itchy scalp and benepali??

[TPaine]

Me again wondering if anyone else on benepali is experiencing an itchy scalp at all as I am; particularly after injecting and for the first 48hrs; want to really scratch but am trying not too. When I first started on this in march I took antihistamines for hay fever, so only noticed problems with sinuses as a side effect. How are others doing with itching, it does affect my skin too some days but I have always had really sensitive skin anyway. I have recently had raised ALT level which is ok again now; so am nervous about taking antihistamine. I have called rheumatologist advice line but in the interim just interested if this is a common issue and if anyone has any helpful tips.

Thanks

Tracy.

[Deniseelk]

This is interesting! I get an itchy scalp ( mainly just in the evening), but only mild. I have madly curly hair so use conditioner on my wet hair ( don’t wash it off) and let it dry naturally like that. So I assumed it was just the conditioner slightly irritating my scalp. However, I noticed it start whilst on Hydroxychloroquine alone. It has continued when Methotrexate was added, continued when Methotrexate stopped and continued now Benepali added ( a year now). But it is mild. You mention sinuses so I would add that I get “snuffly” nose in the morning since starting Benepali and a warm shower and good blow ( sorry) clears it, so again mild! Itching scalp now but still warm as sat in bed letting all those stiff, sore joints loosen before dragging myself out of bed!!!! Interested to hear what your Rheumatologist says!

[Mandalou]

Hi Tpaine

Yep I get itchy scalp, in fact itchy everything. I'm on Benepali but the allergy is to Hydroxychloroquine.

I too have a sensitive liver that can fluctuate greatly regards to liver function tests. This is why I was put on Biologics so quickly. Firstly my severe RA onset and then my liver couldn't tolerate Mthx, Lef and was VERY allergic to Sulfa.

Anyway, the docs tell me that the benefit of Hydroxy outweighs the allergy so I have to treat the itch which if left to its own devices starts darting from my nose to my mouth to my temple then begins in earnest on my arms.

Makes me want to rip my skin off.

I am prescribed Certrazine Hydrochloride in much larger doses than you can take over the counter.

I take it prophylactically alongside my Hydroxy morning and evening with spaced additional doses during the day.

Occasionally it breaks through and I have to run my arms under cold water. Showers can set the itch off too.

I would speak to your Rheumy or Rheumy nurses and GP , I think they will have heard of your symptoms before.

Good luck , I hope you get some relief.

Mx

[TPaine in reply to Mandalou]

Thanks for that, very helpful information that I will use to help me sort this out, I did have a brief chat to the rheumo nurse yesterday and am gonna try antihistamine on day of injection and day after and see if this helps at all, otherwise may have to change from benepali to another biologic apparently, not sure how I feel about that after adjusting to this one...

I am using eucerin skin products now for my scalp which is also helping but these are of course not cheap but it is a bit of a crisis so the need was great!

These meds are very challenging with the sun sensitivity too, gets very tricky living and walking a dog too!!

I will keep the forum updated if this issue progresses at all.

Thanks again and hope your itch isn't too problematic as it's not a nice side effect to manage, that's for sure 🤕😬

Tracy

[Mandalou in reply to TPaine]

Keep us posted as to how you get on Tracy.

All the best.

Mx