Still itching but end could be in sight - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Still itching but end could be in sight

Dolly1001 profile image
18 Replies

Well, firstly my thanks to those who have offered support! It is a daunting thing to get head around, F3 Fibrosis! But, there is hope on horizon. Have had a letter from hospital specialist, apparently I do stand a good chance of improving my score, am also seeing GP next week to look at blood test results and organise a firm plan of action.

Still abstinent, strangely enough, I have very little urge to drink, I have done this by telling myself, if totally desperate can have one drink - but later, so making it less relevant, I can’t be bothered now, now, if I could kill the dammed itch! I would be a happy camper, but the itch is less strong, have been taking Milk Thistle tabs & they do seem to help a little.

Only other thing is; have started sweating a lot? So will be on my ‘pick Drs brain’ list. One thing is for certain, don’t want to go thru this again, so going back to being teetotal, I never used to drink at all, never want to drink again if this is what happens when I stop 🛑 it will be better to not start again.

Sorry about the ramble, but any hints and tips for getting thru these times is gratefully accepted.

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Dolly1001
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18 Replies
DM-001 profile image
DM-001

Keep going, you're doing amazing!

I'm not sure about the milk thistle though, please check with your specialist as all it does is put more strain on an already strained liver!

Tia2021 profile image
Tia2021

You really are doing amazing, please check about the milk thistle I was advised not to use, there really are so many supplements out there that claim to do all sorts, one thing that is guaranteed they will lighten your purse and your liver has to process everything you put in. I too am tea total, so I'll raise my glass of water to you, you really are doing well xx

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply toTia2021

Cheers my dear! And thank you, strangely I have taken to water faster than a duck! I even use my old wine glass to drink it ha ha, it’s great to meet others going along the path, my thanks again.

TBSW profile image
TBSW

Try E45 anti itch cream, or take a luke warm bath with table salt in it, it really sooths the itch. Try and wear natural fibres as these will keep you cooler than synthetics. Well done on the abstinence.

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply toTBSW

Am doing this and have always used natural fibres in clothing, so it’s 100% pure cotton for ‘small s’ including singlets. Lots of cold showers!

TBSW profile image
TBSW in reply toDolly1001

I really hope you get some relief soon, nothing worse than the constant itch.

Spoons20 profile image
Spoons20

Is the itch caused by the fibrosis or the withdrawal do you know? , I’ve had no diagnosis so far but I do suffer from not severe itchy skin but like odd tingly feelings as if something’s crawling under my skin that makes me scratch slightly but in all different areas sometimes one right after another especially my face and around my mouth and hands ... I’ve had this each time I’ve stopped drinking but never noticed it when I was however it’s back all of a sudden now after 9months alcohol free

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply toSpoons20

I honestly am not sure, I know that both itching and the crawlly feel can both be symptoms of A withdrawal, I just hope it’s over soon.

YummyBear profile image
YummyBear

Well done Dolly1001, glad you have improved. I will try milk thistle, as it seems to have helped you.

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply toYummyBear

Now, two days into Milk Thistle and the itching is easing! Yay! It was getting quite a nuisance, I have a face to face appt with my GP this week, she sounded very positive on the phone and very encouraging! Which was a surprise, but a pleasant one. So will see if she has something topical (E45 sounds promising also). So, am still abstinent. While F3 is apparently borderline and preparing to launch into Cirrhosis, apparently I have a good chance of an excellent long term prognosis if I put in some effort.Looking at many posts from lots of folk who have done well is an inspiration to me to keep going. My thanks to all for the encouragement 🌹

A9KSY profile image
A9KSY

The itch is a nightmare the only thing that gave me any relief was Dream Cream from the Body shop

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply toA9KSY

It’s starting to settle abit now, but I will be trying E45 anti itch as well as Dream cream, hopefully an itch free life just. Around corner 🤣

sasa profile image
sasa

I itched from head to foot for years and was given rifampicin and cholestyramine. This, thankfully has stopped it.

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply tosasa

Don’t think I could live with years of it!🤣but thankfully Milk Thistle seems to help.

Hi, well done but as others have rightly said, please be careful of milk thistle in diagnosed liver disease. It could do more damage than good. I would even say to check with the hepatologist about this, not only the GP.

Dolly1001 profile image
Dolly1001 in reply to

Will do tomorrow ch

Maui-Mike profile image
Maui-Mike

I took Milk Thistle and Serrapeptase for years and went from a stage 4.5 to a stage 2 or less now, haven’t had a test in a while. Do your own research, lots of research out there. doctors can’t recommend herbs because that’s not what they were taught. There are some herbs and many doctor prescribed chemical medications that can definitely hurt the liver and you want to do that research as well. And I haven’t drank in over ten years, I was unfortunate to get Hep C as a child and didn’t find out till I was 40 by then I was stage 4.5. I research my symptoms after my doctor sent me home and told me to take Tylenol. I went back and demanded a Hep c test. He laughed but said ok. After it came back positive I fired him of course but have always questioned doctors and spend hours researching herbs that do a better job than the chemicals they prescribe.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble, I love you all!

Be well! And be your own advocate!

Toffegirl profile image
Toffegirl

Hi there, I have just put a post one someone else’s feed about the itching. My mum suffered terrible with it. Having being past from pillar to post for 12 months she was finally prescribed sertraline. This eased the itching. Xx

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