Stage 3 Incivek Rash

[DresdenO]

I've noticed its difficult to find good illustrations of a stage 3 - severe Incivek rash. I've developed one in the last two weeks and have posted a couple of photos to illustrate it on my personal journal as well as the one here. I go to the hospital in a couple of hours where I think they'll admit me, to monitor the rash more closely. I finished my twelfth week of Incivek on Monday. The question now is whether the rash can now be brought under control without suspending the interferon/riba for the next twelve weeks and I would welcome input from anyone who has had a similar experience. I understand the Incivek takes about 6 days to clear the body. I began treating aggressively with a heavy steroid cream last night and there has been noticeable improvement. I can provide more details of the dazzling array of medications I'm currently on if anyone is interested. I was UND at 4 weeks and waiting on the 12 week pcr.

[mzkity]

Good luck to you. Get a good nights sleep!!!

[DresdenO]

Tuesday update: after meeting with my liver doctor this morning I have conceded that to halt the treatment at this time is not as disastrous an outcome as I had thought. He and his colleagues are of the opinion that because of the excellent pcr results so far it is likely I have already cleared the virus and a further twelve weeks on interferon/riba will do more to increase the drug companies' bottom line than my chances of ultimate success. It is a gamble, but I feel that it is one I am willing to take. I will cross my fingers till the next pcr's 3 and 6 months hence, and in the meantime am so looking forward to the absence of sleepless nights, sweats, zero appetite, wild mood swings, foggy brain, shaking hands, trembling knees...and just not feeling like my normal, grumpy self. All the best to my wonderful friends here, who've been instrumental in guiding my judgements about the therapy and I will keep you updated as information comes in.

[Dee1956]

Hi very glad you are going to the hospital, as Willy said this can get very bad and it looks pretty bad right now.
Hang in there

[LookingForward12]

P.S. I could NOT go in the sun...or heat....very difficult because I live in the South! Just grateful I only had to endure four months of warm weather while treating. I would not advise sun either.

[LookingForward12]

I feel your pain and wish I had found your posts earlier. I have sent you a message.
I am pulling for you! With the right adjustment of your meds, I believe you can beat the rash and continue your treatment.

These medicines are so powerful that for some of us they work really well, but then begin to poison us and the result is The Rash.  I had DRESS and it took prednisone to stop the progression of the rash and the edema...but I managed to stay on treatment for the full 24 weeks. I'm now SVR.

[Advocate1955]

Glad to hear you're off to the hospital.  Hope to hear from you later today as to how you're doing and what the ER docs are doing to help you.
Advocate1955