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What Causes Feeling Chills And Sensitive Discomfort Skin?

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Posted on Wed, 15 Oct 2014
Question: I have goosebumps whenever I touch myself, or someone touches me, or the wind hits me. It's been going on for 30 years, and no doctor has been able to help me. These "chills" drive me crazy. I believe they started after my hysterectomy in 1982. Any ideas?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Require more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can imagine the discomfort you have been going through for the past 30 years and I would like to help you if I can. For this I would require more information.
Why was the hysterectomy done? Was it only a hysterectomy or did they remove your ovaries also? How long after the hysterectomy did you start getting the symptoms? Do you get these goosebumps on touching any part of the body like the hands or only on sensitive areas? Was any test done?
Best wishes,
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (46 hours later)
It was a radical hysterectomy. I had a painful infection, and they did one surgery, but then they had to do another one to take out the ovaries as well. I only had 24 hours' notice before I was on the table, so it was quite a shock to my system. It was that or die, so I didn't have much of a choice! I'm not sure how long it was before I started getting goosebumps... it was all so long ago, and so painful. My boyfriend "didn't like hospitals" so he didn't visit me, and I was pretty much alone for the weeks I was in there. The goosebumps are most pronounced when my stomach area is touched. They can come from other areas as well, but the whole abdomen area is quite the trigger. That's why the acupuncturist connected the goosebumps to the hysterectomy; it's in the same area of trauma. I have since had 3 hernia operations, all cut through the same scar area. That probably didn't help, either. If you can think of a test to do, please let me know. All the doctors I've talked to are stumped. Maybe a neurologist???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
try Gabapentin

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I understand that you have gone through a lot of emotional trauma as well as physical trauma from the surgeries.
When surgeries are done the skin nerve fibers are cut. In most people, they heal well and there is no problem. But in some, the sensitivity can persist and in your case, it may be a factor as the areas that produce the problem are mainly the areas subjected to surgery.

You could try Gabapentin which would reduce the nerve sensitivity. Does your heart race at the same time you get these goose bumps? If so it means you have an increased activity of your sympathetic nervous system which may be controlled through simple medicines.

Emotional trauma and depression are also known to produce goose bumps.

I am available if you have further queries.

Hope you get better soon.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 days later)
I'd prefer not using the Gabapentin, but rather getting to the bottom of the issue and resolving it. I have been told to try resetting the limbic system through EMDR or PDTR. Your thoughts on these ideas?
BTW - my heart doesn't race when I get the goosebumps. I've been trying different "touches" on myself, and if I scratch my back, the goosebumps come, but only on the side I scratched. Pretty crazy. I will run the Gabapentin idea past my doctor. Your input on the other modalities would be appreciated.
Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Opinion below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX,

Nice to have you back.

Why I asked you about your heart racing was to know if your symptoms were associated with an increased sympathetic nervous system activity as occurs in anxiety.
What do you feel regarding your symptoms? Is it from an abnormal sensitivity of your peripheral nervous system or due to a psychological problem?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been found to be effective in some cases of PTSD. So if you feel your symptom is of psychological origin, it may work.
I suggested Gabapentin believing your symptom may be organic rather than psychological as Gabapentin is good at decreasing the sensitivity of the traumatized nerves . I prescribe it for my patients with cervical spondylosis with nerve compression and radiculopathy who require analgesics for pain relief. They do well and come off/decrease analgesics. In my practice , I find it to be a safe drug and my patients get relief with as small a dose as 300mg at bed time. I do not recommend the high dose meant for seizure disorders. The proof of the pudding is in eating. So if I were you and my doctor accepts my logic , I would definitely try this on myself.
I am sorry I do not have any experience with Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex (PDTR).
Hope you get better soon.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
I shall be interested in knowing your progress and am available if you have further queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (36 hours later)
I don't think it's a psychological issue. While it was a shock to have the sudden hysterectomy, I didn't have any real desire to have kids, and I knew I didn't have a choice in the matter, so I just took it all in stride. I think!
I will run the Gabapentin by my doctor, and I will let you know how my appointment for PDTR goes on Thursday, if you are interested. Will this email thread continue to stay open so that I can update you?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Look forward to your response

Detailed Answer:
I believe you and neurological cause was higher in my mind rather than the psychological cause. That was the reason I suggested Gabapentin ( Neurontin) in a small dose at bed time.
I look forward to your message after the PDTR. I think they keep the conversation on as long as there is activity. Please check with the customer care. In case they close, you can find me on the web and email me.
Best wishes and hope you get better one way or the other.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (32 hours later)
Thank you for the well-wishes. I will update you tomorrow after my PDTR appointment.
Cheers!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Fine

Detailed Answer:
Look forward to some good news:)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
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Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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What Causes Feeling Chills And Sensitive Discomfort Skin?

Brief Answer: Require more information Detailed Answer: Hello, I can imagine the discomfort you have been going through for the past 30 years and I would like to help you if I can. For this I would require more information. Why was the hysterectomy done? Was it only a hysterectomy or did they remove your ovaries also? How long after the hysterectomy did you start getting the symptoms? Do you get these goosebumps on touching any part of the body like the hands or only on sensitive areas? Was any test done? Best wishes, Dr. Noble Zachariah