Itching all over again.

[Carolina]

Dearest angels,

Once again I have terrible itching, all over, that is the hallmark of an allergic response to something I've ingested.

Most likely caused by:  one of my medications.

Possible villain?  The last addition is Losartan, an anti hypertensive medication.

I'm getting sooo tired of the whole medication thing (yeah, Joe I can hear you 'sighing' right now!)   

The other possibilities are endless as I have developed allergies after years on a medication.  But I'll start with the Losartan while monitoring my BP closely.

I just started the Losartan in September, because the Lisinopril gave me the famous Lisinopril cough.

I take another anti hypertensive (blood pressure medication) Atenolol, which I've taken for 12 years.  So I'm not discontinuing all blood pressure meds at once.

I also have a constant headache in the front of my head, sort of sick feeling.  I think that's the left over gift of my respiratory infection which is in its 5th week, but who's counting?).   And Losartan is associated with increased respiratory infections, above the placebo comparison.

I'm getting tired of all of this.  Going into a bit of funk, I'm afraid. 

I realized that every time I walk, since it's so difficult and exhausting, I get all upset about it again!   My husband expects me to get stronger and be able to walk longer and longer.

I wonder if that's really possible?  The physical therapist seemed to indicate that I wasn't going to improve markedly with time.  Only accommodate better with a cane and the proper gait.

I am very tall and always had a fantastic 'walk'....smooth and graceful.  Now I walk like a duck, and my feet flap.

I guess this is going to take extra effort at acceptance and patience, angels.

It's colder outside now, so I CAN go outside and walk, which I cannot do in the horrible heat and humidity here half the year.

I'll keep at it, and I know my husband means well, wanting to me get up and about.

I'll keep you posted on the itching and waddling and general b*itching as well!

Hugs

Elaine

[anita]

I really doubt a medicine from Sept is just now causing you an itching side-effect.  That doesn't make sense.  Allergic responses are usually right after starting.

Have you had the itching before?  I know you have neuropathy.  Are you aware that itching can be from the neuropathy?  Well, it can...and may be more likely in your case vs a medicine started 3 months ago.  I get the itching from neuropathy...profound itching!  It comes for a while then settles down...then starts back up a couple months later.

Hope you find the cause.

[Carolina]

Anita, how interesting!

Does the itching occur randomly and all over?  It seems to be mostly my head, but it can be everywhere, arms, 'private parts', and so on.

It got me up last night, which is very unusual.

I have had things take a while to build up to the itching.  At least it stopped when I stopped the med.  But who knows?

I also had a med send me into very close to anaphylatic shock on the second dose.

I'm really really really tired of this.  Probably just the season, which depresses me every year, and every year I forget that this happens.

Right now the backs of my hands are itching slightly, isn't that weird.

I had the Nerve conduction studies and the needles in the muscles in my arms during the summer and appear not to have any PN in my arms.  Or was it last Spring.  That's the other thing, I'm tired of tests and little progress.

Pooh.  I'm off and running with my gripes again!

eeek, shut me down.

Hugs

Elaine

[Patze]

Hi Carolina,

Oh my, I understand the itching all too well and I am sending you some ( ( H U G S ) ) (mine was caused by Doxycycline (used it for six weeks by then), and the docs had to put me on Benedryl for a week to finally get the itching to quit).

I understand what Anita is saying, but for me it was a rapid onset, not a slow builder.  But then I always said that my body never has "acted normal" about anything ever. 

I sure do hope that you finally get an answer as to what is causing the itching soon.

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[anita]

Carolina,

I get random itching and yes, it can be all over.  Sometimes it's so bad that I just want to smack the skin because scratching does nothing to help...like the itch is down inside. 

An EMG will not show small fiber neuropathy (only a skin biopsy) and this is were itching due to neuropathy comes from  (unmylinated fibers).

There are many causes of itching (pruritis).  Have you had this itching 'ever' before this medicine?  Does benydril take it away?

[Carolina]

Dear Anita and all,

The hard part is that I take TWO Benedryl EVERY night to help me sleep (since I can't do RX pain meds).

SO, I'm itching WHILE taking two Benedryl.

Now I'm noticing it in the day time, so it is progressing in severity.

I have itching reactions to:  Codeine, Hydrocodone, Vicodan, Oxycontin, Talwin (real severe allergy there), Tramadol and an analog of Tramadol, Darvocet, Sulfa, Elmiron (given for interstitial cystitis), a couple of the anticonvulsants (Lamotragine, Topiramate), a maybe another one or two.

That list is the reason I think first of drug reactions.   All these have become a problem in the past 11 years, and increasing over time.

I feel like I'm becoming impossible to myself!

Thanks for paying attention to this and for all the good advice and suggestions.

Hugs

Elaine

[KellyG999]

Oh, Elaine! That all over itching is maddening. I had that when I tried Tramadol for pain. Not only did I itch all over, but scratching ONLY MADE IT WORSE! Argh! I will say a special prayer for you.

About the walking: I can totally relate. I am not terribly tall, but tall enough (5'7") that I have always stood a bit taller than a lot of ladies plus I have always liked modest heels with my work outfits. I used to lift weights MANY year ago, and always walked with a brisk confidence. Most evenings, I shuffle my feet, barely able to pick them up off the ground, and slouched over no less! I hate looking pitiful, as I am certain you do.

Vent away, my friend. We understand and (literally) fee your pain.

Soft, non-abrasive HUGS,

KellyG

[Suzie]

I really feel for you. Lord, it all gets on top of you every so often, doesn't it? And husbands, GRRRR! They can be so wonderful, and other times they just DON'T GET IT!

And itching while taking 2 Benadryl? Just awful.

Something to throw into the mix - one time when I had really bad itching, but no mosquito bites, my doctor said it could be a sign of liver trouble and ordered up a liver panel.

Please gd, yours is fine like mine was, but is it worth looking at?

Wishing you peace of mind and freedom from every annoyance to your skin, mind and soul,

Suzie

[anita]

Carolina,

Your "list" is common for itching.  All those drugs are known for itching side-effects.  So I wouldn't automatically assume this other medicine is the culprit.

Did you have any itching before you started the medicine?

[Jorja]

Elaine,

I'm so sorry you are suffering like this.  After having intense itching for a while, I think anyone would get a bit grumpy.  I certainly do! 

Someone posted that the itching may be from neuropathy and it well could be.  Personally, I've experienced intense itching from neuropathy and from drug reactions.  Both STINK!  Either way, I pray that you find relief soon. 

I will be praying for you.

Jorja

[Debbie48]

Sorry to hear that you're suffering with itching. 

I have been too for the last 6 months.  Can't figure out what is causing it.  I was blaming it on meds but am now down to just vitamins. 

I'm being tested for food allergies next week and I'm going to ask them to throw in a check for goose down feathers.  Spent good money on a very nice goose down feather pillow.  Feels great to sleep on, but wonder if it's the cause of my itching. 

Might be due to neuropathy as I have that as well. 

Feeling your pain. 

Hope you find relief soon,

Debbie

[Narablueeyes]

I have yet to experience this awful itching and I hope I never do.  I'm so sorry Elaine.  I hope it eases up fast!!

[harlin]

Carolina my friend,

I am so sorry you are going thru all this. Is it itching or pins and needles feelings? My skin gets dry in the winter and I tend to itch also. My Rheumy just told me about Gold Bond cream and I have been using it since Sat and boy my skin feels better already.

I am having a terrible time with my dry feet and hands splitting. I have been using pedifix on my feet and the Gold Bond on my hands. They are much better.

I pray that you get some relief soon so you can rest. It is a terrible thing when you feel so down.
Keep your chin up!

hugs and prayers, harlin

[jazzlover]

I took Nexium for several years and it just now began to make me itch. You can develop an allergy to something at any time.

I recently found out I was itching from a PROBIOTIC. Very weird and so unexpected.

Hope you feel better soon!

[mshistory]

I see you're not on Plaquenil but it makes me itch all over from time to time. Of course, that's not an allergy, just one of those weird side effects some of us get!

I don't know anything about the medication you're on, but itching as an adverse reaction isn't necessarily an allergy (and often isn't) so perhaps your doctor can help you sort out the cause of this and whether or not this medication's benefits outweigh the extremely annoying side effects (if it is the med causing the itching!) The first time Plaquenil gave me that awful scalp itch I had to take Benadryl to try to help with it, but I think all it did was help me sleep through the misery