Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

A little advice needed for itching and support

Hello everyone. About a week ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Even though they are not 100% and they need a second opinion on my biopsy, they are 90% sure that I have hodgkins lymphoma and almost certain it is stage 2.

Even though it was devastating news, I feel it is not all bad, as at least it is cureable. However the problem is that I am getting married in June and have not started my chemo yet. I am not going to delay my wedding as everything has already been booked, the cards have been printed and my honeymoon is booked. I am hoping from my first shot of chemotherapy I will recover and have enough energy to get on with my wedding. I hope I am not too unrealistic.

Just wanted to know anyone else's experience with stage 2 hodgkins and how they reacted to the chemo. I think they are going to go give me ABVD (or something like that).

I also am experiencing alot of generlised itching. I have been suffering with this for about half a year now. It was from my itching that I discovered that I had lymphoma. Has anyone else suffered from itching? Also any tips on how to get rid of it? Or how long it took to get rid of it after chemo?

Any experiences or advice would really help me. I really would like to know how people coped.

FYI I am a female in my mid twenties.

7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
When you say you were itchy how itchy were you and was it all over your body or in a certain area?  Also how were all of you diagnosed with lymphoma?  Ive had ct scans blood work and a biopsy and everything was negative but i still have swollen nodes so they want me to get a pET scan and i am so afraid.  I am 23 years old and still in college taking on two majors and afraid I have cancer.  The biopsy came up benign but i can still feel my nodes so my doctor wants to rule out all cancer i guess?

how did you all find out you had cancer what kind of biopsys did you get etc if you dont midn me asking and how was the itchy thing?

i have no B symptoms but i do itch but ive been itchy since i was 2 years old i have dry skin and ezcema
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi.
It’s great to hear from you again.
I’m happy that your PET scan did not show any tracer activity.  It means that you are responding very well to your treatment.  As for your question on itching, I do have patients who complain of on and off itchiness during and even after treatment.  These patients have no evidence of disease after several cycles of chemotherapy, and yet they complain not only of itchiness but also sweating.  I just reassure them that the scans are all negative and that they have nothing to worry about.  But I do tell them to be extra vigilant with regards to the symptoms they are and will be experiencing and to religiously follow their check-up schedule.
Take care always.          
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for supportive comments. I am now on my 4th cycle of chemotherapy. The itching went after two weeks into my chemotherapy. However now it has returned again. Has anyone else suffered from itching after chemotherapy?

Just to let you know I had a PET scan and am I now in the clear (which is good news :) ) but I have started to get itchy again. If someone could please advise and let me know if they have experienced something similar then that would be great.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there,
First of all congrats on getting married!  I was diagnosed with hodgkins(stage 2A) in fall of 2005 at the age of 33.  I went through 7 months of  ABVD therapy.  I am now in remission.  I felt great during the first 2 months of chemo.  As the chemo sessions continued I started to feel a little worse after each session (nausea, tired).  I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have along the way or concerns.  I will say that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was such a wonderful resource to me and my family during this time.  They have great support groups, financial aid program and patient resources.  I suggest you check them out.  I believe in LLS so much that I am now training for a triathlon with their team in training.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi.
Have you started your chemotherapy?
You may want to try also Hydroxyzine if Cetirizine did not work for you.  The itchiness of the skin will stop once chemotherapy is given.  
Good luck to you and stay positive.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Many thanks for your supportive comments. I have tried Cetirizine, however it does not stop the itching.

Anything else that you could think would help?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi.
Congratulations on your wedding.
ABVD (Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) regimen is a common combination used for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  This is given every 2 weeks for about 12 sessions or 6 cycles (1 cycle = 2 sessions), depending on your response to treatment.
If you are highly considering having a child someday, I suggest you tell this to your doctor since one of the side effects of chemotherapy is infertility.  Other side effects include hair loss, body weakness, nausea and vomiting, and allergic reaction.  These are manageable with supportive measures.  
Generalized itching is one of the symptoms of lymphoma.  This can be managed with intake of antihistamine like Cetirizine.
Hope this helps.
God bless you always.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Community

Top Leukemia & Lymphoma Answerers
1081992 tn?1389903637
PA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
An interview with the co-discoverer of one of the biggest breakthroughs in cancer research
From causes to treatment options, get answers to your questions about CML, a type of blood cancer
New drug options on the horizon may make CML, a type of blood cancer, one of the few success stories in cancer treatment
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.