Itching

Yes, I get itching arms and neck from phesgo too!  I haven't used any special creams but I find taking an anti-histamine helps.  My onc prescribed one for me....hope this helps!

Thankyou - I’ll try that x

I am so glad you asked this because it means that I am not crazy! Nothing except the lidocaine cream relieved my forearms itching at first. Then ice was the only thing but it got to the point of damaging my skin because I would leave it on so long. I put rock salt and rubbing alcohol in my ice pack. Filled it woth ice and popped it in the freezer. I'd leave it on my arms for hours.

I found that the harder I pressed my arms, the less I would feel that pain. It's not really an itch but it feels like it until you don't scratch and then it's pain. Then it's pain after scratching. It's so hard to describe to people who haven't felt it. In my sleep it feels like a hot iron. Burning and itching at the same time. 

I found the solution. Athletic compression sleeves! I can't believe how fast they stop all the sensations in my arms. It's called sensory feedback. I wore them every second. Even in the shower. Look for the type that is moisture wicking so they stay cool. And as we all know, cold is key. In the summer I wet them before going outside and it helps alot! In the winter they help keep me warm, but not too warm. It helps me to sleep not only for the itch pain, but because since chemo, I can't stand for my skin to touch any other skin. It's weird. Like, my body feels like it's rejecting itself. I feel like my skin isn't connected to me anymore and sends distress signals to a brain that doesn't recognize it as its own. Like it's someone else's skin.

I hope this helps someone get some sleep and heal up their arms from the all-night scratch fests.