Severe Itching and hives are back, Herceptin and Perjeta

brend

The severe itching has came back. They said it was the Taxol before surgery. They said I wouldn't have the side effects with just Herceptin and Perjeta after surgery.

I no longer believe a darn thing they say.

I've tried Hydroxyzine 25mg, they called into the pharmacy, with very little relief. I've also tried Calamine Lotion which helped a few days, then stopped working. I've also tried Diphenhydramine and zinc spray, no relief, Cortizone 10 cream, no relief. I've even ground up oatmeal and did a bath and that didn't work either.

After doing a search on this forum, I took some benedryl about 20 minutes ago. Wish me luck with it, as I have 5 more months of Herceptin and Perjeta to go. I'm not able to wear clothes, except for a silky moo moo that was my Mom's.

Has anyone found anything at all to totally STOP the severe itching and hives? My doc just seems to give me ways to spend more money on stuff that doesn't work.

rainnyc

Brend, what a miserable experience. I hope the benadryl works. For what it's worth, I had some itching and took a claritin, which helped. One of my chemo nurses says that hydroxyzine is used a lot for patients with lymphoma, who get difficult skin rashes, because the benadryl works but they can't use it 24/7 for obvious reasons. Also, when you say doc, do you mean your oncologist? I had a couple of nasty rashes toward the start of chemo and got a referral to a dermatologist who works with cancer patients. She prescribed two creams that cleared things right up. For what it's worth, she had completely different instructions for handling the rashes--and her advice was contradictory to that of my oncologist. I followed the dermatologist's directions and am very glad I did. Good luck.

vlnrph

Do find out whether your clinic has a derm specialist as rainnyc suggests. I have seen reports of topical agents helping with skin reactions to chemotherapy drugs.

In the meantime, I hope the diphenhydramine does the trick for you without too much cotton mouth or daytime drowsiness. Be careful if you have to drive.

Another over the counter possibility with antihistamine activity is the group of antacids known as H2 blockers. Those include Zantac/ranitidine and Pepcid (generic name=famotidine) but NOT proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec or "the purple pill" Nexium. They are weaker but safe to take with Benadryl however you should ask your pharmacist to review the rest of your med list in order to avoid interactions. You could get some and begin tonight or tomorrow. Last resort might be prescription steroids. Let us know when you find something that works!

Hawkeye

Hi Brend. Any change or relief from the itch? I too had severe itch. And if I started scratching, my skin would look inflamed and develop what looked like a flat hive. Most of the itch for me starts on my forearms. If I scratch, it seems as though the itch spreads to other parts of my body.

My treatment of herceptin and perjeta every three weeks was altered a bit. Premeds of Benadryl and steroid and tritration (sp?) became the norm. However, after treatment the itch returned. Then, I was sent to the allergy doc in the system. She tried to determine what the response in my system was. She had me try different allergy meds, and I took them multiple times a day. And also added Pepcid type products because she said a histamine type response begins in the gut. None of these things worked, but I did learn a lot. It was essential to me to learn how to get along with h&p because I am stage IV and will be relying on these meds for a long time, potentially.

The allergy doc finally came to the conclusion, and I and my oncologist agree, that my itch is a result of neuropathic itch. My treatment began at diagnosis with h, p and taxotere. Taxotere was dropped after 3 cycles because of neuropathy. Often not talked about side effect of herceptin is neuropathy. I believe perjeta as well can have this side effect. Or as my onc says, the h&p sort of pokes the neuropathy constantly, not allowing it to heal.

So, how we are dealing with the itch is to deal with the neuropathy. Having this mindset has made the itch more bearable somehow. I don't take gabapentin or cymbalta but know personally others who do and have great success. I use a combo of essential oils I drop directly on the itch. Oils like black pepper and hyliochrysim. Anything that would heat up the area. Some like to use capsaicin type creams. I also see an acupuncturist for nerve pain. And every once in awhile I take an allergy med like Allegra.

The number one thing I do is not to itch the itch! Easier said then done, I know! But, one scratch and I will set it off. If out and about an ice cube over the area does wonders! And, avoid hot baths/showers. Do your best to stay cool. After activity, cool down with a shower.

Good luck and I hope this helps you.

Di

brend

this itch comes and goes. Right now, its not bothering me much. Been using a lot of Calamine lotion. I put it in a saucer, and paint it on using an artist paint brush. Laugh, but it goes on thicker, and stays on longer. I then use a small fan to make it dry. I've been wearing nothing but a silky moomoo, as not to aggitate any of the skin. Mine seems to be worse on my stomach this time than anywhere else.

Now for the bloating and gas. I wish I could put the gas in my car, bahahaha... I'm in pants I haven't worn in quite some time, due to the bloating. Its making me a whole size or 2 larger than what I am. O doc just looks at me like I'm making this krap up.

Meow13

so funny the messy pink stuff sure works Caladryl but you have to use a lot.

I'm swimmin' in an ocean of calamine lotion. Love the stuff even though it is pink.

mdg

I started getting rashes, hives, itching after my 2nd or 3rd taxotere/Cytoxan. I suffered for months. I finally found out that my immune system had changed due to the treatment and I had become allergic to my laundry soap! It took me forever to figure this out! I had been to dermatologist, oncologist, internist....I was suffering so bad I could not sleep. Do you think you could have started some allergies because the drugs mess with our immune systems? Just a thought.....I hope you find a solution...I know how miserable you must be. Hugs!

kgirlartist66

I haven't even STARTED my chemo - but was 4 weeks post double mastectomy when the hives hit. OMG I wouldn't wish this itching on my worst enemy. I got some relief from a tepid oatmeal bath. Took a sheer fabric pouch that jewelry came in - filled it with oatmeal, and used it like a tea bag in the bath-ahhhh....

I posted my misery on facebook and a few friends suggested solutions that worked. First- baking soda. Mixed into a paste, rubbed onto the skin. Hilarious looking- but at that point- I could have cared less. I still have pools of dried baking soda paste in random places through out my house, but like I said-it worked!

The second solution is witch hazel - Put onto a cotton ball and rub onto the skin.

Third- vinegar- same thing- cotton ball, rub gently onto skin. You might smell like a pickle but it helps the itch.

Of course 6 benedryl, a claritin, and a call to my regular doctor on day two of this misery- also got me a 6 day steroid pack- prednozone- and finally 7 days from the onset- I am itch free....

Reading the above posts and knowing the hives could come back as a side effect to my future medications? Isn't exactly helping my positive outlook..but at least this time I am a little wiser- and have plenty of vinegar, baking soda, benedryl, and witch hazel on hand.....

Meow13

Just about to take benadryl the itching bothers me. I found out along time ago before BC that Laundry detergent is not my friend.