Hello, I Have A Very Painful Chronic Itching That Started
Question: Hello, I have a very painful chronic itching that started a few years ago and has gotten progressively worse. I have been to 3 allergists and been checked out and had allergy tests and autoimmune tests from them. The last allergist took an aggressive approach and put me on Xyzal, Allegra, Singular, Benedryl, and Pepid A/C all at that same time and nothing helps. I have had full blood workup in my annual physical a week ago and all is fine. I have been checked out by 2 dermotologists and even tried Gabapentin to no avail and UV light therapy. The itching is all over the body and painful and under the skin. I am going in for an full stomach ultrasound next week to check the liver but my liver bloodwork is fine. I tool Haldol (3Mg XXXXXXX down to 1Mg) for 25 years for Tourette's and am off it now. All I take is Metform, Provocal, Ambien and Losartan/HCT (100/25) and have tried stopping each medication one at a time for 2 weeks and that didn't help. Is it possible that I could have an allergy to sulfa in Losartan even though I took 5 allergy drugs at once, or do you have any other thoughts. I am at my wits end and so is my internist, it is becoming hard to live day to day with the itching, burning and pain all over my entire body. I need some hope and direction please.
Brief Answer:
Stop all the medication for 2-4 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in Ask the Doctor
I am sorry for your situation
Usually in such cases when we don't find the exact cause we stop all the medication for 2-3 weeks and continue only antihistamins.If the situation improves than we restart the current treatment with the lowest possible dose of every medication.
If it not helps than probably it is due to diabetic neuropathy but Gabapentin helps in this condition.
I don't think this is related to Losartan only.
If no cause than a psychiatrist consultation is needed to exclude the neuropsychogen pruritis.Please discuss with your doctor for the above
Hope to have been helpful
Regards
Dr.Jolanda
Stop all the medication for 2-4 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in Ask the Doctor
I am sorry for your situation
Usually in such cases when we don't find the exact cause we stop all the medication for 2-3 weeks and continue only antihistamins.If the situation improves than we restart the current treatment with the lowest possible dose of every medication.
If it not helps than probably it is due to diabetic neuropathy but Gabapentin helps in this condition.
I don't think this is related to Losartan only.
If no cause than a psychiatrist consultation is needed to exclude the neuropsychogen pruritis.Please discuss with your doctor for the above
Hope to have been helpful
Regards
Dr.Jolanda
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T