Itch with no rash?

I have always been "itchy" when I get tired...Is it a symptom of HCV?

I am becoming increasingly itchy in the last week...but no riba rash (only in 4th wk). I am very tired in the last week also since my hgb is dropping.

Will I get the rash? I have even been out in the sun at work still no rash. Maybe being darker complected keeps me from getting the rash?

Only 7 more days till I can quit my job....wonder if I'll make it?

[Trinity4]

The Riba dries our skin out and could be the reason you are itching more.  I guess that's why they advise us to drink lots of water but I can just drink so much water and then I've had it!   I've been very lucky - haven't had any severe itching and rash on the body yet and on wk 15.  Have noticed lately that under my arms at my bra line I have some itching and redness.  Also, the inside of my ears itch me to death.  Go figure!  I want stick a steel brush inside my ears and have a good go at it!!  I have to keep cortisone cream on that everyday.   I've been using Gold Bond and 1% cortisone cream but not too much relief yet under the arms.  I changed laundry detergents several weeks ago so it might be from that - just don't know.  I use Bath & Body products everyday - bubble bath and lotion so that might be helping my skin overall as well.  I have a dark complection too and it may very well work in our favor.  (Good old Italian heritage!!)   Just see how it goes and you may be lucky and not get too bad -  at least I think I am so far.
Trin

[Fl_Gator]

Tks Trinity...I was itchy before tx...it's just extra of the same old thing this week.

Were you itchy before tx?

I make my own soap...nice stuff...maybe it helps...I know my skin doesn't seem to be dry...just itchy...grrrr...won't let me sit still...

ditto on the Italian thing...

[mremeet]

I got itchy without a rash all the time, it's a common symptom during treatment. And if I were you I wouldn't tempt fate by going out in the sun, especially if you're taking telaprevir in addition to SOC. Play it safe and take care of your skin as best you can. Be prepared for troubled waters ahead by staying hydrated and not exposing yourself to irritants that might set you off (like the sun!). Hang in there, "interesting" times are ahead. ;-)

[Trinity4]

Yes I was itch before tx.  I remember years ago going to dermo after dermo and they couldn't figure it out.  They gave me every topical preparation known to man and nothing worked.  Finally, one day, it just went away.  I do have eczema, courtesy of my mother and when I was younger my husband used threaten me with a flea dip cause I scratched so much.  In retrospect, it probably was the hepc but I didn't know.  If I keep lotion on my skin everyday it helps a lot and I know better than to scratch but I can't help it cause it make me crazy.  It's bad enough txing, but then you've got the itching to contend with -whose idea of a joke was that?  
Trin  

[Fl_Gator]

No choice on the sun thing...I work outside alot. but not for long stretches at a time. I have been going through 2.5 gallons every 3 days...thats just while I'm at home.

Job ends next Thursday. Hubby wants me to stay home for a while...don't mind if I do.

Did you itch before tx? I've been this way for years..it's just really bad this week...

tks

Gator

[Fl_Gator]

Tks Trin...I guess the itch thing will go away with the HCV? I hope!

mremeet...been reading your old posts, so many to weed through. I guess I still have to learn how to navigate the search feature...Lot's of great info. tks

[susan400]

As I told you about my experience with the rash and Telaprevir, you know what I'd say about the sun.  So, that I don't lecture you, I'll be quiet.  I know that you have no choice w/the sun and your current job situation.

Susan400

[btsmith]

   I have the pre-tx itch and had it for about a year now.  Of all the symptoms of HCV, itching is the one that gets me the most.  Befor they told me it's a part of HCV I was washing my bedding everyday, new shirt every 12 hours, anything to stop it.  Once I figured out that it was internal and not caused from an allergy or sun exposure, or something I felt better knowing where it came from.  It goes like this with me, shortness of breath, fatique, joint pain, and if I am really tired the itching sets in to completely make your day miserable.
btsmith

[Fl_Gator]

Tks...my last day here is one week from tomorrow...the Hubby wants me to stay home for at least a month....then I may look for something that I can do from home.

So far no rash...just the age old itch that is a familiar torment when I get tired...and I am so much more tired now than I have ever been. I just hope it goes away with SVR.

I tried extra lotion last night...not a big help. My skin isn't really very dry yet either. I guess that gets worse over time? Husband wants to get me sandpaper sheets for my side of the bed...

[FlGuy]

This was lifted from Janis site - may be google further:
Pruritus: Pruritus is the medical word for itching. People with hepatitis C sometimes have pruritus. Often, it is limited to the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. However, some people have generalized pruritus, meaning they itch all over.

HCV and treatment has a lot of contradictions:
Itch without rash.
Hunger without appetite.
Rage without the energy to do anything about it.
Illness without symptoms
Headaches without alcohol
Exhausted but unable to sleep

It is certainly diabolical.