Severe Itch - leg looks like hamburger- solution?

[mergatroy]

I have been itching for seven months. I have dealt with it. When we increased my morphine 50% last week the itching seems to have increased 150%.

I am exaggerating a little, but not much. My shins look like hamburger and I am not exaggerating a bit on that.

I searched for solutions. Not many were found. MPVT suggested benedryl, and I tried that. No help. I am on 180mg of Allegra a day (antihistamine) obviously did not help.

I called my "on call dr." and he suggested "Urgent care" ...they don't do those shots. My pharmacist said Fluocinonide Cream .05% is the strongest cream they carry. I told him I was using that. So he suggested Atarax. Anyone use that?

After that, I might try soaking it in ice water...per another internet article.

Ideas welcomed. Thank you...

[BrittleBones]

dllfo - you may need to have your doc order a Medril (sp?) pack. That's a pack of steroids that you take in decreasing amounts for about 7-10 days (I can't remember at the moment how long you take it). It will definately get the itching under control and it's much more effective than otc benedryl or cortisone creams. Although some itching is a normal side effect of morphine and other opiodes, this may be a true allergic reaction if the itching is as unbearable as you describe. What does the doc want you to do at this point besides Urgent Care? Atarax might help but that's prescription med. If I were you, I'd go to urgent care and see if they can't give you a script for the Medrol Pack or other steroid. Best of luck to you - I've been where you are and it's miserable!! ********

[mergatroy]

********,
Thank you for the suggestion. I will take the atarax to see if it helps. If not, I will go to the Urgent care...the reason I am resisting that is my asthma. It is a bad air day here and I don't do well on those days. Thanks for the idea on the "Medril".....

[mergatroy]

Atarax stopped it. Generic is Hydroxyzine hcl 25mg. Take 3 a day.
That seems to have stopped the itching.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[mergatroy]

********, I saw my family doctor today and asked him about your suggestion, as opposed to taking the Atarax. I am on three other meds that have steroids in them, that was why the doctor suggested Atarax. Prednisone, RhinoCort
Aqua, and another one. He said your suggestion was a good one, but again, he doesn't like for me to be on so many steroids. Oh yeah, Asmanex is another one. You get the idea. But thanks again.

The atarax is a lot slower, but will get it done I guess. At least I am not itching.