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Author Topic: Face Rash with Genvoya  (Read 7150 times)

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Offline sespinal60

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Face Rash with Genvoya
« on: June 14, 2018, 11:22:00 am »
Hello all:

I've been on Genvoya for 2 months now and have developed a rash on my face; is this common?  Anyone else have this side effect?  I can only assume it's the medication as I literally have done nothing different in the last 2 months besides starting this medication.

Thanks, Espi

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2018, 12:24:51 pm »
Hiya

Sorry to hear about the rash and hope its settles soon.

You mentioned you have been on this medication for 2 months. Are you recently diagnosed and how are things going besides the rash?

As for the rash well sure it could be caused by a reaction to medication, problem is it could also be caused just about anything and nothing. 1000's of things are known to cause rashes even when you were previously fine including food, bugs or the immune system and the best thing to do is to see a doctor so they can take a look at the rash.

Hope it clears soon

Jim
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Offline sespinal60

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2018, 12:34:45 pm »
Diagnosed in April on a Tuesday, literally started treatment the Friday of that week (April 13th) so it's been two months to the day being on this treatment.  Early on I had some side effects (headaches, nausea, fatigue, gassy and bloated) but those have all pretty much cleared up.  Was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this, specifically because it's only on my face, nowhere else.  I don't use facial creams, only wash with soap and water, literally haven't done anything different but I'll take your advice and consult my PCP.

thanks for the reply
« Last Edit: June 14, 2018, 12:56:50 pm by sespinal60 »

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2018, 12:51:06 pm »
Well sorry to hear about the diagnosis but glad to hear you started treatment soon after and the initial adjustment to treatment has settled down.

After 2 months what is your Viral Load and CD4's looking like?

As for my experience with rashes, i've had plenty over my lifetime including shingles but first year on HIV treatment I used to get red rashes. Initially it was from antibiotics but once I stopped them I still got flareups on my skin not from the HIV meds but simply because my immune system was becoming active and fighting off issues it had ignored, combined with a few bouts of "Candidiasis of the Skin" in other-words thrush leaving my skin with a red, itchy rash.

Quote
I'll take your advice and consult my PCP.

Indeed, as my experience may have nothing to do with the cause of your rash and it could be the meds, but whatever the case it is indeed best for a doctor to check.

Hope things settle soon and keep us posted

Jim
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Offline sespinal60

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2018, 01:10:22 pm »
I'm not actually due to see the specialist again till August but last check I believe my CD4 was only 20; do not recall what my viral load was.  Before diagnosis, I was sickly for about a year or so.  I initially thought it was menopause because my periods stopped, but as I got sicker and sicker I started noticing symptoms that were not consistent with menopause.  This went on for about 8-9 months, then new symptoms starting appearing almost daily (thrush, infections, significant weight loss, etc.) so I finally saw a doctor in March of 2018 and received confirmation of diagnosis in April. 

I am feeling very good now, have gained weight, body rash has disappeared (although I have a lot of scarring due to all the scratching).  Funny how I had horrible rash all over my body and now that I'm on treatment, body rash is gone but now my face is acting up....

Offline Loa111

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2018, 09:03:32 am »
Sorry to hear about your rash and hope it clears up soon!

I can’t answer your question as I’m  a new Dx, however your story has given me some strength, hope and inspiration. I got Dxed 5 weeks ago and just over 2 weeks on treatment. My story is nearly exact same as yours, feeling sick last 8-9 months, nonstop colds, coughing, lung infections, and a gradual but noticeable weight loss and only a CD4 22. I like reading how just after 2 months on genvoya that you now feel better n are gaining weight back. Hope that happens for me too soon enough. On Genvoya too, soon far it’s been fine, a few hot flushes, and a weird spaced out feeling sometimes, though I hear you on the gas n bloating! 🙂 Good luck, hope all goes well for you!

Offline sespinal60

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2018, 10:51:10 am »
Hi Loa111:

Thanks for the kind response, I'm glad you're on treatment; I never realized how sick and bad I was until I started to get better.  I was literally pushing myself thru each day, sick as a dog most of the time, assuming that this was just what comes with getting older....how wrong I was.  I had never really been the sickly-type; a cold now and then, migraines (which I do suffer from), but never anything that required serious intervention or even visits to a doctor.  This is all new for me, keep telling myself that even though I still feel out-of-sorts, baby steps, just focus on getting thru each day and try to be positive.

I was understandably stressed and terrified when first diagnosed, also extremely confused as to how it could've happened.  I always considered myself low risk; monogamous relationships my whole life, haven't been intimate with anyone in well over 3 years now.  I work full-time but generally don't do much else, work, go home, barely get out of my jammies on weekends (I'm raising 2 kids on my own, one in college, the other in HS) so any time I'm not at work is my time (sleep, eat, read); in other words, I'm a boring dork.  Doc asked me when was the last time I was tested and I told him it when I was pregnant with my youngest (well over 15 years ago) and I was with their dad for about 14 years so I just never figured I needed to worry about it.

I grew in the 80s and 90s and remember how it use to be; seeing people wasting away, dying literally within weeks.  I also remember the first time I got tested, in my early 20s, being terrified to find out I was positive.  Never thought it would happen to me as a middle-aged single mom....just goes to show you life is never done throwing you curves.

And thanks for the well wishes, same to you!!
« Last Edit: June 15, 2018, 10:56:44 am by sespinal60 »

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2018, 11:45:48 am »
@sespinal60

Sorry I did not get back to your thread sooner.

Glad to hear your feeling better except for the rash that was covering the body is now on the face.

Seeing just the primar doc (GP) is a good step and keep us posted.

I see you mentioned you started with very low CD4's and as you have not been on hiv treatment for long did they prescribe any antibiotics?  (Bactrim or Septrin)

If you are not you might want to raise it as a question with them as generally speaking until your cd4 come up a bit you should be on them to prevent OI's like pneumonia (PCP)

Jim

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Offline sespinal60

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2018, 12:06:49 pm »
Hi again:  Sorry I didn't mention this previously, yes I was on antibiotics for the first few weeks (one for thrush, one for PCP and one just for general infections, azithromycin).  I took them all for about a month and now I'm only on the genvoya.

Offline CaveyUK

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2018, 04:08:49 pm »
Hi Sespinal60

You may want to discuss the antibiotic situation with your doctor, as it is normal to stay on these until your CD4 levels is safely back at a higher level. The purpose of these are not to treat an infection, but to act as prevention of any infections whilst your CD4 levels build back up.

Until you are safely over 200, I'd expect you to be taking antibiotics as well as your HIV meds. I started at 160, and had to take them for several months.

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Offline sespinal60

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2018, 09:18:55 am »
Oh wow, I did not know that...thanks for the heads up.  I have refills left on all of those meds I listed so I guess I'll get them refilled.  Thankfully, I've been good (healthwise) but it does make sense to be cautious.  Thanks again for sharing this info with me!  TGIF  ;)

Offline JosephP

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #11 on: June 26, 2018, 11:33:55 pm »
 ;D ;D Glad you are feeling much better... And it will be much better soon! Take care..
Today January 20, 2020, I have taken 2378 pills of my ARV since first pill. This means 79 bottles of 30 pills of ARVs at an average of $3950 per bottle or $313,103 USD for my treatment. I have a compliance of 99.83% taking my meds and only .17% (or 4 pills) non-compliant. Of these four pills two I forgot completely, One I lost and one I didn't have with me while traveling! I became UD 3 months after treatment start   ***We are all dealing with this. And we will live long and productive lives!! AND, yes the Lord is my shepherd. Life is good... And thanks for the meds! ***

Offline Loa111

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2018, 11:21:02 am »
I’ve started to develop a mild rash on my face too, and 3 months on Genvoya.
Did your rash clear up or did you find out the cause?
Could be the Septrin I’m on either.

In general I’ve noticed rouge pimples/spots coming n going since I started treatment.

Offline sespinal60

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Re: Face Rash with Genvoya
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2018, 12:08:47 pm »
Loa111:

Hi there....yes, rash did clear up after a few weeks, thanks for asking.  I recommend waiting a couple weeks to see if it clears up for you or maybe asking your physician for some ointment that might help, good luck!

 


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