Liver disease itching: What helps?

It’s cirrhosis and where I am from we don’t have the best of specialist so I am asking to go where there is a better chance of getting my questions answered and talk about transplant for in the future I have been off work for a bit now for other reasons I want to go back to work but need for my job to understand I don’t always feel well need to limit my stress need to take care of my diabetes.... also my itchy ness is mostly evenings and nights is that normal ??

@caro72
Carol, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am happy that you have found this group where patients are sharing their own experiences. I assure you that you are not alone in your opinion of "not being happy" about your diagnosis. When I received my own diagnosis, I was confused and frightened, and felt helpless. Fortunately, I had a terrific doctor who referred me to a gastroenterologist (GI) nearby who monitored my condition. He monitored me for 8 years until he referred me to transplant department. Are you within driving distance of a larger medical center where you can get in to see a GI?
I was just over 50 when I got my diagnosis. I did not have NASH, but I am aware that all of us with a liver disease diagnosis share many common symptoms.
When I developed itching, I found some relief by using the lotion Sarna. Another temporary relief ws provided by warm bath using one of the Aveeno products for that purpose. That was 10 years ago, I don't know what is on the market today. I was also approved to take minimal doses of antihistimines.

I want to share the following information that has been collected for NASH Patients: Blog Round-Up - You will be able to participate in any of the conversation there, too.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed/nash-patients-blog-round-up/
I do not have diabetes, and I have no experience to share about that.
How did you learn that you had NASH? If you are comfortable to share, I would be interested in what kind of a study you will be involved in. Is there a GI involved with that study?
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Yes I do have a gastroenterologist but he is not really paying much attention to my symptoms and to how I feel with this sickness he can’t even tell me what diet I should be on, tells me I don’t have pain in my rt upper quadrant and such I am not at the point for liver transplant for now since it’s compensated Nash for now I am not a last minute person and I am a nurse so it’s hard for me since I know somewhat what this is .... I am about 4 hours from a transplant centre and hopefully this research will help it’s Obeticholic acid double blinded study it’s for 2 years first year some will be on the med and some on a placebo they will collect data from blood work for a year then everyone in the study will take the med for the second year in our area they said I was the youngest on the trial ...

It’s cirrhosis and where I am from we don’t have the best of specialist so I am asking to go where there is a better chance of getting my questions answered and talk about transplant for in the future I have been off work for a bit now for other reasons I want to go back to work but need for my job to understand I don’t always feel well need to limit my stress need to take care of my diabetes.... also my itchy ness is mostly evenings and nights is that normal ??

@caro72, My experience is that you probably do not need a transplant center now. And maybe you never will. Would you consider finding a different GI?
It sounds interesting to be part of a research study. Do you mind me asking how you got involved in it? There must be some connection to a reliable research team connected with NASH/liver disease who will be available to you? How will you be monitored for your liver health during this 2 year interval?

Yes I do have a gastroenterologist but he is not really paying much attention to my symptoms and to how I feel with this sickness he can’t even tell me what diet I should be on, tells me I don’t have pain in my rt upper quadrant and such I am not at the point for liver transplant for now since it’s compensated Nash for now I am not a last minute person and I am a nurse so it’s hard for me since I know somewhat what this is .... I am about 4 hours from a transplant centre and hopefully this research will help it’s Obeticholic acid double blinded study it’s for 2 years first year some will be on the med and some on a placebo they will collect data from blood work for a year then everyone in the study will take the med for the second year in our area they said I was the youngest on the trial ...

@caro72 I never had pain anywhere in my body when I had NASH cirrhosis. I did have declining platelet count, shaky hands, and a host of other symptoms that I never would have related to cirrhosis, but they were.
Do you know what your MELD score is?
JK

I am from canada and I was complaining of pain since my gallbladder was removed in 2016 bloodwork after blood work my liver enzymes were always high had a mri done finally got a liver biopsy this past January got my results February 12 a month and one day after my dear dad passed away so I will have monthly bloodwork that takes part for the research then another liver biopsy in a year and it’s through intercept pharmaceuticals in San Diego this med is used for another liver disease and trial for compensated cirrhosis due to non alcoholic steatohepatitis

Caro72
Hi Miss itchy!
I have had Stage 4 cirrhosis for 3 years. Like
You, I got the itchies. I went to my regular PcP, 2 dermatologists and did a ton of research. They diiagnosed Ecxema which I believe is due to my poor auto immune system. I scrathed myself silly at night. Steroid creams helped a little but I used different products on different days. I tried everything Aveeno.shampoo, body wash and their anti itch cream worked pretty well. Then ther was Lidiocane RX ,Triamcunolone RX..best one, Doxi gaba cream, Elidel. And apple cider vi negar on my hair and in a tub.
None of that stuff cured it...it had to leave in its own sweet time...about 3 mo.The doc gave me hydoxcine to help me sleep.
So sorry you got this happy side effect. Always check with your doc before you do anything because we all are different.
Good Luck
PS Get to the best hepatologist you can find ASAP. It takes time to get appts.
Keep your PCP if he knows anything about cirrhosis. It is importanr to get one that knows about it and is willing to work with your hepatologist.
I have a great one who had a patient who had a transplant and is doing fine. I have an excellent hepatologist who is head of the transplant team in Tampa...45 min away. I also have been evaluated at Mayo in Jacksonville. Just cant tell you enough good things about them. I am too early but have developed a heart issue that could change that. So now I am trying to get a cardiologisr appt. At Mayo or Temple General. Thank God I have good insurace!,

Sorry I have no idea about meld score all I was told was that I have compensated liver cirrhosis probably due to type 2 diabetes my wt is 126 pounds the doc wants me to lose another 15 pounds .... but yes I have rt upper quadrant pain and as the day progresses it feels swollen and hard maybe it has no relation who knows