Updated results

[Kla8]

Hi all

I had my blood test results back today from my further blood test, my bilirubin has reduced from 37 to 24 (total) which is good news! I'm still very itchy though, but I think because of these readings the itching is unlikely to be related to the bilirubin. I was wondering if anyone else had an experience of itching, I've had it over 3 months now and it's driving me bonkers!

Thanks all 😊

[Thehermit]

Hello there, itching is very common with liver issues as toxins are not eliminated through the usual channels and try to clear via the skin. Of course there are many causes of itching as well as bile salts, some medications can be responsible for example. The medical name for it is pruitus ( think that.s the spelling! ) if you want to research it. I sympathise as I suffered for a couple of years until my hep was treated and my liver started to recover. Warm bath, moisturising, loose clothes can help a little but if it is your liver that,s responsible then focusing on stopping any damage is key. I don't, know your history but drinking and being overweight. ( N.A.F.L.D. non alcoholic fatty liver disease ) can cause pruitis, I hope you find relief soon.

[Kla8 in reply to Thehermit]

Thanks for your message. Yeah tell me about the moisturizing! I AM,PM and even sat at my desk at work, my colleagues must think I'm odd! 😂 and I have never spent as much time in shorts as I have these past few months, but winter is coming so will have to rethink that solution 🙄.

I Don't really fit any "criteria" for liver damage as I'm not a heavy drinker, probably drink once every 3 weeks if that! Not overweight, I work hard to maintain it and 30 so reasonably young for this... the reduction in my bilirubin in the last month is making me think it could be something else...

Was your itching persistent? Did it feel like you had things crawling on you and oddly really deep within your bones? (If that makes sense!)

Thanks for taking the time to message me!

[Thehermit in reply to Kla8]

Yes, my itching was 24/7, thinking back I used calamine lotion which helped a little. Reading your first post, I know you don't, think there,s. a connection but if I were in your shoes I would eliminate the booze totally for a while until you know the source of the problem. X

[alfredthegreat]

Hi Kla8. Yes itching was a big problem for me pre transplant. I found that keeping my body cool helped. My legs and my back were the worst culprits and mainly when I got warm in bed. In the daytime I was feeling cold anyway, even in summer. In bed was the only place I felt nice and warm but then the intense itching would start. I would stick my legs out of the covers, turn my pillow over to the cold side and even resorted to putting bath towels in a bin bag in the freezer to lay over me to cool me when the itching was at it's worst. Hope you find a way to calm it that is suited to you. Regards Alf.

[Hope1011]

Hi kla8,

I suffered from itching but steroids helped me get rid of it. So I guess mine was due to liver inflammation

Hope you get some answers.

Hope

[Hidden]

Hi,

We would suggest you consider re-visiting the GP and see if they can order any more investigations/ testing to ascertain why you are still itching?

Best wishes

Trust1

[Kla8]

Thank you for your message. I spoke to my GP today, unfortunately he couldn't see anything in my recent bloods to explain the itching and has advised me to try piriton and eucalyptus oil. Unfortunately no more presciption for the 180mg telfast.

I'll keep a log for a month or so and see if I can try and identify some triggers myself...not sure where else to go now. Almost felt like the doctor thought I was making it up (a saw a different doctor because my last one left 😔)

Thanks for your message! 😊

[The-perfect-storm]

I itched for ages, I also had peeling skin on my feet, this was before I was diagnosed with NAFLD I bought a couple of books on the condition. These recommended a high protein diet to overcome the fatigue, I lost weight and the itching stopped. Although I have a chirrosed liver I am told my liver function is good despite having more damaged liver than good, I have not touched alcohol since diagnosis eat no processed foods and have have reduced my intake of pain killers dramatically (can be difficult at times)