Itching unbearable at night

[Turgree]

I am waiting for an operation to remove my gallbladder. I have been given cholestyramine to reduce cholesterol and stop my itching. How long does it take to stop itching as I feel it's getting worse and haven't slept properly for the 2 weeks I've taken it. It's driving me insane!!! Any suggestions please to stop the itching all over at night.

[Yeali4598]

Yeh the itching is a nightmare, I was on colestyramine.

Probably took about a month or 2 for mine to ease but you might be quicker, my consultant upped my dosage for a while but you need to talk to them about it, if I had one particular area that was itchy I would use neem cream ( you can get it in health food shops or online) keep your room as cool as possible , also wear shorts, sleeveless tops to bed as I found less contact from clothing on my skin the less i itched, hopefully you'll feel better soon

🤞

[Turgree in reply to Yeali4598]

Hiya thank you for info. I have tried various creams and cooling powders they work for about an hour then it starts over again. My itching is all over even inside my ears and it goes on all night I don't wear anything for bed hoping it helps, it doesn't. I can't take antihistamines they make me terribly constipated. Now you said it can take 2 months I'll just have to be patient and hope I haven't got to wait too long for the op.

[Yeali4598 in reply to Turgree]

It was a couple of months before I noticed a difference, but there are other things your doctor can give you that will help, I unfortunately had to stop colestryamine as I developed side effects, which was annoying as it did help,but it apparently works for most people

[Turgree in reply to Yeali4598]

Hope you don't mind me asking - what were the side effects ýou suffered from ?

[Yeali4598 in reply to Turgree]

No I don't mind, upset stomach , wasn't straight away, was after a little while, but my consultant said it does happen but its not common

[jbrking]

I used to take cholestyramine, now on colesevelam. I am also prescribed a one a day anti histamine which I take all year round (have been for many years) and that helps with the itching.

[Turgree in reply to jbrking]

Thank you for that. I can't take antihistamines due to terrible constipation and they knock me out all day.

[foxglove in reply to jbrking]

Hi I have been taking an anti-histamine every night as it helps me sleep. Have never been brave enough to tell doc. as I didn't know if this was safe, very relieved to see your post! Would you indly tell me the anti-histamine you take? I take one of yht "drowsy type" ones. Thank you

[Turgree in reply to foxglove]

Doctor at the hospital gave me Chlorphenamine as I was dopey all day I tried loratadine (not drowsy) again dopey all day and really constipated so I've given up with them as I was still itching. Might be because of no sleep but I feel so much better in myself without them or it's a combination of perhaps Chlorphenamine starting to work. I think I've just got to have patience. Thank you

[foxglove in reply to Turgree]

Thanks

[jbrking in reply to foxglove]

See comment below I take cetirizine. Yes been taking 1 and sometimes 2 a day for about 10 years now under doctors advice.

[jbrking]

I take cetirizine which is a non drowsy one. I would say they did used to make me feel sleepy but now they don’t, so maybe take at night to begin with so you sleep through it. Sometimes as I have allergies, when hay fever starts I have to take one morning and one night! They don’t constipate me - I wish they did! Try different brands, as they are different.

[foxglove in reply to jbrking]

Thanks

[Turgree]

Thank you so much for the pointers I will think about trying different ones. Just got to sort my constipation out so uncomfortable and no sleep. If it's not one thing it's another. Thanks.

[vulnerable]

Good luck I feel your itch- it was awful for me pre transplant . Now has returned and drives me insane. XStarts same time every evening