Has anyone experienced intense itching without a rash?
This started about 3 weeks after I started Plaquenil. (I was already on Minocycline and then added Biaxin and a few weeks after that, started Plaquenil).
The intense, severe itching would happen about every 7 days. I would take Benadryl and it would go away for another week.
After a couple of weeks of this, it started happening at shorter intervals. Then I stopped taking the meds altogether and haven't had it since.
I was getting really good results on this combo, so hated to stop it but the intensity of the itching scared me (besides being almost impossible to endure).
(LLMD thought it might be a herx, or maybe yeast or possibly liver, although my liver enzymes have been ok).
Since I never had a rash, shortness of breath or numb/tingly lips, I guess it wasn't an allergic reaction.
Anyone else ever have this problem?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would suspect yeast, myself. [though the possibility of an allergic reaction is scary!!]
Plaquenil suppresses the immune system somewhat and that, coupled with taking long term abx, can spell Y-E-A-S-T.
How's your diet and intake of probiotics?? Do you take Nystatin regularly??
My own suspicion is yeast. I do take probiotics (the refrigerated kind) usually 6 a day.
When I'm on abx, I am very careful about refined sugars but admittedly do indulge in some other carbs that I probably should avoid (like potatoes and rice). I rarely eat bread and have had to give up most fruit, which I love.
I have read your posts and have taken heed!
I am now taking Diflucan during this period off abx.
Thanks again for the input -- I really appreciate all the info everyone is willing to share on this board.
Posted by lymex5&counting (Member # 7202) on :
Does your head itch too?
Or do you feel a crawling or stinging sensation?
Have you noticed black specks or fibers?
You do live in CA, a real hot spot for Morgellons.
quote:Originally posted by lymex5&counting: Does your head itch too?
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Mine itches when I have yeast.
Yes, squeegee....Forget the potatoes and rice. Potatoes turn to sugar more easily than bread!!
Posted by lymex5&counting (Member # 7202) on :
Now mine is itching from reading this
I know it's all in my head Posted by Squeegee (Member # 7219) on :
lymex5&counting -- mostly it was my legs and arms that itched -- a little on my torso and head.
It wasn't like a crawling or stinging and I didn't see any black specks or fibers. It was just such intense itching that I wanted to scratch my skin right off. I felt like a crazy person (and I'm sure I looked like one!)
The only skin things I get are periodic pink spots that appear suddenly on my arms (not EM rashes).
They are dime to silver dollar size and turn a brownish red by the next day and are completely gone in a few days. They don't itch or hurt.
Also, I get what look like bruises but aren't as they've been there for around 9 months without changing appearance. A couple of them on my lower legs have lumps under them.
Lymtoo -- yeah, I know the taters and rice are bad guys and I'll try harder to stay away from them. (We all have our "vices', though).
Thanks so much for the replies -- everyone's experience helps in trying to sort these things out.
Posted by Carol B (Member # 9110) on :
Yeah I get the itches-worst came Easter
Morning , first row at church, inner left thigh/knee, scratch scratch scratch, tried so hard to ignore it, sure it was the devil come to get me in church!
Finally gave in, and scratched scratched scratched-hoping the fact I was in the front row with my back to everyone no one would notice .
Subsided by the end of the service, now when I get the itchies I just give in immediately -no rashes-all duely noted on my Symptom Chart-interested to see what LLMD says at my next appointment.
Better in Balto, Carol
Posted by Ms. Myoclonus (Member # 6750) on :
"Scientists have identified four types of itch based on the anatomic location of the cause. The first type, called puritoceptive itch, is caused by inflammation, dryness or other damage to the skin and generally associated with a mosquito bite.
A second type, called neuropathic itch, involves injury to the peripheral nerves that carry itch signals from the skin to the spinal cord and brain; and occurs in diseases like multiple sclerosis.
A third type is called neurogenic itch meaning that the itch signal originates in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) but does not involve injury or damage to the peripheral nerves. This type is often associated with disorders of body systems as in liver disease.
The last, psychogenic itch, is associated with psychologic conditions, for example, if someone was delusional or having a hallucination."
Who knew you could itch in so many ways!
Take care, Ms. Myo
Posted by Squeegee (Member # 7219) on :
Carol B -- hey, good to know I'm not alone! Please do let me know what your LLMD thinks about it.
Ms. Myoclonus -- thanks for the info and the websites. I'll check them out tomorrow. You're right -- who knew itching could be so complicated!
Thanks for all the input. It has really helped me feel less freaked out about it.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
Wanted to pass along hubby's recent suggestion when you start itching, pack a small bottle of RUBBING ALCOHOL in your purse and some cotton balls.
When you start itching, get it out & put on good especially in the corners! Helped me immediately, and my shoulder went back to its normal color in a short while.
Posted by Carol B (Member # 9110) on :
Squeegee(sp)-short term memory, can't remember new spellings for a nano second-anyway-next appointment is may 17th.
Ms Myo (sp)-where do migratory itchies fall into these four categories ?- like one day left knee, next day right knee, then shoulder,then arm, the back , then lower leg-you get the drift-ha ha I made a pun-drift/ migratory get it?
Oh well-I need to feel clever once in a while because I can feel so stupid the rest of the time.
Getting better in Balto, Carol
Posted by Squeegee (Member # 7219) on :
bettyg -- great tip! Thank your hubby for me. Sure beats wasting the day sleeping off Benadryl!
Carol B -- looking forward to your LLMD's explanation. Spelling tip: I just copy and paste people's names from their posts onto my replies -- helps with that short term memory issue Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Squeegee: Spelling tip: I just copy and paste people's names from their posts onto my replies -- helps with that short term memory issue [/QB]
How come I never thought of that??! I always shorten the long names...but you have a good idea there!
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I always shorten the long names...but you have a good idea there!