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Posted 3/10/2013 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
For some reason, with all the different pain meds I've been on (Oxycodone, Diazepam, Hydromorophone), I always get itchy after I take them, along with sometimes getting really nauseous but never throwing up. I don't think I've ever actually seen the itching listed as a side effect before but no matter what pain med I'm on, I start to get itchy EVERYWHERE.

Not only is it annoying but, in public it just makes me look even weirder. I've tried taking Benadryl (sp?) for it but that didn't help. I've also tried aloe lotion and sometimes that just makes it worse. Does anyone else have this issue?

- Rainy/DD
Posted 3/10/2013 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Danger, I get itchy also, its really bad with percocet. I cant even take that anymore because of it. The first day its not to bad but the longer im taking it the worse it gets.As far as other meds, I do itch but most of the time its during the night. What short amount of time I do sleep i normally wake up scratching the whole time. Percocet is the only one i cant take at all, due to itching. i hope this helped a little.
janet
Posted 3/10/2013 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Janet,

It gets worse at night for some reason. Originally I thought it was my sheets or something so I changed that but that didn't help. So I figure it must be the medications. It was really annoying on the percocets.
Posted 3/10/2013 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
DD, I get itchy too. You are not alone. mostly it's my thighs that itch and lotion makes it worse, so I just scratch because it feels so darn good :)
Posted 3/10/2013 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
"Itchiness" is definitely a side effect of many of the opiods. Often times - it will go away over time.... but sometimes it's bad enough that people have to switch meds.

Re: the nausea - that is another thing that usually gets better over time. If not - there are definitely meds (like phenergan, zofran, etc) that can help w/ that too.
Posted 3/10/2013 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
Tina's right and it is one of the major side effects of all opiates. Most have problems with categories of opiates such as some cant take codeine but can take hydrocodone and this is why this med was ever invented,for those who could not take codeine. Back then there were few opiates that could be prescribed outside of the hospital setting or in oral forum and for things other then cancer related pain.

Same with oxycodone,those that cannot take hydro can take oxycodone and vice a versa. Morphine and Fent all of them can cause the itch and if it is alot to the point of having to treat the nausea and itch for months then you are considered to have an adverse reaction to that med,not allergic reaction but adverse,different meanings.

You certainly need to talk to your Dr if its been going on awhile and some of the prescription meds like Zofran for nausea and Atarax for itch is better then OTC stuff,but again you dont want to treat those side effects for long periods.

Vickie
Posted 3/10/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes its listed in the inserts, sometimes not. I get itchy too. It's mostly my nose. It doesn't happen all the time and it only lasts for a little while for me.

I get really bad nausea AND I throw up, but you know that. Using promethazine (phenegran) helps. You should ask about it when you go see the PM in a couple days.

The itchiness definitely isnt bad enough for me to stop taking pain meds, the pain is way too bad for that, but it can be really annoying sometimes.
Posted 3/10/2013 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
If the itchiness is fairly mild try taking an OTC allergy medication like Benadryl. However if it is severe or accompanied by a rash/hives and/or difficulty breathing then stop taking it and see your doctor ASAP.

I do concur with everyone else that a bit of itchiness is very common with opiods. I get it from time to time myself and when I do I take an OTC allergy pill and within 30min to an hour it is gone.
Posted 3/10/2013 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Itchiness is a very common side effect as you can see by all the responses and I'm pretty sure it does list this on every opiate paperwork from the Pharmacy as I've been on most every med over the years.

As you've said that Benadryl doesn't work for you, I would speak with your Dr. and ask what to do.

As Vickie mentioned, perhaps Methadone would be a better option as with it's long half-life, it may provide less side effects.

Or have you tried Nucynta?

The other thing to help with nausea is to make sure you take the meds with a meal. Drink enough water through the day, and if you have also tried all the basic things like Tums...then perhaps needing an actual nausea medication to take when needed.

That's the downside of medications..it's all about whether the positives outweigh the negatives and only you can decide.

Let us know how things go...
Posted 3/10/2013 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Danger,

You've been given lots of great advice...

Personally, I need to have eaten a little something before I take my meds...crackers, toast, fruit...for me it doesn't need to be a full meal, just a snack of some kind.

Hope you begin to feel better very soon!
Posted 3/10/2013 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I would not call it as much as side effect as a reaction. I would not be as concerned if it were mild, I would take it with food and keep an eye on things. But if its more than that I would be concerned
thats its a reaction and there are nasty things that can happen.
Posted 3/13/2013 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I had one pharmacist who was able to create phenergan into a topical gel. 1cc on the inside of the wrists, and rubbed together until it absorbed worked well. I have yet to find a doctor who has even heard of it since then, or even how to order it. It's a pediatric delivery system, but can be used as adult doses. Usually comes as a pre-filled syringe with no needle.

I've also found that a shower just before taking pain meds mitigates the itching greatly. Something about dry skin and using a moisturizing body wash (they make them for guys too) has made a difference for me. It's sometimes impractical, but but it also helps relax you when you take your night-time meds.
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