Formication/Bugs Crawling on Skin Options

[mccarthynj]

I learned a new word to describe my problem from Dearest and it is formication. It's that constant itching or bugs crawling on your skin caused depletion of estrogen. Does anyone have any recommendations? I don't think a soy bar is going to cut it.

[MaryO]

Actually Revival soy shakes did it for me. I had terrible formication, random itching all over my body. It drove me nuts day and night. There are tons of posts on this topic, some of them with my own terrible experiences, in the topic called Itching/Hives down in the Other Menopause Issues area.

[MaryBeth]

Thank you Mary - Was just looking for where to read about this, I'll see ya in th Hives arena! -Mary Beth

[Kona]

I have been experiencing 'FORMICATION' (bugs under the skin) for about 3 months. It comes in waves and has just about pushed me over the edge. I have just started a homeopathic remedy given to me by my Nathurapath. It is Lachesis. It has worked amazingly after only 4 day. I am a very, very happy lady!

[sonig]

I have been experiencing 'FORMICATION' (bugs under the skin) for about 3 months. It comes in waves and has just about pushed me over the edge. I have just started a homeopathic remedy given to me by my Nathurapath. It is Lachesis. It has worked amazingly after only 4 day. I am a very, very happy lady!

Hello kona, I'm having the same thing as you. Some moments worse than other coming as you say in waves. Is this Lachesis still working on you? Let me know please, i live in Sydney, will i find that remedy here also? Thanks. (i want to be happy too!!!)

[Kona]

[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=2]

Hello kona, I'm having the same thing as you. Some moments worse than other coming as you say in waves. Is this Lachesis still working on you? Let me know please, i live in Sydney, will i find that remedy here also? Thanks. (i want to be happy too!!!)

[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=3]YES, IT IS STILL WORKING. I HAD TO RE-DOSE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK WITH A NATURAPATH TO GET THE RIGHT DOSE, AS IT WILL COME IN DIFFERENT POTENCIES. ALSO, I TAKE A MAINTAINANCE DOSE OF PHYTO-B, A NATURAL ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT. I WAS TAKING THAT BEFORE THE FORMICATION SYMPTOMS, THOUGH.
TAKE HEART, I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE DAY OF 'CREEPY CRAWLY' SINCE I LAST WROTE.
AH, THE JOYS OF MENOPAUSE...

[Kona]

Hello kona, I'm having the same thing as you. Some moments worse than other coming as you say in waves. Is this Lachesis still working on you? Let me know please, i live in Sydney, will i find that remedy here also? Thanks. (i want to be happy too!!!)

[font=Comic Sans Ms]
'sonig', please let me know how you are doing? Kona

[themom]

hello all, after reading some of the post on this sight i had to become part of this. i have been sure that i have some kind of bugs and that i have some kind of illness that is deadly. after reading some of the postings. i am sure now i am not crazy i am just changing. i have a question though i have a rash that burns, and is itchy on my chest and back it also feels like it has bugs crawling on the skin. i dont have lice or anything else. what do you do for this?? i am so uncomfortible i dont know what to do with my self.

[Spalady]

Hi theMOM,

I have been dealing with this for 4 weeks and feel like I am losing my mind!

I have the same thing but mine is under my breasts to about 2 inches below my bra line. It started out on one side then spread th the next, but now I sm starting to feel itchy all over my body but no rash anywhere else.

On top of that I get a hive appearing randomly every so often in that same area. Which makes it even worse!!!

Not sure if the itchy, crawling skin feeling is causing this too but I feel COLD alot......

Anyhow you are not alone but I too feel like I am at my WITS END.

I have had missed periods off and on for about a year and a half now and my age is 49. Not on any hormones at the moment.

I don't know if my obsessing about the itching or thinking sometting is going to start itching is causing my nerves to skyrocket causing me to feel cold, or even creating the itching but its such a vicious circle..... that I can hardly stand it.

I even went to the doctor whoi prescribed an anti-fungal cream but it seems to come back at the least amount of stress I feel, just when it appears to clear up.

Talk about depressing.......

[doodle]

Started to experience what it seems like formication a few days ago. It feels like ants crawling all over my body : arms, legs, back and neck. I am not sure whether it is formication or tingling/numbness. Anyone knows how to differentiate ? Sorry for the stupid question.

What can be done to relieve the symptom ?

[Kona]

Hi theMOM,

I have been dealing with this for 4 weeks and feel like I am losing my mind!

I have the same thing but mine is under my breasts to about 2 inches below my bra line. It started out on one side then spread th the next, but now I sm starting to feel itchy all over my body but no rash anywhere else.

On top of that I get a hive appearing randomly every so often in that same area. Which makes it even worse!!!

Not sure if the itchy, crawling skin feeling is causing this too but I feel COLD alot......

Anyhow you are not alone but I too feel like I am at my WITS END.

I have had missed periods off and on for about a year and a half now and my age is 49. Not on any hormones at the moment.

I don't know if my obsessing about the itching or thinking sometting is going to start itching is causing my nerves to skyrocket causing me to feel cold, or even creating the itching but its such a vicious circle..... that I can hardly stand it.

I even went to the doctor whoi prescribed an anti-fungal cream but it seems to come back at the least amount of stress I feel, just when it appears to clear up.

Talk about depressing.......

[Kona]

My understanding is that the word 'formication' is used by doctors to imply an imaginary itching. My dermatologist told me not to use the word because it has a negative connotation...and she believed I was experiencing the 'rolling creepy-crawlies' that I described to her. She was not, however able to help me at all.
When I, in tears, asked my Naturapath if she had heard of the symptoms I described,she responded brightly with an "Oh, sure." My next question was...and can you help me? "Absolutely, here you go!"
She said that it is something that occassionally is experienced during menopause. She gave me Lichesis 200c (I think) to be taken twice a day. I took it and within 4 days I was symptom free.
My symptoms were felt all over my body, like a wave of something under my skin. I sware, I thought I was loosing my mind. As well, living in the tropics I thought my house was infested. I had the exterminator out, everything I could think of.
My symptoms went on for about 4 months, constantly but in waves every few minutes.
This was over a year ago. I had to re-dose, as I said in an earlier email, once this summer.
For me, have the sense that it is wholly hormonal. And what isn't at this time of my life.
Just for reference, I have been about 9 months without a period. I've been peri-menopausal for about 7 years. I have been having amazing hot flashes and night sweats for about 5 years. What I have just started for the sweats is Black Cohash. It seems too be helping, too.
Oh, and I wish I had known about this website when I was out there loosing my mind!!!

[Kim0822]

Hi theMOM,

I have been dealing with this for 4 weeks and feel like I am losing my mind!

I have the same thing but mine is under my breasts to about 2 inches below my bra line. It started out on one side then spread th the next, but now I sm starting to feel itchy all over my body but no rash anywhere else.

On top of that I get a hive appearing randomly every so often in that same area. Which makes it even worse!!!

Not sure if the itchy, crawling skin feeling is causing this too but I feel COLD alot......

Anyhow you are not alone but I too feel like I am at my WITS END.

I have had missed periods off and on for about a year and a half now and my age is 49. Not on any hormones at the moment.

I don't know if my obsessing about the itching or thinking sometting is going to start itching is causing my nerves to skyrocket causing me to feel cold, or even creating the itching but its such a vicious circle..... that I can hardly stand it.

I even went to the doctor whoi prescribed an anti-fungal cream but it seems to come back at the least amount of stress I feel, just when it appears to clear up.

Talk about depressing.......

Hi Everyone - I've been battling this for many months (I'm 47) and am using Effexor (75mg) - my gyneocologist said the itches/tingles might be associated with hot flashes and the Effexor (even though it is an antidepressant/anti anxiety med) helps reduce hot flashes. I've been on it for 6 weeks and it definitely helps. I still have some relapses so will be trying the homeopath mentioned in this thread to see if I can get rid of all of it. One thing I noticed is that I feel cold most of the time when I get the itch/tingles as well. I started realizing that it sort of felt like when you first start getting a cold/flu so started taking my temp every time I itched. Sure enough I run a temp of about 99.2 when this happens. I take a couple of Tylenol to help break the temp and that seems to help as well. Also, I've started walking to "run off" some of this anxiety that comes with the tingles. It helps a bit. Does anyone know if low grade fevers are associated with hot flashes or peri/menopause in general? Kona - how long did you take the Lachesis and what was your dosage?

[DeeAnn]

Hi Everyone - I've been battling this for many months (I'm 47) and am using Effexor (75mg) - my gyneocologist said the itches/tingles might be associated with hot flashes and the Effexor (even though it is an antidepressant/anti anxiety med) helps reduce hot flashes. I've been on it for 6 weeks and it definitely helps. I still have some relapses so will be trying the homeopath mentioned in this thread to see if I can get rid of all of it. One thing I noticed is that I feel cold most of the time when I get the itch/tingles as well. I started realizing that it sort of felt like when you first start getting a cold/flu so started taking my temp every time I itched. Sure enough I run a temp of about 99.2 when this happens. I take a couple of Tylenol to help break the temp and that seems to help as well. Also, I've started walking to "run off" some of this anxiety that comes with the tingles. It helps a bit. Does anyone know if low grade fevers are associated with hot flashes or peri/menopause in general? Kona - how long did you take the Lachesis and what was your dosage?

I am still new to this site and don't know exactly how it works but I will reply to this post as well as in other areas of board dicussion, since my issue is all about creepy/crawly skin. I am at my wits end. As I write this it feels like ants are all over me. I will take hot flashes or night sweats over this any day. I have tried benydrel, progestron cream, magnesium, anti itch creams and tylenol. This has been going on for one month and I have not had a decent nights sleep since it the creepy, itchy symptoms started. I have been to 2 doctors who offer nothing except ambian so that I can sleep through the itching. It is worse at night and the sleep medication helps a bit, but the sensations also comes during the day, and I just want this problem gone. It is making me crazy! Any other suggestions?

Signed,

An itchy DeeAnn

[ayeshasi]

well well well, mines had gone since the past 3 weeks and guess what....ITS BACK AGAIN! Im going crazy, trust me.
Its so bad....got a docs app this afternoon....lets hope they dont hand me allergy tablets AGAIN! it took 2 1/2 weeks to kick in last time and i am so not prepared to let this go on again!

[katana]

When this started with me I thought I had fleas in the house. It seemed worse at night. I never thought that much of it till my partner said one night whilst relaxing watching tele 'what on earth is the matter with you?' I then realised I was constantly itching - to me it is still like fleas - like the odd one jumping on you at various points on your body - very irritating - we must look right idiots scratting all the time!!! How many symptoms can one person have at once - it is truely amazing! I hope you get sorted out - mine isnt anywhere near as bad as what you're suffereing petal

[ayeshasi]

I went to the docs and got prescribed Telfast...and it worked!!! i felt free of worms within 4 hrs! It is amazing....but not sure what will happen once i stop taking them..in the meantime, im a very happy woman.

[Earthflower]

Hi Ladies,

I'm still new to this so I am learning soooooooo much from all of you. I just wanted to tell you that you all are my "sanity" and I thank you so so much for being here.

About the itiching thing....when I first started having that problem I thought for sure I had some bug/fleas crawling on me, and at the same time I thought I was losing my mind. It seems like I was the only one on the planet with that problem. No one had any answers for me. I had to do my own research and find some answers. I still experience this "weird" feeling but now understand it better. And yes, it does get worse for me at night ... when I lay down to sleep the itching starts and it drives me insane. Starst out with like fleas jumping on my face first and the rest of my body starts to itch. I have to jump out of bed before I lose my mind and divert my attention elsewhere. It's all too weird for me. I'm trying to accept this feeling as part of the "change" process. Wish it would stop because I can't stand it! Drives me to the point where I just want to scream sometimes. Why does this happen anyway? Is there like a in-depth explanation to this? Why do some women have this problem and others don't? Thank you everyone and God Bless!

[DeeAnn]

Hi Ladies,

I'm still new to this so I am learning soooooooo much from all of you. I just wanted to tell you that you all are my "sanity" and I thank you so so much for being here.

About the itiching thing....when I first started having that problem I thought for sure I had some bug/fleas crawling on me, and at the same time I thought I was losing my mind. It seems like I was the only one on the planet with that problem. No one had any answers for me. I had to do my own research and find some answers. I still experience this "weird" feeling but now understand it better. And yes, it does get worse for me at night ... when I lay down to sleep the itching starts and it drives me insane. Starst out with like fleas jumping on my face first and the rest of my body starts to itch. I have to jump out of bed before I lose my mind and divert my attention elsewhere. It's all too weird for me. I'm trying to accept this feeling as part of the "change" process. Wish it would stop because I can't stand it! Drives me to the point where I just want to scream sometimes. Why does this happen anyway? Is there like a in-depth explanation to this? Why do some women have this problem and others don't? Thank you everyone and God Bless!

Hello,

I wish I knew the answers to your questions, as I would love to figure this out to help myself and the rest of you. Misery loves company so I am glad that others are also having bugs crawling on them too, as this helps to know that I am not a freak. This sensation has been going on for the past 2 months, and I have done all that I can try to rid myself. Three doctors later, natural herbs, vitamins, lotions and allergy meds have not been able to assist in curbing this problem. At this point I am trying to learn to live with the problem, knowing that it is a hormone issue and not insanity, makes it a bit easier. I can tolerate the feeling during the day, but losing sleep over this is really the worst. If I take Tylenol PM than I can usually sleep through the itching, although I hate to be dependent on sleep aids. If so many of us are having this problem why isn't the medical community up on this problem?
One of my doctors thought I had restless leg syndrome, but the sensation is all over my body, including by face and scalp. It is a maddening problem.

Best of luck to all my creepy crawly lady friends,



DeeAnn

[ayeshasi]

Hello,

I wish I knew the answers to your questions, as I would love to figure this out to help myself and the rest of you. Misery loves company so I am glad that others are also having bugs crawling on them too, as this helps to know that I am not a freak. This sensation has been going on for the past 2 months, and I have done all that I can try to rid myself. Three doctors later, natural herbs, vitamins, lotions and allergy meds have not been able to assist in curbing this problem. At this point I am trying to learn to live with the problem, knowing that it is a hormone issue and not insanity, makes it a bit easier. I can tolerate the feeling during the day, but losing sleep over this is really the worst. If I take Tylenol PM than I can usually sleep through the itching, although I hate to be dependent on sleep aids. If so many of us are having this problem why isn't the medical community up on this problem?
One of my doctors thought I had restless leg syndrome, but the sensation is all over my body, including by face and scalp. It is a maddening problem.

Best of luck to all my creepy crawly lady friends,
DeeAnn

well, the bugs have returned once again! Im going mad! I got bloods taken and everything came back normal. I dont know what to do. I certainly am not going thru the menopause at 25! What must be casuing this problem!!!

[Earthflower]

DeeAnn,

You are not a freak! After reading tons of stuff on this wonderful site I'm just accepting and going with the flow of this "weird" and "strange" sensation of bugs/fleas crawling/jumping on me. At least I know what it is and know that someday it will stop. I have never experienced this "strange" feeling in my life. I'm 46 going on 47 and this is the first time in my life I felt anything like it. I didn't even have a clue something like this was possible to experience. It's weird. No one told me about it and I just recently found out that other women experience this as well. And that I am not a freak either! LOL.

You bring up a good point . . . if so many women experience this feeling then why doesn't the medical community have any answers for us in better understanding what this is? Or even treating it?

God Bless!

[mrsb76]

Personally, I think it's because it is women experiencing this. If it were men,I'm betting it would have been solved a long time ago!

[treefr0g]

Personally, I think it's because it is women experiencing this. If it were men,I'm betting it would have been solved a long time ago!

I had to jump in and comment...I have a very close male friend whom I've known for 20 yrs. We are both on the "change of life" adventure, and what an adventure it is! It is a very interesting experience to not only have to deal with ones own perimenopause issues, but also those of a best friend of the male persuasion. While I haven't experience the itchyness problem, my male friend has! Drives him absolutely crazy at times...he literally scratches himself raw. For him, it's confined to his arms. It comes and goes mysteriously. He's not taking any medications, so the cause is unknown...but, some men can also have some weird symptoms due to hormonal changes. He mirrors some of the same symptoms I experience, some a little different, but much the same in many respects. I suspect that there are other men out there who experince "the itchies" due to hormonal changes, but that they just don't make the connection.

[Duch]

Does your friend have an annual check-up? It may be related to his hormones. http://www-DOT-clinicalgeriatrics.com/article/4922

oh geez, I'm sorry, Dearest. I tried to make it not a link, and it isn't, but it gives the appearance. sorry.

[minsue232]

Hi - I was looking up crawlies and found this site...I have them like everyone else - the bouts come and go. It is usually when I first get into bed. When this first happened I flipped the lights on, to find nothing. I stripped the bed and vacuumed the mattress anyway. I was having hot flashes where they would wake you up out a sound sleep. My tummy would feel funny, then the hot flash would come. I would drink 1 or 2 cups in the morning before work - well - we ran out for about a week and I did not any hot flashes! I take Black Cohosh for mood and another health supplement. All of this site I have been on looks familiar to what I have been going through for about 7 years now. Thanks to all who have contributed to the understanding of this process in our lives.

My understanding is that the word 'formication' is used by doctors to imply an imaginary itching. My dermatologist told me not to use the word because it has a negative connotation...and she believed I was experiencing the 'rolling creepy-crawlies' that I described to her. She was not, however able to help me at all.
When I, in tears, asked my Naturapath if she had heard of the symptoms I described,she responded brightly with an "Oh, sure." My next question was...and can you help me? "Absolutely, here you go!"
She said that it is something that occassionally is experienced during menopause. She gave me Lichesis 200c (I think) to be taken twice a day. I took it and within 4 days I was symptom free.
My symptoms were felt all over my body, like a wave of something under my skin. I sware, I thought I was loosing my mind. As well, living in the tropics I thought my house was infested. I had the exterminator out, everything I could think of.
My symptoms went on for about 4 months, constantly but in waves every few minutes.
This was over a year ago. I had to re-dose, as I said in an earlier email, once this summer.
For me, have the sense that it is wholly hormonal. And what isn't at this time of my life.
Just for reference, I have been about 9 months without a period. I've been peri-menopausal for about 7 years. I have been having amazing hot flashes and night sweats for about 5 years. What I have just started for the sweats is Black Cohash. It seems too be helping, too.
Oh, and I wish I had known about this website when I was out there loosing my mind!!!

[psavast]

I learned a new word to describe my problem from Dearest and it is formication. It's that constant itching or bugs crawling on your skin caused depletion of estrogen. Does anyone have any recommendations? I don't think a soy bar is going to cut it.

I feel like I am going to die of some dreaded disease!!! The creepy tingling, crawly, sometime feeling like tiny biting is making me feel sick.
My doctor attributes it to anxiety........and perscribed ATIVAN!! Does not help...but knowing other women are going through this is somewhat calming to me....
Does anyone also feel a sense of numbness?

[Arianna]

I feel like I am going to die of some dreaded disease!!! The creepy tingling, crawly, sometime feeling like tiny biting is making me feel sick.
My doctor attributes it to anxiety........and perscribed ATIVAN!! Does not help...but knowing other women are going through this is somewhat calming to me....
Does anyone also feel a sense of numbness?

This creepy crawly sensation is NO FUN...!!!! Have been suffering from it for 4yrs - it seems to love keeping me awake, night after night - I'm 54 - nearly over it maybe. My sis has advised me that it's a sign of an overworked liver (just so much work to do during the meno phase). It also says this in Susan Weed's absolutely wonderful book - "Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way" - (under formication - "related to an overworked and 'overheated' liver"). So, I'm going to try a liver cleanse with St Mary's Thistle etc (***), veg juices (esp beetroot/carrot) & some homeopathic remedies, including Rhus Tox & Caladium (mentioned in Susan Weed's book). Hope this helps lots of women; wise to focus on the cause & not just the symptoms, which is what I've been doing for too long....!!!!! Angel



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[Arianna]

This creepy crawly sensation is NO FUN...!!!! Have been suffering from it for 4yrs - it seems to love keeping me awake, night after night - I'm 54 - nearly over it maybe. My sis has advised me that it's a sign of an overworked liver (just so much work to do during the meno phase). It also says this in Susan Weed's absolutely wonderful book - "Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way" - (under formication - "related to an overworked and 'overheated' liver"). So, I'm going to try a liver cleanse with St Mary's Thistle etc, veg juices (esp beetroot/carrot) & some homeopathic remedies, including Rhus Tox & Caladium (mentioned in Susan Weed's book). Hope this helps lots of women; wise to focus on the cause & not just the symptoms, which is what I've been doing for too long....!!!!! Angel

ps forgot to say that I don't seem to experience numbness - just very cold legs at times....!!!! And an overwhelming feeling of depression, whenever that chilly feeling kicks in - more FUN...!!!!

[val1234]

Hi all, I get terribly scared at these crawly things (I can't really describe is any other way) under my skin. They are not itchy just crawly and seem to flit o from spot to spot,a second here then a second there it is not steady all the time though. Seems to be off and on. Mostly in my legs. Makes me very depressed and anxious as I think this is just a prelude to some terrible disease which then of course increases the dread and anxiety. I have been to the Doctors, he feels everything is ok but is doing blood work etc. It helps to know if others are feeling the same things sometimes so you don't feel so all alone and disconnected.

[bimmergal]

Hi all, I get terribly scared at these crawly things (I can't really describe is any other way) under my skin. They are not itchy just crawly and seem to flit o from spot to spot,a second here then a second there it is not steady all the time though. Seems to be off and on. Mostly in my legs. Makes me very depressed and anxious as I think this is just a prelude to some terrible disease which then of course increases the dread and anxiety. I have been to the Doctors, he feels everything is ok but is doing blood work etc. It helps to know if others are feeling the same things sometimes so you don't feel so all alone and disconnected.

I always feel those creepy, flutters in the leg area too.. also buzzing..
ANYONE ELSE?