Pegasys - allergic reaction at injection site

[Otterfield]

I have been on Pegasys for seven weeks now (ET) and my haematologist is happy that it's starting to take effect. For the first couple of weeks it was fine, apart from flu like symptoms, but then I started to get an itchy rash at the injection site, which lasts for several days. My consultant has now prescribed an anti histamine to take about an hour before I inject, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this reaction and whether a single anti histamine tablet really sorts it out. It doesn't seem like very much to counteract a rash that lasts for four or five days. Next injection is Monday but I would really like to hear any experiences or advice in the meantime.

Thank you all.

Jennie

[JackLina]

Hi

Sometimes I do and other times I don't. This has been mentioned previously on this site and one blogger suggested cheap needles. It's something one wouldn't normally consider but it could be possible that not all needles are the same. Perhaps Roche sometimes buy cheaper one?????

[Otterfield in reply to JackLina]

Thank you JackLina. Well that might be an explanation at least, but it's a bit alarming if the company are not always using the best quality!

I will see how I get on with the anti histamines.

Jennie

[Jawas]

Hi Otterfield,

I am sorry to hear about your problems. I had problems injecting into my belly, mainly large brown/red areas with some itching which I could not inject into again then ran out of space, I then changed to upper inner thigh at my haem's suggestion which worked fine without these problems. It might be worth a try for you.

Good luck.

Jawas

[Otterfield in reply to Jawas]

Thank you Jawas. I haven't tried injecting into anywhere else, I will try my thigh and see if it improves.

[Marossi]

I was initially injecting once a week and had to alternate between each side of the belly and upper thighs. I would proceed in a clockwise direction so I wouldn’t forget! Each time I would get a red itchy patch at the injection site which would last about ten days to two weeks. I would suggest you use a antihistamine gel (fenistil is the one I use)if it bothers you. I basically just put up with it though the marks were a bit unsightly when I wore a bikini at the beach. The good news is that the allergic reaction does seem to diminish over time. And now I inject only once every three weeks I hardly notice it.

[Otterfield in reply to Marossi]

Thank you Marossi, it is encouraging to hear that your allergic reaction has diminished. My haematologist prescribed me antihistamine tablets to take an hour before injecting, which has reduced the reaction to some extent. I didn't know there was such a thing as antihistamine gel so I will look out for that.

[Marossi]

Yep - and it’s great for mosquito bites, too! 😀

[Osteomyelio]

How are you doing on Pegasus now? Any flu or infection like feelings.

[Otterfield in reply to Osteomyelio]

I'm not too bad on Pegasys, thank you. I do get aching joints and backache, but it responds quite quickly to paracetamol. The worst ache is in my knees but going for a walk really helps. I'm still getting a reaction at the injection site, but since I've been taking an antihistamine prior to the injection, it's not as widespread. Seeing my consultant next Wednesday, which always makes me nervous these days, which it never used to! Thanks for asking.