I've been on IB for 2 months and this is the second time I've had a serious blistering rash on my legs that itches like crazy and makes it hard to wear shoes.
I had this same rash last month which I thought was due to Allopurinol alone - my onc had me stop taking it and paused IB (280mg) for 5 days. Now after being on IB (alone) for another 3 weeks the rash reappeared (not quite as bad as before).
I've emailed my onc (who is not a CLL specialist) and I see him next week but I'm wondering if anyone else has had to pause IB due to rash. If so how long did you have to pause and did it reoccur?
I never stopped imbruvica, and have had blistering rashes. When it happens it's rough, tough (no danger of popping) and later can turn into red bumps when filled with blood or just sinks back down and heals as brownish red rough spots.
The doctor looks stumped at it and just told me to put 1% hydrocortisone on it to stop the itch. Ice packs also work.
Causes - every time I get a blood draw I get the blisters around the site the needle went in.
I started to wash off the area while still at the dr office waiting for their lab results. I suspect my skin reacts to whatever they use to disinfect the area because the blisters will follow the pattern and path of the rub-on of the disinfectant. Another time I had a rash on the back of my hand and I suspected it was from the metallic-looking inner coating of a can of pringles that I put my hand in to get the chips out. I think it's a crazy skin allergic hystamine problem. If I catch it when it just starts and put the hydrocortisone cream on it, it goes away faster and is not as severe, and most important - doesn't itch as bad.
For me the hydrocortisone and ice packs help but doesn't make them go away faster. Someone else said Prednisone (prescription) might help. Haven't heard back from my doctor yet. I'm off IB until I hear from him. I'm surprised your doctor didn't reduce your IB does for a while.
I hope you're not getting as many and as large as I have (9 from 1/2" to 2" across).
Thanks for your feedback.
no my bumps are small, and if I could read braille, I'd try to read the bumps to see if my body had a message. My dr doesn't stop the imbruvica for the rash and never suggested it