Burning Skin

I don't think going to the ER is going to help.  They'll maybe give you something topical to try to treat the burning, but if it is a neuralgia -- a nerve-related pain -- that isn't going to do much. And then they'll refer you to your neuro. It's not like..if you walk into the ER, you'll be instantly transported to some special clinic where they'll run all sorts of tests. What WILL likely happen is you'll wait a long time, be "seen" by an intern, "triaged" -- meaning, moved to the bottom of the line because you're not there for what ER's are designed to do...treat people who have real emergencies...

meaning, you're breathing, you're not bleeding, you're conscious, you're aware and awake, you're not having an anaphalatic episode, or an asthma attack, or at risk of dying any time soon....

and then you'll wait some more.  Then you'll be told to see your doctor in the morning, and handed a bill (or one will be sent to your insurance company) that will be huge, and you'll still have the pain.

Neuralgia -- nerve pain -- can happen with MS. But..and I think I've said this before, maybe to you -- it can happen with LOTS of different disorders.  A rheumatologist might be a good next step...did I suggest that to you before?

Sorry to hear about your burning skin. I also have the same problem with my skin, it has been plaguing me for several weeks now but mostly on the right side of my stomach where I am also experiencing what seems to be the 'MS hug". I am however undiagnosed at this point ( and who knows if I ever will be) but this itching and burning AND squeezing is driving me insane.When I went for my initial visit to my PCP she prescribed Neurontin and it does help. Lately, I also have a hot feeling on the left side of my back, just above my waist.

One odd thing about my skin in this area is a slight rash which looks to me like a shingles-type of rash. I did some reading about shingles and I don't believe that is what I have but these little itchy dots on that side of my stomach seem to be something to do with my nerve endings in the same way as shingles.

I am so puzzled with my health in the last couple of years.

Hey Jenny and Calicorose!!

Good to see u both!! I"m in limbo as u both are and deal with some of the same things. I'm sorry, no answers, just wanted to let u know i see u'r posts and am thinking of u both. I think Uppity's suggestion of nerve pain is a good place to look Jenny. If MS has completely been ruled out, then things that look like ms but aren't are where u'r answers will lie. In looking at nerve pain/peripheral neuropathy u will see that most of u'r symptoms can be explained there. Of course, this is not a bottom line suggestion...as u'll see in the link i'll provide...there is usually a cause, a trigger if u will. Some can be autoimmune, others include physical injury (trauma) to a nerve, tumors, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, alcoholism, and vascular and metabolic disorders. So there are MANY causes to nerve probs...as i've found out too. If u haven't already been dx'd with this, then maybe look good at it and see if it answers anything for u. Just a suggestion to maybe help u get to the bottom of this.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

 I have what you describe on my ears. Most afternoons around 4pm one begins burning. really really hot. turns bright red and it feels as tho it is burning on the insde, not extrenal. very odd. once tha begins to slow, the other ear picks up. it usually takes about an hour for it to stop.

Thanks everyone for the replies.  This is a very annoying feeling.  Its been here almost everyday now for 2 months or so.  There is no redness, the skin is not hot to touch, it just feels like razor burn at random areas.  I have noticed that it happens when I bend my neck, and as soon as I straighten it back, it stops.  I have heard of Lhermittes sign, its characteristic of MS, but I wonder if the bulging disk in my neck would cause this.  I know one thing for sure, the bulging disk sure causes neck and shoulder spasms, and triggers a migraine.  My c-spine MRI says no cord impingement though, can they really tell by a MRI if the problem is coming from the disk bulge.  All the docs that I have beenn to say that disk bulges don't cause problems, well, my husband has three in his lower back and he is sure in pain when he does certain things at work.  Thanks!!

Hi Jenny,

 

    L'hermittes sign is definately a charactistic of MS, but it can also be caused from buldging discs if they are buldging enough to hit the nerve.  DH has buldging disc in his thorasic and lumbar region which does cause a lot of pain to him aside from the MS, even though they are not touching the spinal cord itself.  I am wondering though, if flexing the neck in your case might change the postition of the buldge in your neck and causing the problems?   The MRI is taken when the neck is straight, not bent forward and might be worth asking your doctor about. 

 

Kimber