Hypersensitive skin and painful to touch

[zibius 1]

Hi, well for the last 2 month I have been stuck with a painful hypersensitive skin. If I scratch it hurts, wearing clothes hurt, it's from head to toe and there is no rash.

My MD did a bunch of blood test and they are all normal. I have consulted 3 more doctors and they do not agree on the cause.

I had a kind of burn out 3 years ago and I have been on cipralex. 

I did have a very stressful last few months.

So far, I'm looking at maybe a symptom of anxiety, allergic reaction to medication or food.

i'm just curious to know if a stress or anxiety symptom can last that long

Anybody as any ideas ?

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. zibius. Oh yes, anxiety is a great skin worrier. It's not generally recognised but the epidermis, the skin, is the biggest organ in the body. It warns us of danger by touch, it  heats us up when cold and cools us when hot. It's also covered with nerve endings because that's how it functions. Now that's fine when we are well, but can play havoc when in an anxiety state. Everyone reacts to anxiety differently. We all have what is called a 'weak organ'. That's to say that some will get stomach problems, another dashing to the loo, another headaches and so on. Rarely do we get the lot. If you look under the '100 Symptoms of Anxiety' under GAD you will find the skin problems there.

"i'm just curious to know if a stress or anxiety symptom can last that long".

Yes, it can. It lasts as long as you do nothing about it. I know you can medicate it away but meds will never cure anxiety. They give you a breathing space. The root of all anxiety is fear.

"I have consulted 3 more doctors and they do not agree on the cause".

Because doctors are trained to look for physical symptoms, and are out of their depth when it comes to psychological issues. It's only in recent years that agoraphobia has been recognised as an illness, and some doctors still don't agree that it exists. You will be fine if you allow it to happen without reacting to it and go on looking for causes outside anxiety. Continual doubt and apprehension creates more fear and more anxiety.                    Jon.

[Gilly 1086]

Hi, well for the last 2 month I have been stuck with a painful hypersensitive skin. If I scratch it hurts, wearing clothes hurt, it's from head to toe and there is no rash.

My MD did a bunch of blood test and they are all normal. I have consulted 3 more doctors and they do not agree on the cause.

I had a kind of burn out 3 years ago and I have been on cipralex. 

I did have a very stressful last few months.

So far, I'm looking at maybe a symptom of anxiety, allergic reaction to medication or food.

i'm just curious to know if a stress or anxiety symptom can last that long

Anybody as any ideas ?

Hi zibius, sorry to hear you have this too. It's not nice at all, but I can assure you it really can be caused by anxiety. I had it, and a very high period of stress triggered it. The nervous system becomes very hypersensitive, and as Jon says the skin is the biggest organ and it's full of nerves, their signals and response to stimuli become hypersensitive. 

Now I know it is very difficult to try and ignore, but it will get better with time, accepting it is anxiety and not worrying or stressing something else is wrong is the first step to it getting better, the more you stress, the more you worry, the more you doubt, the more you add to the problem. Break that cycle and it will soon start to get better, but you need to be patient too, which is so hard to do. is there anything that eases the discomfort? I couldn't wear any tight clothing, so I didn't. I found a warm bath helped ease it for a little while, so I had lots of baths to get some relief. Smoothing aloe vera gel on my skin helped for a short time too. Find what gives you a little relief then do it as often as you need to help you through until it starts to get better, and it will

[zibius 1]

Well, it shows how you guys don't know anything. I probably have an undiscovered disease that only I have. It cant be just stress/anxiety.

Joke aside, you guys gave me the bit of info I needed to keep working on my mental state. I'm just amazed at how long symptoms can last.

I see a lot of problem caused by a panic attack, but what about lingering symptoms. They are tough to get rid off.

I will try to work on the root cause of my stress and try to stop it from getting me sick.

p.s. This website as the best community of people.

 

 

[Mark G 1187]

Symptoms go on for as long as you react to them with fear and anticipation.  Once you remove the fear, you remove the fuel supply and the mind along with the symptoms start to recover.  Sensitized nerves take time to recover, it's the same principle as when you trap a nerve, recovery is slow going but it always recovers in the end.  You're on the right track   

[Gilly 1086]

Well, it shows how you guys don't know anything. I probably have an undiscovered disease that only I have. It cant be just stress/anxiety.

Joke aside, you guys gave me the bit of info I needed to keep working on my mental state. I'm just amazed at how long symptoms can last.

I see a lot of problem caused by a panic attack, but what about lingering symptoms. They are tough to get rid off.

I will try to work on the root cause of my stress and try to stop it from getting me sick.

p.s. This website as the best community of people.

 

 

 IKR! One time I had a new disease, the only person in the world whose blood was turning into acid...

How long symptoms last and what symptoms you suffer varies from person to person. Life events and stress levels play a major role. I like to see it like this, when the anxiety goes physical, it's like a dam breaks, water floods out (symptoms) How long it takes for the water to recede depends on how big the flood is, and how much rain falls (added and prolonged stress) to keep topping the flood up. For me it rains often  But I have a good stock of sandbags and a good irrigation system (CBT and here) 

I know it sounds like I'm talking in riddles, but the analogy works well for me. Manage the symptoms, manage life stress, and you manage the anxiety, and with time and practice the symptoms get better, and eventually pass. Of course how soon that can be depends on the person and the circumstances. 

Thank you for the kind words about the site, I'm glad  you find it helpful  That is our goal!

[zibius 1]

I really like the analogy and what Make G said about fueling our fear fueling our symptoms. Looking back at the last few weeks i should have seen this coming. Could not sleep, jaw pain, irritable, stomach problems. Everybody around were just stupid.

I need to get smarter about this. Will try to find something to read about managing life little stresses. Thank you all.

 

[Torontogirl 73]

Hi, it is me again. I feel that over the summer I responded to my prickly leg skin with relative calm. I was quite accepting of it, but am sorry to say I still have it. This has caused me to get a bit panicky about it, once again. I know that Gilly and Jon realize what I have gone through. Wearing jeans still drives me crazy and now I feel my legs even burn a bit, which never happened before. Help!!!!!

Gilly, how have you been feeling lately?

happy and healthy New a year everyone!

[jonathan123 2368]

Thanks Tgirl. And a good New Year to you. You have had this for some time I know. I forget if you had a checkup; did you? In any case it surely is the old problem.            "This has caused me to get a bit panicky about it, once again".  Ah, you see!! Panic/symptoms/panic/fear. Now you know the drill. Acceptance. These things often return if we get a bit uptight over something. It's your 'weak organ'. I may have explained this before. The skin is an organ. In fact it's the biggest organ in the body. It cools us in heat by regulating the amount of perspiration we need. It close the pores to preserve heat when cold. Some sufferers have stomach problems, others headaches and so on. Rarely do we get them all. Yours is your skin. If you are slightly stressed your skin will play up, and the answer lies in the old remedy, Acceptance. But, of course, if you can remove whatever the stress is so much the better. You have been here before and you know it will pass. Anyway, good to hear from you again.       Jon.

[zibius 1]

I'm just really amazed at how long any given symptoms can last. What i'm starting to understand is that our body can take alot of stress but if we ignore the softer warnings (problem sleeping, can't eat) we will usually get something worst.

I'm still learning to watch out for signs but like Jonathan123 said, removing the stress is my ultimate goal.

[Torontogirl 73]

Hi Jon, yes I've had this an awfully long time. I have experienced it on three separate occasions and when I have it I feel it all the time unless I'm in bed or exercising. The last bout I had was certainly brought on by a long bout of stress. The first time, by a cold. In the past it went away after several weeks, but this time it's hanging on.

As for a check up, I've been around the block with doctors, neurologists, extensive blood work, MRI's, nerve tests, bone scans, and on and on. All tests come back normal. I kind of feel the doctor merry go round might be over.

Also, I think what is beginning to happen is that I don't trust these symptoms and I'm afraid they will get so bad that I won't be able to handle it.. Scary. I was calm and accepting for awhile but it didn't work. ?

Thanks!

 

Edited January 14, 2016 by Torontogirl
Added more

[Torontogirl 73]

Sorry, but I feel weak right now and would love to hear from someone who had this sort of thing go on for a long time and actually recovered. Thank you!

[Mark G 1187]

I have it on and off.  I had pricking on my legs and ear today but i do not attach fear to it, i let it do what it wants whilst i do what i want.  I will no longer take part in anxieties games although, at times, it does rise up and give me a clout.  It does happen, anxiety is not something that can be spirited away because you hate it, it responds to your reaction to it.  Take stock and think about how you are feeling at the moment, how your mind is working, what emotions you are feeling etc.  Anxiety will react and respond to how you are feeling.  If you are feeling pent up, nervous, anxious, fed up and frustrated, anxiety will react by sensitizing your nerves, release adrenalin into your blood stream, it will tilt your way of thinking into negative territory, it will make you hyper aware of your bodily sensations, then tell you that everything you are feeling must be coming from an illness.  You will recover when you start to accept and not care about what anxiety is telling you.  It feeds you lies and nonsense.  It sits on your shoulder and drips poison and if you listen to it and react, it wins.  You say that you were calm and accepting but it didn't work?, then you were not calm and accepting, not really, not in the sense that you would like to be.  The calm and accepting you want is where you can sit reading a book, perfectly relaxed, whilst your legs tingle away to themselves, thats when you start to make progress.  This does take a lot of practice and a lot of time.  Don't sit there and think 'when am i going to get better?''how longs this going to take?' or 'i feel relaxed but nothings happening' All of these thoughts are born from anticipation, anxieties favourite emotion.  I have Tinnitus, pretty bad tinnitus in my right ear.  When i first got it i thought the world was over, how on earth could i continue living with this noise going on in my ear.  I fought against it, tried everything to make it go away.  I agonised, i got angry, frustrated that i could not control it until i suddenly just thought 'stop'.. i stopped trying to control it and i stopped worrying about it.  The sound is still there but my reaction to it is different.  I not longer care.  I can go through most of the day without even hearing it because i'm not tuning into it anymore, i've habituated.  Yeah, sometimes i think "god you're loud today" when it's spiking but then let it go.  Your reaction to anxiety works in much the same way.  If you take away your gaze at the symptom, the symptom fades out.  Loose the fear and anxiety responds.  Practice

Edited January 14, 2016 by Mark G

[Torontogirl 73]

Mark thank you for your kind words. I guess I get quite worried because at times the prickly stuff is painful and then I panic thinking what if one day I just can't stand it anymore, but I know this is fear talking. I will take what you have said to heart. 

I am happy you have it all somewhat under control.

[Mark G 1187]

Oh no, i don't control it, that would ensure me being in a terrible state still. I accept it, i let it do what it pleases.  No control there.  

[LouAnne 5]

so having the same symptoms for over a year everyday/night is possible? I've tried hard to except them & go with them but another one will start on top of all of the others.. It's so draining. Symptom, fear, adrenalin... And the cycle goes on & on!! ?

[Mark G 1187]

It goes on and on until that cycle is broken.  Acceptance is the way to break that cycle.  Don't despair or get frustrated, it's a slow road to recovery.  Yes, symptoms will go on for as long as you fear said symptoms, be it a 5 weeks or 5 years.  

[Gilly 1086]

Hi, it is me again. I feel that over the summer I responded to my prickly leg skin with relative calm. I was quite accepting of it, but am sorry to say I still have it. This has caused me to get a bit panicky about it, once again. I know that Gilly and Jon realize what I have gone through. Wearing jeans still drives me crazy and now I feel my legs even burn a bit, which never happened before. Help!!!!!

Gilly, how have you been feeling lately?

happy and healthy New a year everyone!

Tgirl, I'm so sorry I hadn't seen this. I was doing great but had a bit of a setback. Life was not too kind the past couple months, a lot of stress and things I had to deal with. It triggered my anxiety pretty badly. My anxiety is starting to settle again now, but guess what? My legs have been tingling and buzzing and burning all week!! You can't make this stuff up! I guess it just shows I'm still a bit on the hyper sensitive side. Even though I have had a lot of improvement, and I've had bumps along the way, I hadn't had the tingling legs come back like this, until now >.< 

I refuse to let it freak me out!  Always remember what a crafty beast the ol' anxiety can be! But we got this, it won't win!

[Torontogirl 73]

Mark, Gilly and Jon thank you for your posts. You are all so kind. It is nice to know I am not alone in all this. 

Gilly, like you said you can't make this stuff up. I hope you are back to your old self soon!