Help please - Manic licking/scratching

Hi all - I'm at the end of my tether with this on going issue with my beloved Arthur so i wondered if anyone could shed any light/have suggestions for this?

For most of this year i've been back to the vet almost monthly with Arthur. His symptoms are often the same - obsessive licking and biting of his skin. Not to the point of making himself bald but generally in the same areas - rear hind legs or round his main area.
We've tried the obvious flea treatment etc - but there is never any actual visible irritation on his skin or fleas.
I would go as far to say that i think the scracthing/biting is almost entirely pshychological.
We all know our cats - and i know that Arthur gets this look in his eye, almost maniacle and then he starts with the biting/scratching.
He has at points made his skin sore but its just small random scabs at points he persistently attacks. He has had a number of steroid injections and these seem to calm things down in the short term but i don't want to rely on it and i think it only resolves the itchiness from his self caused scabs. The Vet initally thought he might have an anal sack issue but this has now been ruled out.
The vet has said i can have allergy testing done but i haven't taken this step thus far because i fail to see what it can acheive. Nothing has changed in the home environment - he has a sensitive stomach so i am very careful about what he eats. At a last guess the vet suggested it could be a tree pollen issue because it seems to coincide - or the worse bouts could be said to conincide..
However i feel a lot more of the issues are down to Arthurs obsessive nature. Yes he is on his own all day and doesn't go out - but this has always been the case since i got him 6 years ago. He seems to persistently crave my attention - i know he starts licking/scrathing in my eye sight because he knows i will tell him to stop it. Unfortunately its so persistent that its beyond irritating - i have raised my voice to him and thats made him more nervy.
I've tried telling him firmly "no" the first time and then if i repeat myself - i silently remove him from the room for five minutes. Arthur is so so stubborn though that this just doesn't seem to have an affect.

Has anyone encountered anything like this? I'm struggling beyond belief with this and i am almost 100% sure its a behavioral issue. I have feliway plug-ins in the house and they seem to offer Arthur no relief.
I don't want to shout at him as i know this won't help the issue but i'm at the end of my tether.
He is a healthy big boy but i would really appreciate some help with this OCD behavior if at all possible?

Thank you everyone
x

I think I am with you on a lot of it being physchological reading your post & it does sound attention seeking although daughter has a MC that does tend to overgroom & my Welly used to be the same although he is not so bad now,if you have cuddles when you stop he flies round at his back end & has to lick himself but I just bring his head back round & try to divert his attention to something else....he is improving with age though but then we are at home more now & he does seem to be getting a lot more loving towards us. I know you say nothing has changed but as these cats mature & loose the playing/sleeping pattern of kittenhood so do their needs tend to differ so I am going to hide under the table & say this very quickly.....get him a friend to give him some company........ oh have I really said that......of course that may not work either but.....!!!!!
Hopefully someone else will be able to come up with something really constructive to help you both.....xxx

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. The comments you made about giving cuddles and then him flying around to lick his back legs etc definitely sounds the same.
Arthur is 6 now and yes i'm conscious that this isn't something caused by a change at home but more a change in him.
I beat myself up that i'm busy and don't give him enough attention but no amount seems to help at the moment.
I hadn't really considered another playmate - i would be happy to have another MC but i think i may have some convincing with regard to the hubby! :smile:

I've bought a couple more toys and try to play with him as much as i can when i'm home but he's so demanding that its never quite enough. Basically i think he would like it if my husband moved out and left me and him alone!
I will continue to be patient with him but i'd have to say getting another cat definitely isn't an option until next year when we plan to move house.
Thanks again though
x

Now you could have brought up another problem there,you say he would most probaly be happier if OH moved out how do they get on together....? Perhaps OH needs to take more notice & give Arthur quality time too I could go on for a long while how I was with one of my furries least to say I am ashamed to say I didn't click with him but oh the difference when I gave myself a good talking too & sorted myself out, I think this breed of furries are so sensitive & want love from both parties, I know men aren't the most likely ones to keep kissing them & giving them the soft talk like we do but mine love the rough & tumble they have with dad.... would it be worth leaving him with one of the feeders that they have to work out how to get to the food during the day to give him a bit of stimulation ours love the maize,try removing some of his favourite toys for a period of time then chuck a couple back in the pot just before you have to go to work to hopefully again stimulate him,if you think about the logic of it he sleeps all day while you are out so it figures he is going to need attention from somewhere the other end of the day, I know another furry is out of the question & I did suggest that tounge in cheek but MC's are great company lovers as we have discovered....pity you don't live closer or I could lend you the choice of six to keep him company during the day if he chose Billy I think I could safely say he would be zonked all evening,when I let mine in from the pen they head staright for head down time with a look of relief that mum is going to take over B's needs......xxx