Comments on: Brachioradial Pruritis: Scratching Makes the Itching Worse

By: howard fyvie

howard fyvie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:27:48 +0000

my arms have itched before, but I never thought much of it, besides scratching it till it was pink.

Last night, at a praise and worship evening with Jesus Culture, my arms suddenly started itching again. I thought it was the sweat and heat of the church I was in.After not being able to sleep, I jumped online to find out about BRP.

To those who are itching, rest assured, it’s been interesting to see how the blogs and forums have developed over the years, narrowing the beast down more and more, until finally there is a pin-pointed remedy. Until then, pray for it in Jesus’ name. He lead me online. He’ll lead you to your remedy too.

Im 22 years old. Fit and active, from South Africa.

By: Vickie Saaylor

Vickie Saaylor — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:25:23 +0000

Hi Janice,

I guess I did not make my self clear. It is all a little over whelming and a little hard to repeat what he say. He did tell me that it does involve the Brac. nerve and that the nerve runs into your forearms and shoulders and pinching of the nerve causes the itch and causes the your body to release to much histamines. And also causes the redness and burning sensation…that we have experienced. You memtioned posting this on another blog–I don’t know any other site. I hope this answered your questions..

Vickie

By: Janice

Janice — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:11:45 +0000

Hi Vicki-Glad that the antihistamines are working for you. But I have to question the Dr.’s explnation that when one has BRP the antihistamines’ are “dumped into the bloodstrream” – wouldn’t one itch all over ones body then? Why just the arms? Did he give an explanation forthis? Just curious, because i still tend to think it is related to pressure on the Brachioradial nerve. Keep usposted on your progress- andcould you post the addy for the other blog?

By: Vickie Saaylor

Vickie Saaylor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:03:24 +0000

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to tell everyone that I was diagnosed with BRP on my last visit to the Derm. And it is a nerve condition. Your body releases histamines in low level, but the Dr. told me that is not slowly release when you have BRP that is dump into your blood stream which causes the nerves to go haywire and cause the unbearable itching. I can honestly say that my itching has been gone seen I have been on the medicine. I have been taking 1 singulair once a day and 2 periactin twice aday and 2 Claritin a day.. It is a lot of medicine but it works..And I just wanted tell everyone that the rash that I had is from scratching is what the Dr. said. There is BRP and also notalgia paresthetica which is the same thing as BRP except it is year around.. We dont know if mine is gone from the summer months or if is the medication. The Dr. does not want me to go off the medicine just incase it is notalgia paresthetica. I know that I have suffered 10 years+ and I am so thankful that I found this Derm. He has done a biopsy , lots of blood work.. And has be
talking to a specialist at UVA. I do believe that my prayers have finally been answered.
If anyone has any question you can contact me by e-mail at saylor540@comcast.net Sun screen is a must and cover your arm at all times when you are outside.. I wish everyone good luck.. Hello Janice

Vickie

By: mary jane cunneen

mary jane cunneen — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:06:29 +0000

I just found this website by accident and I can’t believe all the people with this itchiness. I thought I was the one who invented the ice remedy.ha ha. Waking up in the middle of the night and racing to my freezer to calm the itch was maddening. And I have been a practicing RN for 45 years. My left forearm started this itch back in the 80’s and I can’t tell you how many MD’s I have been to. You can imagine the amount of creams and “no help” medications I acumulated. More often than not doctors blew me off. My itchiness now involves both forearms and an allergist I recently saw finally made me realize that I am not crazy. Cervical X rays revealed severe degenerative disc disease and I will be having an MRI soon. Thank you all so much for sharing – wish I had known about your comments sooner. The allergist put me on zantac twice a day – not for stomach issues – but to be an effective histamine blocker. Also an antihistamine once a day and both drugs have helped. But like many of you have said – I’d like not to take meds every day. Thanks again – I feel like I have an understanding group I can turn to.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:46:19 +0000

Wow. I haven’t been on here since Christmas. I have another BRP blog that I’m a part of too and I get emailes when new posts are put up for that one so I check it more.
Vicki, so glad you are better. Yours sounded like a differnt thing than BRP since you had a rash. What are mass cells?
Janet, I quit the Gabapentin. It just wasn’t working but I must say, I never got to the 300 twice a day. I did take 300 at night though and still had it.
The general theory on my other blog is that this is a nerve thing (we all know that pretty much) and flares up due to inflammation. I’ve been taking a supplement recommended by someone else that has, among other things, Milk Thistle in it. Milk Thistle helps with inflammation. Something that has been very successful for another lady is Serrapeptase. Imight try that next year or later this year if it doesn’t go away soon). Mine is getting better now. Whether it’s due to the Milk Thistle supplement or, the end of the season, I don’t know. I’ll know if I’m really better when I try to sleep on my side for the entire night. I haven’t tried that in forever because I have PTSD about waking up with my arms on fire I used to have the itching flare up after my showers and that hasn’t happened in a couple of weeks so I’m hoping to be through this.
Brooke, I don’t think you need the Doxepin. I think you need to find a new Dr. I simply went to my GP and asked for Gabapentin. It’s a pretty commonly prescribed drug so there shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Also, you might try the two other things I mentioned above.
Janice, do let us know how the inversion table works.
We are getting two feet of snow here in Northern Virginia this weekend so I have time to sit at my computer. I’ll check back soon. Good luck everyone.

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:47:41 +0000

I have posted on here a few times before. Brooke- I took was on Doxepin yes it worked but like Sarah said its an Anti-depressant. I took cried at the Dr office. I was now put on Gabapentin, been on it now 3months and I have to say, it works. I take 300 mg one in the morning and one at night. I have had great nights sleeping (no waking up) and I’m able to enjoy going out in public without scratching my arms, I have buried my Ice pack I use to carry around. I was told by the Dr. though to ween myself off of it and I told him I can’t to scared the pain will come back. I don’t know how long this will work but for now I am happy. Good Luck.

By: Janice

Janice — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:43:33 +0000

After years ofpondering its benefits, I have finally decided to spring for the Teeter hang-ups inversion table. I remember using inversion boots back in the 1980’s, but cant recall if i felt any benefits back then (I was young,fit,and had no back issues). My nagging fear is that, eventually,the Gabapentin may no longer be effective,so I am hoping that by stretching my spine, I can prevent this, or at least delay it.
Don’tknow if it’s all hype, or wether it may really help,but I will let you know after I’ve used it for awhile.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:47:48 +0000

Thanks- will do. I’ve been managing my neck/muscle spasms now when I get the itchiness and it’s made a HUGE difference. If I can get the muscles to stop spasm-ing and calm down then the itchiness goes away… amazing!

By: Janice

Janice — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:23:28 +0000

Sarah- Let us know if your neurologist is familiar with BRP, and what treatment he/she suggests. Good luck!