itching

[RBG111]

i have hep c, yet ive had no further test than the positive result...problem is the itching.scalding hot showers relieve it somewhat, but noithing else seems to work...benadril,creams... any low cost suggestions??i dont have insurance so i cant just pop into the dr for different treatments that are useless.the itching is everwhere too, not in the few spots ive seen mentioned in some books i have on hep.mostly on my elbows and groin area,alot on my legs to.sometimes my eyebrows and scalp.thanks

[jonihs]

I second the sarna. Even when my belirubin wX-tra toxins from liver failure, it helped alot!!!    Joni

[tikerberi]

I have had tremendous itching, particularly my back, and I'm not on treatment yet either.  I can't take benadryl, a lot of drugs make me drowsy.  

The best thing I found?  I have at least one of those 99 cent bamboo backscratchers in every room of my condo, always handy.  I even have a couple at work, that I keep close at hand.  Right now, sitting at my computer, I see one on a pile of books on my desk and another on my nightstand.  As I said, they are everywhere.  Couldn't survive without them.

[boombox]

SARNA is the only thing that helps my itching.  It is available over-the-counter.  Active ingredients are menthol and canphor.  No cortisone.  Costco has the lowest price of $8.+ at pharmacy counter.  Walmart carries it in the pharmacy. CVS and Eckard also carry it--You probably won't be able to find it on your own, just ask the clerk.

[OkieJim]

Thank you for asking. I'm not doing the Procit thing yet. Blood work is very low, will be doing the Neupogen again next couple of weeks tho. SX have been unpredictable. Rage, Itch, Tired, Headache, Dry skin, Still have hair tho. I did #14 last Friday night. Hope to hear about my PCR this coming week. Jesus loves us and will be there for us no matter what the outcome is. God Bless You Sandi and have a side free week.

[LvdByGod]

hi,nice to here from you. i will be taking my 12th shot around Christmas/new years. i'm so excited to be already that far along. treatment has been no picnic but, it has been fairly easy on me. pegasys/copeg. i just hope i clear like everyone else. how have your sides been sence starting the procrit? and where is mrtyles? i hope she is just too busy to get on the web. oh well, God bless, sandi

[LvdByGod]

it sounds like you are not doing treatment for hepititus c because it is a money issue. could'nt you enter a trial and get treatment through that. some people here could lead you to the right web sites or hospitals. i hope you can get treatment soon. itching is just a side effect. the real issue is getting rid of the hep c. i'm concerned for you, sandi

[oldhippiechick67]

taking a scalding hot shower cant be good for you! here is a link that tells you how to deal with symptoms:

http://www.hepcsurvivalguide.org/comboguide.htm

http://www.hepcassoc.org/links.html

I have tried over the counter creams (store brand hydrocortisone), benadryl gel & pills, and baby oil (which is really cheap).  After a shower, slather the baby oil on and it helps keep the skin's moisture in.  Drink lots of water to flush out toxins and just keep your body healthy.

[OkieJim]

Hey you stil doing OK?? I just love seeing you here. I really miss Myrtles. I pray she is OK. You should be comming on on your PCR time soon hey!. My prayer are with you. Hope you have been staying on schedule.
God bless you.

[Revenire]

I took off my bathrobe yesterday and notied I had scratched a hole in the back, right on the spine, of it.

RIBA-RASH.

[ringading]

i also have severe itching..long before i started treatment, and still..yup, even eyebrows and scalp, sometimes it is so bad i have caused myself to bleed and leave small raised scabs that don't heal for sometime...i am told, although please don't take this to the bank...that it is the toxins that our liver is unable to eliminate thus spilling out, sorta free floats and causes severe itching.  i have seen specialists it is such an irritant, but they find no cause...so i am assuming it is indeed the hep.

[lackalustre]

i found pure essential lavender oil was great to clear up riba rash itchies.  also any skin related thing. it will take the pain out of a burn immediately.  i was astounded.

[new-sojourn]

Try an anti-histimine (sp/)-Benedyl or diamatabe-some allergy-type otc med-you can even take 'child' strenght,  this works for me.  Also, this sounds strange, b/I use a warm footbath before bed w/plain old vinagar added and then rub plain old petrolium jelly (massage more like) into the soles of my feet..  Its reflexology.  It calms the itchies down.  Add little cotton footies.

I've tried all sorts of expensive remedies-lotions, potions, bath salts,etc-b/found this old home remedy w/reflexology worked the best.  The never centers are relaxed and receptive in the feet.It just calms me down.

[Tallblonde]

I'm experiencing the same thing -- and it's not related to treatment, because I'm not on treatment yet.  My back itches almost constantly.  Before I had my biospy last month, I was really concerned about this symptom because it's apparently more common with advanced liver cirhhosis (still can't spell it!).  But it turns out that I have no significant fibrosis and only moderate inflammation.  Now I view the itching as just a nuisance, but I'd such welcome some suggestions for relieving it, too.

Susan