side effects?

Okay Im on my fith week of riba and pegintron...these last couple days Ive started having a sensitivity to sunlight issue....I took my kids to the park for an hour and I felt like I was sun burnt and I was wearing 50 proof sunblock...when I touch my skin it feels like I have a bad sun burn and I started to get a heat rash.....my eyes feel like someone threw sand in them and overall I just feel like ****...is this something I should bring up to my doc?...or is it just normal stuff with the riba...My docs arnt in till monday they dont work weekeds so Ill have to wait till monday

[charm27]

Hi. I had the same issue with my skin. I couldnt touch the skin on my face throut tx. I was told NOT to sit in sun and honestly from being so weak I  dont think I could have anyway. However I did get the sensitivity like you said when I touched by skin..it was very uncomfortable....There really isnt anything you can do about it. I had lots of sx that were just odd like feelings, sensations hot- cold and my face felt like I had a 3rd degree sunburn all the time. It was a challenge to say the least. You will see how fast the sx come and go. One goes another comes!
I wish you well and hang in there.....
At least your not scratching I scratched for 55 long weeks! Itch city!!!
Health to you
One day all this will be in your past!
CHARM27

[meakea]

Yup...avoid the sun...riba doesn't like it.  Spring has finally come to the midwest and I sat on our deck for about 1/2 hour but I had a long-sleeved hooded sweatshirt on, jeans, socks...hood on my head and yet the next day the little bit of skin that did show (from where my sweatshirt sleeve ended at my wrist) was severely reddened for the next week!  I wear sunglasses every time I go outside -- even if the sun isn't brightly shining because the eyes are sensitive to.

If it's just sore red skin and you aren't blistered, you should be okay.  If it's more than just red skin though...you should have it looked at.

Use over the counter eye drops for dry eyes such at Thera Tears or Refresh Tears, etc.

[jonney4141]

i have the skin rash, and i do believe it is also from sun, still waiting for blood work results, it can itch like CRAZY!!!!! i have to keep lotion on and was taking benedryl (only worked for one night) than was prescribed hydroxyzine hcl 25mg, i wish they would of given me this from the beginning, i notice my skin and scalp burn and itch when in direct sunlight. i love being outdoors, but now must be very careful or else?

[jmjm530]

Very common with treatment. Not just the sun but the heat as well. As far as sun block is concerned, try and use a real block like with the Blue Lizard line of sun products uses. That way it works instantly. Fallene Cotz is another good one (check the internet if not local) as it contains only titanium and zinc, both blocks. But in addition to sun blocks you really should cover up with hats, shirts, etc, and ideally just stay in the shade.

[Proactive]

Actually the sun didn't bother me at all during tx (as in sunburn,tan etc.), but the heat difinitely did..
What I'm finding a year post tx is, I do bruise much easier (platlets are fine, ya da, ya da)..And I have accumulated a lot of fat mid body, and it seems much harder to take off!! (could be my 51 years of age)...Mid life crisis? Pre bilateral hip resurfacing surgery jitters? I have a bid in on a spin cycle!!!!, go figure (I can peddle, but I can't walk).
Hope all are coping with tx best they can..Pro

[newleaf09]

Sun sensitivity is the peg, rash the riba.  I don't have the sun thing thank god.  Go to the drug store right now and buy a humidifier.  it doesn't help the dry eyes much but really improves the rash.  You won't get rid of every spot but you will most of them.

The dry eyes I deal with by wearing contacts and some days I have to reset them a couple times with a drop of Blink eyedrops under them to get through the day.  The dry eyes are driving me the craziest.

At 5 weeks you are on target for reduced hgb, mine started dropping around 3 wks.  It's almost more exhausting dragging down to 10 and below from normal 12-14 at the beginning than staying around 10. You get a little more used to it and make rules, like "I will not stand, climb or carry".  If I cook, I sit on a stool.

Be watching for mood effects from the interferon, mine started about 6-7 wks.  If you get them it will be either depression or great anger.  Find an anti-depressant you can take; I had to try 4-5 (several made me super-hyper) and ended up on a half dose of lexapro.  I am not at all dopey or overly agreeable from it, just feel normal but mean things no longer drop out of my brain and onto my tongue.

The sides will switch around as you go along, but you will deal with them all.  Do tell your doctor in case it's anything he can help you improve on.  Whatever the side is, it beats liver failure.  You'll do fine.