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Can Morphine Cause Itching On The Body?
Question: Directed to Dr. Klarida Papaqako -Thank you!
I have asked you a question before about the itching and canker sores before. I have now be diagnosed with thrush and the Flucanozole and Nystatin are helping. I sent you a message several times but it doesn't show up in the history of our conversation nor have I received any reply. I just sent one about an hour ago
I wonder if a person can have thrush/candida for awhile and have the itching for several months (the itching began in March on my back, my thighs,shoulders, and scalp) before the thrush showed up in July in my mouth with canker sores and mouth sores-fever blisters? Since 7-20-17 I have been on Nystatin and Flucanazole. These meds have helped to heal the canker sores, which were so painful, which I am so grateful for the healing! I still have the mouth sores on my lips as fever blisters. I do feel hopeful.
The itching has not gone away, even on these 2 meds. I take 2 Ranitidine daily, one Flexofenadine, Hydroxyzine, and Benadry or Zytex at night. I don't notice that these really do much for reducing the itching. What does help is Cerave anti-itch relief, Eucerin Calming lotions with Oatmeal in it, and Eucerin Eczema lotion, and a natural salve called Healing Elements.
I went off of Hydromorphone 4 mg QID that I have been on for years for chronic spine pain that has been very, very painful. This was to see if Hydromorphone was creating the itching. I was place on Morphine Sulphate short acting 15 mg 4-5 times a day. What is interesting is that my pain level went down immediately and it wasn't because the Morphine was more effective for pain relief. The Hydromorphone was creating more pain. So this was a blessing going off of that, but the itching has persisted.
Now in the last few days my back is now so very sensitive to the slightest touch or even the feeling of my shirt is irritating and painful. I looked online about shingles and it does talk about itching, sensitivity to touch, pain, numbness, fatigue and I have all of these. This pain began on the upper right side of my upper back and it itched like other areas of my back and thighs but this area had pain and some numbness and more intense itching that other areas never had. It has now gone across the area to the left side some and the whole upper back is sensitive to touch. So what do you think?
Sorry this is so long! I appreciate your time, your feedback, your suggestions, and wisdom!
Blessings,
XXXXXXX XXXX
YYYY@YYYY
0000
XXXX
XXXXXXX XXXX
I have asked you a question before about the itching and canker sores before. I have now be diagnosed with thrush and the Flucanozole and Nystatin are helping. I sent you a message several times but it doesn't show up in the history of our conversation nor have I received any reply. I just sent one about an hour ago
I wonder if a person can have thrush/candida for awhile and have the itching for several months (the itching began in March on my back, my thighs,shoulders, and scalp) before the thrush showed up in July in my mouth with canker sores and mouth sores-fever blisters? Since 7-20-17 I have been on Nystatin and Flucanazole. These meds have helped to heal the canker sores, which were so painful, which I am so grateful for the healing! I still have the mouth sores on my lips as fever blisters. I do feel hopeful.
The itching has not gone away, even on these 2 meds. I take 2 Ranitidine daily, one Flexofenadine, Hydroxyzine, and Benadry or Zytex at night. I don't notice that these really do much for reducing the itching. What does help is Cerave anti-itch relief, Eucerin Calming lotions with Oatmeal in it, and Eucerin Eczema lotion, and a natural salve called Healing Elements.
I went off of Hydromorphone 4 mg QID that I have been on for years for chronic spine pain that has been very, very painful. This was to see if Hydromorphone was creating the itching. I was place on Morphine Sulphate short acting 15 mg 4-5 times a day. What is interesting is that my pain level went down immediately and it wasn't because the Morphine was more effective for pain relief. The Hydromorphone was creating more pain. So this was a blessing going off of that, but the itching has persisted.
Now in the last few days my back is now so very sensitive to the slightest touch or even the feeling of my shirt is irritating and painful. I looked online about shingles and it does talk about itching, sensitivity to touch, pain, numbness, fatigue and I have all of these. This pain began on the upper right side of my upper back and it itched like other areas of my back and thighs but this area had pain and some numbness and more intense itching that other areas never had. It has now gone across the area to the left side some and the whole upper back is sensitive to touch. So what do you think?
Sorry this is so long! I appreciate your time, your feedback, your suggestions, and wisdom!
Blessings,
XXXXXXX XXXX
YYYY@YYYY
0000
XXXX
XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Morphine gives itchiness as a side effect too.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs XXXX,
Thank you for the detailed information of your problem.
I am so sorry that none of your questions came through.
Whenever it is thrush/fungal infection, there is presence of the characteristic lesions of a fungal infection. It is less likely that the skin to be itchy but without any visible lesion.
On the other side, shingles does give itchiness and sensitive/painful skin before an outburst and after it for a long time. But, the start of the itchiness and sensitivity is followed withing 24-48 hours with the characteristic vesicles of shingles which are localized according a nerve dermatome (the area in the skin where a specific nerve is spread).
I would say to keep an eye at it and as soon as the vesicles appear, go immediately to your local doctor so they can prescribe the treatment. I say immediately because the treatment needs to be started in the first 48 hours of the appearance of the vesicles otherwise it won't be effective.
If no vesicles appear then I suspect it may be dry sensitive skin. I say this because the fact that the itchiness it is relived by those slaves and lotions, makes me think that your skin needs hydration. Drinking plenty of fluids during the day may help in the long terms. Try to drink more then 2-3 liters/day.
Either morphine or hydromorphone give itchiness as a side effect, it can be a cause of using this type of medicines as well. I beleive that you had created resistance from Hyrdomorphone so that is why morphine helped with the pain. But if your itchiness will not get better in 1-2 more weeks, then you should talk with your doctor options of removing morphine too and considering other medications who can relieve your pain and also not give you itchiness.
Hope this is helpful and answers your questions.
Feel free to write back if you have other questions.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Morphine gives itchiness as a side effect too.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs XXXX,
Thank you for the detailed information of your problem.
I am so sorry that none of your questions came through.
Whenever it is thrush/fungal infection, there is presence of the characteristic lesions of a fungal infection. It is less likely that the skin to be itchy but without any visible lesion.
On the other side, shingles does give itchiness and sensitive/painful skin before an outburst and after it for a long time. But, the start of the itchiness and sensitivity is followed withing 24-48 hours with the characteristic vesicles of shingles which are localized according a nerve dermatome (the area in the skin where a specific nerve is spread).
I would say to keep an eye at it and as soon as the vesicles appear, go immediately to your local doctor so they can prescribe the treatment. I say immediately because the treatment needs to be started in the first 48 hours of the appearance of the vesicles otherwise it won't be effective.
If no vesicles appear then I suspect it may be dry sensitive skin. I say this because the fact that the itchiness it is relived by those slaves and lotions, makes me think that your skin needs hydration. Drinking plenty of fluids during the day may help in the long terms. Try to drink more then 2-3 liters/day.
Either morphine or hydromorphone give itchiness as a side effect, it can be a cause of using this type of medicines as well. I beleive that you had created resistance from Hyrdomorphone so that is why morphine helped with the pain. But if your itchiness will not get better in 1-2 more weeks, then you should talk with your doctor options of removing morphine too and considering other medications who can relieve your pain and also not give you itchiness.
Hope this is helpful and answers your questions.
Feel free to write back if you have other questions.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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