svr but itchy skin

[johnny679]

Hi  I  treated in a harvoni trial for 12 weeks . I am svr12 and will be going for my 24 week test soon .
Lately my skin has been pretty  itchy  .  It is nothing to do with my diet as I look at everything I eat
as I have cirrhosis .
It has been worrying me as I remember I used to have itchy skin before I treated with harvoni.
Has anyone experienced this  , should I be concerned ?

[Livelife777]

Hi Johnny.   Stress is an amazing anomaly.  It can mimic disease on so many levels including our subconscious mind.  Personally in my life I've had bouts with itching that turned out to be a symptom ironically of anxiety.
Varacies good, SVR great, worrying about SVR-a big check mark!!!!
Think once confirmation occurs (SVR24) your itching will diminish. Just my noteworthy observation.
Keep in mind, your cured.
......Kim

[johnny679]

Hi I will be having in 3 weeks it will  take a few weeks for the results to come in .
I really look forward to it .

[patra_]

Great to hear SVR12!!!!

I, too, will be having the SVR24 Labs on 5-20.  Of coure, Dr appt isn't til 6-8.  Such a long time to process the Viral Load test.  Oh, well.

When are you scheduled for the test?

[johnny679]

thanks for replies . The itching comes and goes strange how I am more itchy before doctors appointments . It was so great hearing svr12 such a relief one more test to go my doctor wants me  to have my 6 month svr next month to be considered cured  .
I went in for my gastroscopy results all clear no Esophageal varices which was nice to hear .

[patra_]

ditto both AWM and AM.  Also, do you use a good lotion on the area?  Dryness always makes my skin itch more.

[AWorriedMom]

AM, thanks for the reminder about the hot water. That brings out the histamines and can make the itching much worse. Benadryl works for me, as well and is very liver friendly, but always ask the doc.

[AugustineMama]

Ditto what AWorriedMom said. Mine gets much worse in the winter, but found that using Aveeno soaks made it much better and not really hot water. I take Benadryl as needed 25 mg as I usually start itching at night. I have wondered sometimes if it is just nerves, but it helps. Heavy moisturizers seem to make it worse BTW.

[AWorriedMom]

Hi Johnny, congratulations on your SVR 12....you are considered cured. I wouldn't be worried about the itchiness. Lots of cirrhotics are itchy, me included and I am cirrhotic and have been SVR for over 2 years. Just because you are cured your liver is still very damaged. Hopefully that will improve over the years  and the itching will lessen or go away completely. Only time will tell.