Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I've experienced exactly the same symptoms (itching, blotchy after running) several years before PSC diagnosis. In my case, it was eczema. If it responds to topical steroids (mine did), it's not PSC. I wonder if it's somehow related though. The way most people describe " PSC " itching (pruritis) is as a deep- seated itch that's not relieved by scratching, primarily on places like soles of feet, palms of hands, forearms, shins, but can be just about anywhere. Arne How do you know if itching is caused by PSC? I have noticed that when i come in from the cold i will get itches or when I run on a treadmill... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 My husband does not have PSC, but he says when he jogs and then sweats, if he doesn't shower off right away, the salt or sodium in his sweat irritates the nerves under his skin causing itching. so I would say, when something irritates the nerve endings in the skin, itching can result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 My husband does not have PSC, but he says when he jogs and then sweats, if he doesn't shower off right away, the salt or sodium in his sweat irritates the nerves under his skin causing itching. so I would say, when something irritates the nerve endings in the skin, itching can result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 My husband does not have PSC, but he says when he jogs and then sweats, if he doesn't shower off right away, the salt or sodium in his sweat irritates the nerves under his skin causing itching. so I would say, when something irritates the nerve endings in the skin, itching can result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 My PSC itching is everywhere, in eyeballs, inner ears, in nose, mouth, face, head, armpits, feet, hands, legs, arms....and every other space and/or opening....nothing is safe from the pruitis. When my hands and feet itch, scratching relieves it in the moments when I am scratching or raking some hard sharp object over the bottom of my feet...I would describe it as a very compelling obsession to continue scratching that spot until the point that pain is introduced...then the pain overrides the incredible urge to continue scratching. when it wakes me during the night, I run cold water in the tub and stand in their...until my feet are numb from the cold, then I pat dry and patter back to bed to fall asleep before the next cycle of itching starts. I keep some sharp implements at myy bedside for those emergency scratches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 My PSC itching is everywhere, in eyeballs, inner ears, in nose, mouth, face, head, armpits, feet, hands, legs, arms....and every other space and/or opening....nothing is safe from the pruitis. When my hands and feet itch, scratching relieves it in the moments when I am scratching or raking some hard sharp object over the bottom of my feet...I would describe it as a very compelling obsession to continue scratching that spot until the point that pain is introduced...then the pain overrides the incredible urge to continue scratching. when it wakes me during the night, I run cold water in the tub and stand in their...until my feet are numb from the cold, then I pat dry and patter back to bed to fall asleep before the next cycle of itching starts. I keep some sharp implements at myy bedside for those emergency scratches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Any changes of body temperature send me into an itchy period. We live in Ontario and have had a fairly cold winter this year. Just going from inside to a car drives me nuts. My husband will quite often warm the car up for me. Or if we are out somewhere, he'll go get the car and pick me up at the door.... he's great. Then there is the heat factor as well. The only time I can stand being hot or warm is if I am out in the sunshine ie. Mexico for a week. The sunshine helps the itching so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hello My husband is the one with psc but has no itching. Mself I have this itching on my foot and I scratch it with whatever until sometimes it is raw and still itches. I am not sure what I have but it sounds soo much like my foot. Nothing I put on it works to stop that feeling and I really dont want to go to the dr cause of a foot itch sounds to petty. Ice packs work for a little bit. I don't have psc or anything close but I got gastritis that doesn't seem to want to go away and if I think back it was about the same time as my foot itch. Not sure if related but would love that feeling to go away. thanks for listening skomula MN > > > My PSC itching is everywhere, in eyeballs, inner ears, in nose, mouth, face, head, armpits, feet, hands, legs, arms....and every other space and/or opening....nothing is safe from the pruitis. > > When my hands and feet itch, scratching relieves it in the moments when I am scratching or raking some hard sharp object over the bottom of my feet...I would describe it as a very compelling obsession to continue scratching that spot until the point that pain is introduced...then the pain overrides the incredible urge to continue scratching. when it wakes me during the night, I run cold water in the tub and stand in their...until my feet are numb from the cold, then I pat dry and patter back to bed to fall asleep before the next cycle of itching starts. I keep some sharp implements at myy bedside for those emergency scratches. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thank you all for all your insight, most appreciated. After assuming my PSC and cholangitis attacks were heartburn I know better than to diagnose myself but from what I am reading it seems like it is not from PSC, especially since my levels have been decent and the itching stops after a very short time and seems to start exactly when i come out of the cold or do vigorous activity. On a sidenote, any medical breakthroughs on the way for PSC? I can't make the conference due to a charitable event I am helping host. Excited to hear the results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thank you all for all your insight, most appreciated. After assuming my PSC and cholangitis attacks were heartburn I know better than to diagnose myself but from what I am reading it seems like it is not from PSC, especially since my levels have been decent and the itching stops after a very short time and seems to start exactly when i come out of the cold or do vigorous activity. On a sidenote, any medical breakthroughs on the way for PSC? I can't make the conference due to a charitable event I am helping host. Excited to hear the results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thank you all for all your insight, most appreciated. After assuming my PSC and cholangitis attacks were heartburn I know better than to diagnose myself but from what I am reading it seems like it is not from PSC, especially since my levels have been decent and the itching stops after a very short time and seems to start exactly when i come out of the cold or do vigorous activity. On a sidenote, any medical breakthroughs on the way for PSC? I can't make the conference due to a charitable event I am helping host. Excited to hear the results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 cooler temperatures allows my itching to subside a tiny bit. I do know that when I run a fever (anything over 98.0 for me), my itching comes to a screeching halt! So when my temp goes up, although that sucks, I get itching relief....but when my temp returns to normal - itching goes into over-drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Pruitis: itching so bad you can't sleep, think, or reason. You would and often do scratch your skin off because burning and stinging is preferrable to itching. Often focused on the palm of hands and soles of feet. Often accompanied by sores that are similar to sores that meth addicts get. In a bad itching flare it will last for weeks or months. When you have it, you know it. It is worse than hives (which I've had also). Hope you never have to suffer through it. Cheryl ID PSC Itching > How do you know if itching is caused by PSC? I have noticed that when i > come in from the cold i will get itches or when I run on a treadmill. > These are all body temperature changes and i have heard that sweat can > also do it. Is there a defining characteristic? > > Any insight is appreciated. > > Cheers, > > > dx PSC 08/07 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Suzanne just had an itching "attack"; it lasted a little over 24 hours. She takes Atarax for it, but this totally knocks her out so if she is working or doing something else she can't take it. We have not found anything really that relieves it.LINDA(Mom of Suzanne, 19, IBD & PSC) Re: Re: PSC Itching cooler temperatures allows my itching to subside a tiny bit. I do know that when I run a fever (anything over 98.0 for me), my itching comes to a screeching halt! So when my temp goes up, although that sucks, I get itching relief....but when my temp returns to normal - itching goes into over-drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I used to tell people that the best way to get a good idea of what PSC itching is like would be to sprinkle your bed liberally with fiberglass insulation every night before bed! Luckily I only suffered with itching that bad a couple times.... athan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Atarax did nothing for me, but I did find that if I get enough sleep at night, then I can tolerate more itching during the day. How do I do that? Ambien CR. My Hep prescribes it for me so at least I know at bedtime I will be knocked out of the conscious itching nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Atarax did nothing for me, but I did find that if I get enough sleep at night, then I can tolerate more itching during the day. How do I do that? Ambien CR. My Hep prescribes it for me so at least I know at bedtime I will be knocked out of the conscious itching nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Ah, athan -- just the right description. During the day, though, there are times when it's like my socks or other pieces of clothing are lined with bits of fiberglass. Hands are like I just removed gloves filled with tiny bits of fiberglass. Couple o' wonderings about itching -- I have had bouts in the past of the continual itching but now it's more come and go, with periods of a few hours when it will be particularly bad (scratching myself raw) but there will be long stretches some days when there will be no problem. I get really hopeful that it is fading away and then I'll have another couple hours of torture (I should say mild torture, really -- it's not as bad as it's been at times; I only have about 3 patches on my legs where I've broken skin from scratching). Is this typical for others? Also, I'm switching from zoloft to rifampin. Started taking the rifampin a week ago and increased the dose over the week until yesterday when I was up to 150mg TID. I haven't taken this in years and I can't recall how quickly it takes effect if it's going to help. Anybody have an idea? I thought it was working yesterday but when I woke up this morning, it's back... Philip 35, married, 3 kids; PSC 94, UC 2008, DMII 2009 > > I used to tell people that the best way to get a good idea of what PSC > itching is like would be to sprinkle your bed liberally with fiberglass > insulation every night before bed! Luckily I only suffered with itching > that bad a couple times.... > > athan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Ah, athan -- just the right description. During the day, though, there are times when it's like my socks or other pieces of clothing are lined with bits of fiberglass. Hands are like I just removed gloves filled with tiny bits of fiberglass. Couple o' wonderings about itching -- I have had bouts in the past of the continual itching but now it's more come and go, with periods of a few hours when it will be particularly bad (scratching myself raw) but there will be long stretches some days when there will be no problem. I get really hopeful that it is fading away and then I'll have another couple hours of torture (I should say mild torture, really -- it's not as bad as it's been at times; I only have about 3 patches on my legs where I've broken skin from scratching). Is this typical for others? Also, I'm switching from zoloft to rifampin. Started taking the rifampin a week ago and increased the dose over the week until yesterday when I was up to 150mg TID. I haven't taken this in years and I can't recall how quickly it takes effect if it's going to help. Anybody have an idea? I thought it was working yesterday but when I woke up this morning, it's back... Philip 35, married, 3 kids; PSC 94, UC 2008, DMII 2009 > > I used to tell people that the best way to get a good idea of what PSC > itching is like would be to sprinkle your bed liberally with fiberglass > insulation every night before bed! Luckily I only suffered with itching > that bad a couple times.... > > athan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Ah, athan -- just the right description. During the day, though, there are times when it's like my socks or other pieces of clothing are lined with bits of fiberglass. Hands are like I just removed gloves filled with tiny bits of fiberglass. Couple o' wonderings about itching -- I have had bouts in the past of the continual itching but now it's more come and go, with periods of a few hours when it will be particularly bad (scratching myself raw) but there will be long stretches some days when there will be no problem. I get really hopeful that it is fading away and then I'll have another couple hours of torture (I should say mild torture, really -- it's not as bad as it's been at times; I only have about 3 patches on my legs where I've broken skin from scratching). Is this typical for others? Also, I'm switching from zoloft to rifampin. Started taking the rifampin a week ago and increased the dose over the week until yesterday when I was up to 150mg TID. I haven't taken this in years and I can't recall how quickly it takes effect if it's going to help. Anybody have an idea? I thought it was working yesterday but when I woke up this morning, it's back... Philip 35, married, 3 kids; PSC 94, UC 2008, DMII 2009 > > I used to tell people that the best way to get a good idea of what PSC > itching is like would be to sprinkle your bed liberally with fiberglass > insulation every night before bed! Luckily I only suffered with itching > that bad a couple times.... > > athan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi Karyn I noticed you live in Ontario. Whereabouts? I live in Hamilton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi , I'm in Aurora. We're pretty close. Where's your Hep. Dr.? Mine's Dr. Wong at Toronto General. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi , I'm in Aurora. We're pretty close. Where's your Hep. Dr.? Mine's Dr. Wong at Toronto General. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi Karyn Yep ... Aurora is not that far away. My hepatologist is here in Hamilton. Dr. Witt-Sulivan. She also cross-specializes in gastroenterology so I see her for my UC as well. Kinda nice that way insofar as I don't have to see someone separate for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi Karyn Yep ... Aurora is not that far away. My hepatologist is here in Hamilton. Dr. Witt-Sulivan. She also cross-specializes in gastroenterology so I see her for my UC as well. Kinda nice that way insofar as I don't have to see someone separate for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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