Question:
One month post -OP Serious Itching Problem
Three weeks after surgery my entire body (from head to feet) began to itch a great deal. Tried moistering shampoos and lotions. The itching is so severe that I have actually scratched open areas on my skin. Next I tried cortisone maximum strength creams and gold bond medicated powder. There is some relief but the itching is still there. It's feels as if something in inside my skin or blood stream. Has anyone else experienced such an episode and if so please advise. — Carol N. (posted on May 9, 2002)
May 8, 2002
I had the same problem when I had my breast reduction. I was told it is
because of all the anesetic in your body. Call your dr if you don't feel
comfortable about it. I remember feeling like there were a bizzilion ants
crawling INSIDE my body and no matter where I scratched I couldn't get at
them. It's a horrible feeling. Maybe the dr can give you something for it.
(open rny 5-02-02)
— candymom64
May 9, 2002
You might want to try taking Bendryl. When I had that problem from a
different surgery they gave me Benedryl and it cleared right up. But make
sure with you check with your Doctor to see that it is ok to take it and at
what doseage.
— Karen W.
May 9, 2002
Oh, my god. And I thought I was crazy. My skin is so itchy, dry, blotchy.
There are spots that are red and raised, and other spots where there are
groups of tiny, little red dots that I think is blood that's been raised to
the surface from me scratching so hard. I never had anything like this
before my surgery twelve weeks ago and it's driving me nuts!.
— PaulaM
May 9, 2002
I had the same problem. Ask your Dr. to run a test for a phosphorus
deficiency. Because of the amount of water we need to drink and don't
always get in at the beginning the kidneys don't always function properly.
I started taking a phosphorus supplement (available at GNC) and stopped
itching within a couple of days.
— Martha O.
May 9, 2002
I also had the same problem and used Walgreens brand Aloe Vera. It worked
wonders for me. In fact, I still use it every morning. I'm 11 months out.
If you still have a problem, you may want to ask your doctor if you can
take some type of Benadryl product.
— dolphins94
May 11, 2002
Yes...many people seem to experience the itching. Cannot tell you why, but
I can tell you it goes away. Nothing seemed to help, so just go with it
until it's gone. Maybe a few weeks or so.
— Caren S.
May 11, 2002
OH man! I'm almost a year out and I remember the itching vividly. I swear,
I looked like someone you would never sit next to on a bus! I was
scratching somewhere all the time and I raised welts all over my body from
the scratching. I even scrated in my sleep. Benadryl finally awarded me
some relief. I think it was either from the anesthesia or the morpheine and
it lasted a few weeks. Best of luck to you...it gets better!
— Sharon L.
May 12, 2002
I wish I new the answer as to why this happens. No one seems to really know
why we go thru a period of intense cold and intense itching after surgery
but I had problems w/both. Lots of clothes helped the cold and lots of
moisturizer and benedryl seemed to help the itching. Mostly is seemed to
have to go away on it's own. I am five months out and remember that misery
well but it is kind of like labor pains-awful at the time but well worth
the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Best wishes
— jsuggs
May 12, 2002
In the hopsital I suffered from SEVERE itching...nurse gave me benydryl
shots. I'm 10 months out almost and still occassionally have periods of
itchy-itchy. I take Benydryl caplets. ONE NOTE: one time - years before
surgery - I felt the "bloodstream" itching you desribe..it was
because I had taken too much niacin....so, what kinds of herbs, etc. are
you taking -- might be causing the itching. Good luck to you! Open RNY
7/17/01, down 97, 40 to go.
— blee01
Click Here to Return