[Multibilly]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by Multibilly on Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:25 am

Kim,

I assume you've seen this earlier article on the air bubble technique for Velcade injections? I bring this up since you mentioned that you also get a rash at your injection site.

https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/subcutaneous-velcade-air-bubble-method-t5093.html

[Cheryl G]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by Cheryl G on Sun Oct 11, 2015 8:58 am

Thank you for the update Kim. I'm so sorry that this problem is proving so difficult to figure out. I'm hoping that the rash isn't from the Velcade, since it would be nice if you could continue taking it. But I really hope that you and your doctors can determine what is at the root of the issue.

Is there any chance that something else in your daily living changed that might have caused the rash -- like a change in soap, shampoo, conditioner, skin cream, clothing, food, other medications, or supplements that you're taking?

Also, there's a mild antihistamine, cyproheptadine (Periactin), which can be useful for the treating of rashes. The upside is that there has been some research that shows it may have an anti-myeloma effect. See, for example, these articles:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24033664
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18502826

It may be worth trying the cyproheptadine to help with your rash if it doesn't go away in another week or two.

Good luck!

[Salzmav]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by Salzmav on Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:35 pm

Urticaria (aka hives) - can be caused by different drugs. Drives you mad. Steroid cream helps. See your GP. They are unsure what caused mine - they think it was ciprofloxacin.It took 8 weeks off the drugs before I got rid of it - full body - and another few months of minor breakouts.

The other thing is the chemo dries your skin out - and makes it itchy, and compounds the problem. Do not use soap - ever. I was advised to use QV wash, and bath regularly in a bath with QV oil.

Only use sorbolene & glycerine cream as a moisturizer.

I am now OK - it took a few months - drove me to tears, and ripping holes in my skin for relief. I also took a couple of doses of prednisilone, that helped.

See your GP

[kjpoppit]

Re: Bug bites or rash?

by kjpoppit on Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:46 pm

So I have been off of Velcade for a couple months now. I am happy to know my problem has not been caused by the Velcade, but I still don't know what is causing my problem.

My rash has become more like hives now. I did a short 6-day course of steroids, which seemed to help a little, but it did not stop the problem. I am now taking hydroxyzine hcl and this appears to help decrease my symptoms in addition to Zyrtec (cetirizine). I am not sure if I will ever know why I have this rash.

Of concern to me now is if it was a bad idea to stop Velcade. My kappa light chains doubled in the past three months and are now a little above the accepted norm. My kappa/lambda ratio is still good. The doctor is not concerned about the jump in light chains. I am now waiting on my doctor to consult with others and decide what to do next. So more watch and wait, I am not good at watch and wait.

Kim