My RD prescribed Lortab yesterday for my bad flare. I don't have any rash, but I've been itching! Is this a side effect that will go away soon?I take Oxycontin and man, it makes me itch also. I t does get a little better but mine hasn't gone away completely. I wonder if taking a benadryl with it would help? Although I am tired enough without adding anything else to make me more drowsy!!
Good idea Micheleb. I have antihistamines here. I'll try it.Hi, I take Lortab and at first they would make me itch but it got better after several weeks. My problem is itching about 5 days after my Remicade infusion. I get huge hives and have to take Benadryl. Will be talking to the RD about that at next appt. Kweenb, this is a very common side effect of hydrocodone. YOu just have to
tolerate it. But if you start feeling like your throat is closing, best not to take
it anymore. if you are getting the itching side effect it usually, well almost always, means the dose is too high. I can tolerate up to 7.5mg of hydrocodone in a single dose but if I take an additional 5mg dose within an hour of the first dose I will almost lawyas get the itch side effect. Usually it is in my nose and extremities. I have similar issues with higher doses of Oxycontin (anything over 10mg actually) or other opiates...but that itch is AWFUL...
You can try to take benadryl to help block histamine release in case it's an allergic reaction but if it's allergic you will need to STOP the med. But not as many people are actually allergic to the synthetic forms as opposed to the codeine opiates.
Also you could have some peripheral neuropathy from the RA + chronic inflammation that when combined with the reaction to the opiate will trigger a more intense reaction.
either way I would talk to your doc or simply try to switch to a lower dose, maybe break the pill in half, on a more frequent schedule...instead of on 7.5mg every 4-6 hrs take 1/2 a tablet every 2-hrs...that should help reduce the itching effect...maybe.
But if you are not one to experiment with your dose, ask your doc. But be aware many docs really do not believe in this side effect. Seriously I have talked to many doc's who are not even aware of it and dismissed it out of hand. Strange huh?
My nose would itch when the LorTab would start to kick in and lasted maybe 30 mins tops for my nose not to itch no more. It eventually stopped itching everytime the LorTabs started to work, about a few days later.
It doesn't bother me, I kind of just laugh it off. The pain relief is
worth the itching. My friends all get the biggest kick out of it.
(since I'm ALWAYS itching my nose. LOL)
joonie:
the reason it stops itching is your body had adapted to the increased opiate presence. Otherwise known as tolerance...so tolerance is not necessarily a bad thing. ;)
MsMidge:
I bet if you decreased the dose (break your vicodin/lortab/hydrocone but NOT EVER oxycontin or any extended release opiate!!) in half and increased the frequency you would not have the itching.
Nice to know BreckLundin! I do not take pain pills much, would like to, but I got kids to keep alive Plus, I would sleep my life away. But will take them when I am flaring bad or the pain is just annoying me to the point of feeling a little nutz. joonie:
I really am in awe of all the mom's out there with RA. I could not imagine the dilemma about taking pain meds vs being able to care for your kids. That is a real conundrum!!
I am more like the House character...if I did not take the vitamin-v I could not function. once the pain is managed I am fine and can function. Now if I could just find something to really take care of the inflammation that my body can tolerate...ironic I can tolerate the opiates but NOT the DMARDs/Bio's and pred not at all! Gets me a tad pissy most days too...hehehehe... ;)
heheheeee you said "a tad pissy" *snickers*
I hope you can find something to help you with the inflammation. Inflammation is just no fun. Maybe they will come up with something else to help with inflammation. I usually struggle with lots of inflammation, but when the Humira is working it seems to be nil.
Good Luck on finding the right meds to make you better.
Lortab, or Vicodin both have Hydrocodone in them, which is similar to codiene. They all can make you itch. Matter of fact, most controlled substance painkillers can make you itch. It should go away or you can try taking a low dose of Benedryl if its really bad. They can also make you slightly constipated so watch your fiber too.
I have RA and am also a pharmacy tech.