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Re: Itchiness and slight rash following ASCT?
I had an ASCT in December, and after day 30 I started getting an itchy rash. Large red welts appeared on my face, neck and torso. I tried Benedry and the welts would go away. My oncologist suggested it was related to my immune system being restored. I find that taking a Zyrtec everyday stopped the rash altogether.
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Dana5 - Name: Dana
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: Itchiness and slight rash following ASCT?
Hey Larry
Let me preface my statements by saying that rashes have been an ongoing problem for me most of my life and I'm not at all certain that what you're experiencing relates to what I have experienced. That being said, most rashes seem to respond similarly to the various treatments.
I had a generalized rash pre-SCT that finally went away more or less on its own (I have surmised that it was a reaction to one or more of the induction meds I was on). None of the prescription topicals helped, but my dermatologist recommended Sarna (a non-prescription lotion available at Walgreens in a generic version), and my wife and I discovered Gold Bond extra strength body lotion (GB makes a number of different anti-itch products and this one worked the best for me [green bottle]). It may be helpful to note that none of the powders, including GB, helped, in fact they made the itch worse, but the lotions did help, at least on a temporary basis.
These tactics helped with my post-transplant rashes, but only time actually resolved them--about six months as I recall. About 1 year post transplant, I got what was supposed to be the first of 3 pneumonia vaccinations. Within 2 days I developed a severe rash that didn't respond to anything. I won't get into whether I think the two events are directly related, but I will tell you I have not completed the vaccination series.
My dermatologist then prescribed hydroxyzine, essentially Benadryl only tenfold stronger, combined with prednisone (I actually requested, and got, methylprenisolone because it requires less liver interaction and hence, at least in theory, has fewer liver-related side effects). Many people seem to be able to handle anti-hystamines like hydroxyzine. I'm not one of those people; it renders me essentially dysfunctional. As a result, I cut the dose in 1/2 or even 1/4. Despite the side effects, this combination should control almost any rash.
Best to you.
Aloha
Daniel
Let me preface my statements by saying that rashes have been an ongoing problem for me most of my life and I'm not at all certain that what you're experiencing relates to what I have experienced. That being said, most rashes seem to respond similarly to the various treatments.
I had a generalized rash pre-SCT that finally went away more or less on its own (I have surmised that it was a reaction to one or more of the induction meds I was on). None of the prescription topicals helped, but my dermatologist recommended Sarna (a non-prescription lotion available at Walgreens in a generic version), and my wife and I discovered Gold Bond extra strength body lotion (GB makes a number of different anti-itch products and this one worked the best for me [green bottle]). It may be helpful to note that none of the powders, including GB, helped, in fact they made the itch worse, but the lotions did help, at least on a temporary basis.
These tactics helped with my post-transplant rashes, but only time actually resolved them--about six months as I recall. About 1 year post transplant, I got what was supposed to be the first of 3 pneumonia vaccinations. Within 2 days I developed a severe rash that didn't respond to anything. I won't get into whether I think the two events are directly related, but I will tell you I have not completed the vaccination series.
My dermatologist then prescribed hydroxyzine, essentially Benadryl only tenfold stronger, combined with prednisone (I actually requested, and got, methylprenisolone because it requires less liver interaction and hence, at least in theory, has fewer liver-related side effects). Many people seem to be able to handle anti-hystamines like hydroxyzine. I'm not one of those people; it renders me essentially dysfunctional. As a result, I cut the dose in 1/2 or even 1/4. Despite the side effects, this combination should control almost any rash.
Best to you.
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
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