Thanks TexasBlind and Dee74 and CarolD
It certainly helps to know that someone else went through this as well - and that it shouldn't last forever.
I did see the doctor - hence the bloodwork coming out OK - but his solution for the itching is cortizone and I really don't want to spend my days with my whole body slathered in that stuff.
I guess it's just a question of getting through it. Its been suggested that probiotics would help the immune system recover - that the source of the itching is the damaged intestines.
Still be interested in other comments.
Thanks for your support