ITCHING

I have come off methotrexate asi had so many mouth ulcers. I have changed from Warfarin to apixaban. But I am so itchy. My whole scalp itches plus various other places on my body. It’s driving me Mad.

Anyone else suffering from itchy ness?

[allanah]

I'd talk to your rheumy helpline just in case you are allergic to it ???? Or they may give you anti itching drugs potentially x hope it settles down, itching is distressing x

[Hidden in reply to allanah]

I will try the rheumy help line but have never found them very useful. More help comes from this site.

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

It could be a medical issue tho so I'd go to doc xx

[oldtimer]

Is it just itching on the scalp? Or have you got any rash or itching elsewhere that might suggest an allergic reaction?

If it's just your scalp, worth looking for something other than a drug reaction as well? Perhaps ask your hairdresser - they usually know about scalp conditions, better than most doctors (I know my d-I-l does!)

[nomoreheels]

Do you think it's the apixaban that's causing the itching Paula? Has it only started since switching from the warfarin & do you have any evidence of a rash, if this is what you mean by other places on your body? If so it could be a side effect. Can you go see the Pharmacist where you have your scripts filled? He/she may suggest an antihistamine or suggest you see your GP. My Father in Law had to switch from warfarin to apixaban & had the same symptoms.

Maybe ask on the HU BHF, I'm sure they'll have experience of this med & be able to help healthunlocked.com/bhf

[Hidden]

Thank you all for your replies. I do not have a rash. Interesting that your father in law had the same symptoms when he changed from warfarin to apixaban. What IS HU BHF

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

The link I gave, Healthunlocked British Heart Foundation site.

[medway-lady]

I'm on Riveroxaban (4 years now) no side effects ever but are you takin the Apixaban with food. As Riveroxaban has to be taken with food. You must go to prescriber if you think Apixi is making you itch and your taking it as instructed. I know its daft but with Riveroxaban without food the wee turns bottle green and it can make me itch too but it goes so I like you think its the new medication.

[BonnieG123]

Yes. I’ve been itchy since coming off MTX as well. It is frustrating and seems to get a little worse each day.

[dickfend]

Hi Magnolia25

I have been stupid and posted my reply to you as a new post. I am not sure how to copy it over as a reply to you so would be grateful if you can look at it on new posts today. Thank you.

[Hidden]

I will

[Jetxav]

That is a truly tricky one Magnolia25 as I cannot sleep at night with itching just about everywhere and have done for years. I always put it down to being a Bullous Pemphigoid survivor but reading all the 'itching' replies online I now think it could be due to almost any of the drugs I have tried for Rheumatoid Arthritis, including Rituximab, which I proved allergic to and many others that had the same result. It also includes an annoying scalp itching but, as I have not taken any Mycophenolate for this last year (told to stop it when having a hip replacement), I still have the itching and constant mouth ulcers, so unsure what to blame these unfortunate symptoms on - maybe just something to do with Rheumatoid arthritis or in fact an immune system that is compromised . Wishing you all the best!

[Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Didn’t realise so many people suffer from itching. My scalp is always itchy.

[Sickntired1]

Hi. I have used Scalpicin for years for my itchy scalp at night. It is basically liquid hydrocortisone. It helps me a lot. You can buy it on Amazon or the drugstore.

[Hidden]

I also have had an itchy scalp since this RA started over 3 years ago. Tried all different shampoos but nothing seems to stop it. I’m on MTX Plaquenil and Folic Acid. I can only put it down to the medication or RA itself. Have also had cracking fingernails as well. Don’t grow properly at all any more.

[Hidden]

I have a very itchy scalp and skin problem.

General moisturising (and a good vitamin supplement when it's at its worst - I use prime 50) worked for my skin.

For the scalp I use Philip Kingsley itchy flaky scalp shampoo (I don't bother with the tonic) and it really helps me. Nothing else I've tried brought relief.

.

[Hidden]

Thank you to everyone who replied to my question about itching. Didn’t realise it was such a common problem