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...

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Weird itch/pin prick pain.

LynnRivers
LynnRivers
Over the last couple of months I have developed a weird sensation that moves around my body. It was so subtle af first I wasn't even sure that I was actually experiencing it. I thought maybe it was all in my head. But its become worse and now I'm sure its actually there.

It starts out like a slight itch then progresses to a burning itch that narrows to a tiny point and then it feels like I got poked with a pin... hard!. This can happen anywhere on my body and not necesarily every day but it has happened more that once a day on occasion. It hurts enough to make me jump, then that I scratch then rub the spot and change postion to try to make it stop. It can last for 10 - 30 seconds and is starting to worry me. Am I just loosing my marbles?

Has anyone else experienced similar weird nerve issues? Started Enbrel in July and my tests are all back down to "healthy" ranges so my disease is not flared up. Side effect from the Enbrel maybe? Had C-spine xrays in June and no issues there.
JillyT
JillyT
I experience something similar all over my body, sometimes here, sometimes there and not all the time. I finally was able to connect it to allergens. I am allergic to a number of foods and meds and sometimes I don't pay attention to what I eat. Within 30 minutes after eating a bowl of ice cream I'll start having hot itchy pin pricks all over; taking a benadryl or two stops it pretty quickly. I don't know if the reason is the same for you but you might want to journal for a couple of weeks listing what food, drink, animals, activities you go thru and you may find a common link. Good luck, hugs jilly
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had that exact reaction to Plaquenil. The only thing taht helped me was a high dose of benedryl. I would mention it to your doc.

Chris
LynnRivers
LynnRivers
Thanks guys,
Allergy... Hmmm. I hadn't considered that. I have hayfever (sneezing/wheezing) type allergies but don't usually get hives and the other kinds of allergic reactions. And I was on Plaquenil for a long time unfortunately the symptoms didn't start until after I was off of it. I think a journal would be a good idea becuase I have yet to find any pattern by casual observation.

I was going to mention it the last time I was in to my Rhuemy but he rushed me in and out in 10 mins again and we had other issues (liver) more pressing to discuss. I think I'll make an apointment with my GP and maybe he'll have more time to talk.

I hope its not an allergy to Enbrel (only thing I'm on right now). I just got back on it and its working... it would really suck to have to try something else already!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes it's maddening! Mine tends to focus on my feet. I thought I was going nuts too. I'd feel a tingling sensation on my back and shoulder like someone was touching it, then pricks. My left side felt wet-like my pants were damp (I kept checking & only after 10 times did I finally convince myself it wasn't wet lol). I'm not on any medication but celebrex (samples only because United Health Care sucks & denied it) but I had these pin prick and itching problems before that. I just had my first rheum appointment, forgot to tell her that. Waited 3 months to get in and still more tests & tests. Sometimes I use a fork on the itch it's so bad. It must be RA related. But like others say-I take benedryl & it seems to help... So confusing!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Aha! Yes! I have that too. For me it is pinprick type itch with rash on my arms and chest and upper back. It itches like crazy, is distracting and makes me want to claw at my skin. It is awful. I've tried creams, gels, etc. It comes and goes but when it's here it can stay for months. The only type of med that I think it could be related to would be Mobic, Lexapro or Vicodin. I hesitate to say Vicodin because it has been active when I'm not taking it. Could be allergies (hayfever) I suppose.
Sorry to hear that there are others with similar complaints. I know how awful this is. Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I also had the same reaction while on Plaquenil. At first I thought there were mosquitos in my home, then It became stronger and I realized I was having a sort of alergic reaction.

Per my doctor's recomendation, I stopped taking Plaquenil and the symptoms lingered for a while. My doctor said that Plaquenil takes about 6 months to leave your system. I think that it took about 2-3 months to go away.

How long ago did you stopped taking Plaquenil?

This could also be secondary sjogrens.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hello,

I am new here. Just dx with RA on Wed. I saw this though and had to read what you guys wrote. I also have itching and pin pricks. This is how it works for me. I get weird itching like deep under my skin on my fingers and toes--ONLY. Then about 2 days of weird intense itching I will get a very bad burning pinprick feeling exactly where the itching was. This will last about 36 hours and then it will just quit. What is left in that exact itchy, burning, stinging spot is a brand new nodule. Every time I get a nodule it is the same exact process. Good luck to all of you and I hope your weekend is pain free as possible.