Chronically Itchy Skin/Pruritus

[nicensexydc]

Hello all...my first time to this forum.  I tested poz back in 1989 but was fortunate that I didn't have to start a med regimen until 2006. I have tried a few combination therapies since then (Atripla, Complera,  Isentress, Lexiva, Truvada, Reyataz) but as I seem to be "Mr. Side Effect" I experienced the worst that those drugs/combinations had to offer.

I have been on Prezista, Norvir, Lamivudine (Epevir) for a year and seem to be on a relatively good road.  No crazy vivid dreams, high anxiety, mood alterations, horrific sleep issues, etc.  Non-detectable and numbers are improving.  Thankful for that.

The biggest problem which continues to get worse is chronically itchy skin/Pruritus. I sometimes wake up scratching to the point that my legs or arms are bleeding. I have tried nearly every over the counter remedy, several prescriptions (Triamcinalone, Clobetasol, Low dose Doxepin), as well as essential oil & natural remedies. Some offer minor relief but it always seems to be temporary.  And the itching and skin sensitivity seems to be getting worse.

I would welcome any insight and remedies that anyone may have.  I realize that the itchy sensitive skin/Pruritus is caused by the HIV as well as a side effects of my meds but anything that can help combat & minimize these symptoms would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[witch]

Welcome to the forums! I am 'Side effect' too ... Been on Stribuild and Complera and have insomnia and anorgasmia from both.

I am thinking of getting on Prezista regimen too. Is there any reason you chose Lamivudin in your combo and not the more usual Truvada?

Back to your question. I don't know if we have the same issues but since I got AIDS (CD4 was 60 at time of diagnosis), I get red itchy spots on my face, mostly below the moustache, whenever I eat fast carbohydrates - chocolate, icecream, the junk food sweets variety, bananas, apples etc. When I have a flare up of the spots, I react even to bread, lentils and beans.

Initially I thought it was fungus and it was the actual reason for me to go get tested for STD and HIV - chronic fungus is a sign of low immunity which is related to HIV. Well, it's not fungus because it is gone in one week if I stop all fast carbs after I get a flare up. Fungus doesn't come and go that easily.

Recently I found that a blood sugar lowering herb diminishes but does not completely eliminate the flare ups, so I have to be careful how much and what carbohydrates I eat. My current working theory is that anything that raises my blood sugar leads to this weird immune system response that manifests as red itchy and flaky skin on my face. My blood sugar is on the boundary to pre-diabetes. My doctor has no clue what is going on, she thinks its 'allergy' but allergy to all carbohydrates is unheard of - I get the reaction even from eating bananas or apples.

So if your condition is something like that, you should look to what triggers it. Maybe try to reduce carbohydrates, eat only meat and vegetables for a week to see if it gets better. High blood sugar is well documented as source of inflammation that leads to hosts of problems in the long run but contemporary medicine doesn't really explain why.

[nicensexydc]

Thanks for your detailed response witch. It doesn't sound as if we are dealing with the same issue although I am sure the side effects we are experiencing are equally annoying. 

While I have had minor itchy skin issues in the past, this time around they are getting much worse.  According to the doctors I have seen (primary, dermatologist, allergist) it seems to stem from the nerve endings in the skin as a result of HIV and my meds regimen. Scratching of course only irritates the nerve endings and the skin more. It's a double edge sword with no apparent solution.  And I don't want to change meds yet again.  Not sure what the solution is.

[Jeff G]

I have not had the problem you are dealing with but I have had other issues with skin and I went through 4 dermatologist before I found the solution .

If your doctor cant find a treatment plan I would seek it somewhere else .

[nicensexydc]

Thanks Jeff. Yep, have already changed dermatologists but still no apparent solution in their minds. Trying combination of prescription cream and essential oils at the moment which offers temporary relief but still does not solve the problem.

[nicensexydc]

Anyone else experiencing this issue/side effect?  Other potential solutions out there?