POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: mecch on December 18, 2008, 10:19:45 am
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3 weeks into this combo and pretty happy with it.
Had skin chills and constant irritability with Sustiva.
So now - small rash. Its two different rashes -
1) Large and small allergic looking red blotches on upper torso, neck.
2) And then small scaley pink to normal colour blotches -- torso, but not in same places as the red blotches.
I suspect the scaley stuff is fungus that is rapidly resolving. It was on my face and scalp for two weeks at the end of the sustiva combo. The ID said it was dead fungus that would eventually resolve now that my virus was controlled.
I suspect the red blotches are allergy adjustment to reyataz??
My skin is so freaking dry. Anyhow, anyone who had similiar reactions
1) how long did it last for you?
2) any normal pharmarcy medicines or cremes that worked?
3) antihistamines?
4) any natural holistic ideas.
I will ask ID next week if he can get me in before xmas.
It itches like crazy!!
In meantime, on some weird intuition I thought I needed good skin oil and bought organic cold pressed Avocado Oil. When i got home I searched on the Net and found that Avocado oil is particularly good for skin and eczema and psoriasis. So maybe this will do the trick.
Now that I'm on HAART, I'd like to avoid a multitude of pharmacy drugs. I once destroyed my skin with overprescribed cortisone... And I'd rather not use the antifungals nonstop the rest of my life.
Anyone ever do UVA treatments in a dermatologists, for HIV-related skin problems??
Thanks!
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I can't believe you didn't get a lot of responses to this right away! Yes, the rashs are a initial side affect of any one of the drugs you're taking. They go away very quickly once you adjust to the drug.
Yes, definitely do take antihistamines. And I have a trick I use for the itch --Solarcaine (yes, the sunburn cure). It does get rid of the itch, temporarily, till you get rid of the rash.
For me, the rashs tend to last about a week more or less, and of course I always expect (and get) a rash whenever I introduce a new drug. So I'm always ready for it. They can typically last a week or two, depending on how you treat it.
If you get a really really bad case, your doc can prescribe a steroid to help you heal quicker, but that's heavy stuff that you should use later if the above doesn't work.
good luck!
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Hi richie, thanks for the tips!
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ID says: Seborrhoeic dermatitis - the cause of my rash, and caused by IRS - immune reconstitution syndrome - getting better on the HAART. He says not an alergy to the Reyataz. Best regards.
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Dear Mecch,
I have the same problem with this combo, Truvada/Reyataz/Norvir, since I am taking it now 3 years ago.
And my doc just told me the same: seborrheic dermatitis.
I have in my face oily and dry skin, and tend to oily in the rest of the body. Apparently, an oily skin is more likely to dehidratation and irritation my doc says.
Solution?
I've been trying with different kinds of shampoo and soap, and finally I found that classic soap, the old one our grandmothers used with boiled water to do the laundry (I do not know how do you name it in english) is the best. My skin is now much better.
I also use a moisturizing cream after shower, and then a couple of times more during the day, on my face, to all the frontal area, nose and below the eyes. Also apply it in the upper back and shoulders and in my hands, and repeat the operation before going to sleep.
And it is going for sure much much better now, no more itchy skin or descamation. But, when I stop or am no so consistent (during travels, or so), itching comes again very quickly. So I guess this will be a permanent condition as far as I keep taking these meds in particular.
I've never been keen to use creams and things like that, hardly shave and cut my bear twice a week... ;-)
But now, I feel like Andy McDowell just saying"because I worth it" ;D
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I was on the same combo for 3.7 years I changed to Intelence and stayed with Truvada and all my skin problems improved, don't need to use cream anymore (E45 and Oilatum gel i used to use) I changed my meds. due to drug interaction(Seretide-Norvir) but I'm pretty sure that in my case Norvir or Reyataz was causing very dry skin . recently I was diagnosed with dermatitis seborreica same symptoms that you've discribed now it improves as well I'm treating it with Nizoral cream ,shampoo and BP 0.1% w/w topical corticosteroids cream (Betamethasone valerate cream).
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A bit different drug combo than you (Crixivan, Norvir, Epzicom) but I developed this nasty looking and feeling rash at the bottom of my rib cage on both sides that was circular in shape and about the size of a salad plate.
I was on the combo for one month until my next docs appt at which point he ended this combo saying the Crixivan was toxic for my body and that I should have ended the drugs immediately when I noticed the rash. DUH...he did not even tell or warn me of this very dangerous side effect.
At the time I started this combo, my CD numbers were in the low 300s and I was still undetectable.
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I just started meds 3.5 weeks ago; this combo of Reyataz, Norvir, Truvada. When does the rash appear or does it not in some? I haven't heard this from my doctor. I have only had nausea and lethargy for about 6-7 hours after taking them.
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Storm, everyone will react to a combination differently. Many people have had great success with Reyataz. My allergic reaction started after about 6 weeks and also was triggered by a highly stressful plane ride and family tragedy - so stress. Nevertheless, it was a genuine allergic reaction so I got off that combinatin and back on Sustiva Truvada. That combo gives me a different side effect - chills, anger, but also great dreams. My ID says both are "partial failures" because I'm not undetectable yet. Waiting to start the next one next week.
I think if you have a upbeat attitude in life, and about the treatment, it helps a lot to minimize side effects, so I wish you every success.
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I have been on the combo Reyataz, Norvir, Truvada for 6 months (my first meds). No rash. No major side effects other than occasional 'light headed' type headache. but that has disappeared as well, about a month ago. First blood work after being on that combo for only two months took my VL from 440,000 to 41 and CD4 from 292 to 444. I'm curious to see results at my next clinic in 2 weeks.