I gots the itches

[dreamcat]

and boy oh boy, it's annoying!  I'm only on Day 4 (triple w/Incivik), and for the first couple of days, I thought I'd breeze right through it...surprise!

I've been using several OTC creams and lotions, to no avail -- it helps for a moment, but that's it.  I finally called my Dr. this afternoon and he said to try Zrytec, which I will before i go to bed.  

I can do this.  I can do this.  I can do this.  

Til later,
Karen

[beeblessed]

Just saw your other post.  Yikes!!  Glad you are seeing the doc tomorrow.  Hope they figure out something quickly for you.  Use ice packs too if you can.

I'm dealing with nerve pain in my right arm today.  No fun.  But tomorrow is another day.  Nighty night :)

[dreamcat]

hey bee!  The Zrytec has helped a bit, along with the slathering of Eucerine anti-itch cream... It's tolerable at this point, but the rash itself is covering a good part of my body... :(

How are you?

[beeblessed]

Hey Dreamcat!  I think I missed your reply to my reply to your post.  Yes, the Gold Bond in the green bottle.  How are you feeling now??  Is the Zyrtec or anything else helping??  I've heard good things here about Atarax (like copyman said), but I have no opinion, as I am allergic to it.  Hope things are more tolerable for you now :)

[streamline569]

I was on vitamin once a week prescription for about a year before I started tx and now i take it when I think of it. No more then once a week. High dose. Maybe the vitamin D is helping. I itch, but nothing I can't handle and some days it goes away for the day. I feel very luck with the itch. I do keep cortisone with me and rub it on the itch as soon as it starts. I think that helps me.

[Roberttherock]

From your post it seems like you have that itch from hell quite often.  I have only had it twice so far in about 7 weeks and that is more than enough.  I have been trying to think if there is something I did different on the two days I had episodes, but can't.  The fact that it does not happen that often makes me feel like I may be triggering the reaction in some way.  I do take vitamin d3, could that have something to do with it?

[crossroadsec]

I'm SO like Robert n hrsepwerguy. It's "under" the skin. Like nerve endings. My new think is to take 1/2 of my .25 Xanax and a child's dose of benedry. Nothing is working. It moves from ankle to shin to shoulder to thigh. I use ice packs.. Making me crazy. I've tried taking the meds n then laying in bed to wait for 10 PM alarm for Telaprevir. Within 20 minutes.... Argh. It's awful. I can doze off n it starts again.

[joemc34606]

Just came back from doc today, I'm on my 10 th week of incevik treatment. I've been itchy but no rash, my doc seems to think it has to do with vitamins, I take mega men multi vitamins daily it has I think the d3 iin it. He told me today out of over one hundred patients they have on treatment only 1 got the rash. Might be something to it. Joe

[hrsepwrguy]

I have had 2 of the described events , I wouldn't describe it as itching, it was more like getting bitten by 100 invisible horse flies and like you I have not had any rash yet(end of week 4). Unfortunatly the only relief was a cold pack until it passed which was about 1 1/2 hrs.

[Roberttherock]

I have had some problems with itching, but not sure if it is like yours.  I have had 2 episodes of itching that lasted about 3 hours each.  One in wk 2 and one in wk 6 on Incivek.  They both started about 10:30 PM, just before or after my last dose.  First my legs will itch that is overpowering.  After 45 min to an hour it will subside for a few min then start in the upper body with the same intensity and duration.  This will subside and it will start again, this time in places not previously hit.  There is no rash.  I have tried anti itching creams during attacks but with no effect.  I avoid hurting my skin by rubbing instead of scratching.  These very intense but widely scattered events.

[copyman]

Ask doctor for a prescription of ATARAX. It helped to relieve the itching with me when I did the trial with telaprevir & soc drugs.
Hope you get relief soon.

[dreamcat]

I've tried lots of other stuff, but I'll get that one tomorrow -- it's the one in the green bottle, right?  My Dr. said to get some Zrytec, so I'll do that tonite.  

A friend who's about 8 weeks ahead of me in tx said his doctor prescribed betamethasone valerate, which worked well for him.  Anyone heard of this medication???

Take care, all... til later,

Karen

[Vannh9]

YOU CAN do this:-) hopefully the itching will only be temporary. I will be thinking about all of you guys that have just started. WE An slay this dragon!!!

Take care all~

Vann

[beeblessed]

Hang in there Dreamcat!!  Have you tried Gold Bond Extra Strength Medicated Lotion?  I'm not on Invicek but it helped me big time with the RIBA/Interferon rash.  Keep an eye on it and do call your doctor.  Really hope it gets managable for you.

[Ajw78757]

What has helped me to bring down the itching intensity-

Sower every other day with warm (not hot) water-pat dry.
Lotion right after shower.
Put lotion on at least 3-5 times a day EVERYDAY.
Drink lots of hydrating fluids.

I tried the lotions, benedryl, atarax etc...

For me, consistent moisturizing is the only thing that helps. It doesnt completely go away, but manageable now-
I thought a few times during the itchies I was going to have to stop the teleprevir.

[lynda607]

If the rash or itching become too severe your doctor can prescribe Atarax for the itching and a topical steroid ointment to control the rash.  You don't want it to get out of hand.

[hrsepwrguy]

Well there is 1 wonderful expirience that I do hope for and that would be SVR

[hrsepwrguy]

Hang in there guys, I so know it gets rough, but it will all be worth it. I'm halw way thru week 4 and I feel the best since starting(so far) but who know"s what wonderful expiriences lay in the future.( i hope none ) but as they say hope for the best and.expect the worst.

This is doable I promise

[Livinontheedge]

Not sure if I got the itches or not,   sometimes my skin feels like its hot, or chapped , but when I look at it, there is nothing there, so I don't know if I am just freaking out waiting to get some horrible spread of rash, which is a big fear for me, because I cant take any antihistamines by mouth :(

[Jillybean65]

I'm on Day 4 as well and I'm doing the same thing. I'm just happy I'm not throwing up any more.  

Yes, you can do this!