Of course itching can be a lot of things. Some of them not related to anything to do with where it itches like some versions of (I think) neuropathy.
But probably the most common cause is fungal, like dandruff. Yes, after years of commercials about "dry scalp" it turns out that most dandruff flakes are skin cells killed by a common fungus. And of course there's nothing magic about your scalp versus the rest of your skin so you can get "dandruff" basically anywhere. I rotate treatments as my dandruff and rashes seem to quit responding to any sustained single treatment. First I use generic clotrimazole cream most of the time for anywhere but my scalp as it is cheap and OTC. My usual shampoo is Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment shampoo (cheap) which has selenium sulfide like Selsun Blue (Not so cheap). The third weapon in my arsenal is ketoconazole . It's the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo (expensive). A note here; Nizoral shampoo OTC is 1% ketoconazole which just barely subdues my dandruff and itch. The prescription version is 2% and about a million times more effective (even more expensive). Ketoconazole cream is by prescription and available as a generic. The pyrithione zinc dandruff shampoos which make up about 95% of the "anti-dandruff" shampoos do nothing for me. I have to take something back. I have used clotrimazole cream on my scalp a few times when it was bad. One of the advantaged of not having much turf on the lawn? One other thing I've had to resort to a few times when a rash has gotten really irritated is to put an ice pack directly on it. It doesn't take long to reduce the redness and swelling,. Sorry, Greenie I know you won't like that ice idea! Patrick ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 3:08 PM Subject: [CMLHope] fighting side effects barb Hi Barb, So sorry you are having those bad side effects. It seems no matter what we are on, it is chemo, and we are going to have the side effects. My counts dropped so low I had to be taken off Tasigna after 1 month on treatment; I am now back on the full 800 mgs daily. I had itching really bad at first, especially the scalp, now I have a light rash on my legs. It seems to go from one thing to another. I have also developed some side pain, but it comes and goes. It seems my ribs are sore. My hemg dropped to 7.9 last week, so if it hasn't come back up this week, I will have to have blood. How are your counts? Keep fighting; we just have to manage these side effects the best we can; it gets hard. Blessings, Jeanie<3 In a message dated 11/30/2008 8:56:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Jeannie, You may not want to hear it. I am beginning to develop the side effects, slowly, that go with the drug and some that were of gleevec. I have had painful fluid retention in the joints ( plural joint effusion) and cramping in the hands and feet. I have vertigo ( usually positional) and also, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and such. I guess no matter what drug I take, I will have these symptoms. I will say they are milder than before, but seem to be getting worse. And I am on 400 mg, the absolute minimal dose. How are you Jeanie? Blessings Barb ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW AOL.com. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ [CMLHope] A support group of http://cmlhope.com ------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CMLHope -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
