Taken off treatment for Rash

[Not 4 Gotn]

I have read several postings about people being treated and having severe itching and rash, but still continuing tx.  My GI doc took me off because of itching and rash.  I was so bummed!  I know there are other things on the horizon, but I wonder if he is right.  I was taken off tx in January 2006.  I haven't been able to throw away the rest of my meds because I keep thinking, maybe he will let me start again (not to mention the cost), but after several trys, he still says no, it may do more harm than good.  I feel I should trust him.  I may just go for that second opinion or see a Hepatologist (which I didn't even know existed until signing on to this forum).  If anyone has had a similar experience or know of one, I would appreciate any comments.

[NYgirl]

Can you imagine we had life BEFORE google?  Seriously I wonder what will be the "next" one and what it will do.

Well if anyone was concerned or confused those pictures will straighten it out cause that sure ain't RibaRash is it.

[NYgirl]

PS Moisturizing the ENTIRE body with a good thick lotion such as Gold Bond Triple Threat Anti Itch (green bottle red top) several times a day COMPLETELY GOT RID OF THE RASH FOR ME.

Then I stopped using it and it came back. So I started with the lotion again and GONE!

The ribavirin is a STRONG medication and while the body acclimates to it this is a very common side effect.  I'm so sorry this happened to you - when he could have at least just tried things like hydrocortizone that you can buy at the grocery store or pharmacy first!

[NYgirl]

You REALLY need another doctor because this "rash" is VERY common on treatment.  I had it EXTREMELY bad (and still have the scars to prove it).  I did not stop treatment and instead tried and tried and tried until I finally found what helped make it go away.

And while it was a complete nuisance (and I didn't look so hot) it CERTAINLY was NOTHING that could make me stop treatment!  I really hope you find another doctor who will know in the future what the RibaRash is.....

You might be lucky though because if he stopped you for this I can't imagine what might have happened when the hemolytic anemia hit.

[Jeffyboy]

I have had the same thing happened to me rash and other symptoms including fatigue my doctor said that he did not think that they were caused by the Hep but I have been living with the symptoms and he has been living with a clean liver. where is the fun in that. sometimes Doctors can be a whole lot of fun. You have my prayers because I too have not started tx yet and have many symptoms. I know this I am hopeful that everything will work out even with the sx, and I hope it works out for you too.
Jeff

[Forseegood]

Hey Pigeon! hope you had a good dinner!!! anyway, here is a really pretty comprehensive detail on hcv symptoms, don't know if you've seen it before, just in cast anybody hasn't...I like the fact that they validate symptoms that some doc poo poo..why? Cause they actually talked to patients!!! ain't that a kick??? the docs and researchers should try it who are still going on about HCV not causing symptoms until cirrhosis...really glad that there are some of them out there who validate us...

http://janis7hepc.com/Symptoms.htm

Hope all is well...

[cuteus]

you need to consult with a hepatologist, that is the bottom line. the little red bumps are part of the tx. I did not noticed them until my dr pointed them out to me on my belly. they did not itch, though. maybe because I have been on U-lactin lotion for yrs and it kept my skin from overdrying.  
inform yourself to what is normal while on tx, and get someone experienced in treating a lot of hep c patients.

[pigeonca]

I have rashes like that and I'm not yet on treatment.  It could be a result of the hcv.

[way]

I went to a dermatologist to get my rash under control, and after 2 cortisone shots, antibiotics for scalp infection,and being prescribed the weakest to the strongest cortisone cream, it took about three weeks to get it in check. Now I am fine except for a few dry areas that the derm told me to continue to rub the weakest cream on so they don't turn into psoriasis.

When I went to GI, in the middle of this, his eyes got really big and he said "What happened to you?" I said,"Don't worry it's just a reaction to the drugs, I'm under the care of a dermatologist" and he said OK, and approved me for another month of meds. My GI doesn't treat sides, and said if my blood get s too low he will refer to a hematologist. Is this what they call treating aggressively?

[Not 4 Gotn]

The rash was small red dots, mostly in the fold or my arms, under the arms and folds of my legs and thighs.  However, the itching was more like someone sticking little needles all over my arms, pain so bad I cried, and I still get these symptoms even after 9 months after being taken off tx.  Don't know what a malar rash is, can you expand a little on that?