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Keytruda and itching
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Keytruda and itching

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Keytruda and itching

  • Post
    • March 22, 2017 at 6:14 pm
    dawn dion
    Participant
      Hello Keytruda peeps. After spending nearly 2 yrs on Keytruda I have been off the drug for nearly 13 weeks. I know that side effects can last for up to a yr. I currently have uncontrolled itching. Was given Hydroxyzine doesn’t even touch it. Lotions not touching it. Any suggestions? Has anyone else experienced this?
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    • Replies
        • March 22, 2017 at 6:55 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          Is the itching all over or just in certain areas? Have you tried a prescription steroid topical ointment? If nothing you've tried is working and it's really uncomfortable then you might ask your doc for a steroid pill instead of the antihistamine you've tried.

          • March 22, 2017 at 7:13 pm
          Bradley75
          Participant

            My derm prescribed Betamethasone Dipropionate 0.05% cream and it works like a charm.  It takes it away in a few hours.

              • March 22, 2017 at 7:29 pm
              dawn dion
              Participant
                I will see if they will do that. Yes it is all over. Ive delt with various aches and pains from this but the itching makes me want to lose my mind
                • March 22, 2017 at 7:39 pm
                jennunicorn
                Participant

                  If it's all over then a cream or ointment won't be much help, having to cover your body in it is a bit much. Colloidal oatmeal baths help me when I am itching all over, along with tea tree essential oil added to an oatmeal lotion, for the bath and lotion I use Aveeno brand. But, definitely ask your doc about a steroid prescription if it's unbearable. 

                  • March 22, 2017 at 11:47 pm
                  dawn dion
                  Participant
                    Thank you for the suggestion. I will do that tomorrow.
                    • December 21, 2017 at 11:50 pm
                    GonzoOne
                    Participant

                      Another cream that works about 6 hours is called Triamcinolone. It's inexpensive and if you apply directly on the itch area (which with me is nearly 70% of the body) then you get excellent relief for about 4 hours, after which the itching returns lightly. I use it twice a day. Morning and evening. This itching could last a year after treatments and it has proved difficult to get the oncologist and others in the med field to understand just how intensive it is. I recommended to our oncologist that he take a few infusions. That way maybe someone in the industry will be motivated to design a no-itch Keytruda. P.S. Don't believe all the hype Keytruda advertises. Most of it is B.S.

                    • March 25, 2017 at 1:49 am
                    LHiner50
                    Participant

                      Hello Keytruda peep –  I've had three Keytruda treatments and won't be having any more.  Have a pretty bad case of eczema on legs, arms and back due to the treatment.  By the recommendation of the dermatologist I have been using CeraVe exzema body wash followed by CeraVe moisturizing lotion.  This seems to keep the itching tolerable.  A friend gave me an aloe plant.  Going to try the gel from that.  Also have elevated pancreas levels.  My oncologist wants me to start on steroids for both issues – been there done that before.  If labs are not better next week, I'll have to give in and start.  Glad you were able to stay on Keytruda so long.  Hope you can find a cure for the ichies.

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