Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I had a really bad flare up one year ago in April. Had been using herbs like ginger root, tumeric, .... to fix my problem.. special diet.. but eventually gave in and went to see a rheumatologist. It has helped.. a lot. Up until last year my herbs were doing great. Then my son had 2 seizures 1 month apart (grand mals - dislocated shoulders, cuts n bruises, bit his tongue, minor concussion) to which I attribute my "flare". Two of the scariest events I've had in a while. My problem is the itching - I've had it for over a year. It comes and goes, mostly just keeps coming. I've tried oils, oinments, creams, vitamins, herbs...you name it , I've probably tried it. No rash- just ants crawling under the skin, burning, tingling, drive you insane - ITCHING. I
do leave marks and blood sometimes. It's mostly my arms. Any ideas ?
do leave marks and blood sometimes. It's mostly my arms. Any ideas ?
this has been going on for several years now on and off - it flares up in rotation with the other manisfestations and such as scleritis, nodules, lung problems, lumps in armpits and brain fog
i also wondered if anyone else had that problem
Have you seen a dermatologist? You say no rash, but I don't completely understand the "leave marks" and "blood sometimes" remarks.
I have a consition that DID manifest initially as a rash, but onlt after a lot of itching, with no visible cause. I subsequently developed a butt-kicking rash on my back, shoulders and upper arms, that was diagnosed clinically as spongiotic dermatitis. Three diferent dermatologists diagnosed the underlying cause as contact dermatitis, drug reaction and (my choice), nummular eczema.
If you've seen no signs of this, yet, then maybe you can disregard this. After many years of dealing with this, by use of a steroid ointment called Clobetasol (type I), I can manage it fairly easily, although I do have to stay on top of it. These days, I will feel an itch, and be pretty certain, I have a "spot," nd if I leave it alone, it will eventualy develop into a flare, and then it becomes a pain in the ass.
I usuallu will either feel an itch or see a small red bump, at which time I db a small bit of clobetasol, and all is good. Or I can wait, and have more coverage that I need to apply. The best way to identify spots that need coverage is to take a very hot shower, which elevates the itching sensation to an extreme.
If you ever see a red bump that coincides with extreme itching, then go see a dermatologist. If not, just ignore my rambling. I mean well.