[Snip]

I'm really itchy

by Snip on Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:17 pm

Subject line says it all: I am really itchy.

I had my ASCT on Sept 22nd, and started getting itchy about a week later. And here I am, almost seven weeks out, and the itch is still very much here, to the point that I lose a pretty significant amount of sleep over it. Nothing really helps: I've tried cortisone creams and anti-histamine meds. They help, but for a far shorter period of time than the re-application schedule for each solution allows. In other words, nothing manages to effectively control this itch.

Early on, I thought the issue was an outbreak of pimples: I had hundreds of them on my back, and many on my arms, legs, and chest. But those pimples have cleared up, and yet I still itch.

There seems to be a definite correlation between sweating and itch: if I sweat, the itching gets much worse.

My doctors were mildly surprised at my report of this issue, but offered no reason or solution.

I scratch till I bleed, sometimes. It's that bad.

Help?

[Boris Simkovich]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Boris Simkovich on Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:48 pm

It's good to hear from you John. Glad you're done with the stem cell transplant. Sorry to hear, though, about the itching you're experiencing.

There's a fairly extensive discussion of solutions to itching and rashes in this thread here at the forum:

https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/pomalidomide-what-can-we-do-against-the-rash-t599.html

The discussion was prompted by the experiences of a patient taking pomalidomide and having problems with rashes and itching, but the feedback should be generally helpful to you.

The solution this particular patient found that seemed to work was the active ingredient in the over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine and anti-itch medication Tavist (clemastine). I'm not sure, though, if Tavist is the brand name in Canada, or if the drug is available OTC in Canada.

Good luck!

- Boris.

[Kansas]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Kansas on Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:14 am

Snip, when Rex had a reaction to Velcade he was sent to a dermatologist who perscribed mirtazapine 30mg and triamcinolone 0.1% lotion. Hope you can find some relief! Kay

[Snip]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Snip on Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:48 am

Boris: thanks for that info. I will definitely follow it up.

Kansas: I'm pretty certain my issue isn't a Velcade side-effect, as I was on it all summer (4 cycles) and nothing happened. Pretty sure it's a result of one of the plethora of drugs they fed me as part of the ACST treatment I just went through (probably the Malaphan)... but I will take note of the stuff you mentioned.

Thanks, both of you!

[Alyssa]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Alyssa on Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:14 pm

This may be a personal question but how hairy are you? A few months after my transplant when my hair started coming it it was pretty itchy! I am quite fair and don't have much hair on my body, but my head was super itchy, and my legs to some extent, but I've waxed them for years so I am more used to the regrowth there. Try using a lofah to exfoliate the skin. It is when the hair is below the skin it is really itchy.

[Alyssa]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Alyssa on Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:15 pm

sorry about the smiles, I answered the phone and quess my mouse was hovering on them lol

[ka1222]

Re: I'm really itchy

by ka1222 on Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:50 pm

Hi John,
My husband had his ASCT on Oct. 7th. He didn't notice any itching until about 3 weeks or so ago. He has the white pimple looking bumps all over. Head to toe, especially on his back. When we had our first visit with his Oncology Doctor after we got back home from the transplant, he wasn't concerned at all. He didn't put him on anything or perscribe anything for it. We had some cortisone cream that we started using but it hasn't helped. Yesterday he couldn't stand it anymore so he went back to the oncologist, and he put him on a round of steriod medication and told him to try Benedryl. We'll see if that helps, but like you, the doctor acted surprised about it but offered no real reason why this was happening. He has been having a hard time sleeping at night also. I hope you both can get some relief soon!

Good Luck,
Karen

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:46 am

Dear all,

Itching is not a common side effect after transplant, at least not to this degree. I like the suggestion from one post suggesting that this could be a manifestation of hair regrowth. Otherwise, a medication side effect should be considered (e.g. is he on Bactrim/Septra prophylaxis post-transplant?). I think a Dermatology evaluation would be appropriate given the severity of the problem.

Best of luck!

Pete V.

[rumnting]

Re: I'm really itchy

by rumnting on Wed Nov 16, 2011 1:24 pm

My husband also had his auto transplant on Oct. 7th, and is also having the itchy, white-heady rash . His is on his head, chest, and back. He has tried stopping all the antibiotics, acyclovir, etc. for the last week and is still developing new spots.

[Pamela Lussier]

Re: I'm really itchy

by Pamela Lussier on Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:40 am

I'm sure the itching is some kind of reaction to the medications and procedures but i do want everyone to think about their kidneys, a simple blood test can check their function. When you have kidney failure, you can't process phosphates and if your phosphate level is high, you get very itchy and it is an itch that cannot be scratched. Kind of like an internal itch.


Pam