RA and biologic injections

[Lupusrelative]

Anyone been prescribed biological injections for RA? Since starting them my sister is getting a blister rash which rheumatologist and dermatologist can’t figure out. Anyone experienced something similar?

[Chrisellie]

Sorry no. I am on Tocilizumab injections for Large vessel vasculitis GCA and PMR. I have a rash but only small dots over torso arms and legs but had this prior to injections so no help at all.

Does the information leaflet mention this.

I know people who had developed rash around injection site and had to stop biological.

Hope you find cause as looks painful.

[Lupusrelative in reply to Chrisellie]

No, nothing around injection site

[JGBH]

No idea. It looks dreadful. What biologic is it? Perhaps it’s a sign she should stop and try another one. Let’s hope the rheumatologist gets more information about this problem and that your sister can get some help soon.

[Lupusrelative in reply to JGBH]

Humira generic

[JGBH in reply to Lupusrelative]

Thanks for reply. So what did rheumatologist say? Suppose the treatment has been stopped. Have the marks disappeared?

[Lupusrelative in reply to JGBH]

The dermatologist, who seems to be very good, will speak with rheumatologist regarding treatment. They took her off biological injections and the blisters have cleared up. Still some skin peeling. She is feeling pretty good at the moment although her RA is always painful. Strange that the blistering hasn’t come back since she stopped biologics. Could also be because of the cooler, less sunny weather. Will keep you updated xx

[JGBH in reply to Lupusrelative]

There’s obviously something that has badly reacted with her. Hope the pharmaceutical company will be informed so they can try and find out what the problem might be. It is s worrying when we use these drugs when in fact there’s no certitude they are safe.

Pleased she’s feeling better and hope she’ll be able to have a new treatment soon to help her cope with the dreadful RA pain. xx

[lowraind]

Could it be an allergic reaction?

[Lupusrelative in reply to lowraind]

Probably. They’ve just done a biopsy on them to see if that shows anything.

[Hidden]

I have RD and Vasculitis and I've never seen anything like it. I'm on Truxima for Vasculitis but no Biologics for RD.

[Hidden]

Have they ruled out Pemphigoid? It’s an auto immune disease too.

nhs.uk/conditions/bullous-p...

[Jmiller623]

That’s wild looking. Not a common reaction to biologics. That needs to be biopsied. I agree with whoever mentioned pemphigoid. Check coagulation and platelet count with blood blisters. Could you go to A&E and ask for dermatology to biopsy and have cell counts checked? Or maybe call your GP for an appt?

[Lupusrelative in reply to Jmiller623]

They did a biopsy this week after she insisted. They are not itchy just painful 😞

Unfortunately, she lives in the UK, can’t just go to A&E and have them jump me on it right away.

[Jmiller623 in reply to Lupusrelative]

I hope you find some answers soon! They look painful. I really feel for you. Keep us up to date. Sending hugs. ❤️

[Lupusrelative in reply to Jmiller623]

Thank you J. So very hard at the moment. Our other sister died four weeks today from lupus associated illnesses. 😞

[Lupusrelative in reply to Jmiller623]

So biopsy didn’t show anything. The dermatologist said it looks like discoid lupus. More bloods before they prescribe imuran and dapsone.

[Jmiller623 in reply to Lupusrelative]

That’s not nothing. You can get bullous lupus (usually systemic not discoid) but I think it’s pretty rare. Sounds like all arrows point towards something autoimmune. I’d see if immunosuppression helps. I hope it does! And I hope those blisters get better.

[Lupusrelative]

So the blisters really flared up last week. New one on her knee. Emergency appointment with dermatologist after rheumatologist called them.

Still no biopsy results. Dermatologist called in colleagues and they thought it could be Steven Johnson (no) or Sweets Disease. They also gave her a steroid shot and Doxycycline antibiotics and acyclovir antiviral.

Hoping biopsy results come in this week.