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What can I do to stop the itch?
 |
Oct 16, 2012 - 12:24 pm
I feel silly asking this, with all of the serious issues Sisters here are dealing with. But I am having a hard time with itching. It's intense. I'm scratching my poor breast raw. I am post-lumpectomy since May, post-rads since end of August, on Tamoxifen for about a month. Still using generic Biafine (Prutext) or Aquaphor daily. Anything out there I can take/do for some relief? Thanks, in advance, for taking the time to reply. |
Joined: Jul 2009
Check with your radiation oncologist
First of all -- DON'T feel silly asking questions! We're here to help each other, and there's no reason your recovery needs to be any more difficult than it already is!
After I healed from radiation, I also had frequent, intense bouts of itching, particularly around my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy scars. It gradually got less and less over the first year, but even still (2 1/2 years since radiation ended), I sometimes get a little mild itching around the scars.
Definitely call your radiation oncologist's office, and ask what he/she recommends -- there's no reason to suffer, and they're experts on skin healing from radiation. I had a prescription cream immediately after radiation to help with the itching (I'm sorry, I don't remember what it was called) -- once it lessened, my doctor told me just to use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
Hope that helps?
Traci
Joined: Aug 2009
You might have what I had
You might have what I had and it was from the radiation. It was a rash and it itched something terrible. The over the counter cortisone creams did not work for me, so, my rads oncologist gave me a prescription. It worked! See if you can get some. It is Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream. The itching started going away pretty quick. Good luck!
Sue :)
Joined: Sep 2010
I totally agree with
I totally agree with Traci...you always need to ask those questions. Nothing is too small or too big to talk about here.
With skin issues I have good results with lidocane creams, the numbing usually gives me the relief I need.. Of course, it's something to talk with your rads onc about.
Good luck and let us know what works.
Hugs,
Linda
Joined: Apr 2009
I used the same cream that
I used the same cream that Ritzy used. Ask your rads oncologist about it. I am sure he can give you something to help.
Good luck!
Joined: Jun 2012
Thank you all so much
Thanks, Sue and Noel, for that specific cream you suggest. Sounds like that is what I need and I am calling my rad onc today!
And thanks, Traci and Linda, for so graciously validating me. Linda, who is going through so many difficulties, is such an inspiration. My stupid issues seem so small compared to the tough times you have had. I hope you know how much your words and support mean to me.
Teary hugs...
Joined: May 2009
Did you get some help from
Did you get some help from your rads oncologist for the itching? And, never say any issue you have is stupid! Every issue we have is just as important as the next one. No one's take precedence over anyone else's.
Hugs, Lex
Joined: Jun 2012
Don't scratch!
That will make it worse! I started with a rash on my upper chest and started scratching. I didn't realize my radiation treatments were going that high and that's what it was from. Where I scratched was much worse during the rest of treatment. OTC cortisone helped some, but not completely. Aquaphor with lidocaine (the RO mixed it up for me) helped. Then I started adding aloe gel to Aquaphor.
And I agree-it's not stupid! We're all at different stages of treatments and some have more than others. But we've all one difficulty or another and they're all important!
And did I say "Don't Scratch"?
Deb
Joined: Jun 2009
What did he say? Did you
What did he say? Did you get a cream to help yet?
Joined: Aug 2009
itching
I have had skin allergies for decades, so I was not surprised when itching
started. I am already on meds to control it, but I have found that OTC
hydrocortisonecream has helped. Also, I got some roll-on stuff to
carry in my purse. Hope you can get some relief!
Joined: Jun 2012
Hello All
And thanks again for the validation. I promise not to characterize a complaint as "silly" again!
My rad onc's assistant had me trying all of these over-the-counter creams but nothing has given me any sustained relief. So we just talked and she is calling in a prescription for Atarex. Said it should stop the itching...and help me sleep too (since I don't do much of that). She said they don't like to prescribe steroid-based creams, like the one recommended by several of you above (triamcinolone acetonide), but I may insist on trying it if this doesn't work for me.
I'll update in a few days...and thanks so much!
Joined: Apr 2009
Just glad that your onco is
Just glad that your onco is giving you something to help. I hope it does. If it doesn't, please try the cream.
Sleep? What's that? lol
Get some sleep and stop that itching and always post anything that bothers you. That's why we're here.
Good luck,
Noel
Joined: Aug 2009
How is the Atarex -- working?
no such thing of a 'silly' question when it comes to breast cancer. We are all
different, and react differently from chemo, drugs, or radiation.
Side efforts continue to plague many us ... months, even years after our treatment
has ended.
Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.
Vicki Sam
Joined: Aug 2009
Really hoping it will work!
Really hoping it will work! Why did your onco not want you to use the cream? It worked for me almost immediately.
Good luck to you,
Sue :)
Joined: May 2009
Wondering how the atarex is
Wondering how the atarex is working also. Are you doing ok now? No more itching?
Leeza
Joined: Sep 2012
Atty girl
I've been thinking about you bc we started our Tamoxifen together. I haven't noticed se's. How about you? Also thinking about you living close to the Jersey shore and the storm, Sandy. Give us a heads up asap. Hugs, Linda
Joined: Oct 2009
Atty girl, how are you?
Atty girl, how are you? It's been awhile since you posted.
Hugs, Debby
Joined: Jun 2012
Hey Debby
Thanks for asking...and noticing! Hope you are well! See my update...
X0
Joined: Jun 2012
Thank you so much Linda!
Sounds like you are well! See my update...
X0
Joined: Jun 2012
Thanks, Vicki Sam, Noel
Hope you dolls are well! See my latest update...
Joined: Sep 2009
I'm with Traci
Try not to itch, easier said than done. Get on the phone with Doc or go in and get yourself some relief. I itched my left side a lot, and i can't even feel that boob, but I can feel an itch, wierd. Hope you get relief soon!
Miles of Love,
~Kari
Joined: Jun 2012
Hey there Kari!
My boob is numb, too! So it is crazy that we can feel the itching! Hope you are well. See my update...
Joined: Jun 2012
Haven't posted in a while...
For a few reasons...found myself feeling a deep sadness after Nancy died (she was so special here); overdue for and worried about my 6 months mammo ; and we lost electricity for 6 days after Superstorm Sandy devastated my area. My home and family came out unscathed -no damage and no flooding- thanks be to God. But so many others in my area are suffering tremendous losses. Those things, coupled with the arduous application process for high school for my daughter, and the presidential election craziness, has my head spinning.
That itch I was complaining about? Still bothering me!
I filled the prescription for the Atarex but got discouraged when my rad onc and med onc were initially reluctant to say that it was ok to take it with Tamoxifen. A simple question that took days to resolve. Finally my med onc's office called and said it was fine, after I left a very frustrated voicemail message. The whole back and forth was ridiculous. I have yet to take the damn pill. I just stopped caring about the stupid itch. So many other things on my mind.
Tamoxifen side effects? Thanks for asking. I started out having some intense muscle, joint aches and pains, but those have subsided dramatically. I am still having some intense hot flashes though! Otherwise, it's been ok. I've only forgotten to take it 3 times since 9/17! Lol
I am so grateful that I can come back to this space and ya'll are still here, caring. What a blessing.
Joined: May 2009
Glad that you survived
Glad that you survived Sandy! It is beyond awful what has happened in the East. I hope that when you do take the Atarex that it will help you with the itching.
Take care,
Leeza
Joined: Jun 2012
Thank you, Leeza
We were very lucky. But my state is DEVASTATED. It is beyond comprehension.
Joined: May 2009
I've been praying for all of
I've been praying for all of you on the East coast. I can't imagine how horrible this has all been for all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone there.
You take care,
Leeza
Joined: Aug 2009
Is your itch all gone now?
Is your itch all gone now? I remember how horrible it was, but, the cream my rads oncologist gave me, cleared it up right away.
Sue :)
Joined: Jun 2012
Hi there
The itch has subsided pretty dramatically!
I have been taking Atarax, but not every day. What I have been doing everyday is slathering my entire breast with Aquaphor. It is doing/feeling so much better! And the Atarax is helping me sleep.
Now...if I could just get something for these hot flashes! Whew!
Joined: Oct 2009
The itch isn't gone yet?
The itch isn't gone yet? Just glad it is better. How many more rads do you have left?
Hugs, Debby
Joined: Jun 2012
Hi Debby
Itch is 99% gone.
Finished rads on 8/29!
Now just trying to wrap my brain around everything that has happened in the last 6 months!
Joined: Oct 2009
Congrats on finishing rads
Congrats on finishing rads and on the itch being 99% gone! WTG!
Hugs, Debby
Joined: Jun 2012
Thanks Debby
X0
Joined: Jan 2020
Almost 5 years and still itching...
It will be 5 years this spring since my lumpectomy and radiation and I am still experiencing intense itching at the surgery/radiation site on occasion, but mostly at night.
Joined: Jul 2014
Hi!!
Hi!!
I used a combination of coconut oil, emu oil bought on Amazon and alovera twice a day. I also used Meleluca oil after a year out from radiation. It h elped . Then one day I did a mask for pores over my double mastectomy scars and was shocked how good it worked to really clean out the scar tissue and surrounding skin. I have been on Tamoxifen for 5 years now and get the hot flashes. I trained my brain just to view it as the flashes mean the med is working :)
Joined: Jul 2020
It's nearly 20 years since my
It's nearly 20 years since my mastectomy and I also still get the occasional bout of intense itching. When I was moaning to my husband that intense itching was as bad to tolerate as pain, he suggested I take Tylenol-3. That's good for pain and might help the itch. I was so desperate after two days of itching (that was last week) that I took his advice and swallowed 2 tablets. Within the hour the itching was gone. What a relief, and I haven't had another itching bout either. My fingers are crossed that it will stay that way. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to what provokes it, and it is nearly impossible to get some relief. Prior to T-3, I simply used ice packs and pressure. Rubbing didn't help. One just can't seem to find the "spot" that itches.