Itching from Anastrazole

Oh no!  You poor thing. Is the itching all over?  I know antihistamines knock you out so I can believe that you are so sleepy. You are the one that I read most tips and suggestions from so you are probably more well up on alternative remedies than me. It is crazy what these drugs do to us. I suffer with Restless Leg Syndrome from time to time and this can make my shins itch, which drives me mad. I bought some cream that I got from Health Food shop, I am not sure I can say what it is as someone on here got their post removed for mentioning it. It has hemp in it if that helps. I rub some on my shins and they stop itching within five minutes. It is fantastic too for aches and pains.  Hope you get some relief soon without being so sleepy.

Evajean x

Thanks Evajean.  I have been extra diligent with moisturizing but the itching is coming from within.  I am beside myself and honestly thought all those antihistamines and anxiety meds were over the top as I don’t do very well with meds.  Restless legs is awful and you can’t stop it.  They just want to Jimmie all around.  I will check out the CBD creams and see what I can find here in US. I am I itchy,scratchy and could turn bitchy too if I don’t get some relief.  Merry Christmas.  How are you are doing now that nurses are on strike in London?

Bye and thanks for advice.You are a night owl too!  Me too.

Barbara

Hi, was on Anastrozole for six months no problem I was too k off it for 3 weeks coz was taking naproxen. Just gone back on it and don't know why but iiching on back  and shins never had before just thought my skin dry which it is  anyway but now you have said this I'm wondering if Anastrozole. It's horrible isn't it x

Hi Mere,  oh yes the itching is crazy.  Last night I had itching on my palms snd soles of my feet too so called Dr  today and was told to stay off the Anastrazole for 2 weeks to see if itching goes away.  If it does they will try another AI.  Itching occurs in about 2% of people who take Anastrazole but I have very sensitive and reactive skin snd a history of atopic dermatitis.  I use gentle products too as don’t want to aggravate my skin.  On Anastrazole my skin became dry which was new.  Oh joy.  I hope you get over the itch.  My itching was bad on my back too snd also left breast.  Take care and no scratching!!  I work hard not to scratch as it just keeps the scratch itch cycle going.

Sounds like the right thing to do Barb, hopefully it is Anastrazole and they can change it for you.  Have they done bloods, sugar levels ok?  My mum is suffering with itching on her back, she was prescribed cooling cream which she says helps, still investigating what’s causing it.  I’ve been told I can pause letrozole for a month with no issues, just want to hear this from the oncologist or GP.  Hope you get some relief soon x

Hi Gardinia, Thanks for replying.  I honestly don’t know the cause but since that is the prescription I take and read information about it  and it was a side effect I started there.  I should know if that is the cause after having 2 weeks off of it.  If not I will go back on it and follow up with my dermatologist to see if we can get to root cause.  The Physicians Assistant was hesitant to stop my Anastrazole but when my palms of hands snd soles became itchy she told me to take the break.  I have read too that it is ok to take breaks off the AI’s.  Your poor Mum glad she is getting some relief.  Take care and Happy Holidays.

Barbara

Hi. Just wanted to add my penny's worth. I am on tamoxifen and right before Christmas last year, the itching started. I was about 5 months in taking it. I was at my partners so couldn't access gp. I was prescribed the E45 itch relief and antihistamines. Cream was ok but since treatment my skin has not liked e45 and I've had to go very plain and natural with cream. Tried a few but ended up with MooGoo. Antihistamine bit hit and miss as its like a horse tranquilliser and I struggle to swallow pills. It did disappear in time but I also got very dry skin and found CeraVe to be great. Some chemists have little bottles of free samples. If you have a Holland & Barrett near you then they stock some MooGoo. I found it very much trial and error. Its is very frustrating and all I can send is a virtual hug xx

Hi Barbara, it is horrid isn’t it? The itching can drive you crackers and I find it’s worse when a hot flush comes on. It has a fancy name too - formication. It feels like ants crawling under my skin. I am not sure that antihistamines touch it. I do moisturise using eczema creams, don’t use anything scented at all and it does seem to help. It’s also worse when I eat sugary food and better when I cut that out. It is all so frustrating and maybe your tiredness is a hangover from the hydroxyzine? Really thinking of you and hope the itch settles. X

Another helpful thing is the menopause apps like Stella. They might have some useful advice on all those anastrazole side effects. 

Hi Tired Minion,  I love cerave too and use the moisturizing cream on my skin and healing ointment on my lips and around my eyes. I live in Florida so no moo goo here but maybe on Amazon.  You are right about antihistamine being like a horse tranquilizer.  I have stopped taking it as it was strong snd then she also added on another one .  I am glad your itching went away.  I went out shopping today and didn’t itch very much.  Yeah!  
I was itching last night after taking the hydroxyzine and it was my feet and back mostly.  A real drain.  
I am asking to be free of itching for Christmas present. 
Barbara