can't stop itching

[Daphne do]

I can't stop iching either I can't sleep I'm losing my mind I haven't slept for three days maybe two hours each night if I take Benadryl I get crazy angry and still can't sleep what else can I take a bath a shower none of that helps. I drink lots of water I do have D also it goes from diarrhea to constipation in the same day then back to diarrhea I've been sick for over a year every time I start to feel better some how I get contaminated I don't know what to do I'm do tired and it's causeing me and my boyfriend to fight or more I hate this disease my life was hard enough before now it's to overwhelming

[Daphne do]

I'm sorry I'm so tired the auto correct changed some of my words and I didn't notice till after I submitted it

[Daphne do]

Does any one else get crazy angry when they take Benadryl? I'm sure it's partly the lack of sleep but it would be nice to hear from some one else thank you for your time I appreciate this site it has helped me

[kareng]

I broke this off of a really old thread so people don't get confused and answer the people from years ago.

[GFinDC]

On 6/28/2018 at 5:54 AM, Daphne do said:

Does any one else get crazy angry when they take Benadryl? I'm sure it's partly the lack of sleep but it would be nice to hear from some one else thank you for your time I appreciate this site it has helped me

Hi daphne,

I don't have a problem with Benahdryl, but there is at least one other anti-histamine that makes me irritable.  I don't remember the name of it right now.

There may be some helpful ideas in the Newbie 101 thread.   You have to watch out for contamination from kissing also.  I have a shared kitchen situation.  I keep most of my food in a separate dorm style refrigerator.  It also helps to stop eating all the processed foods like cookies, bread etc for a few months until things settle down.

 

Edited June 29, 2018 by GFinDC

[susan french]

Has your dermatologist prescribed dapsone?  It helps a lot but has the side effect of possible anemia. Also, for me, he prescribed Hydroxizine and then doxepin for bedtime.  Dermatologists can prescribe a potent cream for relief.  I've found that benedryl spray or cream (I use the Walmart itch cream)  It is imperative to be gluten free!!  Good luck.

[Daphne do]

I have not been to a dermatologist I didn't know to do that because the itching is from the gluten right? I do have allergies to some creams and allergy meds so I not sure something I rub on my skin will work I'm just worried it will get worse instead of better . I just wish the Benadryl didn't alter my moods it makes things worse to . Thank you for helping me I do appreciate it

[apprehensiveengineer]

If you have dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), Benadryl won't help... much. I used to rely heavily on Benadryl pre-gluten-free, but I would suspect its main benefit is that it knocks you out. If you are medicated towards unconsciousness, you can't notice the itch! (Achieved similar effects with alcohol, which I would also not recommend).

If you've not been tested formally for celiac disease or DH, I would recommend that first. The intensity of itch you are describing seems consistent with DH, so you should be tested. If you've already been diagnosed with celiac and suspect the rash is DH, you might consider being "ultra careful" with your GFD.

1. No eating out. No food prepared by anyone but yourself.

2. No oats, not even the gluten-free kind, not even the certified gluten-free kind.

3. Limit dietary iodine, temporarily (ie. minimize seafood, iodized salt, most dairy) until rash/itch subsides.

4. Follow diet similar to Fasano protocol - avoid processed foods (even those labelled gluten-free), emphasize single ingredient foods such as meat, veggies, rice etc.

 

[GFinDC]

Hi daphne,

A dermatologist can test you for DH by taking a small skin biopsy for next to a skin lesion, not on the lesion.  They check that skin sample for IgA antibodies.  If you have DH, you have celiac disease.

As AE said above, the treatment for DH is the gluten-free diet.  It can take months for the DH reaction to stop, and it is important to be very sure you are gluten-free,