posted
On March 3 I started a new abx combo (biaxin and plaquenil). I had some mild itching after this but not severe. I asked the doctor about it at an appointment in mid April. He said itching is listed as a side effect of plaquenil but he thinks the itching is caused by busting cysts open. He didn't seem to think it was an allergic reaction.
Since mid April I have had a few bouts of sereve itching especially on my legs (upper and lower). This generally has happened after I shave my legs but it did happen once when I didn't just shave. The itching is so intense it drives me crazy. I can't do anything when the unbelievable itchy attack happens. I have to hop into a tub full of hot water and epsom salts. That seem to calm the itching a bit.
I also occassionally have itchyness on my arms and back. I don't have a rash or hives. I didn't have this issue when on was on doxy and omniceff.
Does anyone know what could be causing this? Any ideas on a treatment or lotion that would work when the itense itching starts.
I don't want to be a hairy beast but the itching is so bad after shaving my legs, I'm afraid to shave them again.
HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
Hi Ticked in RI,
Is it itchy becuase your skin is dry and flakey? If so extra virgin coconut oil. I have even used extra virgin olive oil. The olive oil will keep the itchys away for a whole week.
Or do you have like the creepy crawly itchy biting feeling? If so...... Grapefruit Seed extract. www.organicpharmacy.org
These have worked for me. I hope they work for you.
Feel better,
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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ticked in ri
Unregistered
posted
I think the itching is too intense to be from dry skin. Using moisturing cream doesn't relieve this intense itching.
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bettyg
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posted
Hi RI,
My husband solved my ITCHY problem lately, how about RUBBING ALCOHOL and spread generously on the edges! Really does help & reduces the amount of days I itch!
I tried every rx med...nothing helped; just made it worse.
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posted
I know EXACTLY what you mean! It happened to me after starting the Biaxin/Plaquenil combo. (I posted on this a few weeks ago.)
My LLMD didn't think it was an allergic reaction, either but it is scary as the itching is SO intense and it does make you feel crazy.
My itching was mostly on my legs and some on my arms. It never had anything to do with shaving my legs, though. It would happen shortly after I woke up in the morning.
It would happen about a week apart and then it started happening at shorter intervals.
Sometimes Sarna lotion would help. Try it after taking a very hot bath or shower. Also, try Bettyg's suggestion.
My LLMD suggested "virgin" green or red clay that you apply to your entire body (except mucous membranes, of course) to relieve the itching.
Sorry you're going through this but I'm really glad to hear of someone else with this same symptom.
I stopped taking the meds because I just couldn't tolerate the itching, which was too bad as it gave me relief of symptoms I've had for years.
Also, after being off meds for a while, I have relapsed really badly and have symptoms I've never had before (such as chest pain that sent me to the emergency room twice in the last 2 months and severe ear and jaw pain).
So, if you can tolerate it, try to hang in there and see if this combo helps you.
Good luck to you!
Posts: 105 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2005
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ticked in ri
Unregistered
posted
Squeegee,
Sounds like the same thing. The legs get very itchy in the morning usually after a shower on some days. It's not always associated with shaving my legs. Sometimes my arms will get itchy too.
It does seem to happen about weekly too. The first attack of intense itching happened on Easter Sunday morning. I have had about 3 more itchy attacks since then.
I will try some of the suggestions given here. I'm hoping to stick it out with this combo because I've had good results so far but this itching could drive me nuts.
Glad to here I'm not the only one to experience this intense itching.
You're quite welcome! You have no idea how good it is to have "company".
Now if I go back on that combo I will be armed with lots of good advice on how to deal with it and not be so scared that it's an allergic reaction or some other terrible thing.
Posts: 105 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Areneli
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6740
posted
I have a lot of itching on a very different combo.
In my case itch replaced pain so I am happy.
This is Lyme itch. People who write about dry skin are unrealistic.
Posts: 1538 | From Planet Earth | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
I'm also on the same combo and know what you're talking about with the itching. It's only happened to me once or twice since I started about 6 months ago, but it's not fun! The itching is really intense. I ended up lathering my legs with the after sun gel I use - which has aloe vera and lidocaine in it. It did seem to calm things down.
hope it gets better for you. Pam
Posts: 60 | From Northern Va | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I got very itchy with Biaxin and a year later, when I did some allergy testing to various antibiotics found that I do have a slight allergy to it- it could be the same for you- not enough to give you a full on rash reaction but enough to irritate your skin/system?
Ouch- few things as frustrating as an itch!Hope it gives you some peace soon-
Best- Sarah
Posts: 119 | From new york, NY, USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
I read this week (wish i could remember the website) that itching can be a herx symptom.
I had a lot of itching one nite while on cipro for a possible UTI. It wasnt an allergic reaction, even the tip of my nose itched and woke me up during the nite.
have you tried taking benadryl...of course check with your llmd first.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I think the itching could be herx. I get it when I pulse the abx. Back, legs and inside ears mostly.
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Holy smokes!!! I thought I was itching because I was doing something wrong...not washing soap off well or something.
I'm on plaquenil and zithromax IV. I guess it's the plaquenil because I've been on zithro before with no itch.
I get the itch real bad after bathing especially. It paralyzes me. So far, I haven't found something to help.
Thank you ticked so much for posting about this. I had no idea it was Lyme related. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions too.
I'm herxing big-time with other symptoms from the plaquenil. So, is the itch part of a herx really?
-------------------- Be well, SAK Posts: 371 | From Up North | Registered: May 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I had itching for a while...I'm wondering now if it was when I started the plaquenil. The good news is I don't have it anymore. It lasted a pretty short time and just disappeared. So maybe it was a herx.
Itching can also be a sign of yeast. If you aren't doing yeast prevention, then you want to do it. Of course, any yeast symptom can alse be a sign of a yeast herx if you are treating yeast.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
i found the website. Its the washington lyme site.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
Here are some products that have helped with dry skin, ranging from cheap to pricey. Of course, this will be an incomplete list of all the choices available to you. These are just what I've tried or heard great reviews about:
Water Shea butter moisturizer Udder Cream (www.canadapharmacy.com) Coconut oil Aloe vera gel Evening primrose oil supplements Refrigerated flaxseed oil Carotenoid/Vitamin A complex with lutein Sodium PCA/NaPCA Atopalm moisturizer (www.skinstore.com) Sunblock
If you don't mind the price ($25 a tube), Atopalm is fantastic.
But you'd be amazed at how many people love Udder Cream ($5). And diet-wise, it seems like everyone talks about the omegas in fish oil and plant oil, water, and carotenoids ($10-20 each).
Also, when you begin to treat bartonella, you get the itchies. Maybe you are hitting that in some way?
posted
You should also not rule out scabies, it's a mite that causes allergic reactions in the skin, easily killed with lotion from the doc and not all that uncommon anymore.
Posts: 121 | From Memphis, TN | Registered: Dec 2004
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tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
quote:Originally posted by ticked in ri: The first attack of intense itching happened on Easter Sunday morning. I have had about 3 more itchy attacks since then.
Did you happen to indulge in easter sweets?
I had intense itching with biaxin/plaquenil/amox but it stopped after using herb Pau D' Arco as recommended by LLMD.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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ticked in ri
Unregistered
posted
The itching as really subsided since I wrote this original topic. I'm not sure if it was a herx, yeast, or just my body getting used to the plaquenil.
I still have some itchyness occassionally on my legs, arms and back but nothing like it was before with the intense itching attacks.
I guess sometimes we just have to give the medication some time.
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