An itch I can't scratch

I was hoping you folks could clear something up for me. I am sinking into a flare (that's a whole 'nutha thread topic), and instead of pain, my nerves are itchy. Head to toe, but more concentrated on my sacrum area and my lower legs. It's that bone itch that is impossible to scratch.

Can you please answer the following:

1) what is this?

2) is there a way to combat this symptom? I'm so desperate that I am about to take a sleeping pill and sleep all day so I don't have to experience this. I have taken 2 lyrica and its not helping. I am going to try a super hot bath and see if that helps 'calm' it down.

3) Im curious: is this what people usually describe as bugs under the skin, or is that different?

I have had it before but with an isolated location (ie one ankle). I can't stand it! I just keep rubbing my skin in the area which makes it go away, but comes back a few seconds after I stop. I am SO uncomfortable.

Try an ice pack. I've found that when I get the bad itches an ice pack helps me more than heat.

Lynx, that's what my mom suggested too. Antihistamines also calm CNS ( hence the sleep) and I am pretty sure this is nerve related. I woke up in a panic because I was in much more pain than I was yesterday. It shocked me (I haven't had this kind of pain in a few weeks, Fibro is apparently like giving birth, it's possible to forget, lol) and two hours later I had the itchiness.

I took yet another lyrica while waiting for the water heater to finish so I had ultra warm water and the itch is finally dissipating a bit. Well, at least enough that I can carry on without whining. If it comes back, I am definitely doing a benedryl.

So are you all nixing the hot bath idea? Too many decisions! Lol

The soles of my feet--especially my 'worst' foot, my right one, can be incredibly itchy. It feels so goooood to scratch it, but I've learned that's not a good thing to do, as I later almost always develop spasms/cramping in it after scratching it.

I'm guessing it's the nerve(s) in there that are wacky. Now I just wash my feet well when I bathe and go over the soles gently, trying not to irritate it much. Otherwise, I try to leave it alone.

Fibro--could anything be more odd??!

I'm sorry you are dealing with another flare. I, like Luvs, find that if I scratch an itch, it itches more. It feels so good when scratching but usually seconds later it's itching again. I have scratched my skin to the point of breaking capillaries!

The idea of an antihistimine is good but make sure it doesn't interact with other medications. We do have to be careful about that. A quick call to your pharmacy can give you the answer to that question.

Try relaxation techniques like Lamaze breathing and do keep moving. I know because you hurt, you don't want to move but moving does help....just simple things like walking and gentle stretching does help loosen those tight muscles.

Feel better.

Sherrine

Yes, itchy, sometimes a hot soak helps. I cannot use any fragrances in my soaps, alleviating them tends to keep it at bay, but even so it sometimes flares. All I can do is just wait it out, and sooner or later it leaves.