Itching?? Side Affect to What?

weezie1053 · 08-15-2007, 10:03 PM

Okay, I am almost too embarrassed to raise this question, but here goes. I I have been on Lyrica for the neuropathy for about 3 weeks. About 10 days ago, I started itching like a monkey infested with fleas. I have no visible rash. I itch mostly on my stomach. I asked my Onc about it, and he told me to stop taking Lyrica. The Lyrica was really relieving my neuropathy so I stayed on it another week. I even tried the Benandyrl. My Podiatrist, who prescribed the Lyrica, said he has only had two patients that had any side affect to the Lyrica. This weekend, I stopped because the itching is overwhelming. The Onc said Herceptin does not cause itching. I have looked up the symptons on Mayoclinic.com, and I do not have any jaundice--just itching. I'm a textbook for side affects so I thought I'd throw this one out there. Coincidentally, I have my first appointment with a dermatologist next Friday when I have my Herceptin and see my Onc. Although I have been off the Lyrica several days, I still itch so I am wondering if it is coming from something else.

Louise

VaMoonRise · 08-15-2007, 10:26 PM

Hi Louise,

I am so sorry that you are itching like mad. I have no idea what could be causing it but I can relate. I have liver mets and brain mets. I recently went through WBR and my liver function is very high right now, I am Jaundiced. I just started on Xeloda and stopped Herceptin and I am being weaned off of a steroid. My skin feels like it is being stretched and itches like crazy at times, I too have no rash, much like a pregnant woman would feel as her skin stretches to make way for the baby. My feet and hands have started to itch too, not sure if the feet & hands are due to the Xeloda or not but I think the rest of my body that itches is due to being dehydrated. I am constantly drinking water, I never am without a bottle in my hand but I know that I am not drinking as much as I was since coming off of the steroid. Are you getting enough to drink? Just a thought. When was the last time you had any scans done or a tumor marker test?

I have found that putting a lot of lotion on does help to relieve my itching some.
Let me know what the Onc & dermatologist have to say. Hopefully they can figure out what is causing it and have a plan to give you some relief from it. I will keep you in my prayers that they do.

Love, Hugs & Good Vibes for Itching Relief,
Nicola

hutchibk · 08-16-2007, 11:45 AM

Don't know if this helps at all, but I googled 'itching' and this is what I found...

What causes an itch? Itch accompanies many conditions. Probably the most common cause of itch is psychological, that is, due to stress, anxiety, etc. Stress also can aggravate itch from other causes. Dry skin is another frequent cause of itch. Many people also report sunburn itch following prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Other causes include metabolic and endocrine disorders (e.g., liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism), cancers (e.g., lymphoma), reactions to drugs, , and diseases of the blood (e.g., polycythemia vera).
Infections and infestations of the skin are another cause of itch. Common infectious causes of itch include a fungal infection of the crotch (tinea cruris) commonly known as jock itch as well as vaginal itching and/or anal itching from sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) or other types of infections. Another type of parasitic infection resulting in itch is the so-called swimmer’s itch. Swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection with certain parasites of birds and mammals that are released from infected snails who swim in fresh and salt water. Itch may also result from skin infestation by body lice, including pubic lice. Most people who itch, however, do not have a serious underlying condition.

weezie1053 · 08-26-2007, 06:16 PM

Met with my Oncologist on Friday in conjunction with my Herceptin treatment. They checked my "bilirubin, and it was low which I was told is a good thing. Nobody can figure out why I itch other than to blame it on "stress." I have no visible rash. My mid-section itches above the bikinia line and below the breasts. The Onc told me to take Benadryl or Zurtek. It could be stress as I work full-time, and all that I work with think because I am back to work I can function at the same pace as a year ago.

Nicola, thank you for guiding me through the bloodwork testing. At least I know what it isn't.

It's a good thing I work with women so if I have a itch, I can scratch!

Louise