skin tissue damage from my Inf. injections

[susan400]

Hi there.  Last time I was on treatment, I developed skin tissue damage on my belly from injections.  I always rotate my shots, but for some reason keep on developing this problem.  It finally cleared up last time, but not without leaving scars.  Now, I've developed it again.  It's painful, too.  Since I'm on daily shots again, now this leaves out a whole area that I have to avoid.  You know what, I really hate this disease!  You just get so tired of all the extra things that you have to deal with in the process of fighting it.  Anyhow, for now, I'm using the same stuff my doctor gave me last time.  It's Domeboro soaks on the site, a cream to put on it and for the pain a Lidoderm patch.  I can only use the Lidoderm for short periods of time.  Anyhow, I have not heard of anybody else that's mentioned this problem.  I'm just wondering if it's an uncommon occurrance or what?
Susan

[susan400]

Steve, I know what you mean about the numbness.  I have that on my mid to lower left side of my belly, where most of the scarring is.  Sometimes, I start thinking about quitting all of this treatment thing after 7 times and all the headaches to go with it.   I start thinking, this is crazy!  What am I doing?

Well, it's good to hear from someone else that's experiencing the same problem.

Take Care.

Susan

[Southernboy]

Hi Susan,

Couple of old warriors aren't we.  I just finished 48 weeks of daily infergen and 3 times a week gamma interferon.  I know just how you feel.  Had the same problem with tissue breakdown.  Was told by my docs that it was the interferon that caused the tissue and muscle damage and that nothing could be done about it except to keep rotating sites.  It got so bad toward the end that there was actual nerve damage in my left thigh that caused pain and numbness.  I had to stop using that one.  The pain has since gone away but the numbness is still there, somewhat better, but still there.

Keep the faith; although I did not clear on the tx and it was tough to take, it did result in an improvement in my liver.  This gives me more time to fight this thing.  My next attempt is a new clinical study with Albuferon/Riba.  Should be interesting and hopefully will result in SVR.  I'll let you know.

Be strong and know that there will be better times to come.

Best,
Steve

[Nwlywed]

Hi Susan-I am sorry to hear you are having so much trouble.  I haven't started tx yet, but I do know of a couple of oils that help scars and injection sites. Arnica oil is an herbal antiseptic and also soothes sore muscles- I use it in my massage practice for trigger point relief-which would be as painful as an injection site. you need to rub it in and use it often.Buckthorn or Lavender oils will reduce dryness and itching. Lavender is also a calming scent, and oil. Weleda makes both, found in healthfood stores or the website is www.weleda.com
Hope it helps...God Bless

[scruffy]

Just a thought, Susan, are you injecting depp enough? Frank

[Tony-z]

Susan,

I have experienced the same thing. This is my 3rd time on tx and I have areas on my thighs where the skin healed after the completion of my first round of tx, but came back as an itchy scaly spots about 1.5" in diameter in two places.
When I inject in the belly I get large bright red spots that take several weeks to go away.
I have had to use the belly alot more because I am afraid of irritating the areas in the thigh.

         Hope you find something to help.

                    TonyZ

                  

[susan400]

I guess that the reason why I say that it's permanent tissue damage is because a year ago, when the doctor diagnosed me with the 1st round of tissue damage, after it healed up, I was left with scarring and it never went away.  Now I have a new area that has started up.   I will try to use some Vit. E directly on the spot.  I have the capsules that you can break open and use the gel out of it.

Thanks Rev, for your admiration of me, I don't know that I deserve it, but thanks anyway.

Susan

[Sunag]

Hi!

I have been experiencing similar itching on my skin around the injection area. This area kind of turns red in a couple of days and is slightly swollen. Then the skin starts peeling off (like the skin from sun burn) in the next 2-3 days. The itching is so bad, that its a struggle to avoid scratching.

This started around the 8th week of taking shots.

But with all the other side effects i am experiencing (anemia), this itching is very tame---in my case.

-Sunag

[honey1616]

Hi,,,Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your injections.  When I first started,,,I had some redness for first month but then that all went away.  You are doing daily shots?  I agree with Rev,,,,I truly admire you as you are such a fighter!  How long have you been on and do you know if this is clearing the virus yet?  Its infergen right?  I pray this will be your very last round and you will then be free of this virus.

[susan400]

I've been on my treatment, this round, since June 5th.  This time it's Infergen daily, Actimmune 3 x a week and daily Ribavirin.  I'm anemic, too.  And my white cells are low at 1.2.
I'm just going to keep plugging along, God gives me strength.

Susan

[Califia]

Interesting...did you see the Rash Behavior thread I started?   Would you mind describing exactly what's going on with you?  Any surface thickening, encrustration?  Or just ongoing inflammation of a dramatic sort?   What leads you to believe this might be permanent tissue damage? Looks like there might be two Lobster Women here.   Hullo!  Waving ragged claws!

[cuteus]

when you factor all the extra complications we sometimes deal with on a regular basis, it makes for many battles been launched at once to address many diferent enemies.  

Have you tried vit e capsules? many surgeons are now suggesting using the oil fo minimize scarring, these are conventional medicine practitioners...
.just my small input in hopes to ease some of your discomfort.

take care