Itching

[NurseRed]

Hey folks amy suggestions on itching? Its driving me crazy.I cant take benadryl makes me feel drugged up.I use tons of lotions.Any suggestions helps its after midnight and im awake scratching not sleeping 😴

[Hidden]

When you had a blood test what was your urea and phosphorus levels.

[NurseRed in reply to Hidden]

Phos was 8.9

[Hidden in reply to NurseRed]

Is it measured in mmol/l if this is so then 8.9 is very very high for phosphorus it should be around 0.5-1.5 mmol/l this explains your itching, are you on any type of dialysis, do you take phosphate binders, are you eating a very low phosphorus diet, you should speak to a renal dietician because those phosphorus levels are out of this world.

[NurseRed in reply to Hidden]

Yes on PD and take 6 binders a day

[Hidden in reply to NurseRed]

Look at foods and drinks with high phosphorus and try alternatives, for example you can buy almond milk or rice milk rather than cows milk which is high in phosphorus, meats will have high phosphorus do try vegan or vegetarian options, avoid chocolate and coffee, research high phosphorus foods and drinks I’m sure there are many alternatives, it’s the only way to bring your phosphorus levels down, diet is key.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

When I was on PD before I got a transplant the renal nurse gave me a booklet of all foods and drinks to avoid with high phosphorus and potassium. The good thing about PD is that it removes a lot of potassium so I just needed to stick to avoiding high phosphorus foods and drinks and I found so many alternatives, once you make the change you will start to feel better, but you need to be willing to change diet and stick to it.

[NurseRed in reply to Hidden]

Whats hard albumin low and they want me to eat protein

[Hidden in reply to NurseRed]

You can buy high protein cereal, you can but high protein oatmeal or porridge, you can also buy high protein milk which is dairy free and has very little phosphorus, look at high protein veg options which are low in phosphorus. In google search you can type in a certain food and check it’s phosphorus level.

[NurseRed in reply to Hidden]

Thanks youve gave me alot of advice im going to use ive only been on PD a year so still kinda new

[Hidden in reply to NurseRed]

Hemo dialysis removes a lot of phosphorus, but you can still get itching with hemo because of a limited fluid intake which can cause dry skin and itching, whereas PD dialysis removes a lot of potassium which is why your diet is more free. But eating a high phosphorus diet will increase your urea levels and phosphorus levels which is why your levels are high, so eating a low phosphorus diet will hopefully start to bring down the phosphate levels and reduce a lot of itching.

[Hidden in reply to NurseRed]

Has your nephrologist or dietician considered prescribing you either ensure or fresubin these are high protein low phosphorus milkshakes which contain between 10%-20% protein.

[NurseRed in reply to Hidden]

I will check of course ut would have to be something like glucerna im diabetic as well

[Hidden in reply to NurseRed]

Also stop all colas, no more Pepsi no more Coca Cola, avoid all dark colas, lemonade and clear colas are fine

[Juliepkd]

Hi. I do sympathise, I had insessant itching for 2 years whilst at stage 4/5.My GP gave me antihistamines which were useless. It all comes down to your phosphate levels, I was given phosphate binders (a powder to mix with my meals) it did make a considerable difference, but since starting HD, I haven't looked back, the itching has stopped completely. I still take the phosphate binders and stick to the low phosphate diet sheet I was given. Talk to you doctor and dietitian, I hope you get some relief from this hideous, but often overlooked symptom. Best wishes.