Itching

[bowler]

I have stage 3 kidney disease, in the past have had the occasional all- over body itch, however just recently it's been getting worse especially at night, I'm not sleeping well with it and it's causing me some distress and feeling tired and edgy all day. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Ziggydoodah]

Could be high phosphate levels. Get your levels tested and if high, ask for a phosphate binder to take with meals. When i came off my steroids at stage 3 i was left with crippling itching at night also. Sorry i cant be of more help. You have my sympathies, its just awful. Im sure some of the more knowledgeable group members will be able to advise you.

[bowler in reply to Ziggydoodah]

Thank you

I do have my routine EGFr and full b/test in a couple of weeks maybe something will show up then, i.e . phosphate,

[drmind]

I probably wont be much help, but i believe my itching is related to my diet. I only get itching in one or two areas but its very annoying. In my case, its always occurs whenever i go off a little on my diet. As someone else mentioned, it could easily be related to high potassium. The itching goes away once i get back on my healthy diet so i never get the chance to have it checked out with labs.

As innocence as itching may seem, it can actually destroy your quality of life when its persistent. Best of luck on getting control of yours and keep us posted as to your situation.

[drmind in reply to drmind]

BTW I keep a tube of Benadryl Gel in the fridge and whenever I get an area that starts itching, I rub a few drops on it and eventually the itching will stop. Not sure how this would work with overall itching, but i though i would throw it out in the event it could help. My itching pops up in various spots, several at a time but not all over [upper back, leg, neck, etc.]I would check with your doctor first before you try this.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to drmind]

I too have the itching if I have too much potassium. I am CKD level 3.

[Nannie-C]

please, if not already done, ask for calcium, vit d and parathyroid samples to be taken from same fasting blood sample. Parathyroid glands disease sadly has itching and kidney problems, along with many more, as common symptoms. These glands are not the same as the thyroid just live behind it and both do different jobs. Parathyroids manage calcium in the body and op if any are faulty then can harm bones and body sadly. Simple removal of the rogue (s) allows the body to start to improve 🤞🏻

[bowler]

thank you,

Maybe I should keep a food diary, I took 2 Paracetamols last night which did give me some sleep, but I don't want to rely on them which isn't good especially with all my other tablets i take for other health issues, heart disease, and I'm on lifelong steroids for adrenal insufficiency, I will see how my next b/test shows, and take it from there, as this itching is driving me crazy.

[Turtlepad513]

i’m at stage 4 ckd and recently experienced itching. I found simple deep moisturizing lotion helps.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here is a link from National Kidney foundation on pruritis and CKD that may be of help with questions for your Doctor. kidney.org/newsletter/itchi...

[Frankie24]

speak to your nephrologist. Has your phosphorus been checked lately ? This can be due to to much phosphorus in your diet thus built up in your body.

[bowler in reply to Frankie24]

Thank you,

phosphorus was mentioned to me before in one of the replies to me. My last b/test for phosphorus, was ok. Apart from stage 3 kidney disease I also have gallstones which I have had for many years with no problems, however my Dr informs me the itching could be due to bile, [ I have just had a gallbladder scan ] so we are going down that route now, problem is, apart from kidney disease there are several health issues that can make you itch, [ so my Dr tells me ] I take a blood thinner for heart disease Apixiban and low and behold that can make you itch, I have been prescribed Cholestyrine powder and it seems to have helped with the itching,

Thanks to all who replied to my post.

[Serlo92]

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing such struggle. My sister used to have it when she was on dialysis, it had to do with phosphate levels. Hope you feel better

[champdoberman]

I have stage 3 and was constantly scratching my head; and my mouth breaking out from eating several different things. After doing some research, I thought I had histamine intolerance. Got tested and found I was so; been on an antihistamine daily, no more issues