I have to take Oxycodone, I have Fibromyalgia and chronic pain. It works very well for the pain but it makes me itch terribly. If I take benadryl to help with the itching I will surely fall asleep. The non drowsy does not help since the itching is caused by histamines, for some reason opiods make you release histamines. Does anyone have a good remedy for itching. It goes from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.
Valery
Sounds like an allergy, rather than a side effect. Talk to your doctor. I too take Vicodon for fibro, it really helps, no itching. (08/06/2005)
I think you should try taking the benadryl. Usually after a few doses, you don't feel as sleepy. Maybe you could start taking it on a weekend.
TCRN in MO (08/06/2005)
By TC in MO.
I, also get head to toe itching from certain medications. Especially hydrocodone or anything with a codeine substance in it. My pharmacist said its from the inactive ingredients used to hold the pill together. (08/08/2005)
By Vanet
I agree with the guest post. I think your itching is an allergic reaction. There are so many new pain killers out there that there should be something that doesn't make you itch.
Arnica seems to be the most popular homeopathic treatment for fibromyalgia. Ask your pharmacist if there is any drug interactions with this treatment first.
http://www.homeopathiconline.com seems to have the most comprehensive and easy to understand treatments. (08/08/2005)
By Fran Marie
If your itching isn't an allergic reaction, Zyrtec is very helpful for dealing with skin allergies. It has been incredibly helpful for me and I don't itch anymore.
Hope this helps.
(08/08/2005)
By Donna
I'm an RN and we give Atarax for itching. If itching is a constant problem everytime you take your med, you need to find a new med. (08/21/2005)
By harperllee1214
Ask your Doctor, what he thinks about you taking a medication called hydroxyzine, it is used for nausea, also in some cases may help your pain medication work better. It may cause some sleepiness too, but it is an option to talk to your doctor about. Better double check my spelling. Hope it helps. (11/26/2005)
I hope that it is OK to mention brand names here. My mom gave me some Skin So Soft Moisturizing Shower Gel from Avon for Christmas. Oh my stars! It doesn't take care of the itching completely, but it does at least relieve it for a few hours after I shower. (02/12/2006)
By TonyaG
I have used witch hazel (holistic product), but some drugstores carry it to and also normal underarm deodorant. Both of these worked well on summer bug bites and itchy skin from too much sun.
Could give them a try. (06/11/2006)
By Pam
Just in regard to itchy skin - colloidal oatmeal baths are wonderful. They even calm hives. Walmart carries their brand which is 1/2 price of Aveeno. My dad has eczema and I don't even use soap in the bath, just oatmeal. I itch from Percocet, I have been on hydrocodone for 2 years now and all of the sudden started itching like crazy? If it's not one thing it's another - right? Good luck, take care. (09/17/2007)
By Renee
Itching or pruritis is an adverse side effect, NOT an allergy. I thought I might clear this up as I saw this page and am in medical school. (12/12/2007)
By Erin
I use the steroid prednisone to stop itching. (12/15/2007)
By Sue from Corpus Christi, TX
I appreciate everyone's comments. I take oxycodone. Not much about 15-20milligrams a day. My itching is insane. It is all through my hair line, my neck, my eyes and nose, and even in my ears. I am to the point of stopping the medication and just dealing with the pain. I don't know which is worse. The Benadryl definitely helps, but makes me extremely tired. The is a good cream called Amlactin. I think you have to ask the pharmacist for it, but you do not need a prescription. Good luck. Pray, pray pray. (03/19/2008)
By Lealea
Ask your doctor about Doxepin. It has a variety of uses, one of which is dermatological itch. Also, a beta-blocker can help calm your nervous system down when experiencing reactions like allergies and the itching. (02/01/2009)
By Terah
My remedy for itching is to scratch the itch. Unlike the itch from a bug bite, which gets worse when you scratch it, the itch I have while taking pain pills often goes away after a good scratching session. But I don't know if this would work for everybody. I recently had surgery to resolve back pain and sciatica from crushed nerves, and my itch is generally limited to the parts of my body that had the most pain prior to surgery. So I wonder if it's related to the pain pills at all, or if it could be the result of nerves and tissues that are healing and regenerating. (07/26/2009)
By Shar Tay
I must take hydrocodone for chronic health problems. The best remedy I have found in years is taking 2 to 4 tablets of "1000 milligrams" vitamin C everyday. It must be "time-released". I usually take 1000 mg three times a day, and sometimes 4 times a day. It just really gets rid of the itch for me! Sometimes I'll still get a little itch in the morning when I get up down the middle of my back, but that's about it. This works like a charm for me and vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant vitamin for the body. Helps build your immunity! (09/08/2009)
By Michael
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