Itching all over

[Walt46]

Hi all,

I have posted on here already about itching all over and appreciate your responses but I just would like some more thoughts.

I have have had itching head-to-toe for 5 weeks now, apart from a wonderful 4 day gap a week ago which was bliss. It then came back worse than ever. My diet has been the same for the last 5 weeks, everyday to help with process of elimination and I exercise most days. Within this time, the itching has been relentless apart from the 4 days. Can itching come and go with Liver disease? It went for 4 days and just wondering why it came back? I have been itching for 5 straight weeks now so can I assume that my liver can’t be repaired? Other main symptoms are confusion and fatigue and not much sleep at all. I know PBC affects women mainly but I feel a strong suspicion I have this. Hope you are all doing well.

Andy

[Hidden]

Good afternoon Andy,

Do you have an appointment or follow up wih GP or liver specialist?

It is difficult to comment in the abscence of a confirmed diagnosis.

You can call the nurse led helpline on 0800 652 7330 Mon-Fri 10am 3pm if you would like to talk things through.

Take care

Trust9

[Walt46 in reply to Hidden]

I have an appointment but as my bloods came back ok, I’m on a long waiting list. Yes great, will give that number a call - thanks

[eightofthem]

Hi

I have had this twice in my life and know how frustrating it not sleeping and non stop itching. No one seems to take it seriously and it can have a detrimental affect on your mental health. I tried everything and found antihistamine helped a bit but talk to the pharmacist before you try anything. Also I suggest you talk to your doctor first, there maybe something better he can prescribe that didn't exist when I needed it. It will go away, but get some help.

[cammeag]

Hi Andy, one thing this isn’t is funny or inconsequential. My new doctor understands more and it’s a lot of trial and error I’m afraid. That said I have decomposed liver so I have a reason for the itching but still from the height of practically smashing my head of walls and tears of why me, you can alleviate your symptoms somewhat. It may take a lot of time up but I’m sure if you get sleep you know it’s worth it like those four days!!

I shower twice a day. I use a body wash which moisturises called Jason, aloe Vera. At the height of my itching that was the only time I got relief. I would sit there for hours. After shower you need a top notch moisturiser. I use urea, it’s made by a Spanish firm and is called urea, skin repair cream cream. Lightly moisturise whole body. It’s £10:a tub but worth it. That and the Jason cost £20 a month but I would pay all my money just to be free of this cursed disease. Next is your clothes. Materials that do not aggravate skin. During the day because I had odema and killed all the nerves in my feet I need to soak my feet in cold water once or twice a day. My arms itch more in heat so I soak them for a couple of minutes several times during day as cold as you can bear. Oh same goes for showers. Start of warm but slowly take temperature down gradually until it’s as cold as you can bear it’s so refreshing. Keep busy during day, plenty of fruit and veg. Then the dreaded bedtime. Eventually when you win sleep from 10-6 or 9–5 whatever you need but you need a nice environment for sleeping, let nothing and nobody stop you achieving this as it results in a happier more caring individual. After shower and cream wear silky pyjamas...a bit camp but like I said, anything’s worth it. Your bedsheets should be the same same, the air in your room as cool as can be. I found myself sleeping naked a lot, I did last night....needs must eh. So Andy I know the anguish caused by this affliction, I put up with it because most of the time I sleep four hours a night now, Joy!!! And also a spiritual, calm relaxed atmosphere. I feel I achieved this through prayer, music and determination...I hope you find your way mate. cammeag at hot...mail dot com is my email address. Let me know how you get on. Ok...time for my shower

[Jonnyshotz]

Drink enough water and purchase an ant-itching cream. You'll find a good one in any supermarket

[Walt46 in reply to Jonnyshotz]

Hi Jonny, I would love to try and itching cream but the itching is mostly on my scalp, eats canals and up my nose! I do have itching all over but it means this would only releave some areas if it worked!

[Jonnyshotz]

Huh. I get an itchy scalp if I haven't drunk enough water....always

[Dallo100]

I was taking Prograf and Azathioprine (immunosuppressants) due to a TP in March 2016.

Due to me being treated for skin cancer and skin damage my consultant took me off Azathioprine explaining that it was probably the cause of the skin damage & side-effects. My legs, ankles and feet were itching off for over almost 4yrs. Since then I have hardly had an itch. If you are experience the same problem wtih Azthioprine, please carrying on taking your medication but consult your medical team as everyone is different and medications effect us differently.

Just thought I should mention it.

[ETW1]

Hi Andy,you need to get your Dr to test your Liver function. I was diagnosed with Pbc over 2 years ago. I had no symptoms, it was diagnosed through blood tests. I do have times when the itch is bad. Men do get Pbc,so worth asking for those tests. Take an antihistamine to help for now. Good luck.

[Walt46 in reply to ETW1]

Hi ETW1,

I do suspect that I may have PBC but I guess the only thing that puts it in doubt is my bloods came back fine and I know that PBC is one liver disease that is picked up in blood tests.

I have tried antihistamines and they don’t do anything for me which is annoying. Did you have itching all over? I have it in annoying places like my ear canal and up my noise mainly, but all over. Feels like pins and needles sometimes.

Thanks, and I hope your doing well.

Andy

[ETW1 in reply to Walt46]

I had no itching at the start. But when I did get it,it was in different places at different intervals. My face,my scalp,ears a s groin. My eyes,ears and nose became extremely dry too. I take Questran for the itch. Maybe have a long talk with your Gp.

[Liverandlife]

I have had many discussions with doctors about this problem. Some medics see it as symptomatic of cirrhosis, but it can also be caused by medication such as Spironolactone which I am taking. I have found that clovabate ointment 0.05% (a steroidal anti-histamine) 2x a day helps which my g p has prescribed. Fortunately she took it seriously, not all medics do.

There is a stronger version made by the same company which works pretty much for 24hrs, but I don't have the name in my head. One problem is that as prescribed in 30gm tubes you'd use the tubes up pretty quickly for a whole body application.

[Walt46]

Just a little update - I had a scan of my pancreas in 2018 but never heard the results which I requested and received yesterday. It basically said Scan of abdominal showed no issues with any organs but it was noted there was a fatty liver.

[sophiaS1980 in reply to Walt46]

Fatty liver can cause itching.