An uncomfortable question.

[kariann330]

So i know this isn't directly transgender related but just wait and you will see why im asking this here.

About 5 months ago i started HRT, spiro and estradiol. Well due to getting laid off and having our car break down i ended up going off hrt after 3 months....just when all of the fun changes started lol.

Well around that time i started experiencing totally random itches, thing is unlike a normal itch these are very targeted to small areas, about the size of a 50 cent piece and they go from annoying to painful fast...like getting poked with needles painful. They are mostly isolated to my arms and legs but occasionally effect chest and stomach too. My arms are the only effected area i don't shave.so it isn't razor irritation and i haven't changed soaps or lotions at all.

So here is where it really starts to suck, i can go all day itch free but the second i get in bed, wham im getting the painful itches, or i can go all day like this but once i hit the bed, it all stops.

I originally thought it was dehydration, but i was and still do drink about a half gallon a day of water, then i thought it was one of my meds, but with the randomness it couldn't be an allergic reaction or it would be constant, like.i said haven't changed body wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent...anything but the itching continues randomly.

There aren't any changes to my skin either, no redness or anything....well unless i just scratched cuz of my nails.

So im done trying to figure it out by myself,.does anyone have any ideas? If your thinking weather i live in Ohio and am used to the weather changing as fast as my moods do lol.

Thanks in advance.
Kari.

[JLT1]

Yea – I have that as well – on my back.  It happens when I change clothes, either taking them off or putting them on.  It's like, I take off my shirt and get into bed and "ohhh – gotta scratch" and if I'm not quick enough, then it feels almost like a combination of a sting and a stab.  However, it has been happening to me for a couple years (way before HRT) and really isn't that frequent now.  Lotion on the area helps a little.  I have no idea what is going on. 

[Nero]

How hot do you take your showers? Have you had your thyroid checked?

[Jamie D]

So i know this isn't directly transgender related but just wait and you will see why im asking this here.

About 5 months ago i started HRT, spiro and estradiol. Well due to getting laid off and having our car break down i ended up going off hrt after 3 months....just when all of the fun changes started lol.

Well around that time i started experiencing totally random itches, thing is unlike a normal itch these are very targeted to small areas, about the size of a 50 cent piece and they go from annoying to painful fast...like getting poked with needles painful. They are mostly isolated to my arms and legs but occasionally effect chest and stomach too. My arms are the only effected area i don't shave.so it isn't razor irritation and i haven't changed soaps or lotions at all.

So here is where it really starts to suck, i can go all day itch free but the second i get in bed, wham im getting the painful itches, or i can go all day like this but once i hit the bed, it all stops.

I originally thought it was dehydration, but i was and still do drink about a half gallon a day of water, then i thought it was one of my meds, but with the randomness it couldn't be an allergic reaction or it would be constant, like.i said haven't changed body wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent...anything but the itching continues randomly.

There aren't any changes to my skin either, no redness or anything....well unless i just scratched cuz of my nails.

So im done trying to figure it out by myself,.does anyone have any ideas? If your thinking weather i live in Ohio and am used to the weather changing as fast as my moods do lol.

Thanks in advance.
Kari.

Try some hydrocortisone cream on the target areas.  If it only happens when you get into bed, I would suggest you launder your sheets in hot water and bleach, and bug bomb your bedroom.

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

Have you already ruled out possible piercing and sucking insects ie,  bed bugs, fleas, mosquitoes ?

Bed bugs are making a big come back especially in the US...

Metta Zenda

[ParadigmCrime]

My first three months on estrofem, I itched like CRAZY.  It eventually went away (totally gone after 6months).  I have no explination.

[JoanneB]

Spiro is a diuretic. The best indicator for if you are properly hydrated is urine color. Basically if it's yellowish, you are dehydrated according to the color charts hanging in front of urinals in the steel mills I've been to. (don't ask! lol)

Laundry detergent can also be a cause. Any changes there? Or switch to one of those sensitive skin varieties to rule that out. Also drier sheets and their chemicals can be an allergen

Anti-androgens will also effect how oily your skin is. Arms and legs can and do dry out.

During the winter months my lower legs can get itchy between the drier air and a very sedate work enviroment causing poor circulation down there. Your feet are amazing blood pumps! Summer isn't much better with the A/C constantly blasting at 68 F (I wear thermals all year long to work!)

[kariann330]

Well bugs aren't really an option....when i go manic i get ocd and deep clean my apartment daily and would have noticed them then. Dehydration from meds would be really hard cuz im not on any (partially why i have been manic for almost 3 months now) and as i said i haven't changed anything cuz i freak about the others working like my Tide.....to the person who suggested bleach.....i have black and teal sheets so that's not an option but thank you so much for trying to help.
So now that i have ruled everything out can yall see why im so confused about this lol. If the only option i have is going to a doctor in case it's something like shingles, odd since there is no rash or anything where the itch happened, I guess ill have to suck it up, do some odd jobs for family members so i can make some money, and go see a professional

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

Could it be psychosomatic ie brought on by stress ?

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/730033_2

Metta Zenda

[kariann330]

Kia Ora,

Could it be psychosomatic ie brought on by stress ?

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/730033_2

Metta Zenda

Not really, with the mix of bipolar and psychosis stress usually results in either panic attacks or if prolonged a depressive swing in my moods....but a friend did suggest one thing that im heavily leaning toward....

Ohio has hard water, abnormally hard water compared to most places....my old condo had a water softener and my apartment that i moved into about 5 months ago because of a lack of money doesn't have a softer....so im really thinking its the hard water making me itch so much....must get water softener!!!! Lol