Guest guest Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Hi Bart, and everyone else who might be itchy this morning... I'm writing this assuming that other readers don't already know this. If you do, just skip those parts :-) Chronic renal insufficiency is known to cause itching. It could be the skin on any part of the body, it can be the eyes, etc. IgAN does not cause itching. It's the chronic renal insufficiency that does it, and it has to be fairly advanced, that is, kidney function has to be pretty low for these kinds of symptoms to happen, usually getting close to 20%, but maybe as high as about 30% if the person is not following a pre-dialysis renal diet. It is NOT known exactly what causes the itching, but excess phosphorus in the diet is known to contribute to it. So, it's very important to absolutely minimize phosphorus in the diet when you have kidney failure (it's important for other more significant things besides itching too). There is no way around this. It's not enough to take a phosphorus binder like Tums, Phoslo or Renagel. It's very unlikely that your itching is caused by excess phosphorus unless you have less than 30% kidney function, and then some. More than that and you should have more than enough renal function to handle it. This is just basic physiology, and it's hard to dispute it. Now, some people may have an itching problem despite minimizing phosphorus. This is because phosphorus is not the only contributor to itching. As I said, the mechanism is not really understood, and even the phosphorus connection was not made until a relatively short time ago. What can you do? Well, really, really follow that phosphorus restriction. Other than than, it helps to keep the skin well-hydrated. People with advanced chronic renal insufficiency or with esrd should avoid too many hot baths and showers, maybe even avoid bathing/showering every single day - because this dries out the skin and it makes itching worse. Use skin lotions if it helps, and use soaps that don't dry out the skin. For occasional use, when it's really bad and it's driving you nuts.... Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) has often been prescribed by nephrologists to help with itching. People say it's an antihistamine, but it is only in the sense that it has some antihistaminic properties. It's not an antihistamine in the same sense that loratadine, benadryl and others are. The latter are primarily antihistmines, but Atarax has other properties, and the anthistamine effect is really secondary. Since the itching from renal insufficiency is NOT an allergy, classic antihistamine aren't likely to help much. The only way for you to know if Atarax will help is to try it. I have, and I find it does help, but it also makes me want to sleep. I don't find it anywhere near as sedating as Benadryl, though. But it's only for use when needed. You can't really be on Atarax all the time. There are ointment compounds that your nephrologist can prescribe that will help. A mild hydrocortisone cream compounded with menthol and camphor can be really helpful. I've tried this on affected spots. It does help. Since I've been pre-dialysis (<30%) and since being on dialysis, I can be sure that if I eat a bit too much cheese or other dairy products, I'll have very itchy, red eyes the next few days. Other than the above, there's not much you can do. I personally don't think that taking over-the-counter antihistamines does a darned thing, unless you just happen to have an allergy that is causing your itching. By the way, some of those antihistamines might have to be taken at a lower dosage when you have little kidney function. Finally, you do have to avoid scratching and rubbing. It very easily damages the skin surface, and it will definitely make it worse. I personally have found that it really helps to be careful with bathing and showering. A hot shower or bath feels great, but it's very drying to the skin, and the drier the skin, the more itching will be a problem. Pierre A few items I'm concerned with > > All, > > As you've noted I am new here and want to provide a little and ask a few > questions. I have been a watcher for quite some time, but now that its > hollys here in the US I thought I would chime in where I can be of use. > > Firstly, I am a year into DX about 22% function, at 43 years old. I still > work vigorously, though am very tired and sleep very little. I still travel > from San , TX, where I live, pretty much anywhere the Company tells > me to (we are building a huge project right now for IP-enabled video in the > regions of the country where we operate...rather exciting!!) > > Diet, low K, low protein, 0 alcohol, tums at mealtimes for P blockade > > Meds 40mg lisinopril; 40 mgs Lasix; 5 mg Norvasc; 10 mg ambien for sleep; > several grams of bicarbonate per day; benadryl prn for itching (see below). > As I have no spleen (secondary to another autoimmune disorder called ITP), > my blood counts are still acceptable without erythropoiten injections (in > fact early on in this I had to donate blood as my HCT was WAY too high) > > Tiredness, skin rashes (caused by itching) and the itching itself, with the > itching being the most troublesome, drive me nuts. The rashes occur at the > rub points for clothing principly (elbows; upper hips; one calf which is > large secondary to a blood clot some years back, and the head), while the > itching is everywhere...worst on and over my eyelids (not my eyes > themselves).... > > Benadryl makes me sleepy; the lotions , including steroids, don't do much. > Atatarex has been suggested but I haven't obtained any as of yet. I have > taken loratidine 10 mg in the past before DX. Is it ok now? > > A bit by way of introduction; I have some comments on the itching...its > getting embarassing at work to scritch around and the skin itself is getting > damaged by the rubbing. Any further thoughts at all?????????? > > Bart > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Hi Bart, and everyone else who might be itchy this morning... I'm writing this assuming that other readers don't already know this. If you do, just skip those parts :-) Chronic renal insufficiency is known to cause itching. It could be the skin on any part of the body, it can be the eyes, etc. IgAN does not cause itching. It's the chronic renal insufficiency that does it, and it has to be fairly advanced, that is, kidney function has to be pretty low for these kinds of symptoms to happen, usually getting close to 20%, but maybe as high as about 30% if the person is not following a pre-dialysis renal diet. It is NOT known exactly what causes the itching, but excess phosphorus in the diet is known to contribute to it. So, it's very important to absolutely minimize phosphorus in the diet when you have kidney failure (it's important for other more significant things besides itching too). There is no way around this. It's not enough to take a phosphorus binder like Tums, Phoslo or Renagel. It's very unlikely that your itching is caused by excess phosphorus unless you have less than 30% kidney function, and then some. More than that and you should have more than enough renal function to handle it. This is just basic physiology, and it's hard to dispute it. Now, some people may have an itching problem despite minimizing phosphorus. This is because phosphorus is not the only contributor to itching. As I said, the mechanism is not really understood, and even the phosphorus connection was not made until a relatively short time ago. What can you do? Well, really, really follow that phosphorus restriction. Other than than, it helps to keep the skin well-hydrated. People with advanced chronic renal insufficiency or with esrd should avoid too many hot baths and showers, maybe even avoid bathing/showering every single day - because this dries out the skin and it makes itching worse. Use skin lotions if it helps, and use soaps that don't dry out the skin. For occasional use, when it's really bad and it's driving you nuts.... Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) has often been prescribed by nephrologists to help with itching. People say it's an antihistamine, but it is only in the sense that it has some antihistaminic properties. It's not an antihistamine in the same sense that loratadine, benadryl and others are. The latter are primarily antihistmines, but Atarax has other properties, and the anthistamine effect is really secondary. Since the itching from renal insufficiency is NOT an allergy, classic antihistamine aren't likely to help much. The only way for you to know if Atarax will help is to try it. I have, and I find it does help, but it also makes me want to sleep. I don't find it anywhere near as sedating as Benadryl, though. But it's only for use when needed. You can't really be on Atarax all the time. There are ointment compounds that your nephrologist can prescribe that will help. A mild hydrocortisone cream compounded with menthol and camphor can be really helpful. I've tried this on affected spots. It does help. Since I've been pre-dialysis (<30%) and since being on dialysis, I can be sure that if I eat a bit too much cheese or other dairy products, I'll have very itchy, red eyes the next few days. Other than the above, there's not much you can do. I personally don't think that taking over-the-counter antihistamines does a darned thing, unless you just happen to have an allergy that is causing your itching. By the way, some of those antihistamines might have to be taken at a lower dosage when you have little kidney function. Finally, you do have to avoid scratching and rubbing. It very easily damages the skin surface, and it will definitely make it worse. I personally have found that it really helps to be careful with bathing and showering. A hot shower or bath feels great, but it's very drying to the skin, and the drier the skin, the more itching will be a problem. Pierre A few items I'm concerned with > > All, > > As you've noted I am new here and want to provide a little and ask a few > questions. I have been a watcher for quite some time, but now that its > hollys here in the US I thought I would chime in where I can be of use. > > Firstly, I am a year into DX about 22% function, at 43 years old. I still > work vigorously, though am very tired and sleep very little. I still travel > from San , TX, where I live, pretty much anywhere the Company tells > me to (we are building a huge project right now for IP-enabled video in the > regions of the country where we operate...rather exciting!!) > > Diet, low K, low protein, 0 alcohol, tums at mealtimes for P blockade > > Meds 40mg lisinopril; 40 mgs Lasix; 5 mg Norvasc; 10 mg ambien for sleep; > several grams of bicarbonate per day; benadryl prn for itching (see below). > As I have no spleen (secondary to another autoimmune disorder called ITP), > my blood counts are still acceptable without erythropoiten injections (in > fact early on in this I had to donate blood as my HCT was WAY too high) > > Tiredness, skin rashes (caused by itching) and the itching itself, with the > itching being the most troublesome, drive me nuts. The rashes occur at the > rub points for clothing principly (elbows; upper hips; one calf which is > large secondary to a blood clot some years back, and the head), while the > itching is everywhere...worst on and over my eyelids (not my eyes > themselves).... > > Benadryl makes me sleepy; the lotions , including steroids, don't do much. > Atatarex has been suggested but I haven't obtained any as of yet. I have > taken loratidine 10 mg in the past before DX. Is it ok now? > > A bit by way of introduction; I have some comments on the itching...its > getting embarassing at work to scritch around and the skin itself is getting > damaged by the rubbing. Any further thoughts at all?????????? > > Bart > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Hi Bart, and everyone else who might be itchy this morning... I'm writing this assuming that other readers don't already know this. If you do, just skip those parts :-) Chronic renal insufficiency is known to cause itching. It could be the skin on any part of the body, it can be the eyes, etc. IgAN does not cause itching. It's the chronic renal insufficiency that does it, and it has to be fairly advanced, that is, kidney function has to be pretty low for these kinds of symptoms to happen, usually getting close to 20%, but maybe as high as about 30% if the person is not following a pre-dialysis renal diet. It is NOT known exactly what causes the itching, but excess phosphorus in the diet is known to contribute to it. So, it's very important to absolutely minimize phosphorus in the diet when you have kidney failure (it's important for other more significant things besides itching too). There is no way around this. It's not enough to take a phosphorus binder like Tums, Phoslo or Renagel. It's very unlikely that your itching is caused by excess phosphorus unless you have less than 30% kidney function, and then some. More than that and you should have more than enough renal function to handle it. This is just basic physiology, and it's hard to dispute it. Now, some people may have an itching problem despite minimizing phosphorus. This is because phosphorus is not the only contributor to itching. As I said, the mechanism is not really understood, and even the phosphorus connection was not made until a relatively short time ago. What can you do? Well, really, really follow that phosphorus restriction. Other than than, it helps to keep the skin well-hydrated. People with advanced chronic renal insufficiency or with esrd should avoid too many hot baths and showers, maybe even avoid bathing/showering every single day - because this dries out the skin and it makes itching worse. Use skin lotions if it helps, and use soaps that don't dry out the skin. For occasional use, when it's really bad and it's driving you nuts.... Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) has often been prescribed by nephrologists to help with itching. People say it's an antihistamine, but it is only in the sense that it has some antihistaminic properties. It's not an antihistamine in the same sense that loratadine, benadryl and others are. The latter are primarily antihistmines, but Atarax has other properties, and the anthistamine effect is really secondary. Since the itching from renal insufficiency is NOT an allergy, classic antihistamine aren't likely to help much. The only way for you to know if Atarax will help is to try it. I have, and I find it does help, but it also makes me want to sleep. I don't find it anywhere near as sedating as Benadryl, though. But it's only for use when needed. You can't really be on Atarax all the time. There are ointment compounds that your nephrologist can prescribe that will help. A mild hydrocortisone cream compounded with menthol and camphor can be really helpful. I've tried this on affected spots. It does help. Since I've been pre-dialysis (<30%) and since being on dialysis, I can be sure that if I eat a bit too much cheese or other dairy products, I'll have very itchy, red eyes the next few days. Other than the above, there's not much you can do. I personally don't think that taking over-the-counter antihistamines does a darned thing, unless you just happen to have an allergy that is causing your itching. By the way, some of those antihistamines might have to be taken at a lower dosage when you have little kidney function. Finally, you do have to avoid scratching and rubbing. It very easily damages the skin surface, and it will definitely make it worse. I personally have found that it really helps to be careful with bathing and showering. A hot shower or bath feels great, but it's very drying to the skin, and the drier the skin, the more itching will be a problem. Pierre A few items I'm concerned with > > All, > > As you've noted I am new here and want to provide a little and ask a few > questions. I have been a watcher for quite some time, but now that its > hollys here in the US I thought I would chime in where I can be of use. > > Firstly, I am a year into DX about 22% function, at 43 years old. I still > work vigorously, though am very tired and sleep very little. I still travel > from San , TX, where I live, pretty much anywhere the Company tells > me to (we are building a huge project right now for IP-enabled video in the > regions of the country where we operate...rather exciting!!) > > Diet, low K, low protein, 0 alcohol, tums at mealtimes for P blockade > > Meds 40mg lisinopril; 40 mgs Lasix; 5 mg Norvasc; 10 mg ambien for sleep; > several grams of bicarbonate per day; benadryl prn for itching (see below). > As I have no spleen (secondary to another autoimmune disorder called ITP), > my blood counts are still acceptable without erythropoiten injections (in > fact early on in this I had to donate blood as my HCT was WAY too high) > > Tiredness, skin rashes (caused by itching) and the itching itself, with the > itching being the most troublesome, drive me nuts. The rashes occur at the > rub points for clothing principly (elbows; upper hips; one calf which is > large secondary to a blood clot some years back, and the head), while the > itching is everywhere...worst on and over my eyelids (not my eyes > themselves).... > > Benadryl makes me sleepy; the lotions , including steroids, don't do much. > Atatarex has been suggested but I haven't obtained any as of yet. I have > taken loratidine 10 mg in the past before DX. Is it ok now? > > A bit by way of introduction; I have some comments on the itching...its > getting embarassing at work to scritch around and the skin itself is getting > damaged by the rubbing. Any further thoughts at all?????????? > > Bart > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 As usual, you are right on about this Pierre. It's a great post for those who itch. :-) I was in the process of looking for that post you wrote on itching a couple of months ago when this one came up. I have such bad itching on my legs and feet if I don't watch the phosphorus. The itching is so bad I can't sleep if I don't watch the intake. There is an over-the-counter cream with diphenhydramine hydrochloride that can help with spot itching too. A few items I'm concerned with > > All, > > As you've noted I am new here and want to provide a little and ask a few > questions. I have been a watcher for quite some time, but now that its > hollys here in the US I thought I would chime in where I can be of use. > > Firstly, I am a year into DX about 22% function, at 43 years old. I still > work vigorously, though am very tired and sleep very little. I still travel > from San , TX, where I live, pretty much anywhere the Company tells > me to (we are building a huge project right now for IP-enabled video in the > regions of the country where we operate...rather exciting!!) > > Diet, low K, low protein, 0 alcohol, tums at mealtimes for P blockade > > Meds 40mg lisinopril; 40 mgs Lasix; 5 mg Norvasc; 10 mg ambien for sleep; > several grams of bicarbonate per day; benadryl prn for itching (see below). > As I have no spleen (secondary to another autoimmune disorder called ITP), > my blood counts are still acceptable without erythropoiten injections (in > fact early on in this I had to donate blood as my HCT was WAY too high) > > Tiredness, skin rashes (caused by itching) and the itching itself, with the > itching being the most troublesome, drive me nuts. The rashes occur at the > rub points for clothing principly (elbows; upper hips; one calf which is > large secondary to a blood clot some years back, and the head), while the > itching is everywhere...worst on and over my eyelids (not my eyes > themselves).... > > Benadryl makes me sleepy; the lotions , including steroids, don't do much. > Atatarex has been suggested but I haven't obtained any as of yet. I have > taken loratidine 10 mg in the past before DX. Is it ok now? > > A bit by way of introduction; I have some comments on the itching...its > getting embarassing at work to scritch around and the skin itself is getting > damaged by the rubbing. Any further thoughts at all?????????? > > Bart > To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ To unsubcribe via email, iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported by donations. If you would like to help, go to: http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 ok thanks...sounds possible..will tell her to give that a try...dawn Subject: Re: itchingTo: RT3_T3 Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 2:28 PM Dawn I think this is a Hypo symptom...this happened to me when I was not taking enough T3. I increased my T3 and it went away. It's a terrible weird itchy feeling that is within the body that does not go away if your scratch. It feels like it's on the surface but when you try to alleviate the itch you can't make it stop. I had it a couple of nights and I couldn't sleep at all for the horrible itching. does anyone have any ideas where deep itching might be coming from..she is on T3 only meds (just started them)....nothing else..it is upper body only ...no rash...said it feels tingly under skin and itchy but she cant really scratch it...new symptom....it is day and night....antihistam ines do not help...nor does hc cream.....could this be due to thryoid or T3 med?? since only upper body on sides of ribs and under 1 breast to be exact... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 ok thanks...sounds possible..will tell her to give that a try...dawn Subject: Re: itchingTo: RT3_T3 Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 2:28 PM Dawn I think this is a Hypo symptom...this happened to me when I was not taking enough T3. I increased my T3 and it went away. It's a terrible weird itchy feeling that is within the body that does not go away if your scratch. It feels like it's on the surface but when you try to alleviate the itch you can't make it stop. I had it a couple of nights and I couldn't sleep at all for the horrible itching. does anyone have any ideas where deep itching might be coming from..she is on T3 only meds (just started them)....nothing else..it is upper body only ...no rash...said it feels tingly under skin and itchy but she cant really scratch it...new symptom....it is day and night....antihistam ines do not help...nor does hc cream.....could this be due to thryoid or T3 med?? since only upper body on sides of ribs and under 1 breast to be exact... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 ok thanks...sounds possible..will tell her to give that a try...dawn Subject: Re: itchingTo: RT3_T3 Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 2:28 PM Dawn I think this is a Hypo symptom...this happened to me when I was not taking enough T3. I increased my T3 and it went away. It's a terrible weird itchy feeling that is within the body that does not go away if your scratch. It feels like it's on the surface but when you try to alleviate the itch you can't make it stop. I had it a couple of nights and I couldn't sleep at all for the horrible itching. does anyone have any ideas where deep itching might be coming from..she is on T3 only meds (just started them)....nothing else..it is upper body only ...no rash...said it feels tingly under skin and itchy but she cant really scratch it...new symptom....it is day and night....antihistam ines do not help...nor does hc cream.....could this be due to thryoid or T3 med?? since only upper body on sides of ribs and under 1 breast to be exact... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 >does anyone have any ideas where deep itching might be coming from..she is on T3 only meds (just started them)....nothing else..it is upper body only ...no rash...said it feels tingly under skin and itchy but she cant really scratch it...new symptom....it is day and night....antihistamines do not help...nor does hc cream.....could this be due to thryoid or T3 med?? since only upper body on sides of ribs and under 1 breast to be exact... B12 deficiency can cause itching among other things like causing ferritin issues. Nick -- for more information on RT3 and Thyroid Resistance go to www.thyroid-rt3.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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