Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 348189

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Focalin and all-over itchiness??

Posted by University on May 18, 2004, at 12:40:43

Started Focalin the other day, and I'm having some urticaria--all over body itchiness without hives or lesions of any kind. I'm not alarmed that it's a dangerous allergic reaction, but wonder if anyone else has experienced this.

I took Ritalin for over a year without this, which makes me think it might be unrelated...

 

Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness?? » University

Posted by Caper on May 18, 2004, at 17:37:36

In reply to Focalin and all-over itchiness??, posted by University on May 18, 2004, at 12:40:43

My experience may be completely different from yours, but for what it's worth.....

I suddenly started to get an all over itchiness like you described when I was taking Ritalin, after being on it for a long time. It wasn't all the time, just occassionally. I thought really hard about what was different about the times I did get the itchies and what I came up with was lack of sleep.

In grad school I got terrible itchiness when I sacrificed sleep for studying while taking a stimulant (Adderall or Ritalin). First time it ever happened to me was during exams that took place at the same time my father was having surgery for cancer. I just couldn't sleep, and I have to admit I may have over-used the Ritalin a little since I figured if I can't sleep anyway I may as well study! I'm not talking about restless sleep, I mean practically NO sleep at all. I was up for several days in a row, except for a few brief naps when I fell asleep over my law books.

Maybe this is the problem for you if you haven't been getting proper rest? It's the only thing I can think of, unless maybe your Focalin dose is too high?

Keep the Focalin updates coming please, I'm interested in trying it myself so I appreciate you sharing your experiences.

Caper

P.S. A small dose of Benadryl or Claritin helped my itchiness a little without dampening the effect of the Ritalin very much. Also, making sure I was well hydrated helped too- drink lots of water.

> Started Focalin the other day, and I'm having some urticaria--all over body itchiness without hives or lesions of any kind. I'm not alarmed that it's a dangerous allergic reaction, but wonder if anyone else has experienced this.
>
> I took Ritalin for over a year without this, which makes me think it might be unrelated...

 

Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness??

Posted by University on May 18, 2004, at 20:44:25

In reply to Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness?? » University, posted by Caper on May 18, 2004, at 17:37:36

Thanks, Caper.

I think you may have something. The last time I had this all over itchiness was right after 9/11, for a couple of months. I'm the LAST person to somatize mental trauma or anxiety, so I didn't relate it to 9/11 or stress. I'm still not sure. It gradually faded away. I am under some stress right now, but nothing too unusual??

It seems especially odd that I'd have an allergic reaction to Focalin but not Ritalin, that's another reason why I don't think it's the drug. Regarding sleep--I haven't been getting adequate sleep lately either--but not a lot less than usual. I DID resume smoking after abstaining for about three months. This occurred when I stopped Ritalin and was taking Adderall for a few days (which had NO effect). Again, I didn't feel particularly stressed out, except to the extent that I couldn't concentrate at work because I didn't have any Ritalin and the Adderall wasn't working. Hmmm.

Still in other news, tonight I feel a latent sadness--as if all of this is leading me into a depression. So I'm being extra careful about taking my prozac (40mg/day), which I've taken for almost a decade. I get lazy sometimes and don't take it every day.

Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for your reply!

 

Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness??

Posted by University on May 18, 2004, at 21:18:29

In reply to Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness?? » University, posted by Caper on May 18, 2004, at 17:37:36

PS, Caper, I just took 1.5mg clonazepam an hour ago and am anxiety-free and feel much more clear-headed, but still itching. This would seem indicate that the itching is not a stress response, but I realize it still could be. The itch is not unlike itching I've had while on opiates (e.g., Vicodin), which release histamines.

Lastly, do you think it's anything to worry about (i.e., anaphalactic shock allergy response)? Normally, I'd be wary of an ostensibly allergic reaction, but this just doesn't seem like on. Incidentally, I have not had an allergic reaction to any drug I know of.

 

Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness?? » University

Posted by Caper on May 19, 2004, at 10:44:23

In reply to Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness??, posted by University on May 18, 2004, at 21:18:29

I've gotten the itching from pain killers too, now that I think about it. It was codeine and I admit I was taking a bit too much.

I'm no medical professional, but I'm pretty sure anaphalactic shock from a medication happens quickly if it's going to happen at all.

My advice would be to get some more sleep, don't get dehydrated, and consider that (unlikely as it may seem) your dose of Focalin is too high. If it doesn't go away soon I'd see a doctor to reassure yourself.

I talked about skin problems once with my psychiatrist and she said something about nerves and skin both originally forming from the same stem cells (whatever the heck those are). But her point was that that's why so many different skin problems seem to happen to people when they are stressed out, whether it's acne or dry skin or whatever. My mom once was extremely stressed and developed such itching on her legs that she scratched hard enough to make sores that left scars- the docs couldn't find any reason for the itching. They called it neurodermatitis which seemed to me that they were basically saying "you're stressed out and this is how your body is showing it."

I hope this helps your worries a little. Don't hesitate to see a doctor though. I know the first time it happened to me it completely dominated my thoughts, which just stressed me more, until I saw a doctor. The doctor was no help at all in stopping the itching, but she was not at all alarmed by the itching either, which relieved my mind somewhat.

Let me know how it goes. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Caper

> PS, Caper, I just took 1.5mg clonazepam an hour ago and am anxiety-free and feel much more clear-headed, but still itching. This would seem indicate that the itching is not a stress response, but I realize it still could be. The itch is not unlike itching I've had while on opiates (e.g., Vicodin), which release histamines.
>
> Lastly, do you think it's anything to worry about (i.e., anaphalactic shock allergy response)? Normally, I'd be wary of an ostensibly allergic reaction, but this just doesn't seem like on. Incidentally, I have not had an allergic reaction to any drug I know of.

 

O.K., I think it's the Focalin...

Posted by University on May 19, 2004, at 12:52:38

In reply to Re: Focalin and all-over itchiness?? » University, posted by Caper on May 19, 2004, at 10:44:23

Last night, I had my last dose of Focalin at about 3pm, wast itchy 'til seven, took 50mg diphenhydramine, went to bed, and woke up o.k.--no itchiness. at ten, I took a focalin (10mg) and it's now ten to eleven and i'm just starting to feel the little beginnings of itch in different places on my body. They invariably get more itchy until i scratch, and then they disappear and come back elswhere mostly. I think I'll call my pdoc and just switch back to Ritalin, which worked well but was losing effectiveness--i'll just up the dose. Arghhh.

 

Wait, it's not the Focalin...

Posted by University on May 20, 2004, at 14:50:21

In reply to O.K., I think it's the Focalin..., posted by University on May 19, 2004, at 12:52:38

> Last night, I had my last dose of Focalin at about 3pm, wast itchy 'til seven, took 50mg diphenhydramine, went to bed, and woke up o.k.--no itchiness. at ten, I took a focalin (10mg) and it's now ten to eleven and i'm just starting to feel the little beginnings of itch in different places on my body. They invariably get more itchy until i scratch, and then they disappear and come back elswhere mostly. I think I'll call my pdoc and just switch back to Ritalin, which worked well but was losing effectiveness--i'll just up the dose. Arghhh.

Wait, it's not the Focalin. The itchiness stopped more or less, and now I'm finding 30mg divided doses to be optimal.

 

Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin... » University

Posted by Caper on May 22, 2004, at 3:02:52

In reply to Wait, it's not the Focalin..., posted by University on May 20, 2004, at 14:50:21

I'm glad it's not the Focalin since you seemed to be really want it to work- but do you have any idea what it was? I'm still a bit mystified by my own itchiness during times of stress and/or lack of sleep because I've never met anyone else who had that specific reaction. Do you think it was stress or not enough sleep that caused your itchiness? Or maybe you just had to get used to the Focalin? Also, how is the Focalin working out for you so far? Thanks for any info.

Caper


> > Last night, I had my last dose of Focalin at about 3pm, wast itchy 'til seven, took 50mg diphenhydramine, went to bed, and woke up o.k.--no itchiness. at ten, I took a focalin (10mg) and it's now ten to eleven and i'm just starting to feel the little beginnings of itch in different places on my body. They invariably get more itchy until i scratch, and then they disappear and come back elswhere mostly. I think I'll call my pdoc and just switch back to Ritalin, which worked well but was losing effectiveness--i'll just up the dose. Arghhh.
>
> Wait, it's not the Focalin. The itchiness stopped more or less, and now I'm finding 30mg divided doses to be optimal.

 

Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin...

Posted by University on May 22, 2004, at 20:25:55

In reply to Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin... » University, posted by Caper on May 22, 2004, at 3:02:52

Hmm, I think idiopathic urticaria, whether long-term or not, is , of course, a mystery. But in my case, I think it's stress. Not all types of stress, but deeper, more existential-type stress. I dunno. My mom said that when she was about to deliver my little sister, that there was only this big, pink, meaty orderly in the room. She was horrified to think of his hun delivering her baby and she became incredibly itchy all over--almost unbearably. but then her obgyn came in and the itchiness resolved immediately after she gave birth. so maybe it's just one of those things. with mine, there is never any rash/hives except for the redness and scratching impressions I make from scratching. My dermatologist called it dermagraphy or something like that. where you can scratch a line on your skin and a big, red, raised line appears soon after...

the Focalin seems to be working at 20mg TID. I know that's a ton I guess, but ? :/ I'm trying not to factor in the fact that I hate my job, and that maye I "need" a lille more :/

And how are you ?

 

Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin...

Posted by Caper on May 22, 2004, at 21:43:48

In reply to Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin..., posted by University on May 22, 2004, at 20:25:55

Strange what your mind/mood can do to your body isn't it?

I'm glad to hear you've found the right dosage. Is 20mg Focalin about the equivalent of 40mg Ritalin? So that would mean you are taking the equivalent of 40mg Ritalin three times a day? It does sound like a high dose, but my philosophy is to do whatever works and doesn't harm your health. Is Focalin working better for you? Does it last any longer than Ritalin?

As far as how I'm doing, well....could be better. I'm currently on Adderall while I finish the last three classes I need for my graduate degree. All I need is one paper and two exams and I'll have the degree. I was allowed medical leave because of depression, but unfortunately during the time I was desperately trying to finish the paper I turned to alcohol for stress relief and now I'm an alcoholic.

I've been fighting this and am currently drinking again (damn it!) but am planning a home detox using valium as soon as my family leaves on Tuesday. If that doesn't work I'll do an inpatient detox, but I really don't want to.

Luckily I have a psychiatrist who is willing to work closely with me so I can still get the meds I need for my ADD and self detox. I'm lucky I know, because most psychiatrists will not prescribe anything addictive to an alcoholic. He keeps a very close watch on my prescriptions, but he's willing to give me a chance unless I do something to make him distrust me.

Anyway, with luck I will have my law degree by the end of the summer.

If you have the time, please do tell me about the differences between Ritalin and Focalin. I know the chemical difference but haven't yet heard from anyone who has taken both. I'm thinking of asking to switch from the Adderall to Focalin. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks and good luck to you.

Caper

> Hmm, I think idiopathic urticaria, whether long-term or not, is , of course, a mystery. But in my case, I think it's stress. Not all types of stress, but deeper, more existential-type stress. I dunno. My mom said that when she was about to deliver my little sister, that there was only this big, pink, meaty orderly in the room. She was horrified to think of his hun delivering her baby and she became incredibly itchy all over--almost unbearably. but then her obgyn came in and the itchiness resolved immediately after she gave birth. so maybe it's just one of those things. with mine, there is never any rash/hives except for the redness and scratching impressions I make from scratching. My dermatologist called it dermagraphy or something like that. where you can scratch a line on your skin and a big, red, raised line appears soon after...
>
> the Focalin seems to be working at 20mg TID. I know that's a ton I guess, but ? :/ I'm trying not to factor in the fact that I hate my job, and that maye I "need" a lille more :/
>
> And how are you ?

 

Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin...

Posted by University on May 23, 2004, at 1:16:22

In reply to Re: Wait, it's not the Focalin..., posted by Caper on May 22, 2004, at 21:43:48

great, well done you. and i'm glad to...infer that you're not one of those types who feels he has to do AA or something to kick drinking. i had quit smoking for three months, and started again--at the precise time i had gone from 60mg Ritalin/day to Adderall, which, as you know, didn't work. I'm thinking my smoking relapse is related--maybe in some dopaminergic way...

honestly, i find ritalin better than focalin. and it's so confounding because i know that the latter drug should essentially be the same as the former, but stronger. and it definitely hasn't the marked mood-elevating properties that Ritalin had (for me). But it does give me that focused buzz I need to do my work (i'm a science editor).

and indeed you are lucky to have a shrink like that. i have one also--but he's very blase. i don't think he could give a piss about me, but he does Rx anything i want, which is nice. i think he knows i don't abuse anything he Rxs. for me.

the reason i began taking methylphenidate in the first place was for the "excessive daytime sleepiness" that almost a decade on prozac has ostensibly caused. i tried modafinil first, and it was great, but was very expensive as my insurance co. wouldn't cover it without a narcolepsy diagnosis. somehow, as i began to tell my pdoc that my focus and productivity and motivation at work had been augmented, my dx sort of morphed into add, in his mind. i don't think he remembers the original reason for the Rx!

i want to go to grad school too. what sort of law will you practice? has your depression abated? i'm in a midlife crisis at 34--hey, (was) middle age for lots of people. i dislike my job and feel unfulfilled in general, which, of course, makes me wont to take a stimulant all the more--just to summon the energy to slog through the week.

well, hope you're detox goes well--and everything else. let me know.

uni



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