Yet another side effect after FCR

[Mandy56]

After the acute anaemia, disappearing neutrophils and infection in both eyes, I now have a rash all over me, except my face. It’s 3 weeks since first FCR. The antibiotics i’m taking list a rash as a possible side effect. Has anyone else suffered this? No raised welts, just an annoying mildly itchy unattractive rash. 🙁

[Wroxham]

Yes Mandy. From Co-trixomol (septrin) antibiotic. It cleared within 2/3 weeks of stopping the antibiotic.

Not saying this is causing your rash though. You need to speak to your

Doctor's.

Sue

[Mandy56 in reply to Wroxham]

Thanks Sue, will do in the morning.

[Hidden]

Septrin caused my rash in cycle 2. Does the rash go down before the next tablet is due? It did with me and helped to recognise Septrin as the problem.

Take a photo to show your consultant.

Trying to think. I went to the GP and he gave me antihistamines.

[Mandy56 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I’m not on Septrin. I’m on Aciclovir (which lists rash as a side effect), Allopurinol and Co-Trimoxazole. I’ve sent a photo to the Flair trial team and will see GP tomorrow as Sue suggests. Just feel it’s one thing on top on another at the moment.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to Mandy56]

Cotrimoxazole (Septrin, Bactrim) is used as a prophylactic treatment against PCP and toxoplasmosis.

~chris

[kaymack in reply to Mandy56]

I also got a severe rash that my doctor attributed to Co-Trimoxazole. It started after 4 cycles of FCR. I'd been on it for months as a prophylactic. It took several weeks to clear and was very itchy. It was my first and only allergic reaction.

[Anthonymac in reply to Mandy56]

I had a rash on body and legs , stopped the Alopurinol and Co- trimoxazole and was put on pentamidine via a nebuliser for the remaining 5 chemo. Now I have finished the FCR, I am taking Aciclovir and 250mg Azithromycin mon/wed/ fri.

Kind regards

[Luckyliss in reply to Mandy56]

Hi Mandy after my first FCR I had rashes all over as well - I was taking acclyvir and allopurinol too and I was always told to take a Benadryl every 6 hrs and it always helped me but would fall asleep...

[Mandy56 in reply to Luckyliss]

Right. What’s Benadryl? Can I buy it over the counter?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to Mandy56]

Discuss it with your doctor, Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has lots of side effects, and never drive on it.

~chris

[Luckyliss in reply to Mandy56]

We use it for allergies in USA I don’t know if any negative side effects except sleepiness or if you take too much -jittery

[GMa27]

Yikes! So sorry to hear that. Definitely show to your doctor. I start FCR in 2 weeks.... Hopefully going forward, you are side effect free! 💜

[Mandy56 in reply to GMa27]

Good luck! Hopefully you will have an easier time of it than me and we’ll both come out the other side feeling great. 🙂

[Jm954 Administrator]

I had an extensive and impressive rash because of Allopurinol.

Interestingly it appeared to only affect the parts of me that were in the sun (despite the factor 50), I was in Cuba at the time. My haematologist advised me to stop it and the rash disappeared.

[Mandy56 in reply to Jm954]

That’s what the Flair team think this is due to, from the photo I sent them. I was in the sun yesterday, although in long sleeved Tshirt and jeans, so maybe it’s the same. I’m breathless too, did it affect you like that?

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to Mandy56]

I was pretty breathless anyway as I was not long into having treatment. My rash was on the areas of me only covered by light clothing, shoulders, arms, neck.

It should disappear over a week or so if you stop allopurinol.

[WimUdo]

Cotrimoxazole is known to cause a nasty rash, I had this condition after the first round of FCR . Cotrim was replaced by Dapson 100 mg to prevent the risk of getting pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (a potential deadly pneumonia). There are not so many alternatives for Cotrimoxazole, so ask your CLL specialist for alternative medication.

[Elremsetay]

I’m sorry to say that for me (hopefully not you) it took over a year (plus) to get over the side effects of FCR treatment - and I could only tolerate 4 rounds in summer of 2016.

Following treatment, I had very low counts across the board endured about 20 transfusions because of low hemoglobin, hemolytic anemia, hospitalization with the flu (extreme neutropenia), megadoses of steroids, IVIG infusions, and a platelet infusion. Terrible year at work - I’m a high school chemistry teacher- permanently tired. Had to wait so long to get cataract surgery that I could not drive in rain or at night - that was the BEST surgery ever (spring 2017)!

The GOOD new is that Jan 2017 bmb showed I’m in full remission - 😁

March 2018 blood counts still low but seem to be creeping back to normality. Kept well most of the year and had more energy at work until May 2018 when I got shingles down the back of my leg - nasty - couldn’t sit. That is now cleared up and I’m looking forward to more active summer vacation than last year!

It seems we all take a different journey with CLL - hang in there everyone!

[GMa27]

How are you doing? Are you taking biotin for hair/nails? Was going to buy but didn't know how many mcg to get.

[Mandy56 in reply to GMa27]

Hi, back in local hospital waiting for blood transfusion as HB to low for planned chemo tomorrow. As it has to be irradiated and ordered in specially no idea how long i’ll Have to wait. I’ve been admitted, so don’t think it will be any time soon. Don’t let this put you off. I’ve just been unlucky in my reaction. The dose will be reduced next time, so hopefully not too bad then. 🤞

[GMa27 in reply to Mandy56]

Hope it goes well for you. My first round will be admitted to hospital. Glad they will monitor me well. Did anyone suggest biotin?

[Mandy56 in reply to GMa27]

No, don’t think so ...

[GMa27]

Did you start ur next round?

[Mandy56]

No, was in hospital having another blood transfusion. Steroids that had been prescribed by the local hospital to improve the rash, knocked all my bloods down! More bloods today and will know tomorrow if it’s chemo on Thursday.