Relief from itching

Hi Everyone,  My husband has just started experiencing severe itching.  I have heard that Gold Bond lotion works pretty good, so we are going to give that a try tonight. 

Does anyone have any other suggestions if this doesn't work for him?

Thanks to everyone for being here.

I found that baby powder (a lot of it) helped.

Thanks guys, I did a little searching on the site last night but didn't have much time. It looks like the Gold Bond is helping for now. He also took a couple Benadryl caplets. We were told quite a while ago that it was safe for him to take. The doctor recommended it when he had trouble sleeping, since it is the main ingredient in over the counter sleeping pills yet the price is much lower in generic brands.

I am going to make a note of the other things for future reference.

Sandi, He has been taking Lactulose 2 or 3 years now. He doesn't really seem to be having any of the other symptoms he has when his ammonia levels start going up. His skin looks extremely dry.

I have read your post about the bra. It really made me laugh. I hope the memories made you smile.

It doesn't make me drowsy in the least.  When they come with it in the hospital at night, I tell them not to...it doesn't do a thing for me.  However, the Trazodone is working for sleep.  I don't itch very often and it's usually in the one spot that's hard to reach--the middle of my back.  The best back scratcher I've found is a rubber (not plastic) comb.

Hugs,

Connie

hubby takes cholestyramine power suspended in water after meals and the itching went completely away. He was scratching to the point of bleeding in his sleep! and now he is not. he says it tastes like tang.

Finnster's Mom, good to see you here.  I also follow that same diet.  However, I can't drink at all since I'm alcoholic (never mind that I've been sober for over 24 years...I simply cannot drink.)  Red meat is more like once every 6 months and I always regret it.  I do the low-sodium, few processed foods, etc.  Perhaps that's why I haven't had a huge problem with itching...yet.

Hugs,

Connie

 

Harvey had PSC and has been on Urso since 1994.  It had no affect on his itching.  He continues to take Urso today (post transplant) 300mg three times a day to thin liver bile. 

 

It’s weird, but once Harvey’s ESLD symptoms became severe, ascites, encephalopathy, bleeding varices, etc, the itching disappeared completely never to return.  This occurred about 1 year prior to transplant.

 

about a year after his liver transplant, Harvey developed Shingles (Adult Chicken Pox).  The itching was debilitating.  His PCP prescribed Gabapentin.  This is an anti-seizure medication found to be very effective in treating Pruritus (itching).  It doesn’t inhibit hepatic enzyme function and drug interactions are unlikely.  It may be worth asking the doctor about.

 

Liver disease affects everyone differently.  The itching can drive you to the edge of sanity.  If you find relief, by all means stay with it. 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Penny

 

P.S.  There is now a vaccine to prevent Shingles.  Harvey can never receive the vaccine because it is a live vaccine and he is on immune suppressive medications.  If your pre-transplant condition is favorable to this vaccine, I would highly recommend it.  Ask your doctor. 

Connie,

I just don’t know. Zostavax is the name of the vaccine. The chickenpox virus is the herpes zoster virus. According to the FDA . . .

Herpes Zoster Vaccine Questions & Answers

Should someone who has already had shingles use the vaccine, so that they don't get them again?
An episode of shingles boosts immunity to the virus so it is unlikely that persons who have had shingles will suffer from them again. The effectiveness of Zostavax in preventing repeated episodes of shingles has not been demonstrated in clinical studies.

Here is the link to the FDA’s webpage regarding the vaccine. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/UCM070418

The page will discuss those who should not receive the vaccine as well. I wish I had known about this vaccine before Harvey got so sick. As you know, the pain and itching from Shingles is debilitating. Your sister may actually have post herpetic neuralgia or PHN. This is permanent nerve damage caused by the Shingles that can last for months or even years after the initial onset. It is so important to have anti viral medications administered within 72 hours of onset in order to help avoid this. Yet another reason to get the vaccine if you are healthy enough to do so.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Penny

David,

 

It just goes to show that liver disease symptoms and treatments affect individuals in different ways.  What works for some may not work for others.  If we don’t explore the possibilities, we will never know. 

 

Knowledge is power.

 

Thanks,

 

Penny

Sorry Connie.  I meant your Sister.

 

It definitely sounds like PHN.  It’s too early to tell, but I’m afraid Harvey has it too.  It took nearly 3 months for him to get over it.  The initial bout is usually associated with the rash, itching, and intense pain.  Harvey compared it to the pain of kidney stones.  The subsequent flares are usually associated with pain.  Harvey’s wrapped around the right side along his rib cage.  The first symptom was deep right-side pain before the rash appeared.  He was afraid he was experiencing liver problems or possible rejection.

 

I don’t think this is too far off the liver disease subject.  In preparation for transplant, the patient is required to undergo a series of vaccinations to include, tetanus booster, hepatitis B series, pneumonia vaccine, and a current flu shot.  If the patient is strong enough, I would highly recommend the herpes zoster vaccine be included in this regiment.  Only a doctor could determine if a pre-transplant liver patient is strong enough to receive the vaccine. 

 

The chicken pox virus (or herpes zoster virus) remains dormant in the body.  It reactivates itself in older adults during periods of stress or a compromised immune system.  Transplant candidates certainly experience stress and the immune system is intentionally compromised for the rest of their lives to avoid rejection.  The vaccine was just developed in 2006.  We didn’t know about the vaccine until he developed Shingles.  Again, the vaccine is a live virus so a transplant recipient cannot receive it. 

 

We never saw this coming.

 

Penny

 

  my bad!