I am ready to scratch my skin off - any suggestions on what to do

momtoMegan&Alyxandria wrote: Last Friday night I left work (on time not early) with a horrible headache. It did nothing but get worse as the night went on. Then I couldn't stay out of the bathroom. It was almost migraine like, but I have never had one give me the poos before. Sorry TMI. I kept falling asleep on the couch, so finally I just went to bed with mutiple interruptions to the bathroom. On Sat the headache was gone, still several trips to the bathroom throughout the day. Then it started. The ITCHING!!! It is all over and it is driving me crazy . I have been trying to think if I have changed anything, but I can't come up with anything. Same shampoo, same soap, same laundry soap. Nothing has changed. The only thing I could think of, was I started taking a multivitamin, but I stopped that just in case on Sunday. I itch almost everywhere. My arms, legs, stomach, back, chest, butt, neck and the really bad place is my palms. I have 2 places that aren't driving me crazy and they are my face and my feet. I don't have a visible rash anywhere and only a couple bug bites (but not where I am really itching). I have been scratching so much I have caused small bruising (especially on my boobs and belly). The mail man just suggested an oatmeal bath. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am dying here, please help.

lisar replied: Go get an oatmeal bath and if that doesnt work then I say call the dr.

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied: Thanks, I am going to do that when I get home tonight. Another question. I have heard of shingles kinda being the adult form of chicken pox, but I have never seen it. Is there a rash with that? I am gonna go google that now.

holley79 replied: Shingles

My mom has had shingles and I know it had effected her neurologicaly. here is a website I found. Hope it helps.

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
Ok, so if I read that correctly if you have had chickenpox you can't contract shingles, correct? I had chickenpox when I was 5, so if that is true it isn't shingles. I hope it isn't anyway.

jcc64 replied: I didn't read the link about shingles, but dh had it when we were in college. It was pretty awful- and he was sick, really sick, for over a month. Apparently, though the skin rash is itchy, the pain is primarily muscular- underneath where the rash occurs- he described it like an excruciating, unremitting backache. He literally did not get out of bed for a week. He couldn't hold his head up and was very weak. Remember, this was a college aged guy in great physical condition. I don't know if he ever had chix pox or not- I just know it's a related illness.
Hope that's not what you have!

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
Ok, that scared me. I hope that isn't it either, because I am an out of shape 30 something year old. Now, I am considering the after hours client after work.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Did you take any meds for the migraines? I'm thinking you may be allergic. There is a virus going around which is causing diarrhea and vomiting, both my kids and I have/had it. No itchies though. But I have a headache and my body aches all over.

Go to your doctor if the oatmeal bath doesn't help.

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied: All I took was generic tylenol. I haven't taken anthing since Friday night. I am at a loss. Thanks so much for all of your ideas.

edited to include: Yeah, the kids, DH and I all had that the week before. There's 2 weekends in a row I haven't felt well.

Hope you feel better soon.

My2Beauties replied:
I'd actually go to the doctor if I were you, if it's contagious you don't wanna give it to the kiddos. Although sounds weird that there is no rash.

momofone replied: maybe a cortisone cream?

luvmykids replied: I thought it was the other way around, that if you did have chicken pox, you could get shingles? I could be wrong but my grandma has them and she did have chicken pox. Hope you find some relief

Kaitlin'smom replied: if I were itching like that I would take benadyl. My grandma has shingles and she says she had the poxs when she was little, so I am not sure wich way it is.

kit_kats_mom replied: I know this may sound really odd, but if I don't drink enough water, I get really itchy and I'll scratch bruises or even open wounds into myself. It's awful! The skin doesn't look dry but it must be. I use Medicated Gold Bond Ointment when it happens

avory&samsmom replied: Cyndi. GO TO THE CLINIC AFTER WORK! That's a direct order! Doesn't sound good. You may need a cortizone shot to stop the itching. It will also help with muscle and joint pain. I'm concerned though. Sounds like more than the flu.

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
Yes mom. Thanks for the insight and your help. I do believe I will going tonight for sure. If nothing else to make sure the kids can't get anything.

Have I mentioned I hate doctors. Not them as people, just having to go. I avoid it at all possible. I inherrited that trait from my dads side of the family. That and stubbornness.

avory&samsmom replied: Alright then i'm only pushing cause I love ya. At least for your own comfort, and not giving anything to the babies.

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
I know and it is appreciated.