RE: Allergic Reaction to Treatment

[Guest guest]

Hello

Our patietnts itching lasted only a few months. I hope your side effects

diminishes soon.

Allergic Reaction to Treatment

Hello Everyone,

I just joined a few weeks ago and asked for

advice for the severe rash and itching that

I was experiencing(thanks again for your help).

I've just been taken off of my interferon/ribavirin

treatment(PEGASYS/COPEGUS)after just four months

because of an allergic reaction(rash over 70% of my

body and dermatitis).

The itching started in the second month and nothing,

not even Atarax or Zyrtec, helped. I tried to put

up with everything because I knew itching,rash,etc.

were some of the side effects. When I had just

started to get a rash at my injection sites and

then on my neck,with itching and dryness, my doctor

said to try over the counter allergy medications and

stay on the meds. He said there was nothing

more that he could do.

I went to a dermatologist after the rash spread and

was told it would just get worse if I stayed on the

meds(which was to be for a year). I didn't go

back to my Hep C doctor right away because I was

tired of hearing that rash and itching were normal.

You know when you can tell something isn't right and

the doctor is telling you nothing is wrong, but you

know that there is? Trust your instincts(I should

have stopped the meds as soon as the rash spread

but couldn't get an appointment right away with the

dermatologist and didn't want to wuss out and stop

treatment).

My doctor said it was the worst reaction that he

had ever seen and had to call in the head specialist

at his office because he wasn't sure what to do.

I wanted to try and continue treatment by reducing the

meds, but he said no. Now I have to hope that I don't

develop any respiratory problems.

I'm applying Fluocinolone Acetonide cream and just

started Prednisone.

I'm really depressed that I can't continue with my

treatment,especially since my viral load was

undetectable after three months(Genotype 1b).

Has anyone had to be taken off of their meds because

of a severe reaction like this? What did you do?

Are there any alternatives?

Thank You,

Ronni

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have

found the support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group,

just click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

[Guest guest]

Hi Ronni, try not to be depressed because of stopping treatment. What you have

to do now is try to get back to your normal life, whatever that is. I've tried

treatment 3 times and had to stop last time at 3 months. No shame in that. The

itching is miserable and you did absolutely the right thing in stopping. Sounds

like you have tried everything. So, just stay on a healthy diet, avoid fried

fatty foods, sweets, salt, alcohol, and drink LOTS of water. It will get

better. And right now there are no alt. treatments. But hold onto your seat,

they will be here and hopefully, they won't be the same poison thats out there

now.

your friend........ric

BTW, I know someone like you who cleared early on and then had to stop

treatment. He remains virus free for four years now. It could happen to you

too. so keep an eye on your enzyme levels.......your friend........ric

Why do you only notice the ceiling when you're laying in your bed?

missed a spot

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply!

Aylin Kantarci wrote:Hello

Our patietnts itching lasted only a few months. I hope your side effects

diminishes soon.

Allergic Reaction to Treatment

Hello Everyone,

I just joined a few weeks ago and asked for

advice for the severe rash and itching that

I was experiencing(thanks again for your help).

I've just been taken off of my interferon/ribavirin

treatment(PEGASYS/COPEGUS)after just four months

because of an allergic reaction(rash over 70% of my

body and dermatitis).

The itching started in the second month and nothing,

not even Atarax or Zyrtec, helped. I tried to put

up with everything because I knew itching,rash,etc.

were some of the side effects. When I had just

started to get a rash at my injection sites and

then on my neck,with itching and dryness, my doctor

said to try over the counter allergy medications and

stay on the meds. He said there was nothing

more that he could do.

I went to a dermatologist after the rash spread and

was told it would just get worse if I stayed on the

meds(which was to be for a year). I didn't go

back to my Hep C doctor right away because I was

tired of hearing that rash and itching were normal.

You know when you can tell something isn't right and

the doctor is telling you nothing is wrong, but you

know that there is? Trust your instincts(I should

have stopped the meds as soon as the rash spread

but couldn't get an appointment right away with the

dermatologist and didn't want to wuss out and stop

treatment).

My doctor said it was the worst reaction that he

had ever seen and had to call in the head specialist

at his office because he wasn't sure what to do.

I wanted to try and continue treatment by reducing the

meds, but he said no. Now I have to hope that I don't

develop any respiratory problems.

I'm applying Fluocinolone Acetonide cream and just

started Prednisone.

I'm really depressed that I can't continue with my

treatment,especially since my viral load was

undetectable after three months(Genotype 1b).

Has anyone had to be taken off of their meds because

of a severe reaction like this? What did you do?

Are there any alternatives?

Thank You,

Ronni

It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have

found the support you need with us.

If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group,

just click the link-- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hepatitis_C_Central/

Happy Posting

[Guest guest]

Hi Ric,

Thank you for your encouraging letter!

Wow, you tried treatment three times?

You're brave and must have a lot of willpower.

I'm sorry to hear that you, also,had to stop.

What were your other side effects,besides itching?

What were you on? Was the dosage changed

each time?

That's great news about that someone

you know who stopped early and still

is virus free.

Sincerely,

Your friend,too,

Ronni

Ric wrote:

Hi Ronni, try not to be depressed because of stopping treatment. What you have

to do now is try to get back to your normal life, whatever that is. I've tried

treatment 3 times and had to stop last time at 3 months. No shame in that. The

itching is miserable and you did absolutely the right thing in stopping. Sounds

like you have tried everything. So, just stay on a healthy diet, avoid fried

fatty foods, sweets, salt, alcohol, and drink LOTS of water. It will get

better. And right now there are no alt. treatments. But hold onto your seat,

they will be here and hopefully, they won't be the same poison thats out there

now.

your friend........ric

BTW, I know someone like you who cleared early on and then had to stop

treatment. He remains virus free for four years now. It could happen to you

too. so keep an eye on your enzyme levels.......your friend........ric

Why do you only notice the ceiling when you're laying in your bed?

missed a spot

__________________________________________________