My friend John had a stem cell transplant last August. The result was very good, he is doing brilliantly working almost full time and he is very happy and in good mood.
However he has had troubles with his skin ever since the stem cell transplant. It is itching terribly, especially in the night time under the blanket. It is small red spots and sometimes flaking a bit.
He currently gets no medication for his myeloma (Revlimid maintenance is not standard in Europe).
The doctors has tested him for everything including AIDS(!) but they can't find any reason for his skin problems.
Has anyone experienced or heard about similar conditions? I just can't believe it has nothing to do with the stem cell transplant and/or the chemotherapy he got.
I would be most grateful for your response!
Love
Amelie
Forums
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
Amelie,
Has he tried taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine)? Allergies can be hard to pinpoint. My mother kept getting hives but had a hard time tracking down the cause. After repeated outbreaks, she finally traced it to blue dye in one of the pain pills she was taking for her arthritis!
Lyn
Has he tried taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine)? Allergies can be hard to pinpoint. My mother kept getting hives but had a hard time tracking down the cause. After repeated outbreaks, she finally traced it to blue dye in one of the pain pills she was taking for her arthritis!
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
Thanks for your reply! I will check that out.
However I don't understand how a 60 year old should suddenly develop allergy? Except from the multiple myeloma, he has always been healthy, and I think the doctors also tested that. But I will look at that pill.
Thanks!
However I don't understand how a 60 year old should suddenly develop allergy? Except from the multiple myeloma, he has always been healthy, and I think the doctors also tested that. But I will look at that pill.
Thanks!
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
Unfortunately the drugs that we take for the stem cell transplant change things in our bodies. I developed full body rashes quite frequently for the first 8 months after my transplant. I finally decided that it was a sun allergy because any time that the sun hit my skin, even with 50 sunblock, I would get the rash. This happened in the winter months, too, so it wasn't from the heat. That finally subsided, but I have been reluctant to go out in the sun this year. Fortunately, on one level, it is so hot here now that I don't want to go out at all.
My skin is much drier than it used to be. My hair is a different texture. My toenails are different - toenail fungus has resolved without treatment. Yippee for the chemo! And, bugs don't find me tasty anymore.
Each day is a new day in learning about this new body. I guess that's one of the reasons that they call our transplant day our new birthday.
Nancy
My skin is much drier than it used to be. My hair is a different texture. My toenails are different - toenail fungus has resolved without treatment. Yippee for the chemo! And, bugs don't find me tasty anymore.
Each day is a new day in learning about this new body. I guess that's one of the reasons that they call our transplant day our new birthday.
Nancy
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
Thanks a lot for your reply Nancy!
I don't think John's troubles are related to the sun, but it sounds reasonable that it is all caused by the medication and of course it can appear a bit different from person to person.
I wonder why the doctors are so sure it has nothing to do with the myeloma treatment even they have no better suggestion.
I don't think John's troubles are related to the sun, but it sounds reasonable that it is all caused by the medication and of course it can appear a bit different from person to person.
I wonder why the doctors are so sure it has nothing to do with the myeloma treatment even they have no better suggestion.
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
A very interesting read. I am now 1-year post transplant and I wonder what the heck has happened to my body and blood. Insects never found me attractive, I was always looking after my kids. Now, I am covered with large bites that take weeks to heal, swell up immensely and itch like crazy! I honestly don't even hear the mosquitos (or whatever) at night, but I wake up in the morning and have fresh bites.
I'm not sure that there is a remedy but it sure has changed my enjoyment level at the cottage etc.
BLauder
I'm not sure that there is a remedy but it sure has changed my enjoyment level at the cottage etc.
BLauder
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bevlauder
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
My husband had a terrible time for about 4 months after his stem cell transplant in 2008. He had the itching, hives, and rashes that would come and go, seemed to be unrelated to any particular drug, food or activity. Finally cleared itself up after his body hair grew back. His skin still gets dry, a dermatologist recommended using Crisco on his skin. Once we learned how to use it (only need to apply a small amount and gently rub in), he hasn't had any problems. We now use an organic vegetable shortening by Spectrum.
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Carol
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
Could it be shingles? Shortly before Dom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, he developed a bad case of shingles. Apparently, that was multiple myeloma's first manifestation.
2 years later, after his stem cell transplant, he ended up with them again.
Just a thought.
2 years later, after his stem cell transplant, he ended up with them again.
Just a thought.
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Nanette - Name: Nanette "Deaux"
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My dear husband, Dominic
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring of 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
I had an autologous stem cell transplant in February 2009. Very successful, as I went into near complete remission and have not had to have any treatment since then. Am not taking any maintenance drugs.
Began with a rash in October and have had a rash and itchiness since. Sometimes it covers most of my body. Sometimes just a small area. Sometimes the rash looks like small pinpricks. Sometimes it looks like large reddened areas or like hives. At first I thought it was a medication reaction. I now have been off that medication for several months. I also thought it might be related to sun exposure as it seemed to get considerably worse after vacations in the sun, although it hasn't seemed to change much this summer.
I have tried various oral medications, ointments, creams, etc. with nothing really helping. I am currently taking antihistamines and using a pimecrolimus cream (the package insert says that the cream has been associated with increased risk of blood cancer with long term use.) The dermatologist says that my problem is driving him crazy (but he doesn't have to live with the constant itchiness!).
Began with a rash in October and have had a rash and itchiness since. Sometimes it covers most of my body. Sometimes just a small area. Sometimes the rash looks like small pinpricks. Sometimes it looks like large reddened areas or like hives. At first I thought it was a medication reaction. I now have been off that medication for several months. I also thought it might be related to sun exposure as it seemed to get considerably worse after vacations in the sun, although it hasn't seemed to change much this summer.
I have tried various oral medications, ointments, creams, etc. with nothing really helping. I am currently taking antihistamines and using a pimecrolimus cream (the package insert says that the cream has been associated with increased risk of blood cancer with long term use.) The dermatologist says that my problem is driving him crazy (but he doesn't have to live with the constant itchiness!).
Re: Rash & itch one year after stem cell transplant
Thanks a lot everyone for your replies! 
It is really interesting and useful for me to read. It seems to be fairly normal having skin troubles after a stem cell transplant. But they appear very differently.
Antihistamines seem to be the most effective drug, but the effect stops if you don't keep taking them.
I just wonder if it is the high dose chemo or the transplant itself which causes it.
It is really interesting and useful for me to read. It seems to be fairly normal having skin troubles after a stem cell transplant. But they appear very differently.
Antihistamines seem to be the most effective drug, but the effect stops if you don't keep taking them.
I just wonder if it is the high dose chemo or the transplant itself which causes it.
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