Body Itch

[Hily]

Can anybody tell me at what stage do you get full body itch?

Does this happen at Failure in Stage 5 CKD or when?

Thanks

[Hidden]

While it's not a set time frame, itching can begin in Stage 2 or 3. An intense body itching all over is usually associated with the later stages 4 and especially 5. Have you had recent labs done and if so, how was your phosphorus level? Again, not all itching can be attributed to CKD. I have a friend who woke up in the middle of the night itching all over. She thought it was from her CKD, but it turned out she had a reaction to something in her garden. Once she realized what it was she picked up an OTC anti-itch cream and her problem went away.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I had some body itch at level 3 when diagnosed. . My phosphorus and sodium were high, out of range. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Hily in reply to Hidden]

Me again. I do not have itching at the moment, I am talking before my diagnosis 2 years ago.

I had presented to my GP (MD) various symptoms over several visits: these included weight loss of approx. 35 lbs without trying! Poor appetite, feeling awful, unable to climb my own staircase without running out of breath and palpitations, fatigue, incredibly painful leg and feet cramps (already had bad nightly cramps caused by Atorvastatin for 6 years-but these were worse!), horrendous diarrhoea-explosive, the need to pee often, poor sleep, feeling cold all the time, no concentration. My last visit when I had a full body itch. She ignored it all-and prescribed Piriton and itch cream (Eumovate). The GP did not test my bloods or wee.

I also told her I was blaming the Statins or the (Glucophage) Metformin and announced that I would stop taking the statins. Not had any since. (Should have stopped the Metformin too).

7.5 weeks later, annual check, bloods taken. GFR of 17.

As an aside, a chemist/pharmacist diagnosed Metformin as the cause of my indigestion with a metallic taste in my mouth-lactic acid levels

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Hily]

There are a lot of side effects for Metformin but that doesn't mean everyone will get any of them and getting all of them is highly unlikely. I always use drugs.com to check on meds a doctor wants to have me take before they call it in to my pharmacy. Not only do I look at side effects, but also at interactions with specific foods and other medications. When you go to the site you can list all of your medications as well as conditions and then when you enter a new med you get all of the needed information. Anytime after starting a new med, I begin to notice some specific effect I go back to the site and see if it's listed. If it is, a call to the prescribing doctor is made. If it's a minor and/or a temporary condition, it's usually okay to give it another week or two. If the doctor disagrees and won't change the med then I ask about weaning off the med. When that is done, I replace the doctor.

Wouldn't your period with a poor appetite have led to your weight loss?

The main reason for stopping Metformin early is the potential for a buildup of lactic acidosis. Your pharmacist is also a doctor, and a knowledgeable one it seems.

[Hidden]

When I was at stage 5 I didn’t have a full body itch, my phosphorus and potassium were still within range at stage 5. The reason is because I avoided eating high phosphorus drinks and food, control your diet and you can avoid body itch.

[Hily]

Bloods are OK. (Phosphorus 1.13 Potassium 4.1 Sodium 139.)

I do not have any itching now. Only before my diagnosis, I am trying to find out what my undiagnosed level was then.

However, before diagnosis I had visited my GP and added the body itch to my list of symptoms. Her result? dry skin-gave me Piriton.

I also shouted at her about Statins (Atorvastatin) and told her I would not be taking any more of the high dose I was on. Again, not mentioned on her notes!

3 weeks later eGFR of 17.

[Cazzy41]

Hey there. I was on dialysis for over 5 years. And I never had an itching sensation whatsoever. That’s comes down to high levels of phosphorus which is in coffee, chocolate to name but a few. You have to check which foods you are ingesting and speak to a renal dietitian. You can be given a pill to take with every meal that clears the excess phosphorus it’s a binder. That helps your body clear the levels in your blood. The way to look at CKD is never be afraid to question anything if it doesn’t make sense or you don’t understand. You have never faced this journey before so the staff fully understand and will talk you through everything. Good luck with your journey and we are always here if you’re stuck ♥️

[Kindsong in reply to Cazzy41]

Hily, I am in stage 3a, and have insane itching. But, I also have Sjogrens, which causes very dry skin. So, which disease is causing the itching? The Dr can't say. I use a heavy cream and coconut oil on my skin, which helps. I also don't take long, hot showers. I take effexor, for neuropathy, and that actually helps the itching a bit. What makes me really crazy is that my skin is so sensitive that most clothing feels rough against my skin. I've found that Pima cotton is what I tolerate best.

[Hily in reply to Cazzy41]

This was before diagnosis. My pharmacist told me Metformin Poisoning. It took 3+ weeks to get an appointment with my GP who had ignored ALL signs and continued to do so.

Lost about 35 lbs without trying, don't smoke, don't drink, felt awful. Doctor ignored shortness of breath that was so bad I could not go up my staircase for my heart pumping. I had taken urine samples in twice, she only dip tested, did not send away for analysis. Only bloods taken was for calcium check-not full bloods- but because I complained of massive leg and foot cramps-prescribed Calcium tablets. Had she taken full bloods I would have been diagnosed at least 6 months earlier and might have saved my kidneys.