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What can you tell me about itching and MS

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    What can you tell me about itching and MS

    So something new has started as of yesterday.

    Itching. Itching. Itching.

    In particular the back of my neck, shoulders and base of my scalp. It's been more than 20 hours and nothing seems to alleviate it.

    I have eliminated allergens, excema, prickly heat or heat rash as there is no sign of "typical" sensations or visible signs like red bumps or scaley skin.

    I scanned other threads about it but my experience seems different from others as my skin feels hot, and the itch is more of a burn rather than the sensation of "insects crawling all over my skin".

    Any thoughts??

    #2
    Itching related to MS is Neuropathic itch and due to demyelination of nerves. This article gives an explanation of Neuropathic itch.
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/itchi...erosis-2440786
    Diagnosed 1984
    “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

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      #3
      What I can tell you about MS and itching? It might possibly not resolve! I've experienced an itchy scalp, chin, neck and itching around the nostrils for the past year. It is the worst at night, when my head over-heats from the pillow. I had to cut my nails short because I was scratching raw spots on my scalp during my sleep.

      I had experienced this itching once before, but it only lasted for a few weeks the first time. Following an exacerbation in 11/2017, the itching has been pretty much non-stop since then. My neurologist offered Cymbalta...….but I'll live with the itching rather than take more medicine. Ask your neurologist....I thought I was losing my mind, but my neurologist had heard of this symptom before. Good luck!!

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        #4
        I had the oddest phantom itching at one point. It was around my neck but no matter where I scratched I couldn't get to it. When I scratched it just hurt - so bizzaare. okay how do you spell bizaare! Anyway it was way deep under my skin but I couldn't get to it. It was so relieving when it went away. I think my case was just that weird parasthesia.
        I hope it goes away soon!

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          #5
          I developed crazy intense itchy several years back. I couldn't figure out what was causing it so I saw my PCP and neurologist. After a full work up, I was found to have polycythemia due to a gene defect. There are many medical causes for itching and it may not be neurological. Diabetes, hematological disorders, kidney disease, allergies, dermatological issues, are just a few of the causes. You should see your PCP, if it continues. I hope you get some relief soon.

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            #6
            Are you on a DMD? I'm currently on Tecfidera and know that when the flushing occurs, I also get that hot/burn/itchiness that can't be alleviated by scratching. Mine is mainly on my hand/wrist/fingers which is a good and bad thing since it's such an easy place to scratch!

            As the others have said, it can be a symptom of MS as well.

            I would talk to your neuro. I hope you can find some relief!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by hsmaldo View Post
              Are you on a DMD?
              I'm still in Limbo so no meds yet.

              Mine is heat and endless itch from my lower scalp through my neck and out to my shoulders. Using a soft ice pack provides some temporary relieve but it comes back right away. And scratching does nothing.

              Comment


                #8
                itch itch itch

                Originally posted by LibraAngel74 View Post
                So something new has started as of yesterday.

                Itching. Itching. Itching.

                In particular the back of my neck, shoulders and base of my scalp. It's been more than 20 hours and nothing seems to alleviate it.

                I have eliminated allergens, excema, prickly heat or heat rash as there is no sign of "typical" sensations or visible signs like red bumps or scaley skin.

                I scanned other threads about it but my experience seems different from others as my skin feels hot, and the itch is more of a burn rather than the sensation of "insects crawling all over my skin".

                Any thoughts??
                I have written on my itching before. it feels like, bugs crawling,burning, hot skin...
                like scratching it will help but it doesn't, it makes it worse for me. I actually have it today from head to toe. lotions and oils give no relief. although something with lidocaine or apercream can help. Everything itches head face inside my nose,arms, arm pits all the way to my feet. My neurologist says its not related but i see some of your neurologists say it is. I wish they would get on the same page and do some more research. If we can look it up and ask other MS patients so can they.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by couponlady View Post
                  I have written on my itching before. it feels like, bugs crawling,burning, hot skin...
                  like scratching it will help but it doesn't, it makes it worse for me. I actually have it today from head to toe. lotions and oils give no relief. although something with lidocaine or apercream can help. Everything itches head face inside my nose,arms, arm pits all the way to my feet. My neurologist says its not related but i see some of your neurologists say it is. I wish they would get on the same page and do some more research. If we can look it up and ask other MS patients so can they.
                  Sorry, but your neuro is sadly, and I do mean sadly, mistaken. The article Snoopy posted was so good that I want to link it again below if no one minds. Yes, MS can cause itching, as can MS meds, or reactions to MS meds. Treating MS by using a more effective DMT may help. Or, switching DMTs might help, also.

                  What cannot possibly help is a clueless treating doctor ignoring legitimate possibilities of the source of itching in someone with MS.

                  https://www.verywellhealth.com/itchiness-in-ms-2440786

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I experienced this once and posted about it here. It finally went away on its own. I assume it was MS related. Neither my PCP nor my MS Specialist believed that it was.

                    https://www.msworld.org/forum/showth...ighlight=scalp
                    ~ Faith
                    MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                    (now a Mimibug)

                    Symptoms began in JAN02
                    - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                    - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
                    .

                    - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                    - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      itching

                      I too would speak to your neuro. Actually one of the first symptoms I had was this crazy prickly heat and intense itch. I guess neuritis would be a possible term for it? My doc put me on Neurontin, suggested selenium supplement. Also, Sarno is good topical and I always use dye/fragrance-free clothes detergent. Aveeno body washes and soap, lotion, coconut butter, Aquaphor, etc are very good. instead of powder I also use cornstarch. I hope this helps!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        This is an interesting thread. I have no helpful advice, sorry! I've been having a weird itching sensation too, for me on the palm of one of my hands. It woke me in the middle of the night. It was intense and there were no visible signs of anything on my hand. Eventually, I was able to sleep with a gel ice pack on my hand. Since then, I've had intermittent itching on my hand, which I am mostly able to ignore.

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