Sensitive skin…

[Nico1986]

Recently started Pilates to help with sensory issues balance etc following medullary stroke 9 month ago but finding most difficult part is the pain I’m getting with my sensitive skin on side of stroke CPSP riddled with… anyone any tips how to desensitise my left side or know if will subside in time?

[Jbob]

Hi, as someone with eczema and very sensitive skin, know a little bit about skin and caring for it. I would see my GP and try a few different skin creams most are thick and moisturise the skin if it is dry . However their good at ruining clothing and can stink but most modern stuff has no scent.

I do wonder if it is more nerve issues as when I was recovering couldn’t bear to touch my skin even the shower hurt/ stung but in time it went away about six weeks in. It was replaced with itch for about a month- weird I know but went away and back to normal.

Good luck in finding a solution and keep up with Pilates as someone who is getting back to martial arts am going to try this to as have great respect for it’s value for both balance as well as strength and conditioning.

[Nico1986]

It’s CPSP I’m on a low dose of Gabapentin full left side sensitive skin with no temperature senses drives me crazy but not really effected my progress until today where was just unbearable doing balance exercises

[Jbob]

In an unrelated matter- spinal injury and nerve compression they gave me amyltriptaline to reduce nerve sensation. Wasn’t too keen as it’s an anti depressant but it made some improvement for me in the short term. Sorry I can’t add any more than that just now but hope someone can suggest something for you. Good luck.

[Mrs5K]

Hi @Nico1986

I don’t have CPSP but it gas been discussed a few times on the forum. I have added some links below which may help.

Sensory physiotherapy for CPSP

Hi all Quick update on my own recovery and CPSP. So today I’ve been back to the stroke unit at royal stoke hospital for an appointment with stroke consultant about my CPSP. Very strange being back there where I spent a couple weeks last year while they got me medically stable before I got transferred to a rehab unit So I’ve been put on 2700mg of gabapentin a day and see how it goes, and if it doesn’t work to get in touch with them in few weeks and get it upped or changed. While there they ch…

Central post stroke pain, again sorry

Hi all Another post from me about CPSP again sorry. Just wondering, of those who’ve suffered from it and managed to get it under control, how it felt and happened? So since Tuesday I’ve been taking 2700mg of gabapentin a day, upped from 1800mg. The last 3 mornings I’ve noticed that when I wake up there’s no pain, nothing at all for first 10 mins or so,then gradually through the day the pain/ severe pins and needles starts to kick in Could those first 10 mins be sign that the upped dosage is…

Central post stroke pain

I haven’t been through CPSP but I’ve been through lots of pain. When you can’t sleep because of pain, it’s no good. Generally, if it’s stroke-side pain, I almost welcome it (to a degree). That’s because I am still trying to regain sensation that side. Interestingly, my Chinese Dr. told me no pain goes on all through the night, so there’s always a window of opportunity to go to sleep. It seemed a false statement when I first heard it, but thinking back, I wasn’t able to prove him wrong. Even so, …

[MinnieB]

I suffer from CPSP,which varies depending on the weather, temperature (and whenever it feels like it). I was on high doses of Gabapentin, which caused massive fatigue, so I came off it. I’m now on Pregabalin which is better than the Gabapentin, but hasn’t completely helped. It helps me sleep, but it doesn’t last all night. My arm gets very sore and my elbow and the outside edge of my wrist are very sensitive. I haven’t got any magic solution for the problem. The Pregabalin just dulls it down and makes things bearable.

[Lizzie22]

Hi Nico,

I have the same problem after medullory stroke. I find using a tens machine helps diatract me from pain at night. I also use a percussion massager on that side of the body as I find any tightness in the muscles makes it worse.

Epsom salt baths seem to ease the sensations a little as well. I also cannot tell hot from cold but have found that when the affected side feels cold the pain is more intense.

I am trying alternating between hot and cold water on both legs at the same time and focussing on the feeling on the good side whilst telling myself it is either hot or cold ro try and retrain the brain.

[pando]

Skin is an organ .. our largest, in fact. Fascia is at the heart of the problem, and, especially the immune system ; in your case (and others who’ve suffered a stroke) your immune system is in ‘rebuild mode.’ It’s a little confused, trying to work out a few things. The skin barrier is dependent on a good smooth working immune system ; look carefully into Squalene to help it repair. Magnesium is also going to help your skin, no end (eliminate dryness).

Those are the clues I am leaving you with !
This clips talks about the subject ; your skin is telling you something !

Good luck, R

[Nico1986]

Thanks fr the reply Lizzie, how long post are you? My stroke was bilateral so right side was all movement problems and left side all this nerve damage, as my right side recovers the left side doesn’t seem to do same so frustrating wasn’t even there wen left hospital turned up around 6 week post and shows no sign of budging

[Lizzie22]

Hi Nico,

I had my stroke at the end of May 25. Initially I had paralysis of the right side of my face, total loss of sensation down the whole of my left side and inability to swallow.

[EmeraldEyes]

@Nico1986

so frustrating wasn’t even there wen left hospital turned up around 6 week post

That’s the trouble with strokes, it can take that long for the badly damaged brain cells to die off (if the brain can’trepair them in the meantime). Unfortunately they don’t all die instantly at the time of the stroke. So it can take 6/8 weeks before you feel the full effects of the stroke.

Lorraine