I am 17 months post SCT, on 5 mg Revlimid maintenance, and monthly Zometa. I have been having pretty constant hives breakouts for almost 4 weeks.
I've been on two rounds of prednisone and antihistamines (variety of Benadryl [diphenhydramine], Atarax [hydroxyzine], Zyrtec [cetirizine]) with relief but as soon as I stop prednisone, they come back.
I am about to start a third round with prednisone and then the next step will probably be to see dermatology or allergy doctor if it doesn't clear up.
The hives started the morning after my last Zometa infusion (June 17). I have not had any problems with Zometa before, and the doctor doesn't think it is from that. Other than that possible clue, there is no apparent cause -- no changes in anything like laundry soap, personal products, food choices, etc,
I continued to get the rash on my 7 days off Revlimid.
Anyone else had issues with hives? Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
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elizabethmwm - Name: Elizabeth M
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 8/20/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Anyone have any problems with hives?
Hi Elizabeth
Yes, I too am suffering hives (or some similar skin condition). I am 13 months post ASCT. I too feel that I have eliminated dietary and environmental possibilities, though I'm sure the humidity here in Hawaii recently hasn't helped the situation. I'm not on any multiple myeloma meds and never could tolerate any of the bone meds (Zometa, etc.).
Also like you, I have been prescribed prednisone (actually methylprednisolone by my choice). and hydroxyzine (antihistamine) The hydroxyzine is totally debilitating for me but I had reached the point where the itching was equally debilitating! They definitely help, but the "cure" is awful.
One note of interest, after much deliberation, I began the PVC-13 (the first of 3 of the "kids" version of the pneumococcal vaccinations) 2 days before the skin problems began. Could be a coincidence. Could be an indirect connection (ie. my system was already weakened and the vaccination pushed it over the edge). Could be a direct connection.
The downside here is that I think the only way I can determine whether there's a connection between the skin problems and the vaccination is to get the next vaccination in the series and see what happens. Anyone else experience problems with vaccinations post SCT?
I'll keep you posted on how my condition progresses. I hope you will do the same.
Aloha
Daniel
Yes, I too am suffering hives (or some similar skin condition). I am 13 months post ASCT. I too feel that I have eliminated dietary and environmental possibilities, though I'm sure the humidity here in Hawaii recently hasn't helped the situation. I'm not on any multiple myeloma meds and never could tolerate any of the bone meds (Zometa, etc.).
Also like you, I have been prescribed prednisone (actually methylprednisolone by my choice). and hydroxyzine (antihistamine) The hydroxyzine is totally debilitating for me but I had reached the point where the itching was equally debilitating! They definitely help, but the "cure" is awful.
One note of interest, after much deliberation, I began the PVC-13 (the first of 3 of the "kids" version of the pneumococcal vaccinations) 2 days before the skin problems began. Could be a coincidence. Could be an indirect connection (ie. my system was already weakened and the vaccination pushed it over the edge). Could be a direct connection.
The downside here is that I think the only way I can determine whether there's a connection between the skin problems and the vaccination is to get the next vaccination in the series and see what happens. Anyone else experience problems with vaccinations post SCT?
I'll keep you posted on how my condition progresses. I hope you will do the same.
Aloha
Daniel
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DanielR - Name: Daniel Riebow
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 59
Re: Anyone have any problems with hives?
Talked with my myeloma doctor in Texas this morning (I am in Florida and have a home oncologist). She doesn't think it is myeloma related. If it doesn't clear up, she suggested I see dermatologist to do a "punch biopsy." She said a lot of myeloma-related rashes appear as a result of graft versus host disease for those who received allogeneic transplants (I had an auto).
Started the 50 mg prednisone this am and the antihistamine regimen, and the rash has faded greatly. We'll see what happens after I go off the prednisone in 5 days.
Daniel - I've had all my vaccines so far and no problem with them. The meds only make me sleepy when I sit down to read or watch TV. Humidity is an issue here in Florida, too. I don't do too much outdoors. Good luck to you in finding an answer.
Elizabeth
Started the 50 mg prednisone this am and the antihistamine regimen, and the rash has faded greatly. We'll see what happens after I go off the prednisone in 5 days.
Daniel - I've had all my vaccines so far and no problem with them. The meds only make me sleepy when I sit down to read or watch TV. Humidity is an issue here in Florida, too. I don't do too much outdoors. Good luck to you in finding an answer.
Elizabeth
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elizabethmwm - Name: Elizabeth M
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 8/20/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 57
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