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My 91 y/o mother has had neuropathy in her legs for 2 decades and has been to many neurologists over the years; it is NOT diabetic neuropathy, and nothing helps. She was taking lots of Gabapentin but developed vertigo, so the neurologist weaned her off of most of it (and sleeping pills as well) Now suddenly, 7 months later, she's developed an 'itch' under her breasts which is not showing up as a rash; it's not red or irritated, no broken skin, etc. I went to Kohl's and brought over $300 worth of larger bras for her to try on, since I thought the one she was wearing was too tight. Not the case. She describes it as somewhat of an itch but more like a pain. It's now 'spread' to her armpits and inner thighs, and I feel certain it will be 'covering her entire body' in no time. I bought her some Lanacane spray which the doctor said was 'genius', but now she's read the label & insists it will 'kill her' if used more than 2x per day. The doctor feels this is 'neuropathic' in nature, and a sensation being caused by the body's nerve endings. The doc said to use camphor cream, which I did buy for her but she refuses to use due to the odor. She's also not sleeping well and has a few nights a week where she says she's 'awake all night' causing exhaustion at all times.  She suffers from progressive dementia as well, but no other health conditions. She takes very few medicines; 300 mg Gabapentin a day, 1 blood pressure pill and Wellbutrin for depression. She's totally anxiety ridden 24/7 *and has been for her entire life* and I really feel that Xanax would help her in MANY areas of her life. But, since she's fallen over 2 dozen times since going into Assisted Living, tranquilizers are not recommended. Sigh.
Any ideas? Could this 'itch' be dementia related? Fibromyaligia? I'm seriously at wit's end right now, because the doctor is telling her to occupy herself and to stop dwelling on this situation, but that's the LAST thing she's going to do!
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Has she been evaluated for shingles!?
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She has seen the doctor several times about this "rash".....there is nothing to see on her skin. Wouldn't shingles produce a real rash? This has been going on for months.
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I don't know if this might be helpful, but I had the experience of persistent itching in the same places. Only thing that helped was a steroid cream. When I moved to the high desert of California, the whole thing just stopped. Stopped. Those places on the body are moist - the high desert is VERY dry. I'm wondering if it might have been some kind of fungus thing.
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Google “notalgia paresthetica”.

This is a neuropathic condition that I suffer with. It is basically as your mothers doctor explained regarding messed up nerve endings - although this condition is well known to effect the back shoulder blade area - I have never heard of it effecting anywhere else. Still, I suppose it’s possible especially since her doctor mentioned it in it’s general cause.

I can tell you the itch is so intense it can make you feel like you want to peel your skin off. The need to scratch becomes all consuming- yet no amount of scratching is satisfactory. I actual have a metal serving fork dedicated to my scratching needs. I’m surprised I’ve never drawn blood. The area also can become very tender and sensitive feeling.

The only relief I’ve ever had in the way of treatment is a lidocaine cream - and even that is very limited.

But do look it up - it will help you understand more fully what the doctor was referring to.
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