I too had itchiness. It came and went, and it moved from legs to arms, back, stomach, and so on.
I tried oatmeal baths, and applied lots of body cream several times a day, esp before bedtime and after baths.
I had to adjust the shower head so it wasn't full blast on my skin making it worse. Also, don't use a scrubby to irritate it.
Not sure how long your treatment is, but I tried to suntan last summer and my rash went into overload.
Just a word of caution to keep in mind. You may be done before the summer heat comes and not everyone reacts.
Eventually I think my body got used to the drugs and the itchiness subsided halfway through tx.
Now, 5 weeks post-tx the rash is gone but my old excema is back. I use cortisone for that.
I did not use cortisone during tx because I would've needed a bucket of it and it's too greasy.
ucbgal said
Jan 1, 2014
gracie,
imho the quicker you resolve the rash the better!!!! w/in 2 weeks mine was quite bad and i used cortisone cream. if i had to do it over i should have gone to the dermotologist right then & there. also do keep up w/ the 3 liters of water. sometimes i would even put ice packs when the rash became red hot.
tig was spot on w/ the correct amount of fat. sometimes a little extra fat helped w/ the queasiness. flat gingerale & saltines work quite well.
wishing you minmal sx while on tx and und !
sandy,ucbgal
Gracie said
Jan 1, 2014
Thanks Scruffy... So far the itchiness hasnt reached the "end" so to speak..lol. Just weird floating light itchy spots with no visible rash yet. If anybody watched me for any length of time, they would think I had fleas. Yesterday and today I have been getting waves of queasiness so think the meds are starting to add up. Hope I can handle it all and still work. Going to try and keep a positive attitude and middle through.
Scruffy said
Jan 1, 2014
Hi Gracie
Tig56 pretty much summed it up for ya. I'll add the the 20 grams of fat is a must. I had a rash from the riba more than the incivek. It looked like I would break out with the hives on my torso, started around my waste band and lasted about two weeks. Don't scratch!!! Do what ever you have to just try not to scratch. It just makes it worse. Get some baby wipe and use them followed by desitin or some thing like it. What I found is the incivek leaves you from behind (hahaha) and it makes you itch and burn. Don't spend to much time on the throne when you go. Clean and coat the area with the desitin or what ever when your done. I believe the microscopic amount of leak from all the fat there carries some incivek and will make you itch if the area isn't coated. Take an over the counter med for loose bm. Worked for me anyway.
Best wishes.
newmex said
Dec 30, 2013
Hey Gracie, Welcome. Also on the Incivic here. and yes, do get random itching. Try to find a cream that works for it, as on me the more I scratch, the worse it gets. Mine comes and goes, so I am thinking maybe its something in my diet that aggravates it. Doc gave me some hydrocortisone cream today so will try that. If I find any thing that works good will let you know. Also some one mentioned the anti histamines and that does help some too. And I know you will get tired of hearing it but water helps me more than any thing with all the side effects. Hang in there, when you get a good report it will make it all worthwhile.
Tig said
Dec 30, 2013
Hi Gracie,
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found us, it's a great group of like minded people that have one thing on their mind, to help each other. You'll be meeting a lot of nice people that will provide you with tons of great information!
As you've been told, the medications are likely responsible for the SFX you're experiencing. The Pegasys, Ribavirin and Incivek are a triple itching combination to beat all! The Incivek is going to cause some unpleasant anal itching problems and will likely come and go until you complete it after 12 weeks. There are a few things that will reduce those issues, but first clear all medications with your doctor. As Suffering said the Triamcinolone Acetonide cream is helpful but is a prescription. I didn't take Incivek but Victrelis, and it didn't have the rectal issues you're having. But I did have my share of itching from the other two drugs throughout Tx. My Hepatologist recommended an OTC med called "Zyrtec" (certrizine), it's a antihistamine which helps itching greatly. There are several things like calamine lotion, lukewarm oatmeal baths and try some un scented creams like "Nivea" and use it a lot. Keep your skin moist and stay out of the sun! The sun is not your friend while taking the Ribavirin and for up to 6 months after you stop. You'll likely become very sun sensitive, so be cautious. You should also be very attentive to your oral hydration. Try to drink 2-3 liters of good quality water every day!!! A hydrated body is less prone to itch from the dry skin you will experience through Tx. Lastly (for the moment) be absolutely sure you follow the Incivek directions to take the medication with the 20 grams of fat. It's felt that proper fat intake will minimize the anal itching and this has been borne out by our members.
Keep in touch and be sure to utilize our search function at the top of the page. Just insert the topic you're interested in and you will likely find info on it. Of course anytime you need a question answered or just want to talk, we're here for you. Good luck!
Tig
Gracie said
Dec 30, 2013
Thanks. I am hopeful that it's tolerable enough that I can still work. Luckily my daughter has just decided to move out (she's 20 and in university) so not too much responsibility at home. I've told them at work that I may work Saturday's and take Mondays offif need be. So glad I found this forum. Where else could you discuss a weird toe / neck / head itch and people would totally understand. Nice to have the support.
suffering said
Dec 30, 2013
Gracie> My fourth day on the Incivek was the worst, and got progressively worse. Had to take a leave of absence from work. Could not even work and go thru that. It effects people differently tho, so good Luck. The anal burning and weird pains in my abdomen were really bad. After 8 weeks those have subsided. Thank GOD. Some days are better than others now, but still not able to work. If you got anymore questions later, ask away. I feel like a veteran now at this.
lauralou57 said
Dec 30, 2013
When I was on peg I also had very wierd itching..i. e. the back of my little toe, etc.
This became less severe as time went on but was always there when I was on peg.
When I went off peg it was gone.
Gracie said
Dec 30, 2013
I'll put up with all the itchiness in the world to get rid of this...lol. Luckily my husband is a sound sleeper and doesn't wake up with all the tossing and twitching throughout the night. There just got a neck itch. I will be getting some funny looks at work I'm sure. I'll try the gold bond and try some H&S. Three days in and awhile to go yet, but am really greatful i can try this and be potentially cured. Thanks and good luck with your last 4 weeks!
suffering said
Dec 30, 2013
Gracie: I have been on the incivek, peg, riba combo for 8 weeks now. 4 weeks to go. The itching and rectal discomfort are the worst side effects for me. tried the Acetonide the dr gave me for the itching, no help. Same with Calamine lotion, no relief. I have tried various moisturizers, but I got some Gold Bond Ultimate healing lotion today that so far is doing good. Try Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders for the itchy scalp. Hang in there. Side effects on Incivek are tough. It will get worse as time goes by.I`m just counting the days...28...until i can stop this nasty drug. Good Luck.
Gracie said
Dec 30, 2013
Hello All,
I am 1a, previously treated 13 years ago, non responder.
Started Incevik, Copeg, Peg last Saturday (this is day 3).
So far not too bad. Feeling a bit "off" but not real sick.
I actually took today off thinking I'd need it, but was up taking my incevik at 7 and stayed up and went to work.
Wondering.... Do the bad symptoms come along after a few days or is thIs an indication of what I can expect.
Also getting these weird itchy spots. In random places, like a pencil top area on my head one minute, then on my back, then my foot ... Strange ... Its a quick itch I have to scratch. Other than that, so far so good.... Anxious for week 4... The test tells all ...
I too had itchiness. It came and went, and it moved from legs to arms, back, stomach, and so on.
I tried oatmeal baths, and applied lots of body cream several times a day, esp before bedtime and after baths.
I had to adjust the shower head so it wasn't full blast on my skin making it worse. Also, don't use a scrubby to irritate it.
Not sure how long your treatment is, but I tried to suntan last summer and my rash went into overload.
Just a word of caution to keep in mind. You may be done before the summer heat comes and not everyone reacts.
Eventually I think my body got used to the drugs and the itchiness subsided halfway through tx.
Now, 5 weeks post-tx the rash is gone but my old excema is back. I use cortisone for that.
I did not use cortisone during tx because I would've needed a bucket of it and it's too greasy.
gracie,
imho the quicker you resolve the rash the better!!!! w/in 2 weeks mine was quite bad and i used cortisone cream. if i had to do it over i should have gone to the dermotologist right then & there. also do keep up w/ the 3 liters of water. sometimes i would even put ice packs when the rash became red hot.
tig was spot on w/ the correct amount of fat. sometimes a little extra fat helped w/ the queasiness. flat gingerale & saltines work quite well.
wishing you minmal sx while on tx and und !
sandy,ucbgal
Thanks Scruffy... So far the itchiness hasnt reached the "end" so to speak..lol. Just weird floating light itchy spots with no visible rash yet. If anybody watched me for any length of time, they would think I had fleas. Yesterday and today I have been getting waves of queasiness so think the meds are starting to add up. Hope I can handle it all and still work. Going to try and keep a positive attitude and middle through.
Hi Gracie
Tig56 pretty much summed it up for ya. I'll add the the 20 grams of fat is a must. I had a rash from the riba more than the incivek. It looked like I would break out with the hives on my torso, started around my waste band and lasted about two weeks. Don't scratch!!! Do what ever you have to just try not to scratch. It just makes it worse. Get some baby wipe and use them followed by desitin or some thing like it. What I found is the incivek leaves you from behind (hahaha) and it makes you itch and burn. Don't spend to much time on the throne when you go. Clean and coat the area with the desitin or what ever when your done. I believe the microscopic amount of leak from all the fat there carries some incivek and will make you itch if the area isn't coated. Take an over the counter med for loose bm. Worked for me anyway.
Best wishes.
Hey Gracie, Welcome. Also on the Incivic here. and yes, do get random itching. Try to find a cream that works for it, as on me the more I scratch, the worse it gets. Mine comes and goes, so I am thinking maybe its something in my diet that aggravates it. Doc gave me some hydrocortisone cream today so will try that. If I find any thing that works good will let you know. Also some one mentioned the anti histamines and that does help some too. And I know you will get tired of hearing it but water helps me more than any thing with all the side effects. Hang in there, when you get a good report it will make it all worthwhile.
Hi Gracie,
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found us, it's a great group of like minded people that have one thing on their mind, to help each other. You'll be meeting a lot of nice people that will provide you with tons of great information!
As you've been told, the medications are likely responsible for the SFX you're experiencing. The Pegasys, Ribavirin and Incivek are a triple itching combination to beat all! The Incivek is going to cause some unpleasant anal itching problems and will likely come and go until you complete it after 12 weeks. There are a few things that will reduce those issues, but first clear all medications with your doctor. As Suffering said the Triamcinolone Acetonide cream is helpful but is a prescription. I didn't take Incivek but Victrelis, and it didn't have the rectal issues you're having. But I did have my share of itching from the other two drugs throughout Tx. My Hepatologist recommended an OTC med called "Zyrtec" (certrizine), it's a antihistamine which helps itching greatly. There are several things like calamine lotion, lukewarm oatmeal baths and try some un scented creams like "Nivea" and use it a lot. Keep your skin moist and stay out of the sun! The sun is not your friend while taking the Ribavirin and for up to 6 months after you stop. You'll likely become very sun sensitive, so be cautious. You should also be very attentive to your oral hydration. Try to drink 2-3 liters of good quality water every day!!! A hydrated body is less prone to itch from the dry skin you will experience through Tx. Lastly (for the moment) be absolutely sure you follow the Incivek directions to take the medication with the 20 grams of fat. It's felt that proper fat intake will minimize the anal itching and this has been borne out by our members.
Keep in touch and be sure to utilize our search function at the top of the page. Just insert the topic you're interested in and you will likely find info on it. Of course anytime you need a question answered or just want to talk, we're here for you. Good luck!
Tig
Thanks. I am hopeful that it's tolerable enough that I can still work. Luckily my daughter has just decided to move out (she's 20 and in university) so not too much responsibility at home. I've told them at work that I may work Saturday's and take Mondays offif need be. So glad I found this forum. Where else could you discuss a weird toe / neck / head itch and people would totally understand. Nice to have the support.
Gracie> My fourth day on the Incivek was the worst, and got progressively worse. Had to take a leave of absence from work. Could not even work and go thru that. It effects people differently tho, so good Luck. The anal burning and weird pains in my abdomen were really bad. After 8 weeks those have subsided. Thank GOD. Some days are better than others now, but still not able to work. If you got anymore questions later, ask away. I feel like a veteran now at this.
When I was on peg I also had very wierd itching..i. e. the back of my little toe, etc.
This became less severe as time went on but was always there when I was on peg.
When I went off peg it was gone.
I'll put up with all the itchiness in the world to get rid of this...lol. Luckily my husband is a sound sleeper and doesn't wake up with all the tossing and twitching throughout the night. There just got a neck itch. I will be getting some funny looks at work I'm sure. I'll try the gold bond and try some H&S. Three days in and awhile to go yet, but am really greatful i can try this and be potentially cured. Thanks and good luck with your last 4 weeks!
Gracie: I have been on the incivek, peg, riba combo for 8 weeks now. 4 weeks to go. The itching and rectal discomfort are the worst side effects for me. tried the Acetonide the dr gave me for the itching, no help. Same with Calamine lotion, no relief. I have tried various moisturizers, but I got some Gold Bond Ultimate healing lotion today that so far is doing good. Try Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders for the itchy scalp. Hang in there. Side effects on Incivek are tough. It will get worse as time goes by.I`m just counting the days...28...until i can stop this nasty drug. Good Luck.
Hello All,