Itching

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Hello everyone, 

I've recently been diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer. The main symptom I had was uncontrollable itching. Has anyone else experienced this and how have you managed to relieve it?

The day time is just about bearable but at night it becomes very painful and has disrupted sleep for the last few months. I've just started taking Cholestyramine.

Thanks.

  • Hello  

    I am Brian one of the Community Champions here on the online Community. I have just noticed your post has gone unanswered. By me replying it will be "bumped up" to the top of the page and I hope seen and answered by other members of the Bile Duct group.

    I have a different cancer (Prostate) and part of my treatment was Hormone Therapy, one side effect being a period of itchy skin. I tried lots of creams etc and the 2 that worked for me during the day was "Child's Farm Baby Moisturiser". At night I used "AproDerm EmollIent  Cream " this was on prescription but you can get it online.

    I hope you get some answers - and some sleep!

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • Hi Smoo7a7fa5, 

    My dad was diagosed with bile duct cancer in early 2022. His only symptom was persistent itching, just in one patch on one arm. Of course he put this down to other things, such as dry skin or anything less serious. No cream or anything worked, and we couldn't get to the bottom of it. His GP called out of the blue one day after routine blood tests for other things showed as abnormal, and so the journey began. There was no jaundice, no fatigue, he was at work on the day he got that initial phone call. Once he began treatment, that symptom immediately resolved. 

    All the best with your treatment. 

    Alice

  • Thank you Brian. I've tried all sorts of creams. Some of them last for 30 mins some make things worse.

  • Thanks Alice. I hope to start treatment in the next week or so. Fingers crossed.

  • Hi there,

    I've had bile duct cancer and it all started with itchy skin, then turned into jaundice, I ended up having a bilary stent fitted, and then surgery to respect it.

    So I can definitely resonate with you, the sachets help with the itching I found, but you will probably need to be seen by GP to find out what's causing the blockage.

    Keep me posted x