i hav cirrosis of the liver, i only hav 25% functioning, i suffer severe itching, what can i do ?

[codie]

[Hidden]

You might try a mentholated body powder.

[codie in reply to Hidden]

thanku would i get this in a chemist ? codie

[codie]

Thanyou would i get this in a chemist ? codie

[Hidden]

Hi

I have the same problem, I have found that visiting the loo helps.

The more I can go the better, the iching seems to slow down at about 2 am, I guess when the food is digested and the last visit to the loo at that time seems to stop the iching

Also sleeping under a soft dressing gown rather than bed covers helps, and no drafts!

It is one of the issues you have to experiment with, if you find a good cure please let me know!!

[Hidden]

Dear Codie,

Sorry to hear that you're suffering from itching due to your liver condition.

As you know, there are many liver conditions/diseases which can potentially cause ‘itching’ which mainly affects the limbs but also the torso.

I understand that many GPs will suggest that a patient takes anti-histamine to reduce the itching, but if this doesn’t work, then there is something that they can prescribe called URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID. This is very affective as it is said to improve the flow of bile and can also protect the liver by displacing more harmful bile acids.

Therefore, it would be a good idea to discuss this further with your GP.

Good Luck!

Best wishes,

Sarah Tattersall

Patient Enquiry Officer

British Liver Trust

[jaqueline]

I have itching intermittently, mostly hands, feet, and limbs, occasionally torso, and have done so for about 6 years. At times it's a nightmare. I tend to wrap my feet in cold wet flannels when it's really bad so they are cooler. I take ursodeoxycyclic acid tablets daily (they take a little while to start working to begin with) and also sachets of questran. If I keep taking the questran, it's controllable. There is also a menthol E45 cream that you can get prescribed that is good for immediate relief.

I have autoimmune hepatitis, but fortunately little scarring.

I found antihistamine useless, as my understanding is that it's the toxins that the liver fails to deal with that cause the itching.

Hope you find a solution soon.

[codie in reply to jaqueline]

Thanku Jaqueline, my cirroiss is caused by alcoholism, but i am now 4 years sober, the itch is so irritating, i'll suggest these to my consulant thanks so much,

kind regards keep well, codie

[elle-boop]

Hello, I have AIH and suffer with itch also. It has helped me to keep my skin moisturised. I can only use natural products now as I now react badly to chemicals so I use almond oil or shea butter. I have found that if let my skin get dry it aggrevates the itching. I also have found dry body brushing and a simple sugar scrub helps (which you can make yourself with caster sugar and some oil such as almond oil or grapeseed oil or jojoba oil with a few drops of vit E oil to help preserve it and if you fancy a couple of drops of essential oil it will be an extra treat - do use essential oils with care as they should not be overused and some are not suitable for everyone, if you have no knowlege of them then do a little research first). You can use any of these in congunction with a warm bath. It might help a bit and doesn't involve adding any extra chemicals to your environment (your liver has to deal with every chemical in your food, the air and on your skin)

I hope your symptoms improve a bit. Elle

[codie in reply to elle-boop]

thanx Elle, i will try this , keep well

Regards Codie

[nannan]

I have very recently been diagnosed with PBC does anyone have anything to share on this, the possibility was discussed with me a few weeks ago and a scan ordered (now confirmed as PBC) but have jst been addmitted to hospital (only for 2 days) after having a high liver function reading my own consultant was not available but was seen briefly by another who said I must consider a transplant - thi seems very quick for me and I am struggling to come to terms with it. Can anyone say something helpful.