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What treatment for neuropathic itch from chemo worked for you?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Jun 4 9:25am | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
Wonder why my Oncologist prescribed Gabapentin over Lyrica. I would imagine that the Gabapentin is cheaper, but if I was asked do I want to spend a few more $$ to get relief quicker the answer would certainly not have been "No".
It would have been nice to been free of the horrible itch sooner, of course the Oncology staff have no idea how intense the itch is.
After I send this email I will go and cut down some of my 100mg gabapentin caps to 50mg and see how a 150mg dose/day affects me. Hopefully the itch does not come back like it did the last time I tried to lower my dose.
Thanks for your feedback!
Replies to "Wonder why my Oncologist prescribed Gabapentin over Lyrica. I would imagine that the Gabapentin is cheaper,..."
@beebe when I first started with the awful itching and associated pain, I messaged my dermatologist NP. She suggested dry skin. I messaged her a couple of days later and told her I felt like I was going crazy- couldn’t sleep, no relief, all the things that you experienced! She referred me to a dermatologist that is more specialized. She has been fantastic. In the meantime, I contacted my PCP. They communicated and put me on a regimen of Gabapentin 3x a day, Zyrtec 1-4x a day, Eucerine cream for damaged cream. My derm also suggested I try Biofreeze if there were areas that needed a little extra push. As crazy as that is, it helps!
When I couldn’t shake the extreme head fog and dizziness, I asked to be put on Lyrica, which my PCP did. A derm can’t do that because it’s controlled. I took it 2x a day. Last week I spoke with my derm and PCP and asked to cut it back. So now I take it only at night. I will occasionally take Zyrtec. It dries me out significantly, so I only take it when I really think I need it.
One thing I’ve learned through this and other issues is to ask to be referred to a specialist in the area of concern. My oncologist is fantastic, but his knowledge of some things is limited.
I’m sorry that was so long!! I hope it helped!
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@beebe i thought gabapenten and lyrica were the same thing