Heat and itchy skin

2

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  • Magicmom
    Magicmom Member Posts: 1
    Prickly, itchy skin

    Found this thread and, as everyone else, happy to see it is not just me.  Had chemo for ovarian cancer in 2012 and developed this about 6 months after completing. It waxes and wanes but is particularly difficult in the summer.  Overheating and direct sunlight seem to be my triggers.  Will try some of the suggestions offered here.  Thanks! 

  • Ollieveer
    Ollieveer Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2017 #23
    Hurting, Prickly Skin

    Right -- can't be the chemo.  How is it that it never happened before the chemo and  conitunes now 9 years later.  I have learned how to be as cool as possible and can go a pretty long time before it hits, but I still have it.  It is as if all of my nerve endings got fried during chemo.  My entire body has to cool down before it goes away. It happens to my arms first - so I know to immediatly find a cooler place.. Applying cold water doesn't do it.  Chemo does a lot of damage - seriously.  Funny how many of us who had chemo have this issue.  

  • gelainest
    gelainest Member Posts: 1
    Same thing with me

    Just wanted to chime in that I have the same thing and I'm trying to figure out how to treat it. I can't be outside pretty much...

  • terral
    terral Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2017 #25
    Prickly skin

    I have been bothered with this problem too.  My symptoms also started after by full cocktail of chemo drugs. I am now finishing up my herceptin ( one more to go, yahoo) infusion and  am wondering if I will have this condition for a while longer.  I too didnt mention it to anyone. On my next visit to the Ocon Doctor I will bring it up and mention that several others suffer from the same thing..

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    Terral

    Congratulations on finishing up the treatments.  I just got done myself!  It is a great feeling to know your done.   I have no doubt that there is a connection to the chemo and the itching.  I have made the decision to just be kind to myself and deal with it the best I can. 

    Please let us know what your docs response is.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • Christiena
    Christiena Member Posts: 1
    Intense Itching Insanity!

    During Taxol, my soles and palms would itch so intensely that I would literally cry. I had to carry ice packs to numb my feet and hands throughout the day. Just thinking about how intense and insatiable this itch was makes me want to cry right now. But I have been off of chemo for a year, had my ovaries removed due to ER 100% BC and started Anastozole immediately afterward (I have stopped taking for the past 3 weeks as an experiment but am still having these itching attacks with my hot flashes). Ever since I had my ovaries removed and started the Anastozole, I get intense, insatiable, itching whenever I work out whether low, moderate, or high intensity workouts it still causes hot flashes and this insane itch. I believe it is due to nerve damage from Taxol. I saw something called Neuropathic Itch on NIH's website.

    I have been explaining this to my ONCs since February and they keep referring to it as a "skin" thing and dry skin is a side effect of Anastozole. I promise this itch in NOT on the surface or any layers of my skin it is a subcutaneous itch!! It feels like my veins are itching all over my body. I try to ignore it and not complain, because after all, I got the "all clear" from my ONC team and there are no lesions or lumps in my mammograms and my blood test are great. I just need to know if this is a permanent part of BC recovery or if its menopausal or is it nerve damage that will  be corrected as time goes on and I just need to wait it out a bit.

    It so hard when you feel that people think you are insane because they are suggesting that you change lotions, soaps, and detergents or take an allergy pill or use a topical antihistamine and you will be okay. I wish they could understand that it is not that kind of itch and it is miserable. I have to literally stop what I am doing and keep perfectly still as to cool myself down enough to lessen the intense itch. If the doctors and researcher do not acknowledge this long term side effect, how can we get relief! The hot flashes are one thing, the itch is another all together. Frown Good know that I am not insane afterall and others are experiencing this problem, I just wish we get a solution! 

     

    "Warm" regards, literally, 

    Christiena

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited August 2017 #28

    Intense Itching Insanity!

    During Taxol, my soles and palms would itch so intensely that I would literally cry. I had to carry ice packs to numb my feet and hands throughout the day. Just thinking about how intense and insatiable this itch was makes me want to cry right now. But I have been off of chemo for a year, had my ovaries removed due to ER 100% BC and started Anastozole immediately afterward (I have stopped taking for the past 3 weeks as an experiment but am still having these itching attacks with my hot flashes). Ever since I had my ovaries removed and started the Anastozole, I get intense, insatiable, itching whenever I work out whether low, moderate, or high intensity workouts it still causes hot flashes and this insane itch. I believe it is due to nerve damage from Taxol. I saw something called Neuropathic Itch on NIH's website.

    I have been explaining this to my ONCs since February and they keep referring to it as a "skin" thing and dry skin is a side effect of Anastozole. I promise this itch in NOT on the surface or any layers of my skin it is a subcutaneous itch!! It feels like my veins are itching all over my body. I try to ignore it and not complain, because after all, I got the "all clear" from my ONC team and there are no lesions or lumps in my mammograms and my blood test are great. I just need to know if this is a permanent part of BC recovery or if its menopausal or is it nerve damage that will  be corrected as time goes on and I just need to wait it out a bit.

    It so hard when you feel that people think you are insane because they are suggesting that you change lotions, soaps, and detergents or take an allergy pill or use a topical antihistamine and you will be okay. I wish they could understand that it is not that kind of itch and it is miserable. I have to literally stop what I am doing and keep perfectly still as to cool myself down enough to lessen the intense itch. If the doctors and researcher do not acknowledge this long term side effect, how can we get relief! The hot flashes are one thing, the itch is another all together. Frown Good know that I am not insane afterall and others are experiencing this problem, I just wish we get a solution! 

     

    "Warm" regards, literally, 

    Christiena

    Christiena, your not insane hon...

    I have been done with the A/C chemo a long time and done with the Herceptin for a month now.  I think all this lead to neuropothy in the worst way.   My feet drive me bats. 

    I have lymphedemia in my arms.  I have diabeties, and had neuropothy on left side prior to BC diagnosis.   The chemo made it worse.  Just intensified it to the max. 

    I had a hysterecomy back in 2010 and went through the hot flashes.  2016, the breast cancer,  hormone pos.  They put me on the Als back in Oct.  2016 and those first 4 mo. were awful with continuous hot flashes.  They have now tapered off quite a bit.  But I have all the other SE of it.  bone pain, itching.  

    I dont know what is what.  All I know is this is a crap shoot and many people have not a clue how hard this is on our bodies.   I hope they never have to.  

    HUGS<

    Keep fighting the fight.

    Annie

  • 3Mimi
    3Mimi Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2017 #29
    Itchy skin

    i have ended chemo on May 23. I have been dealing with itchy creepy skin when I get warm and it stops when I cool down. I see many others here have the same issue .... this is the second time I have had cancer and did not go through this last time 

  • 3Mimi
    3Mimi Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2017 #30
    itchy skin

    any of you that are experiencing the itchy skin did you have taxol?  I did just wondering if that is the common denominator. This is crazy . There has got to be an answer to what it is. And a cure

    good luck all

  • 3Mimi
    3Mimi Member Posts: 6
    KerryB said:

    Me too - but not breast cancer

    Hi,  I came across this thread while Googling "pricking skin when hot following chemo". I thought I would let you know that my diagnosis was Follicular B Cell Lymphoma so my chemo drugs were totally different to those used for breast cancer treatment and I suffer the same dreadful prickling when I get hot. I understand patients not discussing these types of symptoms with their oncologist's and nurses as you can feel that the issue is not important enough or previous symptoms have been ignored or waved away as not a side-effect of chemo.  I have felt this way.  However, maybe this is part of the reason why the doctor may not have heard the complaints often enough to immediately accept it as a genuine side effect of chemo. Anyway, I am pleased to hear that I can expect this symptom to go away. All the best for ongoing good health everyone. 

    KerryB

    hope you are right that these symptoms will go away .. I messaged my oncologist again today to see if there is any creme that might help. 

    Good luck

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    3Mimi said:

    itchy skin

    any of you that are experiencing the itchy skin did you have taxol?  I did just wondering if that is the common denominator. This is crazy . There has got to be an answer to what it is. And a cure

    good luck all

    i did not

    I did not have taxol.   I have the itchy skin.

     

  • 3Mimi
    3Mimi Member Posts: 6
    Apaugh

    how long have you had the itchy skin? Is it getting less? 

  • 3Mimi
    3Mimi Member Posts: 6
    Itchy

    has anyone tried any lotions or creams to help? If so what did you use and did it help? The side effects of the chemo is crazy. Not to mention the chemo itself. I have been done for 4 months and now dealing with the creepy skin , hair still really short but is coming back , still some neuropathy in fingers and toes . Was on Gabapentin for that but stopped that 2 weeks ago thinking that is what caused the itchy skin, but still have it.  It has been a rough year and want to get back to normal... if that's possible!!!  

  • 3Mimi
    3Mimi Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2017 #35
    gelainest said:

    Same thing with me

    Just wanted to chime in that I have the same thing and I'm trying to figure out how to treat it. I can't be outside pretty much...

    Gelainest

    me either I have been inside all summer!!!! Outside not even 10 minutes and have to run inside to be in air conditironing.... dread winter when heat is on!!

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    3Mimi said:

    Itchy

    has anyone tried any lotions or creams to help? If so what did you use and did it help? The side effects of the chemo is crazy. Not to mention the chemo itself. I have been done for 4 months and now dealing with the creepy skin , hair still really short but is coming back , still some neuropathy in fingers and toes . Was on Gabapentin for that but stopped that 2 weeks ago thinking that is what caused the itchy skin, but still have it.  It has been a rough year and want to get back to normal... if that's possible!!!  

    Without looking it up (SE

    Without looking it up (SE chemo brain)  I think my high dose was over Sept of 2016 and then I went to Herceptin treatments until July 2017.  My itchy skin started sometime during the high dose and it has not stopped.  I dont think there is particular lotion for the cure, it is just keeping your skin soft that helps.  Staying hydrated and not getting too warm.  Trying to keep your stress levels down  (LOL)  and most of all praying for better outcomes. 

    Hugs

    Annie

  • SweetRain52
    SweetRain52 Member Posts: 1
    Heat and itchy skin

    I too have experienced itchy skin, but it turned into a rash.  It has been awful.  The dermatologist gave me some cream and it finally started to go away, but 5 days ago, came back with a vengence.  It is so very frustrating.  The back of my legs itch so bad.  When I first got it and scratched so bad, my husband said I looked like I had been in an automobile accident as there was so much brusing.  It just feels so unfair after going through surgery, chemo, and radiation for breast cancer then to have this happen.  If anyone has any ideas on how to treat, please post them.  Thank you and good luck to us all!

     

  • lynne_s
    lynne_s Member Posts: 2
    Aloe vera gel seems to help

    Hi, everyone. The same symptoms started for me in December, which was 5 months after finishing chemo (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Perjeta), 3 months after I started Tamoxifen, and 1 month after finishing radiation. I've been on just Perjeta and Herceptin since October and will finish in May. My diagnosis was for triple positive breast cancer, right side, one positive node.

    I do think it's hormonal and heat related. It starts with feeling a little warm, like if I'm being active or wearing too many layers, and then bam, I'm *roasting* and I've got these nasty little itches all over.

    I've tried a number of approaches. Keeping the house humid, using Neutrogena shower oil after showering, and keeping lotions on my arms, hands, and legs all seem to help keep dry skin at bay. It still isn't quite enough, though.

    The thing I've found that will shut down an attack is aloe vera gel, which is usually on the same aisle with sunscreen and remedies for sunburn. The gel always seems slightly chilly, which feels great, and within a minute or so, the maniacal itching shuts down. I haven't tried keeping it in the fridge to make it even colder, but that might be worth a shot. It can dry kinda sticky, which some might find annoying, but I'm usually so glad to not be itching that I don't care. :-)

    Another thing that I tell myself works is eating maybe half to 2/3 a cup of sorbet. If you eat it fast enough you get a rush of cold that normally would be unpleasant but is kinda nice when you feel the wave of heat coming on.

    Good luck and positive thoughts to everyone. :-)

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    I am all in for Sorbet

    I agree with you and keep ice water with me at all times.    Hot flashes and night sweats were so bad that I thought I was going crazy.  You all know what I mean.  Doc changed my meds up from Arimdex to Tomoxifen because of my bone damage.  Hot flashes got worse.   I was sleeping with a fan in my window blowing right over my bed.  Now it is winter and did it in below 0 weather and did not care.  I could of slept in a pup tent outside on the lawn and felt great.  I was also freezing everyone in the house and it was making me sick with a head cold.  So Doc suggested effexor and gabbipentin to combat the flashes.    The effexor and gabbipentin has helped.  I now take it in low dose  effexor 37.5 and Gab 300 mil. one time a day ea.  I still get some, always will I suppose, but they are not as intense and I can now just sleep with a fan in the room and the family is thankful for that.  The itching has lessoned some now.  I still use lotion all the time as the meds dry me out.  Maybe we should all buy stock in lotions!

    I put away all my sweaters, heavy coats, and such and just wear summer clothing all the time no matter the weather.  And I try my best not to get stressed.  Stress just sets me off like a rocket.  That can be difficult to do but I try my best to avoid all the drama I can. 

    It is about me, I have to take care of me to survive this awful disease or I am not going to be here.  So my family understand that and try not to stress me.  I love them so much.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • ecurran7
    ecurran7 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2018 #40
    Itching skin/ neuropathy

    I was sure glad to find people with the same symptoms i have been experiencing.  I mentioned this itching, burning, tingling sitution during my treatments, and after i was done with all my chemo and  noone would listen. The oncologist herself shrugged her shoulders at me and the nurse I was crazy! After they do there part, they don't want to hear about any residuals from the meds I had my cancer in 2014 and I still have issues with it. I cant go in the sun, if i get into a hot vehicle, I have be careful with the water tmp. in the shower.  As I am writing this i am researching this dilemna ........

  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    ecurran7 said:

    Itching skin/ neuropathy

    I was sure glad to find people with the same symptoms i have been experiencing.  I mentioned this itching, burning, tingling sitution during my treatments, and after i was done with all my chemo and  noone would listen. The oncologist herself shrugged her shoulders at me and the nurse I was crazy! After they do there part, they don't want to hear about any residuals from the meds I had my cancer in 2014 and I still have issues with it. I cant go in the sun, if i get into a hot vehicle, I have be careful with the water tmp. in the shower.  As I am writing this i am researching this dilemna ........

    Itchy skin!

    @ecurran7, I'm 8 years out of treatment but this has been the worst year for itching, seems like every summer I would start itching and I to thiught it was flees lol I have a dog in the house but no one else got bit then I thought it was what I was washing my clothes in changed that, but after 3/4 summers I realized it only happened when I got in the sun, but this summer is the worst and it's all from my knees down, but I had surgery own my shoulder last year and had to wash in hiberclens before surgery and I had a whole bottle left and I started washing my legs in that and it's drying the sores up because I had scratched so bad