrams of gabapentin. Somebody told me about soaking my feet in olive oil and I SWEAR!!!!!!!! it has helped. I know it sounds CRAZY but it has helped me. I'm thinking it has alot to do with the humidity. If it's not one thing it's another. I'm doing the best I can.........but man-o- would it ever be nice for just one day.......that's all I ask one day to be symptom FREE!. Life has been good to me and I know for some reason our higher power sprinkled this MS dust over my body maybe for my calling to someday be strength for others. I'm still to new yet. I'm just learning and have quite a ways to go. I know... all of you suffering........ and I mean this YOU are my source of STRENGTH and wish nothing but a simple ......you are all in my sincere thoughts. I know it may sound a little gushy. I mean it.
Susie Q.

[RedRose2]

Itching in ears/forearms and feet

I have constant itching on ears and into the ear canals (almost feels like bugs crawling)...I know it is NOT recommended to put Q--Tips in the ears, but the only thing that alleviates that is some medicated Gold Bond cream on the Q-Tip, and CAREFULLY massaging the ear canals with it. The slightly cooling effect of the cream and massage helps.

As Tawanda suggested, cold therapy also works as well for me to change the sensation of itching - which results in my deep scratching. I use frozen gel pacs, also have wet hand towels and froze them and then wrapped them around my forearms/legs. Careful with the frozen gel pacs, I got freezer burn on some skin once - so the frozen hand towels melted quicker and no freezer burn.....

[golfwidow]

Quoting hunterd's post
"I also have severe itching, it is on my scalp, and it is pretty much constant. I have tried different soaps that had moisturizer built in, and shampoo with moisturizer, and I have even used plain old moisturizing cream that I use to prevent dry skin but nothing seems to help. I had read about this before, but my brain did not want me to remember it. Good luck to everyone." --- hunterd

I too have severe itching on my scalp. Was told I have psoriasis years ago - before MS dx. Nothing has ever stopped the itching -- and I "snow" all over my shoulders ! With that in mind I guess psoriasis is the right dx --- but it drives me crazy !!!
Thanks for the moment!
So sorry for all you itching folks ! It is awful ! Hope you find some relief - -)

[Kimba22]

Quoting hunterd's post
"I also have severe itching, it is on my scalp, and it is pretty much constant. I have tried different soaps that had moisturizer built in, and shampoo with moisturizer, and I have even used plain old moisturizing cream that I use to prevent dry skin but nothing seems to help. I had read about this before, but my brain did not want me to remember it. Good luck to everyone." --- hunterd

I too have severe itching on my scalp. Was told I have psoriasis years ago - before MS dx. Nothing has ever stopped the itching -- and I "snow" all over my shoulders ! With that in mind I guess psoriasis is the right dx --- but it drives me crazy !!!
Thanks for the moment!
So sorry for all you itching folks ! It is awful ! Hope you find some relief - -)

I brought the topic of scalp itching up a long time ago (before I was finally diagnosed with MS) with my hairdresser. She told me to crush up uncoated aspirin (don't remember how many I used), make a paste of it with some water, and mix it with my shampoo. Lo and behold, it worked!

It is also effective for dandruff and for psoriasis. Aspirin has Salicylic acid in it, which helps shed the dead skin.

You should rinse well afterwards.

I found some more information that will be helpful here:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/31...using-aspirin/

Hope this helps!