Mystery rash (pic on tired), sick, hsopital 2x since Thurs

[Penelope1911]

Hi ya'll. sorry not posting. too sick. My folks have made me go to the hospital 2x since Thurs. The docs dont know what it is. Blood in my urine, rash from head to ankle, fever, vomiting, HEADACHE, and all they do is give me narcotics...which i WONT take, pills for nausea, and creams. THEY DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH ME!!!! Last night they gave me an IV and shoved a whole bunch of stuff in my vein over the course of a few hours, but I don't know what it was, i was too sick to ask. Then after I fell asleep they decided to release me. My hgb is 11, whites are 4, and I have a appointment w/ GP on Monday. I do feel better today, ate a little and POSTED A PIC OF MY RASH ON TIRED!!!! PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!! HELP!!!!!!!! I am soooo sick.

[stangshelly]

I have the rash also, especially on my face! I don't know what to do for it but lotions, loofa, lotion and lots of water...I wonder if it is stress related, have been under a bit myself...hang in there..:)prayers for you today shelly

[sallyo]

Just learned of your distress.  I know you have gone to bed since you posted on the other site.  Just wanted you to know when you check tomorrow that I am thinking of you.

[chcnme]

OMG, you poor thing.  I read your note on the main forum and came here to read more, and then I saw the picture of your rash.  With the blood in your urine and coming OFF treatment and having started no medications that could possibly cause this kind of rash  (if I have read your note right) is

[painterlady13]

Oh Mequila, it looks so uncomfortable...  I know today is sunday but maybe you and go get some kind of anti itch spray.  I believe what I have here is Aveno (just looked) it does stop the itch and burn of rash.  I hope you can get into the doc tomorrow and get something for it.  Take care my friend,  Nicki

[Lady E]

Get better soon. My prayers are with you.
-E

[l-horn]

That is exactly what mine looks like only it's on my lower arms and upper back/chest. Funny, and it may be in my head, but it seemed to have gotten better once I got on procrit. Also, I use hydrogen peroxide on it a couple of times a day and that seems to help some. I'm 22/48 weeks.

[mremeet]

So it sounds like your rash definitely did not come on until AFTER stopping your treatment? Again I'm certainly no doctor, and this is really stabbing in the dark, but if you have been having a fever and vomiting, then it sounds to me like you've come down with some kind of viral or bacterial infection. I think you said your neutrophils (ANC's) are only 400? If so that's quite low, and from what I gather an ANC that low could make you overly vulnerable to infections. I had Scarlet fever when I was a kid and had a rash similar to what you have all over my body. The rash was caused by a reaction to toxins the bacteria releases within your body. Not that this means you have scarlet fever of course, it's just an example of how an infection of some type might be responsible for all of your symptoms.

Wish I could help more, obviously it sounds like ongoing professional help is definitely warranted. I've been taking antihistamines like benadryl and Atarax to help control my rash and to make me sleepy so I can crash when I need to. If what they've given you isn't really helping, ask your doctor if you can try Atarax. Atarax is commonly prescribed to HCV patients, apparently it's relatively liver friendly in pretty high doses. Try taking 50-100mg of Atarax (with doctor's approval, of course); that should settle you down and alleviate some of the itching.

Hope you feel better, take care.

[Penelope1911]

THANK YOU FOR THE SITE!!!!!! It looks just like what I got!!!! Mom is printing it off right now and we will be taking it to the Dr. on Monday, or if I get sick like yesterday again we'll take it to the hospital w/ us.

I have had a fever between 99.9-102 for about 4 days. No meds after last riba on 1/18 until Thursday nigh after going to hospital. They gave me a narcotic called Tamadol? and an anti itch pill called hydrolizine...then again they gave me something for puking last night, and a cream and pumped my IV full of stuff. i don't know what it all was...I was too tired to ask. But all of that was for the pain and puking and rash, so it isn't the culprit...I haven't been on anything but peg/riba and my normal "psych meds" lol for months.

[mremeet]

Hmm, so you stopped meds recently? Did you have any signs of this rash before you stopped? Or did it only erupt after stopping?

I don't know anything about why you might have a slight amount of blood in your urine. I know women get urinary tract infections (UTI's) commonly (men sometimes too), so not sure if that might have something to do with it. Did they give you any antibiotics? If they thought you might have an infection, they would probably give you antibiotics. Antibiotics can cause rashes like that in some people. Do you know what they gave you at the hospital and especially in the IV? When I had my rash I had to take a drug called prednisone and then I went to the ER and received an IV drug called Solumedrol. These drugs suppress allergic reactions, and if your rash is caused by an allergic reaction to something (not always easy to tell unfortunately), then they can definitely help (they have downsides though). My rash was a little worse off than yours when I first went on prednisone. The prednisone really provided relief at first, although later on after coming off of it I got much worse.

Anyway let us know some more details about what drugs you've had, whether or not you've had a fever lately and when did you first notice the symptoms of the rash?

[jmjm530]

Saw you posted already. Sounds like we're on the same page.

[jmjm530]

MK,

"Seabean" posted to you in the main forum in the thread called "Jim".

Mre,

Part of the above post was addressed to you, not "Me" as I mistakenly wrote.  

[compulsive]

OMG

Thats a terrible rash - and I just read your post.

no - that post wasn't directed at you AT ALL

I've been composing that darned Chit chat thing for an hour...
(SHHHH... don't tell) and just now saw your thread here.


Man...It looks painfull, and the other stuff sounds terrible TOO!

I'd take Jim's advice about not leaving the GP's without referals.  WOW
Hope you get real relief SOON!!!

[jmjm530]

Maybe it's something systemic and tied in with your fever, vomitting and possibly what may be a urinary infection. Did you start taking some antibioitics or other drug just before you got the rash?

Here's some pics of what is called drug hypersensitivity syndrome.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/reactions/drug-hypersensitivity-syndrome.html
Wonder if that's what Mre had on Vertex or something similar?

Here's another type of rash that's associated with fever, etc, but more common in childhood but when you're on the tx drugs that can change the equation:
http://www.dermnetnz.org/viral/viral-exanthem.html

Anyway, if I knew what I was talking about I'd be making the big bucks with a derm diploma over my desk, but no harm in printing out the photos and descriptions and taking them to your doctor (s) as well as looking through this particular site. That's what I did during tx and it was helpful. But just keep in mind that many skin conditions mimic each other so don't jump to any conclusions until you see a doctor. Speaking of which, I'd definitely show your rash both to your treatment doctor as well as the dermatologist.

Feel better,

-- Jim

[Penelope1911]

My last interferon shot was 1/11, and my last riba on 1/18. I am just miserable and so darn sick and they can't or won't help me.

[mremeet]

Wow, sorry to hear about your miserable rash and hospital stay. I don't remember your treatment status offhand, are you presently in treatment? (sorry, my memory is shot lately) Can you describe your situation and what might have caused this? I'm not a doctor, but the pic you posted looks like it could be a classic drug allergy. I had a really bad rash a few months ago due to a drug allergy, and I went through a bunch of stuff I can share with you. But it would be helpful to know if you're even on treatment first?

[Penelope1911]

ok, here it is on photo bucket. It covers all of me but is the worst on back and arms and legs. Not to bad on face, and nothing on feet or fingers. Is this what the riba rash looks like? I just had small "pin *****" looking dots while on tx.


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w318/mkeela/UnknownRash.jpg

[Imagine]

Hang in there mkeela! I don't need a pic to see that you are suffering, I am sorry you are going through this. I am glad you felt a little better today. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better.

Get better soon and I hope you get some answers/relief soon!

[jmjm530]

Blood in the urine is fairly common (could be a simple infection) but better add "see a urologist" to your to-do list. At this point you want to take an aggressive approach in terms of getting  proper diagnosis(s)and taking appropriate action. Don't leave your GP without at least two referrals -- derm and urologist and maybe have him run a kidney function panel and a urine stick analsyis while you're in the office.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

If you want to go to the bother, you could post the picture at Photobucket, Snapfish, AOL or a similar photo sharing website and then post the link here, but sounds like you're better off just resting.
Phtobucket: http://photobucket.com/
Snapfish: http://www.snapfish.com/welcome
----------
In any event, you will need to see a dermatologist for a final diagnosis. Sounds like you're going through a very difficult period. Just try and hang in there and hopefully things will get better soon.

Be well,

-- Jim

[Penelope1911]

Thanks jim for the advice and well wishes, and thanks pln for flagging him. No,they didn't call in a derm. I hav an appointment mon w/ Gp at 7 PM...lol. I will call a derm on Mon. Never thought of that. Just too sick I guesss. Thanks love ya all, mkeela P.S. they said there was blood in my urin, and it really concerned them, (yeah but not enough to do anything about it)...wht all causes that???? Its not visible in by the eyes and it scared me. I am such a mess.

[Penelope1911]

tiredofmhgroup it an msn group and it was created so we could "chit-chat" long before the community group was made.

[jmjm530]

Never heard of a dermatologist who didn't give a diagnosis. They're not always right but they are never shy. Did they bring in a dermatologist when you were at the hospital? If not, I'd try and get in to see one on Monday -- tell the appointment secretary that it's an emergency. Seeing your GP or even your tx doctor just won't cut it IMO although you should keep them in the loop. Maybe if you tell us the name of the web site where your picture is posted, somone can find it. Hope you feel better soon.

-- Jim

[pln]

I am going to flag Jim, he is really good with rash and skin things. you are going to be o.k, .

[Penelope1911]

I don't know how to post the link...maybe someone else can if they know how. I wish that we had a place to do that here right now!!! Im so miserable! IT BURNS AND ITCHES AND IS SO PAINFUL!!! At least tjhe headache and tummy is better enuf to get on the pc. Thanks fo the reply though. Hope someone comes along and maybe will post a link to the pic. I need a diagnosis...lol!! I am getting pretty scared, so is my family.