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Baffling Medical Problem


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Hey guys, I have had this issue for awhile, and went to doctors, primary and dermatologist, but blood tests come back normal, skin looks normal, and believe it or not doctors don't know what it is wrong, and told me to see a neurologist!

 

It all started about 8-9 months ago, when I would feel a very strong and intense cramp in the back of my left leg (calf area) when I woke up in the morning. Not every morning, only sometimes, it would last a few minutes, then go away. Extremely intense pain.

 

So after a few months, that went away, but then my arms started itching really bad, but again only at night when I lie in bed.

 

It wouldn't matter when I went to bed, if I crashed at 9:00 a.m. arms would start getting itchy then, if I went to bed at 2:00 am, my arms would get itchy then.

 

NEVER any rash though, ever. Just super itchy!

 

Then my left foot started becoming itchy too, but once again only at night as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep. During the day or even at night when I was out, it would be fine, no itchies.

 

Happens when I stay at bf's place too.

 

Now my left foot goes completely numb sometimes too!

 

Is it a circulation problem? Dehydration? Although doctors found my sodium/potassium levels normal, and I drink 8-9 glasses of water every day.

 

I am a runner if this makes a difference.

 

Any ideas before I run off to yet another doctor? A neurologist?

 

Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys!

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My first thought reading this post is to maybe contact a specialist on itch. Yes, itch! It is a kind of weird thing and any number of things can cause it. Also, since you said a lot of this happens at night, I'd switch whatever you wash your bedsheets in to something hypoallergenic. I know you said there's no rash, but something to think about. I sometimes wake up with leg cramps too when I do weird things in my sleep as I'm waking up with my legs (stretching them without really being awake).

 

 

 

 

Have you tried taking an antihistamine at night?

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Read up on Charley Horse. Stay away from crash diets and weekend worrier activities. Stay generally well nourished and hydrated and be active regularly.

 

Change your laundry detergent and don't use all the creepy dryer sheets and extra junk they sell that just adds irritants. Don't eat stuff you're allergic to and don't let pets sleep on the bed.

I would feel a very strong and intense cramp in the back of my left leg (calf area) when I woke up in the morning. my arms started itching really bad, but again only at night when I lie in bed.
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That sounds awful, I'm sorry! It sounds like it is nerve-related to me, so seeing a neurologist is a good recommendation. It could be something like a pinched or damaged nerve. Do you feel the pain ever radiating down from your back or buttocks (radicular compression, sciatic pain), or is it specifically confined to your leg? You could look into various stretches for the back that might help. Is the itching symmetrical or unilateral? If unilateral, it could very well be what's known as neuropathic itch, which could stem from a variety of other issues, some more serious than others ( /)

 

What other symptoms have you had, if any? Increased fatigue? headache? trouble sleeping? dizziness? vision problems?

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My first thought reading this post is to maybe contact a specialist on itch. Yes, itch! It is a kind of weird thing and any number of things can cause it. Also, since you said a lot of this happens at night, I'd switch whatever you wash your bedsheets in to something hypoallergenic. I know you said there's no rash, but something to think about. I sometimes wake up with leg cramps too when I do weird things in my sleep as I'm waking up with my legs (stretching them without really being awake).

 

 

 

 

Thanks annie, but what type of doctors specialize in itch?

 

And course now there is numbing too... the left foot.

 

So weird!

 

Other than this, I feel great, awesome, lots of energy!

 

No more cramping, but the itchiness is so annoying, some nights worse than others.

 

Think I might get a humidifier, and will try washing sheets in hypoallergenic.

 

Maybe see an allergist?

 

My doctors have been no help at all unfortunately which is why I hesitate going to yet another one.

 

I have read stories about people seeing up to ten different doctors, spending a ton of money, and none of them could help.

 

I am in my mid-30's, in case anyone curious.

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That sounds awful, I'm sorry! It sounds like it is nerve-related to me, so seeing a neurologist is a good recommendation. It could be something like a pinched or damaged nerve. Do you feel the pain ever radiating down from your back or buttocks, or is it specifically confined to your leg? You could look into various stretches that might help, but if you have a damaged nerve it may just take some time to heal. Hopefully it's nothing more serious than that! What other symptoms have you had, if any? Increased fatigue? headache? trouble sleeping? dizziness? vision problems?

 

Yes! I do feel a sharp pain down my back sometimes, it is very quick, like two seconds!

 

Doctors (both) did mention possible nerve issue too which is why they recommended neurologist.

 

No more cramping though thank God! That was horrible.

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It's just a guess since it's so often misdiagnosed. WebMD says the symptoms can vary and change over time, too.

 

Actually not ruling out anything at this point, so thank you!

 

What is interesting, many years ago, like ten, I felt like I did have restless leg. I did not even need to be diagnosed, I just felt it!

 

But it went away eventually, and now this!

 

Perhaps it IS all related!

 

Guess I better make appointment with neurologist after all..

 

Don't want to mess with my health.

 

Thanks guys!

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Until you see your doctor, I would definitely try some stretching/yoga and see if that helps!

 

Oh I do yoga and pilates three times a week, in addition to running every day.

 

Maybe I will kick the yoga up to every day though.

 

I wonder if on the days I go to yoga class, it helps.

 

I will have to track this to see if it is.

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Read up on Charley Horse. Stay away from crash diets and weekend worrier activities. Stay generally well nourished and hydrated and be active regularly.

 

Change your laundry detergent and don't use all the creepy dryer sheets and extra junk they sell that just adds irritants. Don't eat stuff you're allergic to and don't let pets sleep on the bed.

 

Wiseman, I think you may be right about food allergies.

 

I have noticed just lately, itchies are wose when I eat bread, pastries, pretzels, pasta, even oatmeal which I like to eat most mornings.

 

Although no rash, I am thinking some sort of allergy to anything with gluton?

 

Will see allergist first, bf suggested that too.

 

Will start taking anti-histamine too, just to see if the make a difference.

 

Starting this thread, got me thinking about different things now.

 

Tnx again.

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It helps to gather all the data you can before seeing a doctor. E.g. : What happens if you lie down on something other than a bed (e.g. couch, rug, floor). Same physical reaction? If you relax and fall asleep sitting in a reclining chair, same reaction then? Also try increasing the temperature in your room and decreasing the temperature in your room; see if there's any change. Any different if you keep the room cold and sleep under a few blankets, as opposed to keeping it warm and sleeping with just a sheet? Any difference depending what position you lie down in (on your back, on your front, on your side?)

 

Good luck.

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It helps to gather all the data you can before seeing a doctor. E.g. : What happens if you lie down on something other than a bed (e.g. couch, rug, floor). Same physical reaction? If you relax and fall asleep sitting in a reclining chair, same reaction then? Also try increasing the temperature in your room and decreasing the temperature in your room; see if there's any change. Any different if you keep the room cold and sleep under a few blankets, as opposed to keeping it warm and sleeping with just a sheet? Any difference depending what position you lie down in (on your back, on your front, on your side?)

 

Good luck.

 

Tnx.

 

Yeah, I thought it might be the bed, but experienced same on the couch.

 

I even thought it might be bed bugs or dust mites but I have no bites or rash, and same happens when I stay at bfs.

 

I started drinking wheatgrass juice from Jimbos, which is gluten free, but had not the past few days, and I seemed more itchy!

 

My bf actually bought me a wheat grass juicer for Xmas cause he knows how much I like but can't get to Jimbo's every day.

 

So now I can drink every day, and will see if there is a difference.

 

I am home today and just made some. Two ounces.

 

It's supposed to have lots of health and healing benefits... so will see how it goes.

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Your itching is a symptom of pain. If you are only staying at your BF's place, obviously it's your BF's place. Common reaction to an allergic reaction to Fiberglass insulation.

 

With the numb foot - may need to go up two shoe sizes (I use to run too) - have you gotten fitted at a running store specialist?

 

No I stay at both his and mine.

 

We alternate.

 

He doesn't itch when he stays at mine.

 

No I have never been fitted by running store specialist.

 

Interesting theory!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey guys -- I wanted to give y’all an update since you were kind enough to help me.

 

I went to my doctor, he ran some tests and as it turns out, the itching of my arms at night is caused by an injury (probably doing yoga), more specifically an irritation or compression of the cervical nerves in my neck.

 

Sounds a bit weird, but after my apt I researched it, and it is, in fact, a very real condition which affects many people.

 

It happens only at night because my immune system is strong and is able to fight off the itching during the day, but when nighttime falls and I become still (like when I go to bed), my body temp drops which affects my immune system and am unable to fight it off.

 

He prescribed a cream which helps A LOT.

 

He said this type of injury will heal on its own, so I just have to be patient.

 

I can’t do yoga until it fully heals, which sucks but hell it could have been worse!!

 

In any event, I am happy to know it’s not more serious.

 

Thanks again for your help guys!!

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What about the numb foot?

 

It's all related somehow, the foot that goes numb itches sometimes too.

 

Not that much anymore though, and the itching of my arms doesn't begin till much later than it used to, and isn't as severe, so I think it's starting to heal.

 

But doc said it's all related to the cervical nerve injury. Which makes sense since I do yoga which puts stresses on my neck and back.

 

I know sounds so weird doesn't it?

 

I dunno, but it is getting better so I think there is probably something to it.

 

He did allergy tests, I am NOT allergic to anything.

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Nerve injury can cause numbness and itching ... burning etc. I remember when I almost cut the tip of my thumb off the burning and itching when the nerve was growing back up it was unbearable .

 

I also have a severe chronic nerve pain coming from nerve damage in my brain stem. Nerve damage does some weird stuff .

 

Some nerve damage will heal ,some won't .

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Nerve injury can cause numbness and itching ... burning etc. I remember when I almost cut the tip of my thumb off the burning and itching when the nerve was growing back up it was unbearable .

 

I also have a severe chronic nerve pain coming from nerve damage in my brain stem. Nerve damage does some weird stuff .

 

Some nerve damage will heal ,some won't .

 

OUCH @ cutting off the tip of your thumb!

 

Yeah I have been researching this a lot now, it's really quite fascinating.

 

The nerve injury was to my neck, but the itching was (is) between my elbow and shoulder. NO RASH which is also weird.

 

One would assume when you have itching like that, it's an allergy which would cause hives or a rash.

 

But I guess it's all connected somehow.

 

Frankly not sure why or how the nerves in my neck would also affected my foot, but I'm not questioning it since it's getting better.

 

I have not done yoga for awhile but I STILL run. Same running shoes as always, but the foot numbing/itching is A LOT better!

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