Chronic itching for 2 years now
Posted , 3 users are following.
For the past 2 years now I've been battling an itching problem that I cannot find a correct diagnosis for. Its so bad that I break the skin and bleed, leaving sores all over my body. It seems to be all over my body, in certain spots more than others (elbows, calves, thighs, sides of my torso, neck, biceps, ect). I scratch the same sores and scabs over and over and it's extremely damaging to my skin. It happens mostly at night while I'm sleeping, but also when I'm awake. The problem is that it feels so good to scratch that I don't stop. I feel like it's a psychological problem, but I'm having trouble figuring out why. I've been to my family doctor around 5 times, as well as a dermatologist twice. I've tried taking hydroxyzine, escitalopram, cetrizine, gabapentin, steroid ointments, as well as a cream for scabies and other medications that I can't remember off the top of my head. I've switched all my soaps, detergents, bedding, and anything that contacts my skin. I'm a little anxious, but no more than I've been all my life. From the internet research I've done, I think the closest description of this would be a 'psychogenic itch', which from my understanding has no treatment. This problem is severely ruining my quality of life and prevents me from doing the things I love or socializing at all. I don't know where to go from here, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
0 likes, 5 replies
dmjscott Logix
Posted
same problems as you mate , how did you find pregablin? ive had this for 15 years and mine is mental , its breaking the cycle of thinking its impossible . i would recommend anti depressants they work , summit to do with serotonin uptake .
im back in itchy hell myself
Logix dmjscott
Posted
Pregablin? Do you happen to be overweight or otherwise unhealthy in terms of diet and exercise? I eat like crap all the time and never exercise. I think im going to try changing my diet and exercise to see if that helps, if not, then ill look into antidepressants.
dmjscott Logix
Posted
pregablin = gabapentin
i would address the food issue , im very healthy but still itch but i do feel worse after binging
do you sleep easy with itching ?
Logix dmjscott
Posted
Gabapentin was a last ditch effort from my dermatologist. I have a hard time getting to sleep initially, but seem to sleep ok once im asleep. I drink quite a bit as well, but find it very hard to control my itching at night after drinking.
Tenorbanjo Logix
Posted
Yes, me too . Alcohol contains so much sugar ,I think that's part of my itching problem. But even without the alcohol ,I still itch quite a bit .Especially in bed .