[WeatherNurse13]

Mysterious Rash

by WeatherNurse13 on Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:04 pm

I am an 50 year old post auto SCT (2/13) plasma cell leukemia patient with a complete response at 100 days. About 70 days post-transplant, I presented with a papular(raised) pink rash on my thighs and arms. My PCP' physician's assist. and my oncologist's nurse practitioner both said they were not contagious but didn't know what it was. Best scenario was a rash due to my decreased immunity. Was encouraged to stay away from small children and babies.

2 weeks later, I was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and low oxygenation, rash still present. After a number of procedures and tests, my oncologist, pulmonologist and infectious disease doctors agreed that I didn't have an infection but that my lungs had inflammation (interstitial penumonitis). I was discharged on prednisone and oxygen for sleeping. I condition improved. My breathing is easier and secondarily, it cleared my rash (although they scaled, peeled and left scars), eliminated my long term nausea and increased my appetite that I had lost for months. I weaned off of the prednisone on June 4th.

3 weeks after I was off the prednisone, the rash appeared again! It is predominately on my arms and thighs. Some have a red center, no fluid. The rash is pink that fades to skin color then back to pink at various times. As time goes on the papules form a crater in the center. My doctors are not too concerned and we are presently just observing it. I wonder for how long? It's been over two weeks since their appearance and none have gone through the peeling scarring stage, plus I continue to get new ones. I have been taking acyclovir twice a day since march. My immunity to chicken pox is intact. It is not itchy. My follow up CT scan of the lungs show improvement. All of my lab work is great!

Has anyone else experienced this? I like polka dots, but don't want to be polka dotted.