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twhite — the one thing that will make me itch to high heaven is chlorinated pools. And I do think that the drying effect of it on the skin makes a lot of difference. I had a heckuva time with itching in Alaska, but reasoned that the climate is so dry there that it was to be expected. My face was the worst. Now I’m wondering if the combination of dry skin, dry climate, and drying agents in water could hasten itching along?
I made a New Year’s resolution this year to start using a good moisturizer all over my person, because I’m very lax about that (and I dislike the feeling of something "coating" my skin). Thus far, I keep my bargain with myself about 50 percent of the time.
twhite and SharieS- the very first symptom I had with my GD was the itching, and I had it for a long time. I had a really bad problem with this, and I’ll never forget how awful this was!
It’s not eczema, but a hive-like syndrome which is caused by all the extra thyroid hormone your thyroid’s pumping out into your body, making your circulation go faster (which is why washing with hot water is a no-no, it’ll only pump up your circulation, whch will only worsen the itching).
Aveeno Bath was one of the few things that helped. It also comes in a soap and lotion form. Ivory soap has a lot of alkali in it, and will only dry you out and make you itchier. Baking soda in your bathwater (1/2 cup to your tub) may help you, too. Glycerin soaps (like Neutrogena) are good, too. Your skin is very fragile now, so you need to be very careful with it. The most benign and scentless the soap, the better. You need to keep the moisture in your skin, but get something that your skin will absorb. Baby lotion may help. Try to stay away from lotions with a lot of mineral oil in them, as mineral oil tends to suck the nutrients out of your skin. Glycerin soaps (like Neutrogena) are good, too. Your skin is very fragile now, so you need to be very careful with it. The most benign, calming, and scentless the soaps and lotions, the better.This sounds impossible to do
” title=”Confused” /> but try not to scratch AT ALL, except to bathe (and even then, washing very gently, no washcloths). This may take the discipline of a superhero (or not), but it can be done. In all seriousness, it’s probably the only reason I have any skin on my legs today. Scratching drives up the histamine level in your skin, and if you do enough of it, it can lead to watery blistering – – that’s what happened to me, and it was horrendous.Some other things that might help: try using cool compresses if your skin’s emitting a lot of heat. I recall that my legs always felt hot, too, and that helped. Some other things I have tried: witch hazel (not alcohol – that will only dry it out and make it crack). Some people like zinc powder (like Gold Bond), and – – don’t laugh! Desitin. Okay, go ahead and laugh
that’s what mamas use for baby’s diaper rash. But for all intents and purposes, that’s what this is pretty damn close to!Try not drinking the soda. It has a carload of sodium in it and Lord knows how much iodine. aspartame IMO is evil stuff. Water’s much, much better
” title=”Smile” /> Also, the fact that the dr. put you on Tapazole (methimezole) doesn’t help matters, either (it has some notable side effects, and s/he should monitor you carefully while you’re on that), but you’re taking that to in order to suppress your thyroid gland. Did s/he give you a beta blocker (like propranolol)? If not, you may wish to ask them about one, i.e., if your pulse is still racing.That helps to keep your heart rate under control, which is important to keep your heart and circulatory system from getting damaged. This indirectly may also help with the itching. Good luck and feel better soon…
honeybee
” title=”Smile” />It is soooo nice to have others who know what I am going through and to share their experiences with me, this may sound silly but I get a warm feeling in my heart when I read your replies, to say thank you seems inadequate. Hopefully I can encourage and comfort others with the encouragement and comfort I have received from you all some day! Even my family and friends don’t seem to understand what I am going through and I sometimes feel alone, but this web site has been a huge blessing! Thank You All.
Well in response to some of your statements, I think I am on a beta blocker, metoprolol tartrate and I have to say this past week I had two evenings that I felt worse than I have ever had with GD. I missed having dinner at a normal time and since I can’t take my meds without food, it makes me sick to my stomach, I didn’t eat and take my meds till 8pm or so. I never had a panic attack but driving home on from work on Thurs. that is the way I felt! And today I had something to eat and took my meds at 6:45am and had to come home early from Church because I felt funny, a bit light headed, some people said I didn’t look good, one close friend said "I looked like dead warmed over" and that is how I felt. I slept a bit and had lunch a feel a little better. But I never expected to feel worse when I started taking the meds.
I spoke with another Dr. (radiologist) and he suggested that I just take RAI and be done with it??? He also suggested I get an opinion from another specialist. I don’t know what to do?……
As for my skin, it doesn’t look dry, except my face. The only time my skin my look red at all is when I scratch. I think you would have to tie my hands behind my back to prevent me from scratching??!! When I am at home and are itchy I try to put cream on instead of scratching, it is not easy though! And I love a hot shower it seems so soothing for the hot water to hit my itchy skin, but I guess I need to stop that…….I just bought some unscented, hopy-allergenic cream for sensitive skin, but it does have mineral oil in it. I guess will try something else.
My skin doesn’t feel hot at all, I usually do like it cool, say in my house, I don’t think that is the GD just me…I will also check the hardness of my well water.
Thanks Again,
Tim” title=”Confused” />
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