Have you ever tried Hydroxyzine for the itching?? One a day before bed worked tremendously for me. It made me a bit drowsy which is why I took it before bed.

Yes, I was given that at one point. I have tried a few different antihistamines, lotions, switching soaps, etc. Nothing has helped. And it seems different than the usual itch. It is really frustrating and maddening.

It sounds very maddening. I know how an itch feels that's "coming from the inside". It's like no matter how much you scratch it, it doesn't matter, the scratching doesn't help. It can bring a person to tears! I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope that you find relief for this soon. It's really hard to concentrate on anything else when you're dealing with a crazy, out of control itch!!

I am sorry - I hate the itching! I have not had an episode in a while, but ice packs help me. Sometimes I am covered in them. My last rheumy told me I would get the itchies from MCTD, so I doubt it is anxiety.

I am about as anxious as I can be right now due to work, and I am not itching.

Feel better soon!

Gabrielle

So funny to hear you talk about this I get the itches .Always on my head drives me insane feels like i have bugs or something comes and goes I believe it is the MCTD never had this until I was first diagnosed I have not found a thing that works however I have found using fragrance free shampoo makes it less intense good luck!!! Michelle

Severe itching can be associated with a buildup of liver enzymes. Are you on any meds that can affect your liver? . I'm no sure about the back side only thing though...that's a little odd.

I hope you get it figured out quickly.

I hear ya! I am back in the Itchies hell too. I don't know what triggered it but last night was HELL. I took enough benedryl to murder several adults but it didn't even make a dent. For me, it is always on the arms.
I think I am having a bit of a flare due to the fact that I have been pulled off of my Igg infusions. I got meningitis from them and my immunologist won't even discuss with me what another alternative might be. Anyway, I wanted to share with you all one thing that seems to be helping me.
A dear friend mine has a small business where she and her business partner sell soaps and balms, etc. They follow the recipes of the times around Roman empire and reconstruct them chemically based on historical research. It is very interesting stuff. In any case, when my itching was so bad about a year ago they made up a concoction of oil for my skin. have to tell you, it works better than cortisone cream. I know they use coconut oil and olive oil. If anyone is interested I will post a link to their online store.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Saw the doc again today for the two week follow up. He wants me to go have a skin test done for allergies. He thinks it is either a chemical or food since it is so unrelenting. I go Friday for that. Had my liver and other enzymes checked a month or so ago and that all came back fine. He also gave me some blood work to get done just to make sure it isn't some crazy blood thing going on. I'll let you know what I find out.
-Kate

I get the itchies, too! My doctor told me to try zantac for it, which seems to help a bit. Seems weird to take zantac but I guess it's some type of medicinal tier thing. My husband had a pretty bad allergic reaction to something recently and was going CRAZY with the itching. Since I never get any sympathy from him, I had to chuckle since he was experiencing something that we have to deal with frequently. Of course he said there's "no way you itch this badly", which is just fine by me, I just like the idea that he had to go through it - how horrible is that? Anyway, I haven't had as many instances of itching, but I think that winter being over has helped. Good luck & hang in there!
Shannon