Itching and scratching

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi all,

First time posting on the group and just hoped for a bit of advice! My mum was diagnosed with HER2+ stage 2 breast cancer in August last year and from the beginning we were told all good things (caught early, curable etc). She was put on a clinical trial and had four rounds of TC chemo before being told in December that she’d had a complete response. The operation then followed with no signs of cancer in the body.  Mum has since had radiotherapy and things are looking up. However in December time she started having Herceptin injections every three weeks, and this is when she first started scratching. This has been a consistent problem ever since and gets worse when Mum gets hot. She’s been to the doctor and has been taking anti histamines; but it still persists, happening mostly at night which stops her from sleeping. It’s mainly on her arms and the backs of her legs and is quite debilitating. Mum has been referred to a dermatologist in October but understandably this is a while away and I’d love to help her alleviate this now! She has four more Herceptin injections left. 

Does anyone have experience of this/tips to help control it? 

Thank you,

Soph xxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi  

    I have 'itching' but not as a result of treatment. I have fibromyalgia which among other things can give me inexplicable relentless itching...as if the nerve endings are constantly switched on and you would do anything for 30 seconds relief.

    I eventually found something that works and it isn't an obvious choice. The good news is it is widely available and cost a pound in those shops where lots of other things are that price.

    Its a blue analgesic menthol gel, comes in big tubs and goes under the name of Ice , Freeze etc.

    As long as non of the ingredients are contra indicative with any of mum's treatments, as its a topical thing, you can slap loads on and within seconds go 'aaahhhhhhhhhhhhh' Slight smile

    Hope this helps

    Take care