Dexamethasone, anyone prescribed this drug for itchiness?

@norseman44 What kind of side effects are you experiencing, and how much are you taking?

I take dexamethasone as part of the treatment for my multiple myeloma. I get the "energizer bunny" effect, at 12mg once a week.

Is there a topical treatment you could use to ease the itchiness, or does it seem to come from within? Perhaps a rich vitamin E cream. Are you keeping hydrated enough, as that can be a factor, also. You might also ask your doctor about taking Benadryl-type antihistamine, if that would not counter effect your meds. I have heard many patients use that to relieve the itchys.
Ginger

Ginger, thx for the return. After only a few days I have stopped the Dexamethasone because of the insomnia it created.
If you’re not sleeping you’re scratching the itch. Night sweats add to the discomfort.
To aid in relief of itching I was taking 10mg of prednisone at breakfast & 400mg of Gabapentin & 50mg Hydroxyzine at bedtime but that wasn’t taking me through the night so they suggested trying the Dexa. More recently I introduced 0.5mg of CBD oil.
If we can get this itchiness under control, getting through this illness would be a breeze.
Also I use steroid creams to provide relief through the day.

@norseman44 I just remembered that too much niacin can cause the itchies, also. If you take a supplemental vitamin/mineral pill, check that.

How about an epsom salt bath, or oatmeal bath?
Ginger

Ginger, I have checked my supplements & find no traces of niacin. Because the Sezary cells attack the skin and create scaling & a rash which I understand to be cause of the itchiness.

I have not tried baths but find applying steroid creams after a warm shower gets mme through the day.
Night sweats associated with the Sezary results in an incredible itchiness through the night & on rising as well.

@norseman44 Checking in to see how your itchies are doing? Did stopping the dexamethasone help your insomnia?

It makes sense that applying the steroid cream after a shower/bath, when the skin pores are more open, would have an added effect.

What does your oncologist have to say about what you could try for the discomfort? Would an antihistamine help at all? Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A deficiencies can cause some itching, also. A homeopathic ointment of arnica montana [or commonly called Arnica Gel] may help relieve the discomfort.
Ginger

Ginger, appreciate your concern for my itching relief. Went back on the Dexa as it was the only thing that gave me relief during the day & evening.
The insomnia appears to be settled itself out.
I also take Gabapentin & Hydroxyzine at bedtime so have not added an antihistamine to the mix.
I have a consult with my oncologist next week and this itching problem is on my agenda . Hoping that I can get back onto my ECP treatments as problem appears to have started following the stopping some months ago.
From social media I have found that some patients are having ECP along with their Mogamulizumab infusions in their treatment od Sezary Syndrome.
Thank# again for your concern

I had an allergic reaction to Hydroxychloroquine when I started taking it to reduce off Prednisone. It got so bad I received an injection of Dexamethesone to stop the overwhelming itchiness and it worked. I hope you find relief this way, I know how bad it can be.

Richard, I was taken off prednisone and onto Dexamethasone just a week ago as I didn’t find it effective. For the first couple of nights I had terrible insomnia & was tempted to stop. That changed after a few days but I’m finding that there are spells of itchiness in the middle of the night which I have experienced before in the year that I have been undergoing treatment for my Sezary Syndrome.
Dexa certainly makes you feel good, even at 80, I seem to have unlimited energy & am always in a good mood.

Richard. That should be… have NOT experienced…

Cere Ve cream is excellent for dry skin and ichiness in general. Hemotologist I had ordered Triamcinnolone Acetonide Lotion, USP 0.1 percent for rash that had appeared