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One of the most infuriating things about living with fibromyalgia has to be the way it seems to come with so many different symptoms. We’re all familiar with the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia like chronic pain and fatigue, but a lot of people with fibromyalgia also suffer from things like frequent urination and chronic itching. That itching can be maddening and many people have said it can be worse than the pain. But the itching might actually be a sign of a different condition called cholestasis.
So, let’s talk about why people with fibromyalgia seem to suffer from chronic itching, why cholestasis might be behind it, and what you can do to treat it.
What Causes Chronic Itching?
Chronic itching is something that affects a lot of people who suffer from persistent pain conditions like fibromyalgia. But many doctors don’t take it seriously. After all, how bad can itching really be?
Of course, as anyone who suffers from it knows, the answer is: extremely.
After all, imagine having an itch that just won’t go away no matter how much you scratch. After a few hours, you’ve scratched yourself bloody and still find no relief. Imagine trying to get to sleep when you’re experiencing that kind of itch. And imagine that you suffer from it every day.
That’s the reality of people who live with chronic itching, which is why it’s such a shame that we don’t spend more time researching a way to cure it or even trying to learn what causes it.
There are doctors who dedicate themselves to solving this problem and who understand how terrible it can be. And the consensus about the root causes seems to lie in the nerves. We know that many chronic pain conditions are caused by the interactions between the nerves and the brain. And it could be that this same sort of nerve signal could be behind chronic itching as well.
But there are also many conditions that cause chronic itching, including cholestasis.
Could It Be Cholestasis?
Cholestasis is a condition caused by an interruption of the flow of bile to the liver. Bile is a fluid produced in the pancreas that helps aid in digestion. The bile is usually sent through a duct into the liver. But occasionally, this duct can become blocked which leads to a number of symptoms.
The most common symptoms are chronic itching and jaundice, where the skin and eyes take on a yellow color. In addition, your stool may be lightly colored and you’ll experience swelling in the face and limbs. And in some cases, you may experience persistent nausea and vomiting.
A number of things can cause cholestasis, such as certain medications, cancer, or bile stones, but one of the most common causes is pregnancy. The best explanation for why pregnancy leads to this condition is that some of the hormones associated with pregnancy cause your liver to stop receiving the bile. And there may be a genetic component since it tends to run in families.
You should see a doctor if you’re experiencing chronic itching. People who suffer from fibromyalgia may chalk up this chronic itching as another symptom of their condition, but it’s best to rule out other options as it is often a sign of a condition like cholestasis.
And your doctor can offer a number of ways to help you treat it.
How Is It Treated?
The treatment for this condition depends on its cause. In cases of cholestasis caused by pregnancy, the symptoms are usually mild enough that no treatment is needed. And in cases caused by certain drugs, it’s usually enough to just stop taking that specific drug.
But for a condition that’s caused by an actual physical blockage of the bile duct, surgery is often necessary to clear the obstruction. This is generally the preferred method for treating the condition. Like all surgery, it carries certain risks, but at the moment, it’s really the only option available. It’s best to way the risks with your doctor and listen to their recommendations.
And to treat the itching, doctors often prescribe a drug called Cholestyramine, which binds to the bile in the intestine so that it isn’t reabsorbed through the skin, which is the source of the itching. The bile actually irritates the skin cells, which causes the maddening itching sensation.
So, do you have chronic itching? Do you think this condition could be responsible? What do you think is the best way to handle the itch? Let us know in the comments.
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