My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005. He has had a stem cell transplant in 2005 and he did well with it for two years. He relapsed in 2007 and was put on IV Velcade which also did well for him. At first he was getting it twice a week. Then he developed neuropathy. His oncologist altered the twice a week cycle to once a week.
Just last week he changed to the Velcade injection in his stomach. Must say he has little pain doing it this way. My question is… he has a reddish rash where he was Injected, not a silver dollar size but maybe 3 silver dollars. It has reduced in size coming up to a week. Could you tell me if that is just a side-effect doing it like that. I would be very greatful if you could let us know.
Kindest regards,
Ena & Des Martin
Forums
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
I had these rashes and they have now all gone. At one point my oncologist had me put a prescription cream on some of them because they looked like that might get infected.
John
John
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johnk - Name: John Kavanagh
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2nd, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
The red rash you describe is from the Velcade injection. I recently started Velcade again as part of a three drug cocktail. Since the very first injection I would get a large red welt/rash in the area of the injection. The skin area would raise up, itch like crazy for a few days and then would start to peel, almost like a sun burn. I tolerated the injections for 3 cycles; thinking it was a small price to pay vs the poking and pain of IVs. At the end of my recent 4th cycle, I gave in and went back to doing it IV, my skin was just getting too abused. I'll probably stay w/ the IVs for a while, then may try the injections again--we'll see!
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d10018
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
Injection site reactions from subcutaneous Velcade are somewhat common, but not severe in most instances. The typical scenario is redness at the site of injection followed by slow resolution over several days. It is important that the site of injection is rotated. In the original study of subcutaneous bortezomib, the injection site was never the same within a cycle of therapy. You can rotate sites on the thighs and abdomen. There are cases where the reaction is severe enough or lingers long enough that the patient needs to switch back to IV dosing. That is the exception to the rule, though. Subcutaneous dosing definitely cuts back on the neuropathy (does not eliminate it), diarrhea and other serious adverse effects of Velcade.
Good luck!
Pete V.
Good luck!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Rash from subQ Velcade injections - Remedy!
I have recently found a great remedy to the very painful rash I got from my weekly Velcade subQ shots for the past 18 months. No more, the five days of painful irritation and then sloughing off of the damaged skin layer. I keep track of injection sites and move them around: belly, thighs and arms.
Aloe - from the plant- works to ward off the inflamed irritated hot spot. Just squeeze some of the sap and apply to injection area when you get home. Reapply as needed when the skin gets itchy.
This wonderful natural remedy is one that my mother's caregiver used to ward off bed sores and any skin tears, with great success.
Hope it works for you too and please spread the word!
Aloe - from the plant- works to ward off the inflamed irritated hot spot. Just squeeze some of the sap and apply to injection area when you get home. Reapply as needed when the skin gets itchy.
This wonderful natural remedy is one that my mother's caregiver used to ward off bed sores and any skin tears, with great success.
Hope it works for you too and please spread the word!
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kamcguin
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
My mom also developed injection site rashes. She was only able to tolerate it for 3 weeks before deciding to go back to iv.
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
I'm currently getting weekly Velcade injections (along with Cytoxan and decadron.) I usually have a rash after each injection, but most weeks it isn't bothersome. One week it was itchy and one week I developed some bruising, but neither of those things have happened every week. The nurses do vary the injection site each time. When the itching occurred, I put some Eucerin cream on it which helped for a while. The nurse also said I could try a hydrocortisone cream. I would probably just avoid scented creams and lotions.
The main annoyance for me has been the burning sensation as the injection goes in, but fortunately that does not last long. The nurses say that injecting it slowly seems to help some patients, although I haven't noticed much difference.
Good luck to your husband
Karen
The main annoyance for me has been the burning sensation as the injection goes in, but fortunately that does not last long. The nurses say that injecting it slowly seems to help some patients, although I haven't noticed much difference.
Good luck to your husband
Karen
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Karen - Name: Karen
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
I get weekly Velcade subq injections and have had this rash since the second injection.
At first I was all bummed out because I feared I would have to stop the shots. After showing my oncologist and talking with him I was relieved to hear this is fairly common. An over the counter hydrocortisone cream 1% helps it disappear usually by one week. Secret is to always rotate the injection site by a decent distance. I will also try the aloe gel since that is a good suggestion too.
Also an otc non-sedating antihistamine works for more severe reactions, such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra. Geting the subq shots is a whole lot more convenient for me and the side effects are definitely a whole lot less.
At first I was all bummed out because I feared I would have to stop the shots. After showing my oncologist and talking with him I was relieved to hear this is fairly common. An over the counter hydrocortisone cream 1% helps it disappear usually by one week. Secret is to always rotate the injection site by a decent distance. I will also try the aloe gel since that is a good suggestion too.
Also an otc non-sedating antihistamine works for more severe reactions, such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra. Geting the subq shots is a whole lot more convenient for me and the side effects are definitely a whole lot less.
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
I have just recently started Velcade subQ injections. Both times, I have developed a rash that is not terrible, but is irritating. However, it is not at the injection site, but elsewhere (typically, my chest and scalp). The rash from my 2nd shot today seems to be lasting longer and is more itchy than the first one. I may take a Claritin to see if I can tone it down, and I will call my doctor.
Most of the posts here have focused on rash at the injection site; I'd hate to go to IV Velcade if I can make the subQ work.
Any thoughts?
Most of the posts here have focused on rash at the injection site; I'd hate to go to IV Velcade if I can make the subQ work.
Any thoughts?
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dranton - Name: Anton Tolman
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?
I don't know if anyone is reading this thread anymore, but here is an update on my situation;
After going through almost three complete courses of Velcade and struggling with ongoing rash and site reactions that just seemed to get cumulatively worse, I finally opted for IV Velcade for my last injection in the 3rd course and for all of my 4th course. It takes a lot longer, but it has made a significant difference. My neuropathy has gotten slightly worse, but they give me most of a saline IV before they give me the Velcade, and that seems to help. No site reactions -- huzzah!
Also, my pharmacy suggested I use Head and Shoulders to reduce the scalp rash, and it *really* helps. I also use it where other parts of my body get a large rash. I do this daily, and it has been very helpful.
Just thought I'd share because I know the subcutaneous vs. IV Velcade is a consideration.
After going through almost three complete courses of Velcade and struggling with ongoing rash and site reactions that just seemed to get cumulatively worse, I finally opted for IV Velcade for my last injection in the 3rd course and for all of my 4th course. It takes a lot longer, but it has made a significant difference. My neuropathy has gotten slightly worse, but they give me most of a saline IV before they give me the Velcade, and that seems to help. No site reactions -- huzzah!
Also, my pharmacy suggested I use Head and Shoulders to reduce the scalp rash, and it *really* helps. I also use it where other parts of my body get a large rash. I do this daily, and it has been very helpful.
Just thought I'd share because I know the subcutaneous vs. IV Velcade is a consideration.
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dranton - Name: Anton Tolman
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
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