Severe itching

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Amytrvnojamyt
Amytrvnojamyt Member Posts: 3

I am stage IV MBC, and finished 19 months chemo back January of this year. Currently on Herceptin, Perjeta infusions every three weeks, Faslodex and Xgeva shots once a month. Really only side effects of significance is my arms itch constantly. Nowhere else on my body do I itch. Have tried everything and nothing seems to help much except Benedryl which I hate to constantly take.

Wondering if anyone else has this problem and if so, what you do to relieve itching. My arms bleed constantly from so much scratching. I think it's the Faslodex causing this, but not positive.

Would appreciate some suggestions

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  • Larkin
    Larkin Member Posts: 58
    edited September 2016

    The itching could be your liver involvement. I'd mention to your MO. There is a topical benedryl cream/spray that might help the itching, maybe worth a try?

  • josalive
    josalive Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2016

    I have this terrible itching on my arms as well and have had it now for about a year. I finished chemo and have been on just herceptin and perjeta for the last year. My suspicion is that it's the perjeta causing this as I have heard some other ladies talking about this as well that are on the same combo. I have also heard this could be caused by neuropathy that the perjeta is adding to.

    For me, the itch started on my left arm then moved to my right arm and now it's on my chest. There isn't a rash, it is just an uncontrollable itch that makes me want to tear my skin off. I have tried EVERYTHING to try to make the itching stop. Like you, my arms are torn up from all the itching and bleeding.

    Here is what is working best for me now. My MO prescribed me Clobetasol which is a steroid cream and I put it on in the mornings. I then use arthritis pain cream like capsecin (be careful if you have open wounds bc it will burn terribly) and others throughout the day then at night I use a Benadryl spray (seems to work better than the cream). I also periodically apply cider vinegar if nothing else seems to b working (found out about that on another perjeta/itching thread). I also try to stay out of the sun and as hard as it is try not to start itching because as soon as I start, it seems to get worse. If I do all of these things it seems I can keep it at bay.

    I know how terribly irritating it is so I hope you find some relief soon. And if you find a silver bullet PLEASE let me know. Best of luck to you!


  • ABeautifulSunset
    ABeautifulSunset Member Posts: 990
    edited September 2016

    My arm also itches horribly, often, and for seemingly no reason. I scratch until it bleeds. I also use clobetesil cream or clobex... Both prescriptions. Very very helpful!


  • Lauriesh
    Lauriesh Member Posts: 692
    edited September 2016

    perjeta does cause itching. I don't have any advice of what can help, but did have terrible itching while on perjeta.



  • Amytrvnojamyt
    Amytrvnojamyt Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2016

    Thank you for all the great advice! I'm going to speak to my MO about steroid cream and will be buying some Benadryl spray today! Apple Cider Vinegar is on my list too.

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