Itching

[Eiram50]

That should have read I feel itchy all over!!

[Mandalou]

What drugs are you on Eiram?

If the itch is one second on your hairline, one second on your calves next on your lower arms. Basically dancing around your whole body? Then it sounds like a drug induced allergy.

I would get to the GP but when this happened to me after a few months on Hydroxychloroquine I took antihistamine from the chemist ( Benadryl) until I got an appointment.

I'm not recommending you do anything until you see a doctor but I rang my Rheumy nurse and they gave me an emergency appointment with them that same day and they asked they Rheumatologist and he said the benefit of the Hydroxy was worth the allergy.

My GP put me on high dose Benadryl which is Certrazine Hydrochloride on prescription and at the beginning I took five doses of 10mg spaced out during the day which knocked the itch on the head.

After six months I have been able to drop down to two doses which I take alongside the Hydroxychloroquine morning and evening and I always have a packet with me in case I start itching when I'm out and about.

Good luck and ultimately you will need to see someone professional about your itch as itching can be a sign of other diseases which need ruling out.

Good luck to you.

Mx

[Eiram50 in reply to Mandalou]

Hi mandalou, thanks for your response.

I currently take tramadol, arcoxia, paracetamol, omeprazole, methotrexate ( just been increased to 20mg), folic acid, and my biologic ( enbrel-Weekly injections).

I have an appointment with gp at five tonight.

Your right about the itch- it's everywhere. My scalp too - to the point I considered that I may have picked up head lice !!!

Ive not though x

[Mandalou in reply to Eiram50]

Ha ha! Good news about the hair lice!

Pleased you have a GP appointment. It could be linked to your increased dose of Mthx.

I too was on Enbrel, just recently been swapped onto Benepali.

When I reported my itch they did threaten to take me off the Enbrel! No bloody way I said.

Keep us posted as to how you get on this evening.

Good luck

Mx

[Hidden in reply to Mandalou]

Hi Mandalou - where do you live? Is Benadryl prescription only for you? Just curious because here in the states it is just over the counter...

[Mandalou in reply to Hidden]

Hi Caeryl

I live in England and yes of course Benadryl is available over the counter for hay fever and other allergies. However it isn't cheap and in the mega quantities I was having to take it in it proved cheaper to get it on prescription via the doctor ( NHS)

I also am still recorded as having steroid induced diabetes so currently I don't pay for my prescriptions though I am sure that will change once my exemption card expires.

Happy New Year to you.

Mx

[Hidden in reply to Mandalou]

Ahhh - Thanks so much! Every little bit I learn helps my understanding...

I do understand on the money too. When they had me on Otrexup (MTX) the silly injections were $6k per shot.... I could not have ever afforded that... It is incredible to me that the pharma's can charge so much...

[Fcrooks]

I've gone through itchy spells. Yesterday was one of them and I was at Costco in Canada and saw Glaxo Base which is a moisturizer I was rcommended when I was a teenager (many moons ago) by my dermatologist. It is the base for moisturizers with no added products. I tried it last night and will continue to use as my skin is very dry right now with weather etc.

[Hidden in reply to Fcrooks]

Hi Fcrooks - you can also use plain old organic raw coconut oil for dry skin. It works wonderfully well, but if you use too much it will be greasy of course. The nice thing about it is that there is nothing in it to hurt you (like phthalates, Triclosan, sodium laurel sulfate and others). Best applied lightly right out of the shower.. Best luck getting under control..

[Fcrooks in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I use that as well ....i buy it at bulk store....I believe it's the Hydroxy that makes my skin itchy from time to time and the winter weather does not help

[Hidden]

I itch with Tramadol, and Demerol - every time I take either one...

[Eiram50]

The funny thing is, my skin isn't dry, there's no rash and I've been in tramiadol etc for nearly 3 years?