Now he has a rash...

[mercyriver]

My poor husband doesn't seem to be able to catch a break!

He started breaking out in a rash last week. It started on the back of his hands and his arms. Now it is all over his upper body, except his face. And it has started showing up on his legs. Lots of little bumps that itch like crazy. Not hives, looks likes hundreds of bug bites.

He went into urgent care last week, getting into a Primary Care Physician seems to be impossible any more...are there really that many people in the world?

They said he had contact dermatitis. Prescribed him a hydrocortison cream and an antihistimene. Wasn't doing anything so he called them back and they prescribed a stronger antihistemine. So now he is itchy, grumpy and drowsy. And the rash still hasn't gone anywhere.

We are going to try to get him into a dermatologist early next week.

Anyone have to deal with a rash? It is now almost 12 weeks post BEP.

We also have to consider it might be his heart medications....

Gotta love it.......

Becki

[Fed]

Let's take this step-by-step.

He started breaking out in a rash last week. It started on the back of his hands and his arms. Now it is all over his upper body, except his face. And it has started showing up on his legs. Lots of little bumps that itch like crazy. Not hives, looks likes hundreds of bug bites.

The first thing that comes to mind is food poisoning... has he eaten anything out of the ordinary?

He went into urgent care last week, getting into a Primary Care Physician seems to be impossible any more...are there really that many people in the world?

A lot of it is luck of the draw. My wife and I have GPs that are in the same practice. If I have a complaint, my GP will see me within hours. If she has a problem, she would have to wait a couple of weeks to get an appointment. It may be the cancer history, but yes, fewer med students tend to go the primary care route... it's not as "glamourous" as other specialties.

They said he had contact dermatitis. Prescribed him a hydrocortison cream and an antihistimene. Wasn't doing anything so he called them back and they prescribed a stronger antihistemine. So now he is itchy, grumpy and drowsy. And the rash still hasn't gone anywhere.

Yup, contact dermatitis is also possible. Grumpiness may be due to the hydrocortisone; after all, it still is a steroid. Not as potent as decadron, but still a 'roid, nonetheless.

Gotta love it.......

Becki

It seems like it never will end.. just try to take it day-by-day .

[mercyriver]

Thanks Fed

He actually ended up going into the ER yeterday, the rash was getting worse. They still agreed it was contact dermatitis. They put him on prednisone and referred him to dermatologist, it always amazes me how quickly you can get into see the top specialists after you visit the ER.

And as of last night the prednisone was already working. And he will follow up with a dermatologist this week.

So hopefully it will continue to be what it is, not much of anything, but an annoying rash!

Becki

[Margaret]

Becki, I am glad he is feeling better!!

[mercyriver]

Atopic Dermatitis

Well my husband saw a dermatologist this morning and was rediagnosed as having Atopic Dermatitis due to Chemotherapy. The dermatologist told him it is very possible to get a rash from Cisplatin and Bleomycin both. She said the stress of chemo most likely brought on the underlying atopic dermatitis. And considering atopic dermatitis is a lifelong condition, who knows how many rashes the poor guy will have to deal with. Thankfully we are not strangers to atopic dermatitis. Our oldest and middle girls both have it. She prescibed him a super strong cortisone cream.

So thankfully we will be moving in the right direction and get rid of the rash.

So, just a heads up, BEP CAN cause skin rashes, even after the fact!

Becki

[sldl1106]

Becki -

I'm so sorry to hear that this cropped up seemingly so long after his last treatment. I hope it clears up soon and stays away.

Thanks for making us aware these things can happen post-chemo.