Lichen Planus and Hep C

I believe this skin disorder is not as rare as I have read. I think many people have this problem and the docs don't know what it is and don't have a clue as to treatment. My husband went to many skin doctors and got the same results. Lousy advice and no improvement. Creams, creams and more cream. Has anyone found what works to get rid of this? What started out as a rash on his lower legs has taken over his entire body. I am aware that there is no cure but there has to be something that helps. Thanks.

[jmjm530]

I'm assuming your husband is treating for hep c --

Lichen Planus is associated with Hep C, and treatment often brings out the worst in any skin condition. There's also a form of Lichen Planus caused by a drug reaction -- so possibly the treatment drugs are causing it.

If you haven't had the lesions biopsied by a good dermatologist, you should. Biopsy is important because so many of these skin conditions mimic one another, and diagnosis even gets more complicated under treatment as multiple skin conditions can co-exist at the same time.

I was diagnosed with guttate and plantar pustular psoriasis with a suspicion of cutaneous t-cell lymphona, shortly after treatment.

Photothreapy (UVB Narrow Band) for the Guttate finally seemed to keep my leisions repressed and a lot better than smearing yourself with all those creams. (Be very careful of medium to strong cortercoids on the face as it can cause permanent skin thinning not to mention rebound) My understanding is that photothreapy is also used for Lichen Planus. For my hands and feet (plantar pustular) they used Xtrac Laser. You might look into this for Lichen Planus but make sure your insurance covers it -- $200 a pop and two pops a week.

You can also try an immunosuppresive cream called Elidel for some of the sensitive spots like face which you might not want to go under the light if he demonstrates any photosensitivy because of the ribavirn.

Lastly, if things get really out of hand, there are systemic meds -- at least for psoriasis -- that will clear things out. I held onto this ace as a last resort as I didn't want anything to interfere with the treatment meds. But if push came to shove -- better go with the systemics than be forced off treatment by the skin condition.

The best dermo site I've found is the New Zealand Dermatology Association. You also might want to google Lichen Planus Hepatitis C -- but again, treatment-related skin conditions are a whole other animal. I'm told things should start clearing up with me 2-3 months post treatment.

Here's the link to New England Dermo..

http://www.dermnetnz.org/scaly/lichen-planus.html

As you probably know, none of us here are doctors.

All the best luck.

-- Jim

[genedog]

yes i had it for years did every med i could find till a dr told me it was from hep c and gave me kenalog cream skin will be brown after it gone for about 2 years

[can-do-man]

Hope your doing ok. And Mr. moma to. Quit playing hide and seek.

[Xenigma]

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[dyce]

The type of anemia we get from taking riba is called hemolytic anemia. This occurs when the riba destroys red blood cells faster than the body can reproduce them, thus causing a drop in hmg. a oxygen carring molecule found in red blood cells. So with the lack of red blood cells circulating less oxygen is distributed thru out the body causing this anemia. The brain , muscles, heart all pay a toll from this condition. Usually it's treated with blood booster called procrit.

  pernicious anemia is a condition caused by a lack of the b12 vitamin. B-12 is important for for red blood cell creation and the condition is usually tx with b-12 shots. This is definately , like your doc said a different type of anemia.

Folic acid anemia is caused by a lack of folic acid a nutriet esential in producing normal cell growth. It is usually caused by dietary deficiensies especially in children.

Good to hear your mmg is holding, keep up the good fight, Dyce

[lilmoma]

Thank you for asking about me, I am doing ok I guess. I am soooooooo tired. I just dont know how I am going to get through this job of mine, it is so physical, and when I wasnt treating there were days I came home (most) so exhausted. Now, I spend most days fighting the sensation that I could just fall down. I get so tired I become very clumsy, and well you know, dropping things, walking into things (walls)
I just did shot #7.
I stopped posting b/c I feel like this forum is an "exclusive little club" and new people are just ignored anyway.
I think most people post for the "small talk" I dont need everyone of my posts to be a question about what is going on, b/c I know exactly what is going on.
You have been one of the few that would talk to me. I feel bad enough these days, I dont need to feel rejection on the web too.
My boss is getting nervous about my contion, I think, b/c I am so tired, and I think there may be things going on behind the scenes (based on alot of questions he asked on friday)
Sorry, I am babbling, I just feel like there is noone that understands, or really cares, it is depressing.
lilmoma

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Lilmomma, the stress makes the treatment drugs worse.  Work can be stressful under the best of circumstances, even when you aren't on toxic meds.  Try and take care, treat your body as kindly as you can, and take time to de-stress when you get home every day.  Rocker is right, the wrong diet can make you feel worse.  My anemia makes it hard to exercise, I am proud to go to work every day.  I miss those feel good endorphins that you get when you exercise. I really do understand how hard treatment can be, and I hope you feel better.

Can Do, how are you this fine Sunday morning????

[can-do-man]

Girl i don't know how you can do physical work on this poison. I know i couldn't. There isn't any S on my chest, heck don't even own a red cape. maybe there is a few that can. But that would be very few. As for this place being a "exclusive little club", its really not. Lots of us felt that way at first. Just come in and post what ever, Thats what i do. Heck most of what i say don't even make any sense. You say you know whats going on, well you got me beat there. Best to you, and don't make me  come looking for you.

[can-do-man]

Not bad this Sunday morning, how about you? Been behaving? and if so why? And if not tell me all the  details.

[can-do-man]

Should clarify one thing, About the S on my chest thing. Before this poison i was known to be superman a few times. :)

[suzieq2]

Hi everyone, Hope to find everyone well. I haven't checked in awhile. Enjoying being back to life.I had this skin disorder before and during treatment.After stopping treatment, it starting slowly going away. 3 months post, it's almost gone. I would love to get a tan, but what I have left would show up more. I was told by DR. that it would never go away. WRONG it will.I just took good care of my skin, Lots of hot baths, with all kinds of bubbles and baby oil, a bath brush or luffa. I use a lot of johnsons baby lotions and products.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Super Can Man,

I am feeling pretty good for someone pumping this much poison in my body!  Just got thru cussing a blue streak because my lawn mower won't crank!  I kinda think I flooded it.  ;o(  And I am pretty much behaving.  Really, I promise.  No really.  Well, I just can't tell about it!

[dyce]

I see your feelin your oats, how are ya today?

Dyce

[Algernon]

Hey. I've been thinking about you a LOT.  Sorry to keep saying this but how's your BLOOD (anemia wise).  You have followed exactly the same crash schedule (in terms of weeks on treatment) as I did. I thought it was all treatment and I literally ended up going to bed for weeks--NOT my normal personality.  There was no choice (I actually started letting my kids sleep with me because I was too tired to put them to bed--they're 8 and 10!!--please don't call Nanny 911).  A

fter several weeks of Procrit, I started feeling better and better.  Almost normal now!!  I can actually take care of my kids AND work (I could not do that for many weeks).  In fact, during those weeks, I couldn't post here.  Now, I can't seem to keep my opinions to myself.  Here's my strongest opinion:  This "treatment" is torture.  (But there are strong connections among the oppressed!!  People Unite, etc. Deb

[dyce]

Good mornin there lil moma, I can relate on the work deal, it's not easy working on the meds. I hope your boss and the company you work for will treat you fair. I literally have to drag this ole dyce outta bed for work and the mon. seem the worst. I know what you mean , sometimes I think I'm a nuisance here but I post anyway , we can't please every1 can we? Keep posting ,we want to know how your doin.

Keep your chin up, Dyce

[friole]

Oh how I can relate to the exhaustion and the problems with work.  Right now I am working about 50 hours per week -- all desk work, but extremely intense and extremely fatiquing.  I must keep up this schedule for two more weeks.  Normally I work 75 straight days thru April 15th (tax accountant).  This year I am taking off Sundays and find that is not enough.  About every 4 days or so I feel I am going to drop.  My hemoglobin is at an all time low (for me -10.6) and my workload is suffering. I cannot keep up with posts here anymore and didn't realize you were having such a bad time.  If you don't mind repeating yourself (or direct me to your previous posts), what is your hgb, and are you taking/considering Procrit.  I know I could not get thru this without it.  When I do physical work, I just get totally knocked out.  I sympathize with you on that.

note to Rocker -- timely information on the black cumin.  I must check up on that. I had a nasty respitory infection that put me to bed for 3 days.  They said it was bronchitis but I never had coughing, just enormous chest pains (which are still there, altho less).  I will check up on this herb.
kathy

[Xenigma]

I used to get this rash you are talking about on my lower legs when I lived up north.  Ocean water and sun would get rid of it in a month or two.(But I had to wait until summertime to get to the beach) Went to many Dermatologists and they didn't know what it was but they rx'd many creams over the years for it. Nothing helped until I found by accident the sun (an hour or so and the ocean water-I even would fill bottles of the ocean water to bring home with me)
Now I'm back in South Florida and I got it again (mildly) once in the winter of 2005, so I just laid in the sun an hour each day and used my pool (which is salt water) and went to the beach on Sundays for some real salt water and it went away in a month. The cold weather was triggering mine. If you go to the beach make sure you use lot's of sunscreen especially if you are on tx.  I also used to wash my legs with Noxzema.  Someone once told me that Noxzema was made for people with eczema. Noxzema is short for No Eczema. Don't know if it's true or not but it didn't help anyway.  Tea Tree oil after my shower was great! No more itch & I believe it helped it heal faster. I use Tea Tree oil for many things and it's just wonderful!!
I hope your husbands rash goes away soon as the weather is getting warmer now...
enigma

[can-do-man]

says....just foods im eating,...... Yeah if your a bird.... Just kidding i think, No really if you enjoy it then eat it. On the bright side you don't have any dishes to do. Rock on rocker.

[can-do-man]

So whats going on with you today?

[cajunlady]

Hello Lilmoma:

I understand your feelings.  And, yes it is hard enough just doing tx. It makes you wonder what did I do wrong.  You did NOTHING WRONG. I got the same feeling when I first started posting.  And, I figured if I did something to offend someone I am sorry, if they choose not to forgive "Se Le Vi" (such is life) and I move on, H*ll I'm cajun; pretty strong personalities; but fun loving too.  I know my maker forgives me every day and that's what counts.  Don't stop posting; just reach to the ones that you connect with. How far are you in treatment now.  I just crossed my 1st milestone; 12wk pcr.  And, I have to admit, that it was hard up until about 2 weeks ago. And, since I have started Prozac and Ativan for anxiety, things will get alot better.  I just did 14/48.  
Hope you start feeling better; and please post when you need to.

Les Le Bon Temp Roule / means (let the good times roll) even as hard as that may seam on tx.

cajun

[lilmoma]

Im sorry for being so full of self-pity. I hate myself right now. If only you knew me before this tx,........I was always "the best employee, the one with the reputation to work the hardest" I was super-mom,......I would pull a 16 hour day, come home clean house, and then work-out for 1 1/2  hours. then I would be looking through cook-books for a special recipe I wanted to fix. Go go go, like a little speed-freak all the time. Every person who knows me, knows that about me.
Now,...it goes beyond just being humbled, its humiliating,  I feel unable to do for myself, I am too tired to do for others. I wanted to call a friend the other dy, and all I could think was "I should be giving to others, not taking" I got most of her phone number punched in, and then just hung up before connecting. Its like "I am, what I can give and do" and now "I need" and I dont know how to handle this. I am not able to even be honest about how tired I am, I find myself "playing it down" when asked, or worse,...I apologize for being tired. So, heres goes again,........Im sorry guys for being so freakin self-absorbed,..I cant stand myself right now. Please hang in there with me, I really am not the little creep I sound like right now.
lilmoma

[lilmoma]

Oh today is my 21st wedding anniversary, I am getting ready to go to Outback for steak.
Hubby just took shot 39, so now he down to single digits (he has 9 to go) I just took shot 7,.................oh my God
My numbers really are not too bad, albeit, I have not had any labs for a few weeks. My hemo, to start, was 12.6 week 2 it went down to 11.6, then on my last labs done it had gone down again to 11. I go for labs again in a couple of weeks.
lilmoma

[dyce]

Ha guy,  just got back from the ciruit. You know grocery shoppin with the wife and the job took 3 stores. Actually felt pretty good to get out. The sx's don't seem as bad this rd of peg, but I'm not braggin , I've already seen that change real quick. Gettin ready to watch the race and just kick back the rest of the day.

   I'm hopin this tx is helping. I noticed digestive improvments, no more clay colored stools and the weird itching I use to get hasn't been around for a little bit.

How is your day goin? Dyce

[amommy]

Just wanted to send you a BIG HUG.  I felt VERY much like you describe over the past couple of weeks.  My heart is bleeding for you.  You know what?  I finally realized that I DID have to take.  That meant taking every bit of support I could get from this board.  That also meant sucking as much support as I could from a few close family members and friends. IT IS OK TO NEED RIGHT NOW!!!!!  Don't beat yourself up over it.  It took me a while, but I realized that my house is going to be a mess, and well, if someone doesn't like it, they can drag out the vacuum and mop and do it themselves!  The good news, is that for me, it seems to have gotten a bit better after a couple of weeks.  Forgive me for not remembering, but what is your hgb these days?  Can you get procrit?  It sounds like you might be suffering from anemia.  Also are you on anti d's?  If not, would you consider something (even if just a relaxer) to help take the edge off?  I just want you to know that we DO care about you.  We are thinking of you.  And, you can come here ANY TIME you need to vent.  
I am not sure if you have read back down to some old posts, but I think you will see that you got quite a response to your post on the bad day you were having.  People really do care!  Hang in there.  I understand how hard it is.  Look at your kiddos, hug them extra tight and know that they have an unrelenting, unconditional, unequivocal love for you.  YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!

[amommy]

Happy Anniversary!  Hope you enjoy the day today!

[beamishboy]

Can-Do: read that yu r increasing Riba dosage-Yeow superman& goodluck!
Lilmoma: Some of the MANY side effects of this awful medication is Anxiety,depression,paranoia,fatigue--YOU Are Not alone-it's so DIFFICULT keepin our sh!t together on trx..This is insidious poison and it creeps in w/ the hepC fears & can stir up lot's of simply awful,morbid,BLACK emotions..I assume yu are using AD's?? Please talk w/ your med team about emotional issues-they are manifestations of meds and Our very Real fears...GOODLUCK,please keep posting
Algernon: hows my dawg??? i  like image of y'all cuddled-up in bed togethr-Gotta help them BLUES-sweet...
Dyce-hey fella,how yu hangin?
DAle-Ray :peace be w/ ya BROTHER...hope all is going just jimdandy down Memphis way...i fell in luv w/ a dancer in your fair city one nite many years ago-can't tell the whole tale here(esp on sunday,later) Be Well
Rocker--how much black cumin per day? Pump sum iron for me.wouldja?

[cajunlady]

I can totally understand; you are not alone. I was the one here that did it all, work, get the kids where they needed to be, cook, etc, etc.  When I started tx; I started to feel guilty and worthless.  It is the meds honey.  I do not know how you do all you do on tx.  I know your hubby is on tx also, that makes it very hard, because you are both in the same boat.  I finally had to let go of trying to accomplish it all; and that was hard for me.  Call your friend; true friends will always be there and ready to listen.  Let them help you, it will make things easier.  Sounds like hubby is almost done, in time you can lean on him more.  I don't know if you are on AD's or not; they will make a difference in your mood and feelings.  And, it is okay to be in a self pity at time; look at the POISIONS we are putting in our bodies; and we are trying to adjust the best we can. BTW at the begining everyone said it will get better as your body adapts and I have to admit, I did not think that day would come; but it did get better.  Hang in there; it is okay to feel what you feel.  It will get better, I promise.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!!  AND, ENJOY YOUR NIGHT!!!!

cajun

[goldyn]

lilmomma - most of us at one time or another have felt just like you its truly an up and down rollercoaster ride ask your doc for some ativan it relaxes you and helps you sleep if your having problems with that...plus watch that anemia make sure its not creeping up on you...
      amommy - you sure sound better today your such a sweet soul. hows your toddler?

[NYgirl]

Said: I stopped posting b/c I feel like this forum is an "exclusive little club" and new people are just ignored anyway.


you nut it's just that us big mouths who never shut up post all the time and new people can't get a word in edge wise!!!!  ;-)

When I was new I felt the EXACT SAME WAY and I kept wishing I could be more involved. But like ANY type of friendship it takes a while to get to know people you know? It's not that people are ignored intentionally it's just as you make friends here and there it's easy to say HEY so and so how you doin!

Don't ever let anyone think this is any little club or anything - it's a club we are ALL in together.  (But I remember exactly what you are saying).

Anyway - when was the last time you had your hemo checked because it sure sounds like the anemia is starting to click in. There are days when yeah we SURE are tired - but you sound like you are getting TOO TIRED right now. I feel the same way every day and can't wait to get home and sack out BUT not nearly as desperately as you do.

What is your hgb? Are you having it checked weekly right now cause you sure should be. Remember the Epogen (or Procrit) take a few weeks to kick in but they DO WORK. When I kept fainting cause of the anemia I really didn't think I'd be able to continue but I listened to the guys in here and fought through it - and I am so glad I did.

Your friend Debby

[NYgirl]

You know we love you - just reading that you TOO Felt the SAME WAY when you joinned makes all of us OTHER insecure fruitcakes feel better :)  Aren't we a bunch of fools sometimes?

It seems like this stupid disease makes us feel so ALONE that we automatically assume that we are being ignored or something when in reality...we're just fitting in and don't even know it LOL.

Thanks for posting that. I think the more people who read that we've ALL felt that way - the better they will feel too!

[can-do-man]

Happy Anniversary lilmoma, so you gonna pig out at the steak house. if i can't be superman your just ain't gonna be super-mom on this stuff. Now i got to go post to amommy on this hugging bit. That my job here to all the gals and she ain't gonna take it from me.

P.S. hope you gain 5 lbs in the tush for not inviting me.

[can-do-man]

you said.....Just wanted to send you a BIG HUG..... You can have the job here of hugging all us guys. Heck i'll be first, but you ain't gonna take my job away from me. Im in charge of the gal hugging department.

[can-do-man]

says..... Aren't we a bunch of fools sometimes?...... Sometimes? Im one all the time, and durn proud of it gal.

[NYgirl]

PLEASE use your super special voodoo to help ME gain five pounds in the tush!  I would prefer more like ten but I'll be happy with just five at this point!  I ain't got noassatall  waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa   ;(

SuperduperCanCan Voodoo magic! (Sounds like a Red Hot ChiliPeppers album doesn't it?)  ;-)