Liver disease itching: What helps?

A little bit. I’m being sent for an MRI to rule out a stricture. Thank you so much for checking in! How are you doing?

Hi @crystalfaye
I am happy to hear the Sarna worked a little. If you are allowed, maybe try a dose of Benedryl (but be prepared for a nap if you take it).
I am doing well. Next week I go to Mayo for my annual visit and I will hear about the treatment for my positive BK virus blood test. It sounds like the answer is a reduction of immune suppression.

How did your annual visit go?

I am in agony!!! My doctor has me on several different meds but nothing has helped

Oh, Crystal. I'm so sorry that you are still dealing with the chronic itching and that nothing seems to help.

I moved your message to this existing discussion about liver disease, transplant and itching where members have offered helpful tips and ideas.
- Liver disease itching: What helps? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-disease-itching/

Crystal, I guess Sarna did help enough. I hope by reading through the previous posts you may discover some suggestions that you and your doctors haven't tried yet.

Crystal, I am concerned for your quality of life with your uncontrolled itching. Has anything that you have tried given you at least a temporary relief?
I think you mentioned a possible stent - have you had any response from the doctor with regards to this? Is this still a potential treatment?

Hi Crystal. I had terrible itching for about 2 years. I found that ice packs helped relieve the back itching. My wife purchased large ice packs on Amazon, and I would sleep on them with a towel between the ice-pack and my skin. Sarna helped somewhat. I preferred the “sensitive skin” version. Benadryl did not really help me much - but everyone is different, so you should definitely try it. Also my wife bought me plain white cotton gloves from Amazon, that I would wear at night to prevent myself from breaking my skin with the incessant itching. It was awful. But the first thing I noted post-liver transplant that my itching had disappeared. Hopefully you can find some relief.

Itching associated with liver cirrhosis
I itch all over at nighttime but have tried every cream and prescription that has been prescribed to me. What does anyone else do for this matter!!!

Welcome back, @ugadawg1067. I'm sorry that you're still dealing with itching related to cirrhosis and not finding relief.

To help connect you with other members, like @jeanne5009 @gaylea1 @crystalfaye @hello1234 @gerryp and others, and to read some of their helpful tips, I moved your post to this existing discussion:

- Liver disease itching: What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-disease-itching/

I am so very sorry that you are itching so bad!!! I have it too and am almost five months post liver tx. I know it is brutal on you. I hope your team figures out what is going on to cause so much itching My team has been unable to do so. I’ve had every type of diagnostic test available including labs, cultures, and an ERCP where a stent was placed. Recently I was in the hospital (again - my third stay in two months) and the stent was removed. Everything looks ok but I continue to itch horribly. I am on so many meds to try and help but most of them make me feel and act like I am intoxicated.

Have you been put on any meds? I have tried many things to alleviate the itching. Ice packs are great and do help . Just make sure you place a towel between your skin and the ice pack. I have tried many lotions and creams (Sarna with the camphor and menthol, Benadryl itch stopping gel, calamine, cortisone 10, cerava. None of these takes away the itching but I have found that if I mix the Sarna and Benadryl gel together that has some cooling effect.

I’m curious. Do your feet and hands feel like they are burning?

What are yo using to help?