Rash?

[WowThatWasLifeChanging]

Day 8 of beginning treatment (rayetaz, truvada and norvir) and my entire upper body broke out in a rash. Is this normal? Will it go away? Other than this aide effects have been nil other than a little insomnia..

[weasel]

    Hi WOW ,
                   I was on those MEDS for over 8 years , never had a
     rash issue .
      30 years ago I used to get rashes , but I was not on MEDS at that time.

                                I hope it calms down for you ,
                                                                                Carl

[Ann]

A fair amount of people get a rash one to six weeks or so into starting treatment, and it usually lasts for a week to ten days.

It's normally nothing to worry about, HOWEVER, if you get a high fever and sore throat with it, or it starts appearing on any mucus membranes (ie lips/mouth), go to your nearest ER ASAP and take a bottle of each med you're on (including non-hiv meds) so they know exactly what you're taking.

In any case, you should ring your doctor. He will probably advise that you get some over-the-counter antihistamine (like Benadryl) for the itch, or he may have one that he likes to prescribe. You do need to let him know this is happening.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Ann

[WowThatWasLifeChanging]

Thanks!!

Today the rash has spread down my legs and up my neck. It actually does not itch except for my back. I read about steven johnson syndrome also (thanks Ann). :/ scary stuff!! I am still waiting to hear back from my doctor. Hopefully its ok and goes away and doesnt turn into something worse. I am allergic to sulfa but read another blog on here that says i am still ok to take reyataz.

[Ann]

LOL of course it only itches on your back - where you can't reach it, right?   

I purposely didn't come right out and name SJS, because while I did want to warn you, I didn't want to frighten you. It's pretty rare.

At least you know the warning signs and can get yourself some medical assistance should any of them start to appear. Don't expect them to, but awareness that it could happen is never a bad thing.

Keep us posted!

Ann

[WowThatWasLifeChanging]

Ann- lol today the itching in unbearable! I got sunburn gel and keep applying it to my back. Now itching is pretty much everywhere but the rash itself is looking much better. Im attending a wedding in 90 degree weather next week so reallt hoping all of this stops by then. 

[Ann]

If you're still itching today, make sure you get in contact with your doctor again - he's got no excuse for not ringing you back now that it's a Monday. He should be able to either prescribe you an antihistamine, or recommend an OTC one you can easily pick up.

If all else fails, get yourself some OTC Benadryl. You might also consider speaking to your local pharmacist to see what he or she recommends along the lines of an effective antihistamine.

Also, calamine lotion may be a cheaper alternative to what you're already using - even if you're only using it while at home where no one will see you covered in pink goo.

Try to not scratch, but if you can't help yourself, clip your nails short and keep your hands (and nails) clean. You don't want scaring or a secondary bacterial infection if you scratch yourself raw. Or you could do what Phoebe in Friends did in the one where she had chickenpox, and wear some mittens.

This should be all over and done with by the time you attend that wedding next week. Keep us posted!

Ann

[WowThatWasLifeChanging]

Rash seems to be gone but itching and I look real tan. Doc is worried Im allergic to reyetaz so I am having labs done on liver today to see if jaundice or allergic. She said rash and itching as side effect is unlikely. Dont want to switch meds bc these were chosen bc safe for pregnancy. Sigh. Will know more when I see her tomorrow

[WowThatWasLifeChanging]

Well it appears I am allergic to the protease inhibitors so they took me off reyetaz and norvir and replaced with twice a day isentress in addition to the truvada. Sigh

On a brighter note my viral load went from 52,000 to 854 with just 15 days on meds

[vertigo]

Isentress is great.  Fewer people have side effects than with Reyataz/Norvir.  You just need to be carefully adherent.  The drug is not as forgiving of missed doses as the PI's.  Hope you have a good experience with it.  It if clears up the rash that's awesome.