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Posted 6/11/2014 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
The past few months I have been extremely itchy. It comes and goes, but right now I'm scratching all the time. I saw my GI yesterday for my 6 month visit and told him about the scratching, he couldn't necessarily say what it was from. It could be eczema or an allergic reaction to something or anything really. I thought maybe its from my Remicade (I've been on it since July 2013 - did the prometheus test in October/November and my remicade levels were low and I had not built up anti-bodies to the remicade then). So basically he couldn't say if it was from that or not.

I can't remember when the itchiness started and if it was right after an infusion or not. However, this current case of itching did happen about a week after my last infusion. He told me to see my dermatologist and have them decide what they think its from and maybe they can give me a cream or something to help.

I'm mostly itchy on my neck, behind my ears/ears, jaw line, chest, upper back and arms (sometimes the tops of my thighs). Theres no rash necessarily, or at least not all the time. Only sometimes theres red bumps, at least that I notice. But my skin is rough and has some dry patches where I itch. I have tried eczema lotions from the drugstore, coconut oil and lavender oils, and anti-itch creams. The anti-itch creams work the best, but are kind of annoying to cover your entire body in.
I'm only allergic to penicillin and mangos.

Has anyone else experienced itchiness or has eczema or something similar? and what do you use?
I'm looking for the right product to try or something to subside the itching until I can see my dermatologist. I've read through old posts regarding this issue, but wanted to see if there was anything new! I'm waking up pretty much every night from scratching! it's driving me crazy.
Thanks!
Posted 6/11/2014 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
It may be a reaction to Remicade, I couldn't say, but I notice you take Turmeric, maybe its worth upping your dose, as Turmeric is one of the safe herbs used extensively in the treatment of skin disorders and is used for eczema and itching, if you google it you might find that's something worth trying...I hope you manage to find some relief as constant itching is a terrible affliction.
Posted 6/11/2014 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't know that, thank you! I'm actually terrible at remembering to take the turmeric, so I'll start taking it more regularly and maybe up my dose a bit and see if it helps.
Posted 6/11/2014 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
I'm betting on the Remicade. Also, not every batch is exactly 100% the same.
Posted 6/11/2014 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
itching like that typically comes from something inside your body - pretty sure a dermatologist would be a waste of time -

as long as I stay away from grains & soy, no itchies ever !

remi definitely a possibility -
Posted 6/12/2014 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I agree it's something on the inside, but I haven't changed anything in my diet or anything else I can think of.
Gary, I didn't even think about the fact that every batch isn't the same. I get my next dose in 4 weeks and am going to pay close attention to if I get itchy after this infusion.
My Dr. asked if i'd want to stop the remicade if we decided that was causing the itches….no! I'd rather be a bit itchy than going 12 times a day and bleeding.
Posted 6/12/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I do think its probably the Remicade, I guess it all boils down to which is the lesser of the two evils, itching, or bleeding...
Posted 6/12/2014 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'd bet the Remi as well. Do they give you a steroid or something else before the infusion?

I do hope your doc's taken blood levels at this point.

I'm curious if you're using any creams or lotions or hair products that have scent in them? Have you changed that recently?

Are you in the sun or tanning bed?




q
Posted 6/12/2014 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
I would premedicate with both benydryl and tylenol before getting the Remi but don't really know what would happen after those meds wore off.
Posted 6/12/2014 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
The DR gives me pre-meds before my infusions. They give me two tylenol and benadryl through my IV before starting the Remicade.
I just had regular blood work done last week and everything was fine. As far as checking the remicade levels, my insurance doesn't cover the prometheus test since it is considered "experimental" so I have to pay for it out of pocket and it's expensive. So my GI wants to wait a bit to check those again I think..until its necessary or if the itching doesn't stop.

Quincy, my first thought was a change in products as well, but I haven't really changed anything. And since being itchy I have used only really gentle or all natural products. I already have sensitive skin so I'm carful of what I use.

I do not go to tanning bed. But I do go in the sun on the weekends. I live in Florida, but I wear sunscreen and a hat.
Posted 6/12/2014 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Do you still get your liver function test? I see that you are on 6mp too. So you must be getting liver function tested but if not, I will ask for that just to be safe. Sometimes liver issues cause itching too.

Hope you feel better soon.

Posted 6/13/2014 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think I've had a liver function test in awhile, my ones from before were all normal though. I'm going to ask my doctor to check that when I'm in the office in a few weeks. I didn't know liver issues could cause itching. I always learn new stuff on this forum.
Thank you!
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