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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 28. Go back in thread:
Posted by fires on February 28, 2005, at 9:00:26
In reply to bugs crawling on skin, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 1:23:12
A true story to consider: An ER doc was on a radio program many years ago on which he descibed a patient in the ER who complained about bugs crawling under his skin. No bugs were found. As the young man was being taken to the p ward, he asked the ER doc: "How do you think the bugs got into the cocaine in the first place?"
Be careful.
Posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 14:53:07
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin » parasolips, posted by fires on February 28, 2005, at 9:00:26
thank you so much for the responses! i'm probably going to go to the dr as soon as i can.
just to fill in some into:
-i don't do methamphetamines <sp?>. i've tried both meth and coke, but only as "one-time-things"
-i used to be on antipsychotics, but i really really don't want to go on them again. i mean...i will if necessary, but i'm really into living my life med free at this juncture.thanks again!
Posted by lunesta on February 28, 2005, at 16:23:46
In reply to bugs crawling on skin, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 1:23:12
this is not an uncommon feeling actually. I get this sensation, a tingling type feeling, and I use Neurontin, and now Lyrica to inhibit it. Its related to nerve pain/damage.
I would suggest a trial of Neurontin or Lyrica.
Posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2005, at 16:40:20
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin, posted by lunesta on February 28, 2005, at 16:23:46
hey! anti-psychotic treatment is usually the treatment of choice for "acute psychosis" (and the management of chronic psychotic problems, like schizophrenia). If you are having these sensations but they're not too distressing to you and they don't interfere with your ability to interact with others, then it may not be the way to go. Personally, though, I'd still see a doc about some sort of anti-anxiety med. And...sorry about emphasizing the whole amphetamine psychosis thing.
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2005, at 17:18:24
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin » parasolips, posted by fires on February 28, 2005, at 9:00:26
See your doc. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:33:01
In reply to bugs crawling on skin, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 1:23:12
> so my problem is this: i feel like there are bugs crawling all over my skin...
>
> any ideas about what i should attribute this feeling to, and what i should do about it?The name for this sensation is formication (with an "m"). Are you a woman? Are you by any chance having changes in your menstrual cycle? About 10 percent of menopausal women experience this crawly skin feeling, but usually in just one or two areas, and not everywhere. FYI.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:38:36
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication » parasolips, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:33:01
> > so my problem is this: i feel like there are bugs crawling all over my skin...
> >
> > any ideas about what i should attribute this feeling to, and what i should do about it?
>
> The name for this sensation is formication (with an "m"). Are you a woman? Are you by any chance having changes in your menstrual cycle? About 10 percent of menopausal women experience this crawly skin feeling, but usually in just one or two areas, and not everywhere. FYI.IF your itching is related to menopause, you might find relief from
Medical: anti-itch gels or creams, or cold compresses
Herbal: dandelion, or raw beets
Homeopathic: Caladium, or Rhus tox
Posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 17:40:49
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication » parasolips, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:33:01
> > so my problem is this: i feel like there are bugs crawling all over my skin...
> >
> > any ideas about what i should attribute this feeling to, and what i should do about it?
>
> The name for this sensation is formication (with an "m"). Are you a woman? Are you by any chance having changes in your menstrual cycle? About 10 percent of menopausal women experience this crawly skin feeling, but usually in just one or two areas, and not everywhere. FYI.
>
i am a woman, and i AM having some weirdness in my menstrul cycle, but i'm pretty sure i'm not menopausal because i'm 23. :)
i went to the gyno like, last week though and she said i have amenorrhea...i haven't had my period in 3 months and there's no apparent reason for it.woo i love being screwed up in so many areas of my life. at least im consistent.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:48:47
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 17:40:49
> i am a woman, and i AM having some weirdness in my menstrul cycle, but i'm pretty sure i'm not menopausal because i'm 23. :)
> i went to the gyno like, last week though and she said i have amenorrhea...i haven't had my period in 3 months and there's no apparent reason for it.Interesting... Here's a link to an article about amenorrhea
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001218.htm
Did you OBGYN do any tests? At your age, I'd want to find out why you're not menstruating. It could be nothing to worry about, and it could be serious. Maybe see another OBGYN or an endocriologist!
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:51:41
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:48:47
Actually, this is a more appropriate link...
Posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 18:01:43
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:48:47
> > i am a woman, and i AM having some weirdness in my menstrul cycle, but i'm pretty sure i'm not menopausal because i'm 23. :)
> > i went to the gyno like, last week though and she said i have amenorrhea...i haven't had my period in 3 months and there's no apparent reason for it.
>
> Interesting... Here's a link to an article about amenorrhea
>
> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001218.htm
>
> Did you OBGYN do any tests? At your age, I'd want to find out why you're not menstruating. It could be nothing to worry about, and it could be serious. Maybe see another OBGYN or an endocriologist!
>i thought it was pretty strange that they didn't do too many tests...just a urinalysis to make sure i wasn't pregnant.
i've had a cyst on an ovary before too so there you go. better just find a second opinion.don't suppose you can think of a link between that and the bug-thing though, eh?
there's a lot of crazy things going on with my life and health right now so i'm pretty overwhelmed with figuring out what on earth is going on.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 18:06:14
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 18:01:43
> i thought it was pretty strange that they didn't do too many tests...just a urinalysis to make sure i wasn't pregnant.
> i've had a cyst on an ovary before too so there you go. better just find a second opinion.
>
> don't suppose you can think of a link between that and the bug-thing though, eh?
>
> there's a lot of crazy things going on with my life and health right now so i'm pretty overwhelmed with figuring out what on earth is going on.The bug thing I'd link to your female hormones being out of whack, and that might be as easy to fix as getting on birth control pills, but I'd get some tests done first. Are you excessively thin or fat? Either of those will mess with your period, though for different reasons. Could you have PCOS? A thyroid disorder? Diabetes or some other blood-sugar sorta thing? Good luck sorting it out!
Posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 19:01:46
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 18:06:14
i made an appt for a regular doctor tomorrow.
do you think it would help at all if i took an abilify from my old prescription?
i feel like my brain is not working right now. gah.
Posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2005, at 19:54:46
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 19:01:46
hey! sorry you're stressed. Taking some Abilify might help you out; then again, antipsychotics seem to take about 6 weeks to really "kick in," which is why they're mostly used for things like schizophrenia or psychotic depression, issues that have been going on for a while. It's completely your call. If your doc can't find a reason for your current issue through bloodwork, etc., you may want to ask about some kind of medication...from the sounds of things, you're seriously stressed, so some kind of anti-anxiety med might help you out. Then
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 22:34:26
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 19:01:46
That's tough to say. I'm not familiar with psychoses or very familiar with anti-psychotics. Maybe it'd help, esp. if you're problem is psychosis related and not "female" or hormone related. I'm glad you're going to the doctor. Keep us posted...
Posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 16:44:55
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on February 28, 2005, at 17:40:49
"They need a dating service for folks like us," I think, as I sit here in a Starbucks, manic as hell (well, mixed, with emphasis on depression), looking at all these other "normal" folks enjoy their conversations and coffee while I, on the other hand, perform searches for "cocaine and cognition" (I did some cocaine Saturday night for the first time in years, and it apparently fired of a deadly chain reaction that in addition to making me depressed is making it hard to concentrate and thus killing any faith I have in my own typically above average intelligence) and try to keep myself from crying or otherwise having a nervous breakdown, while also attempting to complete a technical project consisting of some 7,500-plus lines of Java code and a high-end security design -- with a dozen people waiting for this deliverable -- and, too, occasionally glancing at the door in anticipation of the arrival of an ex-girlfriend (who was sane enough to split with me before things got really bad) to take me for a quick slice of pizza, today being my birthday.
amd
Posted by parasolips on March 1, 2005, at 19:31:36
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication » parasolips, posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 16:44:55
> "They need a dating service for folks like us," I think, as I sit here in a Starbucks, manic as hell (well, mixed, with emphasis on depression), looking at all these other "normal" folks enjoy their conversations and coffee while I, on the other hand, perform searches for "cocaine and cognition" (I did some cocaine Saturday night for the first time in years, and it apparently fired of a deadly chain reaction that in addition to making me depressed is making it hard to concentrate and thus killing any faith I have in my own typically above average intelligence) and try to keep myself from crying or otherwise having a nervous breakdown, while also attempting to complete a technical project consisting of some 7,500-plus lines of Java code and a high-end security design -- with a dozen people waiting for this deliverable -- and, too, occasionally glancing at the door in anticipation of the arrival of an ex-girlfriend (who was sane enough to split with me before things got really bad) to take me for a quick slice of pizza, today being my birthday.
>
> amd
oh man can i relate to that.
maybe i shouldn't get into my experiences here but let me just tell you that i've been in some REALLY prototypically "crazy" situations (ie 2 nights ago when i locked myself in the bathroom and completely freaked out because some old nirvana song triggered something...) and also dated some people that have been "certifiable" as well (i.e. i'm dx borderline, right? but i do NOT have time or tolerance to deal with the manipulations of dating a borderline....which i started doing recently but couldn't handle it).
anyway.today i went to the doctor. not a good experience. i hate western medicine and in a place like berkeley (where i am) it seems really outdated. she basically told me to stop smoking weed and THEN we could talk. gah.
when i told her i had a history of psych problems and i was worried this could be resultant from that, she asked me if i was suffering from "anxiety or depression."
"not currently..." i told her...and held my tongue from adding, "but how about mania and psychosis?"
she was VERY adament that all of my problems were not valid and that they were caused by my use of marijuana.i'm going to go to my dbt therapist on friday and see what she thinks.
sorry to ramble. slightly manic. still itchy. still smoking.
Posted by parasolips on March 1, 2005, at 19:36:45
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication » parasolips, posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 16:44:55
> "They need a dating service for folks like us," I think, as I sit here in a Starbucks, manic as hell (well, mixed, with emphasis on depression), looking at all these other "normal" folks enjoy their conversations and coffee while I, on the other hand, perform searches for "cocaine and cognition" (I did some cocaine Saturday night for the first time in years, and it apparently fired of a deadly chain reaction that in addition to making me depressed is making it hard to concentrate and thus killing any faith I have in my own typically above average intelligence) and try to keep myself from crying or otherwise having a nervous breakdown, while also attempting to complete a technical project consisting of some 7,500-plus lines of Java code and a high-end security design -- with a dozen people waiting for this deliverable -- and, too, occasionally glancing at the door in anticipation of the arrival of an ex-girlfriend (who was sane enough to split with me before things got really bad) to take me for a quick slice of pizza, today being my birthday.
>
> amdoh wait...
and HAPPY BIRTHDAY?!?hope that wasn't too ironic.
my birthdays never go too well for some reason.
i hope you get at least one thing you wanted (good pizza, perhaps?)
Posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 21:54:28
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on March 1, 2005, at 19:31:36
I know you don't want to hear this ... but seriously, you might try giving the marijuana a rest. I have a friend (in Berkeley also!) who suffers from extreme depression ... who isn't getting any better despite taking Celexa, which worked for her for awhile, and now something else ... and happens to smoke pot two or three times a day. I was living near Berkeley for almost two years before two weeks ago when I moved back to New York, so I know the culture there. I've smoked a bit of weed myself -- but all it does for me is zap my memory and cognitive skills for about a week.
Remember, too, that anything is worth trying (well, almost anything) for a little while. You might be surprised.
amd
Posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 21:57:26
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on March 1, 2005, at 19:31:36
I just realized that perhaps you were being sarcastic "western medicine outdated" -- I'm feeling slow today, forgive me.
Posted by parasolips on March 2, 2005, at 3:38:10
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 21:54:28
i actually moved to berkeley from new york myself. very different life, i'm finding.
i guess the marijuana is something like self-medication to replace the effexor, lamictal, abilify, and othro-tricyclen that i've stopped taking all within the last 6 months.it's hard to be sane in an insane world
[or something equally cliched]
> I know you don't want to hear this ... but seriously, you might try giving the marijuana a rest. I have a friend (in Berkeley also!) who suffers from extreme depression ... who isn't getting any better despite taking Celexa, which worked for her for awhile, and now something else ... and happens to smoke pot two or three times a day. I was living near Berkeley for almost two years before two weeks ago when I moved back to New York, so I know the culture there. I've smoked a bit of weed myself -- but all it does for me is zap my memory and cognitive skills for about a week.
>
> Remember, too, that anything is worth trying (well, almost anything) for a little while. You might be surprised.
>
> amd
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 2, 2005, at 11:32:03
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on March 1, 2005, at 19:31:36
> today i went to the doctor. not a good experience. i hate western medicine and in a place like berkeley (where i am) it seems really outdated. she basically told me to stop smoking weed and THEN we could talk. gah.
Did you talk about your amenorrhea? Can you get a referral to an endocrinologist?
Posted by fires on March 2, 2005, at 13:34:24
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by AMD on March 1, 2005, at 21:54:28
> I know you don't want to hear this ... but seriously, you might try giving the marijuana a rest. I have a friend (in Berkeley also!) who suffers from extreme depression ... who isn't getting any better despite taking Celexa, which worked for her for awhile, and now something else ... and happens to smoke pot two or three times a day. I was living near Berkeley for almost two years before two weeks ago when I moved back to New York, so I know the culture there. I've smoked a bit of weed myself -- but all it does for me is zap my memory and cognitive skills for about a week.
>
> Remember, too, that anything is worth trying (well, almost anything) for a little while. You might be surprised.
>
> amd
I agree with you. Stopping the weed is called for.Marijuana is extremely toxic:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/109/2/284
Posted by parasolips on March 2, 2005, at 15:20:39
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication » parasolips, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 2, 2005, at 11:32:03
yes, she said what she said in response to the amenorrhea as well.
i've actually been to an endocrinologist and nothing out of the ordinary was found. i had an ovarian cyst in 2000 but you know what? no one has actually *examined* me this time around so i have no idea if that's happening again. :/
Posted by cottoncandi on August 30, 2005, at 9:45:11
In reply to Re: bugs crawling on skin = formication, posted by parasolips on March 2, 2005, at 15:20:39
I am a female, im not going through menopause, im 18, i dont use drugs, and ive never been diagnosed with any sort of mental illness of any kind...but theres actually no bugs. It only happens first thing i wake up in the morning, or if i wake up during the night,especially if im laying there going back to sleep. If someone can give me a suggestion on what to do it would be greatly appreciated.
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