Well so far so good with the benadryl. I don't know if it helped the itch much but I did get a good nights sleep.
I tried melatonin before and always ended dazed for the next day. I will check with my Dr before starting Tx.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep em coming.
longld said
Mar 24, 2014
Gracie,
I get the night itches too, though only on my legs/hips. I use a cold compress made from wash cloths and then followup with Cooling Itch Relief Spray (Hydrocortisone 1%) from Walgreens. This seems to get me relief for about two hours - I also use Benedryl but not sure how much it is helping except for helping me get to sleep! The spray is only 3oz and sometimes I can use a can a night........... Getting better last two nights, maybe I have the dragon scared.....
Also. I noticed that anything that heats the skin is worse on the itching - so only sleep with a sheet on - no blankets.....
lee
Gracie said
Mar 23, 2014
3 or 4 days.... Oy!
The Reactine is currently working ok. Its non drowsy, so hope it doesn't prevent me from sleeping. This morning I thought I might go insane. As there is no rash, it just creepy crawls around your body and itches like mad in a different spot every time. I emailed my nurse for a prescription for a stronger one, as the Reactine mellows the itch, but it's most definitely still there. I even tried apple cider vinegar as I read it somewhere and all that did was cause my dogs to follow me around the house like I'm lunch...lol.
Just a couple of days... I can get through this with ice and meds.
Was really good to not worry about when I ate today. That part was a relief!
Try one of these histamine blockers Barnacle. Sounds like your itchiness is the same as mine. And ice works if your desparate. Maybe get one of those magic bags you can leave in the freezer and take to bed at night to get some relief so you can sleep. And Benedryl will help you sleep as well.
Cinnamon Girl said
Mar 23, 2014
Hi Barnacle, I really sympathise as I suffered with almost constant itching for a year or two before I started treatment and it was a lot worse at night. The good news is that within a few weeks of finishing tx it cleared up completely and hasn`t ever come back. I didn`t have a rash with it.
Lots of good suggestions here, and if you type in `itch` or `itching` into the search box at the top of the page you`ll find lists of previous discussion threads with more tips and suggestions for dealing with it. Keep yourself well hydrated, try wearing loose clothing when you can, bathe in warm water rather than hot, and don`t scratch, it makes it worse!
Best of luck!
Tig said
Mar 23, 2014
Hi,
I can relate to the itching. I still have problems with it post Tx. I've got the Riba rash back on my stomach too, now that crap itches! As wisely mentioned, don't scratch, it only makes it worse. Gracie mentioned "Certrizine", also known as Zyrtec here in the States. It and Benadryl are classed as histamine blockers and one may work differently than the other. Benadryl certainly has more of a sedative effect on me and Certrizine doesn't cause drowsiness at all. Certrizine worked better for me during Tx and Benadryl really makes me drowsy. So it's a trade off. If they work for you, it may be a way to control itching during the day without drowsiness and Benadryl at night for itch and sleep. It's worth a shot if your doc approves. Good luck
Tig
globetrotter said
Mar 23, 2014
Gracie
This happened to me for 3/4 days straight after stopping Incivek. Benadryl didn't help but the docs gave me a prescription strength anti histamine which really helped. It does stop and apparently can be a common withdrawal effect. It does pass quite quickly...DONT scratch
(I know what you are going to say to that )!!!
IT WILL GET EASIER
Gracie said
Mar 23, 2014
I took a Benedryl and it didn't help with this itch. It's not a rash, just random drive you crazy like spiders crawling on you itch. The extra strength Reactine did work. I am finally getting a bit of relief. Reactine is the brand name, the active ingredient is cetirizine hydrochloride 10mg. My doctor said this was safe to take too. The Benedryl does help with the RIBA rash.
aprileee said
Mar 23, 2014
Benedryl helps with the itching and will also help you sleep! My doc said it was safe to take....hope that helps!
Gracie said
Mar 23, 2014
I'm itching too!!! Just finished the incevik and am itching all over... No rash just crawling spiders on you itching. Driving me nuts. I just bought some reactine and aveno oatmeal bath. I'll let you know how it works. As for temporary relief, I have a bag of ice beside me and as soon as a spot itches, I put the ice bag on it. Provides temporary relief and prevents me from scratching.
Barnacle said
Mar 23, 2014
I have not started treatment yet (another week) and I have heard itching can be a Sx but I'm already there big time.
Every night around 8ish I start to itch first like spider webs on my face and upper body then all over skin crawling. I am having trouble sleeping and see most every 3am roll past on my clock.
If I could sleep the itching wouldn't be so bad and if I didn't itch I might get some sleep.
I tried melatonin before and always ended dazed for the next day. I will check with my Dr before starting Tx.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep em coming.
Gracie,
I get the night itches too, though only on my legs/hips. I use a cold compress made from wash cloths and then followup with Cooling Itch Relief Spray (Hydrocortisone 1%) from Walgreens. This seems to get me relief for about two hours - I also use Benedryl but not sure how much it is helping except for helping me get to sleep! The spray is only 3oz and sometimes I can use a can a night........... Getting better last two nights, maybe I have the dragon scared.....
Also. I noticed that anything that heats the skin is worse on the itching - so only sleep with a sheet on - no blankets.....
lee
The Reactine is currently working ok. Its non drowsy, so hope it doesn't prevent me from sleeping. This morning I thought I might go insane. As there is no rash, it just creepy crawls around your body and itches like mad in a different spot every time. I emailed my nurse for a prescription for a stronger one, as the Reactine mellows the itch, but it's most definitely still there. I even tried apple cider vinegar as I read it somewhere and all that did was cause my dogs to follow me around the house like I'm lunch...lol.
Just a couple of days... I can get through this with ice and meds.
Was really good to not worry about when I ate today. That part was a relief!
Try one of these histamine blockers Barnacle. Sounds like your itchiness is the same as mine. And ice works if your desparate. Maybe get one of those magic bags you can leave in the freezer and take to bed at night to get some relief so you can sleep. And Benedryl will help you sleep as well.
Hi Barnacle, I really sympathise as I suffered with almost constant itching for a year or two before I started treatment and it was a lot worse at night. The good news is that within a few weeks of finishing tx it cleared up completely and hasn`t ever come back. I didn`t have a rash with it.
Lots of good suggestions here, and if you type in `itch` or `itching` into the search box at the top of the page you`ll find lists of previous discussion threads with more tips and suggestions for dealing with it. Keep yourself well hydrated, try wearing loose clothing when you can, bathe in warm water rather than hot, and don`t scratch, it makes it worse!
Best of luck!
Hi,
I can relate to the itching. I still have problems with it post Tx. I've got the Riba rash back on my stomach too, now that crap itches! As wisely mentioned, don't scratch, it only makes it worse. Gracie mentioned "Certrizine", also known as Zyrtec here in the States. It and Benadryl are classed as histamine blockers and one may work differently than the other. Benadryl certainly has more of a sedative effect on me and Certrizine doesn't cause drowsiness at all. Certrizine worked better for me during Tx and Benadryl really makes me drowsy. So it's a trade off. If they work for you, it may be a way to control itching during the day without drowsiness and Benadryl at night for itch and sleep. It's worth a shot if your doc approves. Good luck
Tig
Gracie
This happened to me for 3/4 days straight after stopping Incivek. Benadryl didn't help but the docs gave me a prescription strength anti histamine which really helped. It does stop and apparently can be a common withdrawal effect. It does pass quite quickly...DONT scratch
(I know what you are going to say to that
)!!!
IT WILL GET EASIER
I have not started treatment yet (another week) and I have heard itching can be a Sx but I'm already there big time.
Every night around 8ish I start to itch first like spider webs on my face and upper body then all over skin crawling. I am having trouble sleeping and see most every 3am roll past on my clock.
If I could sleep the itching wouldn't be so bad and if I didn't itch I might get some sleep.
Any suggestions please?