"Just a little itch. . ."

[ILik3Pizza]

. . . Said no PBCer ever! In trying to describe it, does anyone else feel that it's comparable to coming into contact with fiberglass -- except it feels like it's on the inside and you can't scratch it? Any thoughts on which provides more relief: topical ointment or prescription drugs? Or mediation to take your mind off it? For me it's not a constant itch; usually at night and more so if it's too warm.

[Shulsey]

Lol, well put. Between myself & my two fur babies we have what I like to call "The Itchy & Scratchie Show!!!" 😂😂 I usually take a benadryl at bedtime. It does help a bit. Or even a cool shower since the itch is due to the bile salts having no where to go so it secrets through our pores. I've also heard of some of us soaking in a tub with Epsom salt. There it's also a power that your specialist can prescribe you, I forget the name so if any of our fellow PBC'ers know it please let us know lol. I couldn't handle trying to drink it or anything so I don't use it any longer. Hope you find something that helps.

Stay strong❣️

Shannon

[gwillistexas in reply to Shulsey]

I was diagnosed with PBC one month ago. I was referred to a GI who started Urso. I began to have an itch which progressed to hives. Friday, he stopped Urdo & is trying to get me on Oclavia. It is very expensive. It is his second choice.

[Prettyeyes79]

You can ask your doctor to prescribe cholestyramine the powder to help with itching. I currently am taking the powder twice a day and an hr I take my meds. You can't take the powder or any medication together. It doesn't reduce the itching for me. My dr also prescribed hyroxyzne 50mg for my itching. This is actually stronger then bendryl. I also take sertaline with my hydroxyzine. This help me sleep through out the night or if I ate something the trigger my body to itch it helps

Stay strong 💪

[butterflyEi]

Hi ILik3Pizza

Before medication I would liken my "itch" to a sword fight going on under the skin in my upper arms and just general irritation in lots of other places. I try to stay as cool as possible and sometimes that means being cold even though I may feel like I am burning inside. These days I would liken my "itch" to a burning sensation of hot pins coming from the sub cutaneous layer.

Currently I am prescribed Rifampicin 300mg twice a day, cholestyramine (Questran) two sachets a day, a 2%menthol cream as a topical application which seems to sort of confuse the skin so that the burning sensation is matched both on the top layer and below. I continue to ice my arms when really bad and sometimes I bruise myself from where I try to attack the itch back. I spoke to my consultant last week and he is going to add 25mg Sertraline to the mix but at this rate I feel like I take so much medication there is not enough time to fit another tablet in to the schedule. I say this because Questran has its time restrictions as does the Rifampicin. I was never a pill popper before this.

I also follow some advice gleaned from a Webinar hosted by the PBC Foundation and listen to guided visualisation and meditation techniques.

I understand that a good many of us are either well able to cope with the itch or that it is not so bad for some and worse for others. None of us seem to follow exactly the same pattern with this odd condition.

best wishes