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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 8:36:36
Looks like my other message last night was "gobbled" up when the list was archived...so here goes again. For the past several weeks, I've had an itchy rash on my thighs, backs of my legs, and arms (sometimes even my chest) when I wake up. If I scratch it, it leaves large welts like hives. Could this be from a med I'm taking? My GP tested me for parasites and all, but concluded I'm allergic to something. It seems to be something internal, because when I visit my house in Ventura, it is still there (different bedding, soap, etc., all washed of course). Could this be from Serzone or Effexor-XR? I hope not, since they are really helping, with no other real side effects. Am taking Claritin and Entex (an antihistamine and decongestant) also. Last night, I took only half as much Serzone (about 37 instead of 75 mg./night) and have fewer bumps today. Anyone experienced this or have any ideas? Thanks!
Posted by Greg on July 17, 2000, at 9:05:23
In reply to itching from meds? , posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 8:36:36
Cindy,
Good morning. My daughter takes Claritin and experiences the rash and itching as well. Doesn't sound like hers is quite as bad as yours though. Claritin does have a side-effect of itching for some people. I had it BAD from the narcotics I was taking for my back pain, I know it's a miserable thing. Is it possible to stop the Claritin for a fewv days and see if the itch subsides? Have you checked for possible negative interactions with your meds? Pharmacists are supposed to catch those things, but they often don't. Just some random thoughts Cindy....
Other than the itching, are you doing well?
Hugs,
Greg> Looks like my other message last night was "gobbled" up when the list was archived...so here goes again. For the past several weeks, I've had an itchy rash on my thighs, backs of my legs, and arms (sometimes even my chest) when I wake up. If I scratch it, it leaves large welts like hives. Could this be from a med I'm taking? My GP tested me for parasites and all, but concluded I'm allergic to something. It seems to be something internal, because when I visit my house in Ventura, it is still there (different bedding, soap, etc., all washed of course). Could this be from Serzone or Effexor-XR? I hope not, since they are really helping, with no other real side effects. Am taking Claritin and Entex (an antihistamine and decongestant) also. Last night, I took only half as much Serzone (about 37 instead of 75 mg./night) and have fewer bumps today. Anyone experienced this or have any ideas? Thanks!
Posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 21:10:13
In reply to Re: itching from meds? » Cindy W, posted by Greg on July 17, 2000, at 9:05:23
> Cindy,
>
> Good morning. My daughter takes Claritin and experiences the rash and itching as well. Doesn't sound like hers is quite as bad as yours though. Claritin does have a side-effect of itching for some people. I had it BAD from the narcotics I was taking for my back pain, I know it's a miserable thing. Is it possible to stop the Claritin for a fewv days and see if the itch subsides? Have you checked for possible negative interactions with your meds? Pharmacists are supposed to catch those things, but they often don't. Just some random thoughts Cindy....
>
> Other than the itching, are you doing well?
>
> Hugs,
> Greg
>
> > Looks like my other message last night was "gobbled" up when the list was archived...so here goes again. For the past several weeks, I've had an itchy rash on my thighs, backs of my legs, and arms (sometimes even my chest) when I wake up. If I scratch it, it leaves large welts like hives. Could this be from a med I'm taking? My GP tested me for parasites and all, but concluded I'm allergic to something. It seems to be something internal, because when I visit my house in Ventura, it is still there (different bedding, soap, etc., all washed of course). Could this be from Serzone or Effexor-XR? I hope not, since they are really helping, with no other real side effects. Am taking Claritin and Entex (an antihistamine and decongestant) also. Last night, I took only half as much Serzone (about 37 instead of 75 mg./night) and have fewer bumps today. Anyone experienced this or have any ideas? Thanks!Greg, thanks for the suggestions! Did not take Serzone or Claritin tonight and will try that for a few days, just taking Effexor-XR and my usual decongestant, Entex. Will gradually add them back one at a time if the rash disappears, and see who the "culprit" is! BTW, I took the Claritin FOR the itching, not before.
Posted by CG on July 18, 2000, at 20:52:15
In reply to Re: itching from meds? » Cindy W, posted by Greg on July 17, 2000, at 9:05:23
> Cindy,
>
> Good morning. My daughter takes Claritin and experiences the rash and itching as well. Doesn't sound like hers is quite as bad as yours though. Claritin does have a side-effect of itching for some people. I had it BAD from the narcotics I was taking for my back pain, I know it's a miserable thing. Is it possible to stop the Claritin for a fewv days and see if the itch subsides? Have you checked for possible negative interactions with your meds? Pharmacists are supposed to catch those things, but they often don't. Just some random thoughts Cindy....
>
> Other than the itching, are you doing well?
>
> Hugs,
> Greg
>
> > Looks like my other message last night was "gobbled" up when the list was archived...so here goes again. For the past several weeks, I've had an itchy rash on my thighs, backs of my legs, and arms (sometimes even my chest) when I wake up. If I scratch it, it leaves large welts like hives. Could this be from a med I'm taking? My GP tested me for parasites and all, but concluded I'm allergic to something. It seems to be something internal, because when I visit my house in Ventura, it is still there (different bedding, soap, etc., all washed of course). Could this be from Serzone or Effexor-XR? I hope not, since they are really helping, with no other real side effects. Am taking Claritin and Entex (an antihistamine and decongestant) also. Last night, I took only half as much Serzone (about 37 instead of 75 mg./night) and have fewer bumps today. Anyone experienced this or have any ideas? Thanks!Hi! I suffered from terrible itching when I took Zoloft. I was heart broken because it helped me so much. The doctor said I must be having a alergic reaction to the dye in the pill and not the medication itself. I too got something that looked like hives. I itched mainly on my legs and arms and couldn't stop scratching.I had to discontinue taking the medication immediately So far no itching with the Effexor XR. I hope this helps!
CG
Posted by Sunnely on July 18, 2000, at 21:46:19
In reply to itching from meds? , posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 8:36:36
>For the past several weeks, I've had an itchy rash on my thighs, backs of my legs, and arms (sometimes even my chest) when I wake up. If I scratch it, it leaves large welts like hives. Could this be from a med I'm taking?
I believe your doctor is right (an allergic reaction). To what you're allergic to is the great mystery. Not a remote possibility that the itchiness and rash may be due not to the drug itself but to the additives. (I believe the previous poster, Greg, mentions the same.) One form of additive that has been reported to cause skin reactions is called "tartrazine." It is sometimes used as an additive to some of the psychotropic drugs. Incidentally, higher rates of allergic reactions to this additive have also been noted in people with hypersensitivity (allergy) to aspirin. So, it could be one of the drugs you are taking. You'll have to use a trial-and-error approach to find that out. That is, stop one med and see if the rash dissipates; take the same drug again to see if it returns. Not an easy task. For what it's worth, in some, psychological stress can cause some sort of skin "allergic reaction." Good luck.
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