[kjpoppit]

Bug bites or rash?

by kjpoppit on Sun Aug 23, 2015 4:05 am

Hi all,

I am one year past my stem cell transplant. I am doing Velcade maintenance (an injection every two weeks), and my monthly Zometa. For the past month and half or so, I have been getting what appears to be bug bites, yet I don't think they are.

The little bumps are like bad mosquito bites that get inflamed, itch, and then weep. I get them in various places – arms, wrists, calves, ankles, and back. They heal up and then start over again. I have been taking Zyrtec for an all-over itchiness I had been feeling, and that itch is gone. I also get the typical rash at my injection site, which fades away after two weeks.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,

Kim

[KimT]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by KimT on Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:58 am

Wow, my name is also Kim and I am also a year out from my SCT. Same thing here, my arms are very itchy and I scratch them until they bleed. It seemed to come out of nowhere and I am pretty sure it's not bugs. I am in a fairly non buggy area of California, although I am outside a lot. I am not on any meds right now so it's not that. I've never had this before.

[Carolee]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by Carolee on Wed Aug 26, 2015 1:54 pm

In addition to asking your myeloma specialist about them, I would find the best dermatologist you can find and ask for a biopsy of one of the places.

[Ellen Harris]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by Ellen Harris on Wed Aug 26, 2015 5:40 pm

You guys might want to have your homes checked for bedbugs. I live in NY and they are rampant here, unfortunately, and what you describe sounds hauntingly familiar. But I would also bring this to the attention of your oncologists. It could also be a reaction to a drug.

Good luck, and please post to the forum so we know what it is!

[kjpoppit]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by kjpoppit on Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:54 am

Update:

My rash got worse, it's mainly on both forearms, a little on hands and upper arms. I had a biopsy done. Results were spongiotic dermatitis. At least I know it's not bugs eating me. Just don't know what's causing it. I guess that's the next step. Why do I have this?

Kim

[TerryS]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by TerryS on Fri Sep 04, 2015 4:57 am

Don't know if this is similar to your situation:

M Rodríguez-Martín et al, "Bortezomib-induced cutaneous lesions in multiple myeloma patients: A case report", Dermatology Online Journal, 2008 (full text of article)

Abstract:

Proteasome inhibitors are emerging as a promising class of anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Bortezomib (PS341) is the first proteosome inhibitor with clinical significance. It acts by blocking vital functions of tumoral cells in myeloma, inducing apoptosis. Its toxicity is usually manageable. Gastrointestinal symptoms, peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain and thrombocytopenia are described as the most common side effects. We report on a case of cutaneous lesions induced by bortezomib in a patient with relapsed multiple myeloma.

[kjpoppit]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by kjpoppit on Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:39 pm

Thanks Terry,

That was interesting information and leads me to believe I shouldn't discount the Velcade as being involved. It seems my oncologist is not real concerned with my rash and more or less said that it's not her department.

I will find a dermatologist to help me. I'm starting to get some rash on my neck. Right now I am fighting a staph infection in a finger, and it is not responding to the antibiotics first prescribed. I think the new antibiotics I'm taking for it are working though.

[kjpoppit]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by kjpoppit on Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:35 am

Could this article be my answer? Could this rash be auto-GVHD (graft versus host disease)?

S-L Lee et al, "Skin Graft-versus-host Disease Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma," Immune Network, June 2013 (full text of article)

The rash persists and is worse.

My oncologist sent me to a dermatologist. That was a week ago. Her suggestions were to moisturize my skin and a prescription strength topical steroid cream and a humidifier. I am not getting any relief. This rash now affects all parts of my body. I develop some pretty good welts at times. I honestly don't think they are considering this could be transplant related. I go back to the dermatologist in 3 weeks. If not better, she was going to start allergy testing.

Thoughts anyone?

[coachhoke]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by coachhoke on Sat Sep 19, 2015 11:31 am

I have a similar rash on my stomach and chest area. I was concerned that it might be shingles(extremely itchy). The dermatologist said it definitely is not shingles and he prescribed a steroid cream which helps somewhat. I have been on a drug holiday since January, so it's not coming from my original VRd and I never had a stem cell transplant. SO WE HAVE ANOTHER MYSTERY.

[kjpoppit]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by kjpoppit on Sun Oct 11, 2015 4:31 am

I contacted the long term care department at the SCCA in Washington. ( I really like that place and the people) I spoke on the phone and sent photos. Their educated guess is Velcade could be the culprit in my rash. Yes, it still persists. The suggestion was to stop Velcade for a bit and see if this helps. It's been 3 weeks since my last injection. I'm not sure the rash is getting better but I am giving things a little more time to wait and see. I will update again and hopefully report I'm better.

Best wishes to everyone.