Author Topic: Ich, Itch, Itch. Scratch, Scratch, Scratch (Read 5356 times)

Irish Eyes · « **on:** February 27, 2014, 07:55:11 pm »

I haven't started meds yet but prescribed Stabild and waiting for insurance approval.
For at least the last 6 weeks I've done nothing but scratch randomly.
Last week it was my feet, deep itches in my heels, which lasted a few days, now it's the palms of my hands but mainly by my wrists between thumbs and wee fingers.
At night I've even scratched myself awake.
Is this a HIV symptom, or mind games.
I did mention to PA a couple of days ago but he didn't have an answer.

buginme2 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2014, 08:50:21 pm »

Scabies?

Irish Eyes · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2014, 09:12:42 pm »

Cute reply, good guess, but NO.
I think I could have guessed that.
Try again.

pittman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2014, 10:33:17 pm »

I can't think of anything related to your HIV, especially given your good numbers.

tednlou2 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2014, 11:03:08 pm »

Stress can cause this in some. Are you stressed about things including starting meds?

Of course, dry air in winter. I've read poz folks can become more sensitive. I noticed our indoor humidity was down to 20%, so I bought a humidifier to get it in the preferred 30-60 zone. I had some body itching, but nothing like you describe. In the sunlight, I could see the dry skin coming off me.

Liver issues can cause itchiness, but I assume you're getting regular labs. Started any new meds or supplements?

Dust mites? Do you change your sheets regularly?

Just throwing things out, but a dermy doc may be a good place to get answers, if your doc doesn't have anything to say. Hope it gets better soon.

Irish Eyes · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2014, 11:29:17 pm »

No stress, maybe subconscious.
No dry air, l live by the sea in So Cal.
No dry skin.
No meds whatsoever yet.
No dust mites, have a housekeeper.

Thanks for input, guess I gotta plod on. Peculiar.

nixsmail · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2014, 12:10:41 am »

i don't have any suggestions or solutions for you but wanted to relate my experience because it seems the same. about three years after starting meds, so i know it's not the meds doing it, i started to get itching on my scalp that would last maybe half a day and then be gone. went to a dermy and he couldn't explain or figure out why. since that first year, and it last about 6 months, every time the season changes i get itchy in various locations on my body. if i can avoid scratching it lasts about 5 min if i can't it can go for hours. nothing like the first time with my scalp but really really intense itching. my theory is that hiv has changed my system enough so that i may be allergic to things that i wasn't before and it shows up with the itching or maybe not since i'm not a doc but i have gotten accustomed to it and refuse to scratch. tried everything to start with soap, laundry det, food, nothing seemed to help that first time and nothing since then has been as long or intense. in fact the itching was how i found the site to start with to try and find some answers. anyway i know this probably doesn't help much but had to relate to your situation.

LiveWithIt · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2014, 01:00:49 pm »

Can it be tingling and the start of neuropathy. Otherwise take some Benadryl.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2014, 01:09:30 pm »

Do you know your HepA & HepB status ? (Hep = Hepatitis)

Irish Eyes · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2014, 02:01:32 pm »

No tingling, that happened during sero.
Hep a/b neg.
Thx but the plod continues.

le_liseur · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2014, 07:44:28 pm »

Does it happen anywhere or in specifics places in the house?

You have no lesions, spots, anything showing on your skin?

WillyWump · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2014, 08:49:44 pm »

I had unknown origin itching about 3 years in to my diagnosis, docs prescribed me Atarax which took the itching away completely. After about 6mos it went away.

Good luck

-Will

gavelkind · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2014, 09:01:21 pm »

Quote from: Irish Eyes on February 27, 2014, 07:55:11 pm

I haven't started meds yet but prescribed Stabild and waiting for insurance approval.
For at least the last 6 weeks I've done nothing but scratch randomly.
Last week it was my feet, deep itches in my heels, which lasted a few days, now it's the palms of my hands but mainly by my wrists between thumbs and wee fingers.
At night I've even scratched myself awake.
Is this a HIV symptom, or mind games.
I did mention to PA a couple of days ago but he didn't have an answer.

Might just be paranoia. I remember before I got tested, I would think ANYTHING was a sign of aids. That cough I just took? yep! Aids! What about that wound that's taking a bit too long to heal? Def AIDS! After I was diagnosed, I stopped freaking out as much though.

I think when you first "come out" you tend to over-exaggerate things and think of your problems as more dangerous than they have to be. You're dealing with being hiv positive but instead of focusing on that you make up other imaginary diseases that help you cope with what you're truly going through.

zach · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2014, 09:18:52 pm »

Quote from: gavelkind on March 01, 2014, 09:01:21 pm

Might just be paranoia. I remember before I got tested, I would think ANYTHING was a sign of aids. That cough I just took? yep! Aids! What about that wound that's taking a bit too long to heal? Def AIDS! After I was diagnosed, I stopped freaking out as much though.

I think when you first "come out" you tend to over-exaggerate things and think of your problems as more dangerous than they have to be. You're dealing with being hiv positive but instead of focusing on that you make up other imaginary diseases that help you cope with what you're truly going through.

+1 this, all this. we're still human, we still get sick, in all kinds of ways totally unrelated to teh hiv/aids

one thing i've noticed, when an aidsey symptom strikes me, there is no doubt on gods green earth. its the first class funk. everything else is just the body getting sick

Irish Eyes · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2014, 09:56:23 pm »

Quote from: le_liseur on March 01, 2014, 07:44:28 pm

Does it happen anywhere or in specifics places in the house?
You have no lesions, spots, anything showing on your skin?

Other than dx, nothing in my routine has changed.
Skin is all clear though a few days ago I looked as though i had been in the sun and gotten slight sunburn, everywhere.
That redness has gone and itching subsided slightly.
I'll accept 'gravelkind's diagnosis, paranoia.
Thx for the feedback everyone.

le_liseur · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2014, 09:04:51 am »

I hope the itching goes away soon tho, because I know it can be frustrating especially when you can't pinpoint to a cause!

Probably like the others said, something to do about stress and paranoia. The redness might have been caused by you when you scratched yourself. If it goes on maybe it will feel better if you can apply some hydrating lotion on it.

Take care!

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Author Topic: Ich, Itch, Itch. Scratch, Scratch, Scratch (Read 5356 times)