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Itching, exhaustion Newbie to all of this

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Posted 8/23/2012 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hello
I am so overwhelmed! I was just diagnosed the beginning of this month, the soonest that I could get into see a Rhumatologist is October 2nd. My doctor even tried calling around to get me into a different doctor sooner and couldn't. I am ready to rip my skin off, I am now taking benedryl or a sleeping aid. This itching is driving me bonkers, it happens usually at night and is all over, so creams and lotions won't help. My hands have been going numb as well, and the worst is feeling lethargic with exhaustion. The only prescription that I have been given is vitamin D, I was told that my D has been depleted and I am extremely low. ANy help would be greatly appreciated! ;)
Posted 8/23/2012 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you are feeling so uncomfortable. Sometimes it takes a while to see a rheumy and that can be such a miserable time. Could you ask the Dr who diagnosed you if s/he can give you prednisone or something to bring down the inflammation? (My guess is that the itching is coming from nerve inflammation, that might also explain the numb hand.) In the meantime, try ibuprofen before bed.

How did s/he diagnose you? Generally diagnosis is done by a rheumy as they are the experts in separating one auto-immune disease from another - there are several with overlapping conditions - a gp or internist is just not very well-versed in the auto-immune diseases.

Best wishes,
Posted 8/23/2012 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I've been having problems with my hands and I went to the doctors. Because of my strong family history of heart disease I thought there was a problem with circulation and possibly my heart not working properly. My doctor diagnosed me w/reynauds and then called the family cardiovascular surgeon who told her to run more tests. When I saw him he said that when has a patient with symptoms of Reynauds he runs more tests to rule out autoimmune diseases. We believe my mom had Lupus she had all the symptoms but, was never diagnosed. Anyways, I tested positive for ANA and had a homogenious pattern, inflammation in my blood work not to mention other problems with my blood work ;( My doctor wants me to get in with a rhemy asap but, all of the doctors around here are booked until the end of the year.
Thank you for your input ;)
Posted 8/23/2012 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I get the itchy feelings when I've had too much UV exposure. Try putting broadspectrum sunscreen on you when outside or under fluorescent lighting.
I've also found that ice packs seem to numb the reaction but need to be careful with the reynauds, too. Hydrocortisone cream helps me too.
Posted 8/23/2012 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
My husband went through a season in his life with extreme itching, (he does not have lupus) and the doctor put him on atarax and it really worked. When I have too much pain medication I start to itch and I used his atarax and it worked well for me too. You are supposed to take it at night because it can make you drowsy.

Best wishes for you. I was diagnosed late in May with Lupus and one symptom I have that is driving me nuts is extreme head sweating. Only my head and not the rest of my body.

Twinks
Posted 8/24/2012 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
It is frustrating walking around with sweat in your eyes and hair soaking wet, Twinks.
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