itching? - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

msdrea83 · 05-31-2004, 05:25 PM

has anybody had like excesive itching where they have rsd? i was just wondering if it was the rsd causing me to itch or if it was something else.... thanks!
~andrea~

sharon1030 · 05-31-2004, 06:12 PM

Hi Andrea,

I did have a lot of itching on my left leg years ago when this was relatively new. Not so much any more, but I do put a lot of lotion on my leg before I dry off right out of the shower and that seems to have helped. You might want to try that. I've read that many places that the best time to put lotion on is right before you dry off. I do remember other people here talking about itching too so I don't think you're alone.

Good luck with your appointment this week. Let us know how it goes.

Sharon

msdrea83 · 05-31-2004, 07:28 PM

thanks, i'll try using more lotion, and more on a regular basis. and suggestion on what kind to use?

sharon1030 · 05-31-2004, 08:22 PM

I use lotions from Bath & Body Works because they are thick and work well for me. Cetaphil is one that is good and you can get it at pretty much any grocery and drug store around here. I don't know about where you live. My dad's dermatologist recommended that one. Hope something works.

Sharon

csirke · 06-01-2004, 07:11 AM

Hello,
i just came across your post about itching. let me say, this is a big subject in our family tree. i can tell you some other causes, besides the mess of symptoms from RSD:
itching, especially generalized (non-specific area) itching, can be caused by many things, including--
liver function problems, metabolic disorders, too much medications, not enough of others, dry skin (ha ha we know this already), asthma (itching can be a predictor of an asthma episode coming on).
itching can also mean you are allergic to something--whether it was that one mosquito or chigger bite you got last week, or some food, clothing, soap, fragrance, etc.
sometimes itching can even mean cell action--like healing.

good luck on the itch quest...
my dermatologist RX'd an antidepressant for mine. i just take 1 to 5 pills (in the evening, usually) when the itching is too much. i do not take the pills on a regular basis, only as needed. there is also a cream you can get from your derm doc that contains this same antidepressant in it. you rub it on the itchies, the itch goes away, but the side effect is that if you use too much cream you get really sleepy. so you have to be careful about that. anyway, it does work!
the caution is to find out why you have the itchies, and then get something to help you. in my case it is a combination of things, but with good medical sleuthing, my docs and i were able to discover the cause and i have RXs in the closet now to help me get relief.
i hope this helps, and that you can find some answers and some potions for fixing the itching!
-Csirke