Concerned about a friend

[skeebo1969]

     I have a friend who has not been really good about keeping track of her HIV situation.  She hasn't really gone to the doctor like she should and I  only imagined after hearing her what her last set of numbers were that she was walking a fine line between life and death.  She recently told me she has a dry, persistant cough and has developed a rash on her face.  She said both have been going on for a while now.   I urged her to go to the ER immediately because she doesn't have a physician she regularly sees.  I just received word from her that the doctor thinks the rash may be cancer and they have prescribed her  Bactrim in the mean time until she can see a specialist.

   My question is: can KS be mistaken for a rash?  I am worried about her and just wonder if maybe the doctor told her this so she would get her ass in gear (hopeful thinking).

[Hellraiser]

     I have a friend who has not been really good about keeping track of her HIV situation.  She hasn't really gone to the doctor like she should and I  only imagined after hearing her what her last set of numbers were that she was walking a fine line between life and death.  She recently told me she has a dry, persistant cough and has developed a rash on her face.  She said both have been going on for a while now.   I urged her to go to the ER immediately because she doesn't have a physician she regularly sees.  I just received word from her that the doctor thinks the rash may be cancer and they have prescribed her  Bactrim in the mean time until she can see a specialist.

   My question is: can KS be mistaken for a rash?  I am worried about her and just wonder if maybe the doctor told her this so she would get her ass in gear (hopeful thinking).

Pretty sure that KS presents as a very dark lesion, not in any sort of rash pattern.

Here's a google image search of KS
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Kaposi%27s%20Sarcoma&ech=14&psi=WQMtTOfOFsi0tgem1cS8CQ12780183915580&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

[Jeff G]

I have had KS . Mine didn't look like a rash but I have seen it present that way in early stages .

I'm sorry to hear about your friend Thomas . I have one of those also who I have to yell at and hand hold on a regular basis .    

[skeebo1969]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend Thomas . I have one of those also who I have to yell at and hand hold on a regular basis .    

Thanks J, It's not necessarily that I have to get on her.  She's a single parent with 3 little boys and just really puts all her time into taking care of them and not herself.  I know she's scared, but she's not freaking out or anything just yet until she finds out more. 

[Jeff G]

Hopefully as you suggested her doc is trying to spur her into being a little more proactive , however I wouldn't think much of a doctor who would resort to that tactic .

[skeebo1969]

   After speaking with her again, Rasheen said it was ok for me to let you all know it was her.  She said if you all could keep her in your thoughts and prayers she would really appreciate it.  She is having a rough go at it right now.

[leatherman]

I'm really sad to hear that Rasheen is having such a rough time and will keep her and the little ones in my thoughts.  Here's hoping things aren't as serious as they sound and that she returns to better health asap.