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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 10:59:35
I keep getting mosquito bites, complete with welt and a distinct center which collapses and bleeds when I scratch. And then takes a long time to heal.
The thing is that no one else in my family is getting them, and no one including me can see any bugs. I get them frequently on my left arm from elbow to wrist and on my knees, and infrequently on my right arm at the elbow.
Does anyone have any familiarity with psychosomatic bug bites? Is it possible?
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2004, at 11:06:12
In reply to Phantom bug bites, posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 10:59:35
> I keep getting mosquito bites, complete with welt and a distinct center which collapses and bleeds when I scratch. And then takes a long time to heal.
>
> The thing is that no one else in my family is getting them, and no one including me can see any bugs. I get them frequently on my left arm from elbow to wrist and on my knees, and infrequently on my right arm at the elbow.
>
> Does anyone have any familiarity with psychosomatic bug bites? Is it possible?
I doubt it is psychosomatic.Don't get mad at me. Is there any possibility...
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/bed_bugs.htm
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on January 1, 2004, at 11:49:23
In reply to Re: Phantom bug bites, posted by SLS on January 1, 2004, at 11:06:12
No, I don't think that psychosematic compaints could produce something so specific. Aches and paines etc yes. But its almost like saying that you got aids through worrying.
Anything is possible but hey, thats my take
Linkadge
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 1, 2004, at 12:02:15
In reply to Phantom bug bites, posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 10:59:35
> I keep getting mosquito bites, complete with welt and a distinct center which collapses and bleeds when I scratch. And then takes a long time to heal.
>
> The thing is that no one else in my family is getting them, and no one including me can see any bugs. I get them frequently on my left arm from elbow to wrist and on my knees, and infrequently on my right arm at the elbow.
>
> Does anyone have any familiarity with psychosomatic bug bites? Is it possible?No, but the real thing is.
My mom used to get bitten by fleas when nobody else was getting bitten. Some people just have the right "aroma" I guess. That's what immediatedly popped into my head, flea bites.
Just an idea.
Lar
Posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 13:36:38
In reply to Re: Phantom bug bites » Dinah, posted by Larry Hoover on January 1, 2004, at 12:02:15
Well, danged if you guys aren't right. They usually appear when I'm working (so I don't *think* they'd be bedbugs) and I thought I got stressed and started scratching causing the darn things to appear.
But I think Lar might be right! We haven't thought about fleas since they invented Program, but I just went over Harry with a (literal) fine tooth comb and saw a few isolated spots of flea dirt. Since Program just keeps the things from reproducing, I guess an occasional one travels in on my big dog...
And it makes perfect sense. Harry lays on my lap while I work with his head on my left arm. Hence left arm bites, and knees.
Cool! I'll check sith my vet about adding a flea killer in addition to the Program and voila, the problem will be solved!
Thanks. Nice to know I'm not as nuts as I think. :)
Posted by Ron Hill on January 2, 2004, at 0:08:53
In reply to Re: Not-So-Phantom bug bites, posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 13:36:38
Posted by colin_wallace on January 2, 2004, at 9:20:20
In reply to Re: Seems like Hoover bats near 1000 around here (nm), posted by Ron Hill on January 2, 2004, at 0:08:53
Posted by dragonfly25 on January 2, 2004, at 9:26:31
In reply to Re: Phantom bug bites » Dinah, posted by Larry Hoover on January 1, 2004, at 12:02:15
a friend of mine gets bitten constantly, by what no one can figure out. everyone teases her, b/c she claaims there are mosquitos at all times of the year, but now she has come up with an idea that it is some sort of flea/bedbug. not from home, but from public theaters etc. but she also told me it is an odor thing.
> > I keep getting mosquito bites, complete with welt and a distinct center which collapses and bleeds when I scratch. And then takes a long time to heal.
> >
> > The thing is that no one else in my family is getting them, and no one including me can see any bugs. I get them frequently on my left arm from elbow to wrist and on my knees, and infrequently on my right arm at the elbow.
> >
> > Does anyone have any familiarity with psychosomatic bug bites? Is it possible?
>
> No, but the real thing is.
>
> My mom used to get bitten by fleas when nobody else was getting bitten. Some people just have the right "aroma" I guess. That's what immediatedly popped into my head, flea bites.
>
> Just an idea.
>
> Lar
Posted by Ilene on January 2, 2004, at 11:33:29
In reply to Re: Phantom bug bites Dinah, posted by dragonfly25 on January 2, 2004, at 9:26:31
What I've read--it's not that some people taste or smell better to bugs, but that some people react more. It's an allergic reaction. Animals are the same; some cats and dogs lick or scratch themselves raw, while others aren't bothered.
My kids and I always know when the fleas and mosquitoes are biting. My husband is not as sensitive. When my daughter was about 7, she got so many bites on a camping trip she ran a fever. I took her to the clinic, and the pediatrician was so impressed he measured one hugely swollen welt on her neck so he could tell his buddies. He said there was no way to tell if one of the mosquitoes had injected some germs along with the mosquito venom, or if she was reacting directly to the bite overload. I think it was the former, as it hasn't happened since, and she used to come home from sleep-away camp covered with bites.
Vocabulary time: "formication" is the sensation that bugs are crawling around on your skin.
Ilene
Posted by Ron Hill on January 3, 2004, at 12:58:44
In reply to Who asked you, Bug-Face ?! :) (nm) » Ron Hill, posted by colin_wallace on January 2, 2004, at 9:20:20
Colin,
How's your brainchemistry these days? You still taking about 200 mg of Lamictal and a pinch of an SSRI (was it Prozac?)?
-- Ron the Bug Man ('cause I love to bug Colin)
Posted by Ron Hill on January 3, 2004, at 13:03:38
In reply to Phantom bug bites, posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 10:59:35
Posted by colin_wallace on January 3, 2004, at 15:28:30
In reply to Re: There you are! Where ya been and how are meds? » colin_wallace, posted by Ron Hill on January 3, 2004, at 12:58:44
> Colin,
>
> How's your brainchemistry these days? You still taking about 200 mg of Lamictal and a pinch of an SSRI (was it Prozac?)?
>
> -- Ron the Bug Man ('cause I love to bug Colin)Yo Bug-Head!!
Great to see you're still leaping around
on your hind-legs and causing people to scratch furiously!
How are ya these days Ron? I looked in here over Christmas, but hardly recognised any names...
Last time we 'spoke', you were tinkering with your NADH dose, experimenting with TMG (wasn't it?)to help alleviate the bane of your life...irritability!
Is NADH still your lith. adjunct, or have you taken any other, more drastic measures??
My Lamictal lifeline is still producing the goods(300mg for some time now), and I eventually hit 20mg Prozac, which was a bit of a gamble that seems to have worked.
I have a definite ADD diagnosis to keep my BP11 company on those long winter nights.
My dabblings have led me to try out some dopaminergic agents, the latest of which is Ritalin (super cautiously-jus' 5mg a day), which helps, but hits my med. sensitive pea-sized grey matter like a cannonball.It's only been a week, so the Jury's still out.Otherwise, things have been relatively smooth, with the Lam/Prozac even carrying me through the death of my father without a serious relapse.Thank God for Lamictal.
I've yet to get around to buying a new computer(great ruse to use somebody else's), so I only get to look in occasionally.
Any sign of the old mob (Mitch-Vader, JohnJ (TCA)etc>?
Let me know how you're getting along, Grasshopper....
Col.
Posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 14:36:59
In reply to Re: Dinah, sorry to interupt thread with above (nm) » Dinah, posted by Ron Hill on January 3, 2004, at 13:03:38
Posted by Ron Hill on January 5, 2004, at 15:57:15
In reply to Re: There you are! Where ya been and how are meds? » Ron Hill, posted by colin_wallace on January 3, 2004, at 15:28:30
Colin,
> Last time we 'spoke', you were tinkering with your NADH dose, experimenting with TMG (wasn't it?)to help alleviate the bane of your life...irritability! Is NADH still your lith. adjunct, or have you taken any other, more drastic measures??
I posted on this topic over on PB-alt eariler today. Here is a link to the post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031218/msgs/296746.html
> My Lamictal lifeline is still producing the goods(300mg for some time now), and I eventually hit 20mg Prozac, which was a bit of a gamble that seems to have worked.
Excellent!
> I have a definite ADD diagnosis to keep my BP11 company on those long winter nights.
Which one is the more talkative, and do they keep you awake at night chatting with each other?
> My dabblings have led me to try out some dopaminergic agents, the latest of which is Ritalin (super cautiously-jus' 5mg a day), which helps, but hits my med. sensitive pea-sized grey matter like a cannonball.It's only been a week, so the Jury's still out.Otherwise, things have been relatively smooth, with the Lam/Prozac even carrying me through the death of my father without a serious relapse.Thank God for Lamictal.
I am sorry that you lost your Dad, Colin.
Have you ever considered Provigil?
> I've yet to get around to buying a new computer(great ruse to use somebody else's), so I only get to look in occasionally.
The main PB page fills up quickly these days, so I hope you check back in soon or else you will have to find this post in the archives.
> Any sign of the old mob (Mitch-Vader, JohnJ (TCA)etc>?
johnj checks in periodically, but I don't think I've seen Ritch (Mitch) lately. Mitch has ADHD in conjunction with BP, right?
> Let me know how you're getting along, Grasshopper....
Right now, great! Two weeks ago, terrible. I’m keeping my meds, vitamins, supplements, and etc steady for a while to see if I'm cycling (bipolar cycling that is, not to be confused with mountain bike cycling or road bike cycling). I've got some l-tyrosine, l-tryptophan, and l-taurine that I'm itching to try (one at a time). But right now I'm doing great and I don't want to rock the boat with anything new (for the time being).
Be well my friend.
-- Ron
Posted by colin_wallace on January 11, 2004, at 8:56:09
In reply to Re: There you are! Where ya been and how are meds? » colin_wallace, posted by Ron Hill on January 5, 2004, at 15:57:15
Ronald you knave!
> I posted on this topic over on PB-alt eariler today. Here is a link to the post:
>
> http://www.dr-ob.org/babble/alter/20031218/msgs/296746.html>>>>>Jus' read your post in the archive.
Wow, who was the inspiration for this complex regimen of natural brain boosing goodies? A homeopath on a therapeutic dose of acid?!
I'd have to staple a daily list to my head to remember that lot ...but seriously, I'm really pleased for you- it seems to be working, so that's worth any price, right?
> >>>>> I have a definite ADD diagnosis to keep my BP11 company on those long winter nights.
>
> Which one is the more talkative, and do they keep you awake at night chatting with each other?>>>>>>Well,the bp11 keeps upsetting my imaginary girlfriend, Gertrude (she's far too demanding thesedays- and still sulking 'cos I gave her a puncture recently).
The ADD tends to be a bit more withdrawn and muted.Social wallflower really.
> I am sorry that you lost your Dad, Colin.Thanks Ron- it's came at the worst possible time too-Christmas and all that- bah humbug I say.
>
> Have you ever considered Provigil?
>>>>>I have, but I can't find anywhere to buy it.I buy my Ritalin (after months of searching)online, very cheaply, which is a godsend. Typically, I couldn't get it prescribed here in dungsville, but it's starting to feel good and produce results too.>> johnj checks in periodically, but I don't think I've seen Ritch (Mitch) lately. Mitch has ADHD in conjunction with BP, right?
>>>>>I believe he does too, although his commitment to conquest and the spread of dark forces throughout the universe keep him busy these days.
He does this well, despite the BP11 and ADD...
>
> > Let me know how you're getting along, Grasshopper....
>
>> Right now, great! Two weeks ago, terrible. right now I'm doing great and I don't want to rock the boat with anything new (for the time being).>>>>Still plunging occasionally eh? I hope you get some lasting and consistent results this time.
>
> Be well my friend.
>>>>>>>>>You too me ol' mate!Colin.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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