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Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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This Itching, It's Driving Me NUTS!

MrOSO
MrOSO
OK, so the last two days have been misery. Im CONSTANTLY itching, all over. It kinda feels like Ive been messing with old school insulation, and have fiberglass all over my body. It starts with a tiny pin prick kinda feeling, as if something inside of my skin wants to get out. Scratching relieves it, but then it just moves to another part of my body in 20 seconds or so. I couldnt sleep last night because of this. I was exhausted today, but couldnt nap due to it.

Im taking Benadryl at night, and drinking a bunch of water, I mean forcing myself to drink all the time. Nothing has helped, even cool showers. Its only very mild relief, and temporary at best.

I should get the results of my blood work next week. Anything I should tell the doctor? Any other ideas from the seasoned vets out there? Is this normal?


Bob
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey Bob, I was on incivek and I itched like hell for the 12 weeks.I used a product called Sarna its a lotion. I remember well I wanted to roll on sandpaper.Kept me up all night.Itching is one of the sides so I would say its normal.
karmah0209
karmah0209
Man, I can relate to the itchin Bob. I had a new pice of ink done 2-3 months prior to starting tx. It's raised all the ink to the top of the skin and I wanna just dig at it and scratch. The outline of it has more ink packed in it due to not being outlined in black, so these areas are much worse! It has started to leak clear fluid now....... guess i better leave the sucker alone and just focus on doctoring it. My mom gave me some clear calamine lotion last nite and it seemed to help some. im on the last week of incevik now so maybe the itchin will fade away soon. I hope u can find some relief.
betsy88
betsy88
I was given Xanax plus Benedryl when my itching was really bad. I helped, a lot. If you are anemic, that will be contributing to the itching. My hemoglobin dropped to 7 at one point, and the itching was driving me mad. This combination provided total relief. (temporary, but total)
MrOSO
MrOSO
Thanks for all the advice. I took a melatonin pill last night, and finally got to sleep. I'm pretty groggy today, and I will be musical director this morning since our regular choir director is out. Oh well, I'll probably be a quarter beat behind all morning, LOL.


Bob
jerycrkdwlr
jerycrkdwlr
Poison oak-ivy anti itch spray really helped with the sarna lotion and cortizone cream.You descibed it well,Its like accupuncture and poison oak-ivy combined.
deleted_user
deleted_user
IM on week 16 and started with Incivek, itched like crazy then about a week after completing incivek the itching was 99% better!! Sarna works, frequent cool showers without scrubbing your skin and use Dove. Really only time will help and it goes by quickly so hang in there!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I totally feel for you MrOSO. My severe itching went away shortly after finishing incivek, I hope yours does too. Riba causes itching too, but not as bad as the incivek. I'm on wk 32 & haven't itched like that in a while.

I used Aveno lotion after every shower, (while skin is slightly damp) and for the really bad spots would put on a cortizone cream that had been prescribed before.

DON'T SCRATCH TOO HARD or you might make little cuts in your skin which could get infected. Scratching lightly will still relieve the itch - at least momentarily.
Are you on incivek?
gkringler
gkringler
calamyn lotion with benydryl in it smear it everywhere. Also they make a benydryl spray, worked great for in the middle of the night relief and other times as well. Sarna worked OK but it was hard to sleep all greased up
a1napadude
a1napadude
I have much empathy for you Bob. I only did the peg/rib tx but had major issues with the itch. I don't recommend this for anyone but I used a stiff plastic brush to remove the dry/dead skin and then coated myself with an Rx strength triamicinolone (sp?) cream. There are lots of ways to help with the problem but most of them are temp fixes. For the most part I think it's your determination that will help you here. The itch is a physical thing but your mental strength will help alot. Of course I would see the Dr. and get all the Rx's you can and try as many home remedies as you dare.
I hope you get some relief.
Tim