Living with Chronic Pain

Constant Itch on the scrotum area, only on that area and all around it. Sometimes its in one spot, other times its on another spot, and sometimes all around. It seems to be worse at night when I’m trying to sleep. In fact I don’t get good sleep at night anymore due to it. I’ve first developed symptoms about 12 years ago and it gets worse and worse from month to month. It seems to not bug me so much when I have a cold. Oftentimes its so severe that I feel like ripping my balls off….I really feel like dying sometimes, It has negatively effected every aspect of my life…sexual and otherwise

I went to 4 Dermatologists, 2 Urologist and Planned Parenthood, and talked to a few Neurologists during the past 6-7 years. I was prescribed about a dozen powders and creams, none worked. (unfortunately I didn’t keep records of the names then). There has never been any pimples, rashes or other outward signs on the scrotum, unless its due to me itching it. Sometimes it gets “raw” and “dry” when I itch it constantly, but its impossible not to scratch what itches. I would compare the sensation to having an extremely bad case of poison ivy all day every day.

The current dermatologist had me on Gabapentin (Nuerontin) that was effective for about a year and a half. I would take 3 pills 800mg a day. Sometimes I would take more if the itch was uncontrollable, maybe 4 or 5 pills. It worked for a while but I would be lacking energy all day everyday. I would have restful 8 hours of sleep, then wake up take the 1st pill and half an hour after waking up and I would feel like going back to sleep again. I lacked energy and motivation. Another thing I noticed If I drank 2 or 3 beers I would be severely hung over the next day. I stopped using Gabapentin due to the side effects. The over the counter medicines I used are:

1-Pramosone Hydrocortisone Cream (it was actually prescribed Small and about $110)
2-Lamasil
3-Lanacane - Numbs the itching/pain sensation
4-Baking Soda (heard that this worked if you made a paste out of it)
5-Corn Starch (same as the baking soda)
6-Ice pack to numb the lower stomach area where the nerves are
7-Ecerin
8-Avon Anti Itch Therapy
9-Gold Bond Body Powder
10-Vingear
11-Icy Hot (burned really bad but after it worked for an hour)
12-Micatin
13-Aveeno Oatmeal Bath
14-Neuragen (homeopathic, figured Id give it a try since it states it works for nerve damage)
15-Nasal Spray (controlled substance) RX by the dermatologist
16-Dreft (baby detergent)
17-Dove Soap - dermatologists suggestion
18-Hypericum Perforatum Homeopathic
19-St Johns Wart Oil
20-Benadryl Original Strength Cream
21-Gold Bonds Medicated Anti Itch Cream
22-Doxepin (Sinequan) - RX Topical (external) treatment of itching skin disease 23-Lice Shampoo
24-Honey - Natural Medicine
25-Nix Lice Shampoo
26-ActivOn
27-Quercetin 500 - inhibits the manufacture and release of histamine and allergic/inflammatory mediators
28- Milk - Contains Capsaicin a natural
29- Half Detergent/2 Rinse Cycles (Second cycle no detergent)
30- New Comforter/sheets for bed
31- Ivy Itch Releaf - Contains Jewelweed known to stop itching
32- Vegecol Organic Facial Cleansing Lotion For Sensitive Skin
33- Advil Liqui-Gels
34- Benedryl Allergy Medication

I’m in desperation to cure this problem even temporarily, as long as its not Gabapentin. The only thing that numbs the pain is Lanacane, and Gold Bond sometimes works too. Lanacane is by far the best although it has some severe side effects. HOT water in the shower and a bath is the only thing that totally soothes the problem, but only during the duration that i’m in the bathroom.
This seems to be a neurological problem. I don’t currently have health insurance so I’m hesitant to see a specialist like a Neurologist especially if all the other doctors can’t do anything to help.