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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> The Itch is killing me
Post Info TOPIC: The Itch is killing me
js2012


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RE: The Itch is killing me
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Thank you, Margo. I will try that. What ever works......



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Gyno a1, VL before start: 800K, F1-2

Started 48 weeks of Pegasys+Ribavirin+ Victrelis on July 6, 2012 

VL @8 weeks=UND

VL @24 weeks=UND

 
Margo


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One more thIng! I took a shower today and i used a heavy scrub. Well the itch started because it irritated my dry already skin. I put in eucerin, didn't work so I found an icy hot stick that my husband uses for muscle pain and it helped! This icy hot feeling brought sensations to the skin and relieved the itch.

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Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
Margo


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Margo wrote:

For anal itch Lidocane cream is amazing'

It's 1% and prescription is needed...

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Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
js2012


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Margo wrote:

For anal itch Lidocane cream is amazing'

 Margo, I looked up on walgreens website and they have many different Lidocaine (5%, 1%, 4%, etc....)

Can you please say which one and if prescription is needed?

 

Thank you

~ Jasmine



__________________

Gyno a1, VL before start: 800K, F1-2

Started 48 weeks of Pegasys+Ribavirin+ Victrelis on July 6, 2012 

VL @8 weeks=UND

VL @24 weeks=UND

 
Mary Jane


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Margo wrote:

For anal itch Lidocane cream is amazing'

 Thanks Margo waiting for the phone to ring about my dragon drugs.. this limbo period is driving me looney tunes..



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Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Margo


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For anal itch Lidocane cream is amazing'

__________________

Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
LC


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Mary Jane wrote:

Have you gone to any of these clinical trail web sites?  Age is a scientific factor to consider with treatment as I was told after age 50 .. your liver gets cranky..  Sorry I wish I hadn't waited, but I guess when you aren't really sick you figure why make yourself sick.. I do understand..

www.centerwatch.com   www.clinicaltrials.gov  www.veritasmedicine.com and www.hepwebstudy.org.

I got these websites out the "Hep C handbook a Resource guide for Georgians "one of the GI docs I went to, gave me this book  you can google it Hep-C Handbook - Georgia Division of Public Health...

Best of luck my friend

peace and love Stephanieflowerpot.gif

That's it in a nutshell, I would really like to be healed of HCV, but on the other hand, I'm not sick at all, and I'd really like to get back to work.  I am thinking, maybe if I can hold off, they will get those nanozymes working on human beings and I won't have to deal with these terrible side effects?   My father and maternal grandmother both had colon cancer and I don't want to deal with all these anal side effects/repercussions unless I have to.  I don't know what to do, I just found out I had HCV the first of this month and I am still reeling a bit.

I looked briefly at the clinical trial stuff but it looked kind of like a combo of what they were talking about putting me on anyway, Incivek and the other two.  I will look at them more tomorrow when I am more alert. 

Thanks so much for these good links!   smile

 



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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
Mary Jane


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Biggyb wrote:

I tried some Desitin, took itch away instantly..

 changed your avi..groovy man I dig it..



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Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Mary Jane


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hrsetrdr wrote:

A couple things:

1.Unscented or hypoallergenic soap is a big plus, Light washing of the critical areas...I'd skip forearms & legs.

2.Cool showers-  as the warmer the shower the more likely the  itching.

3.Unscented moisterizing cream, using Hydrocortizone 1% creme on the actual skin lesions.

4. Drink 3~4 liters of water a day

5.Do not scratch!

6. See #5.

 Thanks Tim I am shaking my head yes to # 5 and know when the time comes I will LOL and say to myself

no. 5- no.5 -no.5....



__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Mary Jane


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LC wrote:

I was also considering getting a sitz bath thing that you sit on the toilet and soak your butt in. It looks like they are about $15 at Walmart. I guess I could soak it in the tub too though. That's if I don't wimp out and wait for the nanozyme technology.

Hang in there LC... I hadn't seen that one on  here but I do remember those when I had my kids..

I have always soaked in a tub of epsom salt..seems to heal like the ocean..

Have you gone to any of these clinical trail web sites?  Age is a scientific factor to consider with treatment as I was told after age 50 .. your liver gets cranky..  Sorry I wish I hadn't waited, but I guess when you aren't really sick you figure why make yourself sick.. I do understand..

www.centerwatch.com   www.clinicaltrials.gov  www.veritasmedicine.com and www.hepwebstudy.org.

I got these websites out the "Hep C handbook a Resource guide for Georgians "one of the GI docs I went to, gave me this book  you can google it Hep-C Handbook - Georgia Division of Public Health...

Best of luck my friend

peace and love Stephanieflowerpot.gif



__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
hrsetrdr


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A couple things:

1.Unscented or hypoallergenic soap is a big plus, Light washing of the critical areas...I'd skip forearms & legs.

2.Cool showers-  as the warmer the shower the more likely the  itching.

3.Unscented moisterizing cream, using Hydrocortizone 1% creme on the actual skin lesions.

4. Drink 3~4 liters of water a day

5.Do not scratch!

6. See #5.



__________________

"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
LC


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I was also considering getting a sitz bath thing that you sit on the toilet and soak your butt in. It looks like they are about $15 at Walmart. I guess I could soak it in the tub too though. That's if I don't wimp out and wait for the nanozyme technology.

__________________

Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
Mary Jane


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Biggyb wrote:

I tried some Desitin, took itch away instantly..

 Thanks Bob any tips or products that work .. I want to have a stock pile.. I want to armed and ready..



__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Mary Jane


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Thanks for all the tips... I am taking notes: so Thankful for everyone on this Forum....

Desitin - baby wipes- some like the wipes with witch hazel-  Prep H suppositories- camphor oil-        antihistamines ie. Zyrtec or Allegra for real bad itching - cool showers- wash your bum alot- moisturizer- face and body- Vitamin D - Vitamin B12, Lots of H20 and a study on coffee drinkers seem to have a better SVR... 20 grams of fat/food with the telaprevir .. Have a big fan to stay cool..yes sir I'm reading my eyeballs off..oh and Biotene mouth wash for the dry mouth..

I will be shopping this weekend, here's to no more itching..

peace and love Stephanieflowerpot.gif



__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Biggyb


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I tried some Desitin, took itch away instantly..



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58 yo..Relapsed in 99 and again in 2004. Started triple therapy with Victrelis July 22,2012.  genotype 1a. week 8,12,16,24 VL Undetectable..E.O.T -- 6-22-2013,,,EOT + 24., UND. 

SVR !!!

 

~Bob~
Biggyb


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I am on victrelis also. Rectal itch so bad i feel like taking a wire brush to it..lol...I always thought it was a incivik side effect..Take heed to all the advice here.



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58 yo..Relapsed in 99 and again in 2004. Started triple therapy with Victrelis July 22,2012.  genotype 1a. week 8,12,16,24 VL Undetectable..E.O.T -- 6-22-2013,,,EOT + 24., UND. 

SVR !!!

 

~Bob~
iggle


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i've had very bad rectal issues with incivik, and i never had any before treatment. there is some good advice here, and i would ass this to it... do not use soap on your rectal area when washing, because that could irritate the skin and make things worse. i usually use baby wipes (gently) and then get a quick cool rinse in the shower with no soap. after the shower i used to use tucks pads with witch hazel, which several people have reccomended and that sort of cooled thew area after about a minute and gave some relief. my doctor prescribed hydocortisone cream 2.5% and that gives some temporary relief that lasts a little longer. i use it 2-4 times a day after i shower. the rectal issues are still there, but the cream has made things more managable. it also has slowly gotten better over the past 3-4 weeks. no matter what cream you use, the cause of the problem is the incivik so the problem won't go away until you are done with that. only 6 more doses of incivik for me!

i would also reccomend putting on a good skin lotion or moisturizer just about all over your body daily. i would also use a small amount of a gentle face lotion daily. i make sure to lotion up like crazy to prevent a rash. one more thing, is to try your absoloute hardest to not scratch your skin anywhere. it will just irritate your skin and make things worse for you. i know that is really hard, maybe try gently rubbing your skin with lotion when it itches bad.

make sure you bring this up with your doctor the next time you go. if it gets really bad, i would call them.

good luck with everything



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krowdog


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Hi Jasmine.  I'll weigh in with a few thoughts, having gone through the Incivek triple TX.

First, the anal problems and the itching are really common to Incivek (Telaprevir), but not the Victrelis (Boceprevir).  They are both protease inhibitors, and do pretty much the same thing.  Are you sure you're not on incivek rather than victrelis?

One of the tips I got when I started Tx was to take Zyrtec, or the cheaper generic version, ceterizine.  I took it without fail.  After about 8 weeks, I doubled the dose as I developed a tolerance.  I'm sure it helped, and I never rashed too badly.  Hydroxyzine is very similar to zyrtec, but makes you sleepier...good to take in the evening for sleep+antihistamine effects, all rolled into one.  It is by prescription only.  Other things regarding itch:  Drink LOTS of liquids, it really does help, since your skin is moisturized from the inside out..  Your skin can get very dry from the drugs.  Stay out of the sun, and try to stay cool.  Don't scratch, it makes it worse. Wear as little clothing as possible, or loose clothing.  Take cool showers, and try to use hypo-allergenic everything.

For the anal probs, I always used baby wipes, and if I was home, after VERY gentle wiping, I rinsed in the shower.  Like you, this was VERY painful sometimes.  Someone on the forum suggested camphor oil, and I suspect that would work well, but I heard about that too late.  The anal/rectal problem goes away immediately when you are finished with the invivek (like 24 to 48 hours for me!)  If things get really bad, your doc can prescribe a hemorroidal suppository.

About coffee... I love coffee, and drank a couple cups each morning while on TX.  But since it's a diuretic, you need even *more* water.  If you google "coffee hepC SVR", you will see some studies linking coffee to significantly improved SVR.  There are also some studies showing a big reduction in TX drug side effects.  You should be able to find those studies pretty easily.  Note, this was for coffee...caffeine did not show these improvements...odd, huh?

Lastly, I worked a full time job on tx, but had to slow down and pace myself.  And sleep...super important!  Part way through TX, I allowed myself to sleep in, and I was amazed at how much it helped.  After that, I made absolutely sure I got enough sleep. (And woe was to those who interfered ;))

 

Try to hang on.  If you're like me, you'll find this forum a huge help.

Good luck,

Brad

 

 

 



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(Geno 1a, Incivek Triple Tx, 6 month post TX - 9/20/2012 = SVR!!!)
js2012


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@alexm1122, I am down to one morning coffee a day (down from 4-5 cups). I guess I will give it up completely.

@Margo, I will try the antihistamines. It's just hard to imagine to swollow another pill after 17 daily hcv pills plus the regular advils. But, hey....what ever works.

Thank you so much for your help. This forum is a great blessing.

~ Jasmine



__________________

Gyno a1, VL before start: 800K, F1-2

Started 48 weeks of Pegasys+Ribavirin+ Victrelis on July 6, 2012 

VL @8 weeks=UND

VL @24 weeks=UND

 
alexm1122


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Are you drinking caffeine beverages of any kind? Stop! It  makes a big Difference.

 

Cool it w/the hot showers, you'll get used to cool showers.

 

Calomine lotion helps a lot.



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Big Alex
js2012


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Brad, thank you so much. Your advice is invaluable.

About the sleep: You say you allowed yourself to sleep in. I wish I could.

I get up around 5 AM and can't sleep any more. I work from home and can afford to nap when ever i like, but this never happens.

Excersize almost every day - stil no sleep. I feel like my brain is on fire and I can't cool it off.

I will try the Hydroxyzine. Any other advise? 

 

Thank you

 

 



-- Edited by js2012 on Tuesday 14th of August 2012 08:18:09 AM

__________________

Gyno a1, VL before start: 800K, F1-2

Started 48 weeks of Pegasys+Ribavirin+ Victrelis on July 6, 2012 

VL @8 weeks=UND

VL @24 weeks=UND

 
Margo


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Hi, I was on incivek and the itch was beyond compare, I thought I was going to rip my skin off. I was on antihistamines daily, Zyrtec, Allegra and Benadryl. At night I was in hydroxyzine. I don't recommend it but I had no choice. Unfortunately, this is thd most annoying side effect and there is no real help to ease the suffering...After stopping incivek , the itch was gone after day 10. Hang on, I know how you feel...

__________________

Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
js2012


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Hello :)

I would like to share something with you.

This is my second treatment.

First treatment was in 2002 of int and reb and did not work. I am a type a1 non responder.

In 2002 I did not have any side effects. None.

This time I am on tipple (added victrelis 2 weeks ago) and the itch is KILLING me. Especially in rectal area.

I feel like I want to rip my a-hole out (sorry for the language but that's how I feel).

I read all the posts about this side effect but non of the creams works.

Am I the only one with this symptom so severe or did anyone else experienced the same?

Thank you very much for your help.



__________________

Gyno a1, VL before start: 800K, F1-2

Started 48 weeks of Pegasys+Ribavirin+ Victrelis on July 6, 2012 

VL @8 weeks=UND

VL @24 weeks=UND

 
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