success with atarax

[skiyaltr]

need some help with timelines and possible relief.  Picked up the itches last week (week 7 of incivek tx).  Did cool showers, lotions, benedryl, etc all week but wasn't enough.  Started atarax friday night and have seen some relief.  25 mg recommended 4 x a day.  Have been taling 3 x on or about incivek time.  Friday night had to take ambien to sleep.  Trying to keep the number of various drugs low so don't have reactions to reactions.

I am seeing a little bit of rash show up, but mainly just itching and it will drive you crazy.

For those that have this side effect, did it get better slowly, or did it last all the way through the incivek period.  Did you try atarax and if yes, what was its success.

Have labs on Monday and Dr Wednesday; just trying to get through the next few days and looking for hope.

Thanks

[Sentinel13]

Copyman makes an excellent point about Ambien. In addition, the deep sleep can cause you to sleep through your Incivek or Victrelis dose time. Not good.

[copyman]

I had good results with both Atarax (itching) & Ambien (sleep) when I treated. Good idea not to get dependent on these.

Also be extra careful with the Ambien, it puts you in such a deep sleep that people have driven to the store then went back to bed. Would find stuff they bought at the store and receipts with times when the person was sleeping!

Hope you get relief soon
Best of luck

[orphanedhawk]

Try checking out this post below. Oatmeal is great for itchies. I use oatmeal soap, oatmeal lotion etc.

Nygirl swears by Goldbond.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Side-effects-after-Incivek-is-over/show/1584953

[skiyaltr]

It has been cool here and staying inside; cool showers.  Lots of lotions.

[Sentinel13]

The "itching" side effect can manifest itself in different forms & severity. Atarax was not effective for me -- it drugged me, but did not resolve the itching. OTC Cetirizine initially worked well, but lost its effectiveness.

When the "itching" got to the point where it felt like I was being poked with pins, my doc prescribed Gabapentin (a neurological drug) to keep me on treatment. For me, Gabapentin was the right solution.

Unless treated, the itching will likely get worse as the riba infiltrates every corner of your body.

Are you having any issues with temperature and static electricity? I found that lower temperatures and higher humidity help.