Hi everyone!
You know, this random itching is a pain in the royal patootie. I'm not kidding. I used to think this was my body reating weird to the fact I have dermagraphia, but I've since come to realize it's homone based because the onset is a random as the random itching!! Nothing I can figure sets it off and while it's happening I am pretty much in peri hell. I mean, it could be worse....but peri *is* hell. Once you get better with ONE symptom another seems to show up and rear it's ugly head and you just can't seem to get a break! Does this all ring true for you as well? ..............................................oopssss......."scratchscratchscratch"
Sorry, little break there for random itching.

I had this itching last winter and was trying to watch a movie but my eyelid would itch...then my hand...then my shin....then the shell of my ear....then the side of my neck....I mean I really had a hard time keeping up and I almost got up and started dancing in anger when the itching started in on the bottom of my foot!! I had to stomp the itch away! What a sight THAT would have been!!!
STAMP OUT ITCHING....that's my new motto! Who among you can join my "I HATE ITCHING" club. It's ........(sorry...needed both hands for that back itch)........"Where's my Backscratcher!!" Like I was trying to say, it's more annoying and irritating than other perimeno issues.......but (another break sorry....) but as you can see, I'm preoccupied with it today. I'm an old pro at it now and I don't take meds for it (it's so random and I don't tolerate meds well anyway). BUT, in a few days I know it will be (oopssss.......................................................................) sigh...that one was harsh. Lower back.......it does require a bit of flexibility on my part . I guess the positive side of this so called itching agony is that I'm exercising. But the buck stops there. It's truly a pain in the nether regions and I am sick of a new or returning symptom everyday!! If I didn't know better I would have thought Greg Brady had put itching powder in my sleeping bag (random Brady Bunch reference)

Anyone know where I can sign up for a Peri holiday?

I need MANY!! The ITCH IS A B**** AM I allowed to say that?

Thanks for reading this and please relate if you'd like.
Itching in the SF Bay Area,
Guitarplayer Sue

Holy Typewriter Batman!! Excuse my typos in the above post! Blame it on the itch. I better proofread next time.....

Sorry!!

Unfortunately, many people relate Do a search of the boards for the official name - formication (with an M) - just be sure to spell it right!

This was my worst meno symptom

guitarplayer, Hi, Oh I can relate thats for sure. My head is the main itchy place then my back.This week it was the top of my foot and between two fingers and there is NOTHING there to be itch . I hate being itchy !!!!! I have tried everything NOTHING stops to itching. everyday its a new itch

Yup,me too! I've tried every lotion out there and I still itch!

Thanks for the replies! There is so much good info here so I read a LOT.
It's annoying, isn't it? I never know where the itch is gonna be next but it does frequent my face, ears, arms, shins and feet. This morning it decided to turn into Mr. Migraine ...so it morphed into yet a new symptom. Well, migraines are not new to me, but the itching calmed down a bit and I must now go find the hot water bottle and rest. Thank goodness it cooled down around here. Our a/c repair guys are coming tomorrow to hopefully fix our system.

Thank you again for your input and replies and I wish you all good thoughts and vibes in the itching department......it does s*ck!!


My best to you all. Have a good day today and may your symptoms be few.

I have had formication off and on for about six months now. It gets so bad I have to sleep in another room, away from the hub. I keep him up all night with my itching. I get it mostly on my legs, shoulders, between my fingers and my feet. Sometimes my facial and scalp area, but not as bad. Also my hands , the palm area itches and burns at the same time. I appreciate the fact that I can come here and read that others are experiencing these weird symptoms.

I'm new to this forum but I am sure glad I found it. I have been bothered (that says it lightly) with itching, muscle twitches, muscle aches, more hot flashes and even sore throat - hoarseness. My doctor has checked for more serious conditions - just did the reflex and strength thing and that was ok. My gyn and general doctor both don't know what is going on with the twitches but when I read that it is common in menopause I was so releaved. Why doesn't either one of them recognize this as a menopause symptom? My doc did prescribe Xanax (low dose) for the anxiety but I am reluctant to take.

Well I don't believe it...another person with dermatographia!!! Here I thought that I was the only one on this site with this condition! I have bad pulsing and roaring non-stop tinnitus too and I could write my name anywhere just by scratching my skin,Guitarplayer. I have been itching since 2003 everywhere, and try not to scratch, BUT that blasted dermatographia has driven me crazy since 2005 with the worst areas being my shins,back,sides and arms. I know it is due to too much histamine.The only thing that has helped my skin itch somewhat is the in-shower MoistureRinse body lotion. It does take the edge off of the itching for a while. I also sleep in cool sheets year round( not easy to get used to though), which seems to help with the skin inflammation. Hope that this helps you ladies - nice to know that I am not alone with this frustrating symptom! Celica2

Celica2!!! I'm so happy to meet you! Dermagraphia is a pain in the royal butt!!

I saw my doctor yesterday for what I felt was another seasonal allergy turned infection...you know...sinus infection and bronchitis. What I feel is a weird catch in my throat like I want to cough all the time and then my chest gets all tight and ugh.....I wrote another thread about it all......it does s*ck.

Now my Doctor wants me to see an allergist. You know...I'm so sick of doctors...I've been thru the mill. I made an appointment like a good patient, but at the same time I'm wondering if this is a condition that came with perimeno and will LEAVE with perimeno...and if so....then I'll be at the mercy of all these drugs these allergists will no doubt want to put me on. And I won't take HRT's....I don't take anything but meds for my migraines.

Can I ask you something? Do you have other issues that seem to stem from dermographia?
Like hay fever? Asthma? I never had these issues before......I'm REALLY thinking peri brought them and they will disappear after awhile.

Am I nuts thinking this? Or do I have a point (besides the one on the top of my head)
Hugs,
Guitarplayer Sue

oops..........I'm only firing on one brain cell today........my above sentence SHOULD read
..................is this a condition that came with perimeno and will LEAVE with complete
menopause?

There....
Back to making more brain cells,
Guitarplayer Sue

Guitarplayer, You DO have a point! I have also had sinus infections prior to all my itching and dermatographia. I think the sinus condition which has been hanging around for approx. 5 years is due to my nasal area feeling really dry all the time. I live on the dry prairies and this is a real problem. I think that with hormone levels going whacky in our 40's, we are prone to any odd health symptom. I just turned 50, and feel I am in the worst years of my life. I saw an allergist last year, and all he could tell me was to go on non-stop antihistamines which seemed to dry out my sinuses even more, therefore making my sinuses worse than before. Yet, the antihistamines DID help with my bizarre itching skin. At present I am not on any HRT nor antihistamines either. I really hope that all these odd symptoms that we are going through is a result of perimenopause. I never had anything like this until my sinuses started acting up 5 years ago, with a new peri symptom firing up every 6 months. Nice to meet you too!! Celica2