Itching on MS Contin

Question:

Barbara, it must be awful to be itching all the time! If the benadryl & calamine are working, then that’s what you gotta do to keep on your meds for pain. Have you tried Atarax or Vistaril? They are sometmes more effective than benadryl. Are you taking 25mg or 50mg of Benadryl each time? I don’t itch, but take Benadryl on occasion for other reasons, & I find it has an extreme drying effect on my mucous membranes & stuffs up my sinuses, & gives me a wicked headache. Have you tried tepid oatmeal (Aveeno, I think) baths to relieve the itching? Oatmeal is very good for various skin conditions that cause itching. For severe itching, Sinequan (Doxepin) & Thorazine (chlorpromezine) can be used. You should let your DR know how uncomfortable you are & ask him for something. I sure hope you get relief! (I had an allergic reaction to Zanaflex & before going into Anaphalactic shock, I had wicked hives/angioedema & I went nuts with the itching!! DR said that Cortisone cremes would be a waste of time. In this case, I had to go on very high dose of Cortisone) So, I can just imagine how you feel! hoping you get relief,   ~Stacie~

Response:

Barbara,  try the liquid Benedryl… Ronnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Every time I taxe Oxy or anything with Codeine……I scratch myself raw . I > end up taking Benedryl by the box and using calamine lotion all over my > body, just for a little pain relief. Is it worth it??  Sometimes I have to > wonder….. > Barbara > >Since taking more of the IR > >morphine and then with the increased MSC, I’m have a lot of itching. > >Is this a "normal" side effect best handled with OTC benadryl? (that’s > >what I using) My concern is that I have many drug allergies, including > >codeine, and I’m fearful that I may be developing a problem with > >morphine. > It’s pretty normal to itch with opiates. You’ve just had an increase, so > it’s > to be expected. If the Benadryl doesn’t work, ask your doctor to phone in > some > Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) into your pharmacy. That should take care of the > itchies. I get the itchies as well, for many reasons (kidney aren’t too > great) > and have no one here to even scratch my back…I hate that. Anyhow, as > long as > you have no other side effects of a pending allergy, you should be OK. > You’ve > been fine on MSContin and IR for this long, so it’s probably the increase > in > the dose. As I said, if the Benadryl doesn’t work (and you can go up to > doses > of 50-100mg as per your doctor) have your doc call in the Vistaril. I get > the > 50mg of Vistaril (Atarax is also the same thing, but for some reason, I > like > Vistaril better), and I can take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. Usually, I just take > 2 > every 6 hours. It works pretty well. I also take Phenergan for nausea and > for > some reason, that seems to work for me too. > Sorry for the typos…I am typing with one hand following surgery. I am > really > hurting. [NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING I WROTE EARLIER] I sent this in a > letter > to Kathy, the office manager, at my Rheumatologist’s office: "I had Carpal > Tunnel Surgery done Thursday 5/30/01 on my right hand/wrist (they knew > this as > I  had an appointment on 5/28), and did not have it done the "new" way, > but > had to have it done the "old" way due to anatomy. In addition to that, I > had a cyst removed that was wrapped around a tendon and growing deep > within the > tissue. When I asked Dr. L (my Rheumy) about the pain at my visit on 5/28, > he > said no, I would not have ANY pain because I was having painful conditions > fixed (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the cyst) so I would feel immediate > results, > no pain at all post-op OR the days after."    Can you BELIEVE that my doc > would > say this???? I am in A LOT of pain! I mean, each day it gets better, but > to > tell me I would have NO pain????? I knew he would say that because he said > the > SAME thing when I had my eye surgery done in January and that hurt too > (but not > as bad as this)! He does it to get out of prescribing pain meds. Last > month, > when I asked about breakthrough pain meds (I take Duragesic and Methadone, > and > desperately need something short-acting), because I was having terrible > breakthrough pain, he almost yelled at me and said that short acting meds > were > too addicting, etc. I know, I need to find a new pain doc, but this one > also > treats my many medical conditions. Also, my insurance company is a PAIN > (literally) when it comes to issuing referrals, and I have been waiting > MONTHS > for referrals to see my doctors, including my HEART doctor (I have a heart > murmur due to a bad valve and also a very fast and at times irregular > heart > rate),  my GI doctor (I cant eat, lost 10lbs in 3 weeks…this is > documented…went to the same doc May 7th and May 28th…throw up a > lot….pancreatic pain…bloating…etc), my Neurologist, a Neurosurgeon > (disc > herniations, stenosis, DDD, Neural Foraminal Enroachment, curvature of the > spine, etc), and also need a referral for my Rheumy after July 2nd…after > that > visit, my referral is used up, and if I don’t get another, I cant see him > and > wont get pain meds. I am talking about an insurance company that has not > yet > gotten me my wheelchair that my doctor wrote a prescription for 6 MONTHS > ago in > DECEMBER, and also a letter of medical necessity for (I have it). The cost > was > also approved by the insurance, and they sent me to a doctor they SAID > would > "fit" me for it (they did it to waste time) but that doc doesn’t do things > like > that. Luckily, he was SO nice, and was supposed to call my "supposed" case > manager (who NEVER calls me back) about a program at the hospital that > does do > wheelchairs. The insurance is just jerking me around in hopes that my > coverage > will end before they have to get it for me as it’s electric and very > expensive. > To them, it doesn’t matter if I have a life or not. It’s just terrible. > Anyhow, had to get that out. Thanks for listening. > Anyhow, Jennie, if the Benadryl doesn’t work, see if your doc will call in > the > Vistaril. It is not a controlled medication. It’s side effects are > minimal, and > can make you a bit tired, but I found that Benadryl makes me even more so. > Give > your body time to adjust to your new dose of MSContin, it might just take > time. > OK, this is enough for me. I am really hurting, not just my hands (I also > have > Carpal Tunnel in my left hand and will probably have surgery in July or > so) but > my back really hurts and I just feel awful. I had a terrible vomiting > spell > today, and did not sleep well at all, so I am going to try to sleep now. > Good luck! > Nikki > ******* > I am who I am > You’re approval is neither > Desired nor required > ******* > "When you throw mud at someone, remember you are the > one who is losing ground." > ******* > "He that can’t endure the bad will not live to see the good." > *******

Response:

Every time I taxe Oxy or anything with Codeine……I scratch myself raw . I end up taking Benedryl by the box and using calamine lotion all over my body, just for a little pain relief. Is it worth it??  Sometimes I have to wonder….. Barbara

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Since taking more of the IR >morphine and then with the increased MSC, I’m have a lot of itching. >Is this a "normal" side effect best handled with OTC benadryl? (that’s >what I using) My concern is that I have many drug allergies, including >codeine, and I’m fearful that I may be developing a problem with >morphine. > It’s pretty normal to itch with opiates. You’ve just had an increase, so it’s > to be expected. If the Benadryl doesn’t work, ask your doctor to phone in some > Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) into your pharmacy. That should take care of the > itchies. I get the itchies as well, for many reasons (kidney aren’t too great) > and have no one here to even scratch my back…I hate that. Anyhow, as long as > you have no other side effects of a pending allergy, you should be OK. You’ve > been fine on MSContin and IR for this long, so it’s probably the increase in > the dose. As I said, if the Benadryl doesn’t work (and you can go up to doses > of 50-100mg as per your doctor) have your doc call in the Vistaril. I get the > 50mg of Vistaril (Atarax is also the same thing, but for some reason, I like > Vistaril better), and I can take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. Usually, I just take 2 > every 6 hours. It works pretty well. I also take Phenergan for nausea and for > some reason, that seems to work for me too. > Sorry for the typos…I am typing with one hand following surgery. I am really > hurting. [NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING I WROTE EARLIER] I sent this in a letter > to Kathy, the office manager, at my Rheumatologist’s office: "I had Carpal > Tunnel Surgery done Thursday 5/30/01 on my right hand/wrist (they knew this as > I  had an appointment on 5/28), and did not have it done the "new" way, but > had to have it done the "old" way due to anatomy. In addition to that, I > had a cyst removed that was wrapped around a tendon and growing deep within the > tissue. When I asked Dr. L (my Rheumy) about the pain at my visit on 5/28, he > said no, I would not have ANY pain because I was having painful conditions > fixed (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the cyst) so I would feel immediate results, > no pain at all post-op OR the days after."    Can you BELIEVE that my doc would > say this???? I am in A LOT of pain! I mean, each day it gets better, but to > tell me I would have NO pain????? I knew he would say that because he said the > SAME thing when I had my eye surgery done in January and that hurt too (but not > as bad as this)! He does it to get out of prescribing pain meds. Last month, > when I asked about breakthrough pain meds (I take Duragesic and Methadone, and > desperately need something short-acting), because I was having terrible > breakthrough pain, he almost yelled at me and said that short acting meds were > too addicting, etc. I know, I need to find a new pain doc, but this one also > treats my many medical conditions. Also, my insurance company is a PAIN > (literally) when it comes to issuing referrals, and I have been waiting MONTHS > for referrals to see my doctors, including my HEART doctor (I have a heart > murmur due to a bad valve and also a very fast and at times irregular heart > rate),  my GI doctor (I cant eat, lost 10lbs in 3 weeks…this is > documented…went to the same doc May 7th and May 28th…throw up a > lot….pancreatic pain…bloating…etc), my Neurologist, a Neurosurgeon (disc > herniations, stenosis, DDD, Neural Foraminal Enroachment, curvature of the > spine, etc), and also need a referral for my Rheumy after July 2nd…after that > visit, my referral is used up, and if I don’t get another, I cant see him and > wont get pain meds. I am talking about an insurance company that has not yet > gotten me my wheelchair that my doctor wrote a prescription for 6 MONTHS ago in > DECEMBER, and also a letter of medical necessity for (I have it). The cost was > also approved by the insurance, and they sent me to a doctor they SAID would > "fit" me for it (they did it to waste time) but that doc doesn’t do things like > that. Luckily, he was SO nice, and was supposed to call my "supposed" case > manager (who NEVER calls me back) about a program at the hospital that does do > wheelchairs. The insurance is just jerking me around in hopes that my coverage > will end before they have to get it for me as it’s electric and very expensive. > To them, it doesn’t matter if I have a life or not. It’s just terrible. > Anyhow, had to get that out. Thanks for listening. > Anyhow, Jennie, if the Benadryl doesn’t work, see if your doc will call in the > Vistaril. It is not a controlled medication. It’s side effects are minimal, and > can make you a bit tired, but I found that Benadryl makes me even more so. Give > your body time to adjust to your new dose of MSContin, it might just take time. > OK, this is enough for me. I am really hurting, not just my hands (I also have > Carpal Tunnel in my left hand and will probably have surgery in July or so) but > my back really hurts and I just feel awful. I had a terrible vomiting spell > today, and did not sleep well at all, so I am going to try to sleep now. > Good luck! > Nikki > ******* > I am who I am > You’re approval is neither > Desired nor required > ******* > "When you throw mud at someone, remember you are the > one who is losing ground." > ******* > "He that can’t endure the bad will not live to see the good." > *******

Response:

> It’s pretty normal to itch with opiates. You’ve just had an increase, so it’s > to be expected. If the Benadryl doesn’t work, ask your doctor to phone in some > Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) into your pharmacy. That should take care of the > itchies. I get the itchies as well, for many reasons (kidney aren’t too great) > and have no one here to even scratch my back…I hate that. Anyhow, as long as > you have no other side effects of a pending allergy, you should be OK. You’ve > been fine on MSContin and IR for this long, so it’s probably the increase in > the dose. As I said, if the Benadryl doesn’t work (and you can go up to doses > of 50-100mg as per your doctor) have your doc call in the Vistaril. I get the > 50mg of Vistaril (Atarax is also the same thing, but for some reason, I like > Vistaril better), and I can take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. Usually, I just take 2 > every 6 hours. It works pretty well. I also take Phenergan for nausea and for > some reason, that seems to work for me too.

Nikki, thank you for responding to my concern. If this continues I’ll use your knowledge to talk with my physician about Vistaril. I seem to develop allergies to medications after using them for years, as was the case with codeine. Thus my fear of "what if I can’t use morphine." I’m good at worrying about things early…. never put off til tomorrow that which you can do today. <g> Thanks Nikki, and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Jennie

Response:

>Since taking more of the IR >morphine and then with the increased MSC, I’m have a lot of itching. >Is this a "normal" side effect best handled with OTC benadryl? (that’s >what I using) My concern is that I have many drug allergies, including >codeine, and I’m fearful that I may be developing a problem with >morphine.

It’s pretty normal to itch with opiates. You’ve just had an increase, so it’s to be expected. If the Benadryl doesn’t work, ask your doctor to phone in some Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) into your pharmacy. That should take care of the itchies. I get the itchies as well, for many reasons (kidney aren’t too great) and have no one here to even scratch my back…I hate that. Anyhow, as long as you have no other side effects of a pending allergy, you should be OK. You’ve been fine on MSContin and IR for this long, so it’s probably the increase in the dose. As I said, if the Benadryl doesn’t work (and you can go up to doses of 50-100mg as per your doctor) have your doc call in the Vistaril. I get the 50mg of Vistaril (Atarax is also the same thing, but for some reason, I like Vistaril better), and I can take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. Usually, I just take 2 every 6 hours. It works pretty well. I also take Phenergan for nausea and for some reason, that seems to work for me too. Sorry for the typos…I am typing with one hand following surgery. I am really hurting. [NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING I WROTE EARLIER] I sent this in a letter to Kathy, the office manager, at my Rheumatologist’s office: "I had Carpal Tunnel Surgery done Thursday 5/30/01 on my right hand/wrist (they knew this as I  had an appointment on 5/28), and did not have it done the

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