Formication…
…not to be confused with the much more enjoyable and welcome, fornication…
Formication is the sensation that resembles that of small insects crawling on (or under) the skin when there is nothing there.
It is one specific form of a set of sensations known as paresthesias, which also include the more common prickling, tingling sensation known as “pins and needles”.
I’ve suffered on and off with this over my adult life, generally its coincided with bouts of stress and anxiety. I had almost 2 years where my scalp drove me insane.
Apparently it’s also one of the very VERY many unnecessary, pointless, and irritating symptoms of perimenopause. Just more evidence that, if their were a God, it would certainly be male. No woman would create all this shit.
A friend eventually went to the doctor because the roof of her mouth was permanently sore and tender. Apparently, yet another potential joy in the package of goodies available to women after a lifetime of bleeding one week in every 4 (if you’re lucky), monthly stomach cramps, emotionally roller coasters and sore boobs.
Nobody warns us of this shit.
Often we think we are going insane, not even our own mothers talk about it. You find out symptom by irritating/ frightening/ painful/ debilitating symptom.
On a monthly basis, on my perimenopausal journey, I still enjoy ALL those delights, sometines more frequently, often more intensely. I’ve also always had to deal with brain fog, paranoia, lack of spacial awareness and clumsiness; meaning almost certainly there are at least 2 says each month where I daren’t get behind the wheel of a car; whilst working, almost definitely should not conduct a meeting or make a major decision; and will almost certainly accidently break crockery… and I will worry myself sick that I’ve upset or let someone down.
I can now add adhoc night sweats; rages like you would not believe (honestly I believe I could kill certainly I should not be allowed near other people!); and almost constant formication to the joyous package that is aging as a woman.
..and, I fear, there is worse to look forward to…
I fear for my sanity. Mostly I fear for the safety of my Hubby.. If you don’t see him around for a while, look out for newly cultivated flower beds in the garden… especially if my roses are looking unusually healthy.
