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Itching all over my body from Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is very troublesome to me because when i have a itching attack i itch all over my body excluding
at the moment my private area. I've had the light treatment for hours but still no relief from the itching yet.My
doctor prescribed Gabapentin 300MG but they don't help my situation at all.The itch is about to run me crazy.
Because i itch for about 40 minutes and after i scratch for that length of time it doesn't stop then it continues
to another part of my body an i have to do the same process all over again. I've tried everything that i know
of also what the Physician had prescribed for the problem. I can't take the treatment because of my Hepatitis
C are i should say because i had liver cancer before an they think the new serum will reactivate my Cancer.
I need help from someone that may have had the same problem but is doing well now.I forgot to mention that
scratching with my fingers now don't work i have to use a hair brush to scratch with now. I have proof of that.
at the moment my private area. I've had the light treatment for hours but still no relief from the itching yet.My
doctor prescribed Gabapentin 300MG but they don't help my situation at all.The itch is about to run me crazy.
Because i itch for about 40 minutes and after i scratch for that length of time it doesn't stop then it continues
to another part of my body an i have to do the same process all over again. I've tried everything that i know
of also what the Physician had prescribed for the problem. I can't take the treatment because of my Hepatitis
C are i should say because i had liver cancer before an they think the new serum will reactivate my Cancer.
I need help from someone that may have had the same problem but is doing well now.I forgot to mention that
scratching with my fingers now don't work i have to use a hair brush to scratch with now. I have proof of that.
You should also repost your question in the cirrhosis forum, Hector is a community leader there and he will be much more informed on the current treatment options for people with liver cancer.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Cirrhosis-of-the-Liver/show/1390
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Cirrhosis-of-the-Liver/show/1390
Pruritus (Itching)
Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms reported by people with
hepatitis C (20%), but is more commonly found in people with advanced
liver disease and cirrhosis. Pruritus is itching that may be localized to a
specific part of the body such as hands and feet, but it can also be a
generalized itching all over the body. Some people even report that it feels like their internal organs itch. Pruritus can be related to high bilirubin levels, autoimmune disease or dry skin, and can be a side effect of treatment. Use of moisturizing lotions, oatmeal baths or lotions,
antihistamines, and cortisone creams and opiate drugs can help
Recent studies are showing that dermatologic manifestations, and pruritus in particular, may be the only sign of chronic HCV; therefore it is important that health care professionals be aware of extrahepatic dermatologic manifestations, of which pruritus is an example.* Experts believe pruritus in people with liver disease is due to the accumulation of toxins (such as bilirubin) that are not effectively processed or filtered by the damaged liver. One function of the liver is the production of bile, which helps digest fats. Cholestasis, or blockage of the flow of bile through the liver, can result in a build-up of bile acids and bilirubin in the blood. High bilirubin levels cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and pruritus is common in people with jaundice. Certain extrahepatic (outside the liver) conditions associated with HCV, such as autoimmune conditions, may also lead to itching. More commonly, itching due to dry skin can be a side effect of HCV treatment; this is not the same as pruritus due to advanced liver damage.
Pruritus symptoms can range from annoying mild itching to severe itching that interferes with daily life. Often the itching is worse at night, and may prevent sleep. Simple scratching typically does not relieve pruritus. As a result, some people risk skin infection and injury by scratching
themselves with sharp objects. Certain drugs can help reduce itching, particularly classical analgesics for neuropathic pain (gabapentin,
antidepressants) which also exhibit antipruritic efficacy upon clinical use. Some people find that antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
or hydroxyzine (Atarax), help relieve symptoms and allow better sleep.
For pruritus due to cholestasis, cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may be effective. These drugs are bile acid binders that attach to bile acids in the blood and help eliminate them from the body. They can also interfere with the absorption of other medications, so other drugs should be taken at least two hours before or after bile acid binders.
Some studies have shown that opiate antagonists such as naloxone (Narcan), naltrexone (Revia), and nalmefene (Revex)–which are used to block the effects of opiate drugs–can also reduce severe itching.
Phenobarbital (Luminal), ondansetron (Zofran), and ursodiol (Actigall) may also be used, and several other medications are under study. Rifampin, a hepatic enzyme inducer, is effective for the pruritus of cholestasis, but caution should be used in patients with preexisting liver disease because of possible hepatotoxicity. Butorphanol has also been shown to be effective in suppressing cholestatic pruritus. Zoloft (Sertraline), an antidepressant often prescribed to people with hepatitis C, is also effective
in reducing the itching caused by cholestatis
http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/pruritus.pdf
Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms reported by people with
hepatitis C (20%), but is more commonly found in people with advanced
liver disease and cirrhosis. Pruritus is itching that may be localized to a
specific part of the body such as hands and feet, but it can also be a
generalized itching all over the body. Some people even report that it feels like their internal organs itch. Pruritus can be related to high bilirubin levels, autoimmune disease or dry skin, and can be a side effect of treatment. Use of moisturizing lotions, oatmeal baths or lotions,
antihistamines, and cortisone creams and opiate drugs can help
Recent studies are showing that dermatologic manifestations, and pruritus in particular, may be the only sign of chronic HCV; therefore it is important that health care professionals be aware of extrahepatic dermatologic manifestations, of which pruritus is an example.* Experts believe pruritus in people with liver disease is due to the accumulation of toxins (such as bilirubin) that are not effectively processed or filtered by the damaged liver. One function of the liver is the production of bile, which helps digest fats. Cholestasis, or blockage of the flow of bile through the liver, can result in a build-up of bile acids and bilirubin in the blood. High bilirubin levels cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and pruritus is common in people with jaundice. Certain extrahepatic (outside the liver) conditions associated with HCV, such as autoimmune conditions, may also lead to itching. More commonly, itching due to dry skin can be a side effect of HCV treatment; this is not the same as pruritus due to advanced liver damage.
Pruritus symptoms can range from annoying mild itching to severe itching that interferes with daily life. Often the itching is worse at night, and may prevent sleep. Simple scratching typically does not relieve pruritus. As a result, some people risk skin infection and injury by scratching
themselves with sharp objects. Certain drugs can help reduce itching, particularly classical analgesics for neuropathic pain (gabapentin,
antidepressants) which also exhibit antipruritic efficacy upon clinical use. Some people find that antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
or hydroxyzine (Atarax), help relieve symptoms and allow better sleep.
For pruritus due to cholestasis, cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may be effective. These drugs are bile acid binders that attach to bile acids in the blood and help eliminate them from the body. They can also interfere with the absorption of other medications, so other drugs should be taken at least two hours before or after bile acid binders.
Some studies have shown that opiate antagonists such as naloxone (Narcan), naltrexone (Revia), and nalmefene (Revex)–which are used to block the effects of opiate drugs–can also reduce severe itching.
Phenobarbital (Luminal), ondansetron (Zofran), and ursodiol (Actigall) may also be used, and several other medications are under study. Rifampin, a hepatic enzyme inducer, is effective for the pruritus of cholestasis, but caution should be used in patients with preexisting liver disease because of possible hepatotoxicity. Butorphanol has also been shown to be effective in suppressing cholestatic pruritus. Zoloft (Sertraline), an antidepressant often prescribed to people with hepatitis C, is also effective
in reducing the itching caused by cholestatis
http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/pruritus.pdf
Wow. I'm really sorry that you are having such a hard time with itching. It's actually not a symptom of Hepatitis C, but actually a sign of liver disease. I'm surprised to read that your Dr has suggested that you can't treat your virus as that will reawaken your Liver Cancer. There are many others on this site that have successfully treated their Hep C after battling liver cancer. You may want to seek further opinions.
Wonder if you have tried Benadryl, and if that gave you any relief. You may also look into getting a script for Prednisone as that has been shown to help relieve these symptoms.
Best of luck
.....Kim
Wonder if you have tried Benadryl, and if that gave you any relief. You may also look into getting a script for Prednisone as that has been shown to help relieve these symptoms.
Best of luck
.....Kim
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