Peg side effects: Hi I have been on peg for... - MPN Voice

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Peg side effects

JeniMac profile image
30 Replies

Hi I have been on peg for 2 months. Most of the side effects have disappeared except my dry skin on face. I take my Peg on Monday and within a few days my skin on face becomes red itchy and dry. Has anyone else had this problem. Is it even a side effect. Not sure what to do. I do use e45 but does anyone know what would be better Thanks

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JeniMac profile image
JeniMac
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30 Replies
Hopetohelp profile image
Hopetohelp

my skin can be dry but not normally a problem. I use Aveeno daily moisturising yoghurt body cream on my face morning and evening and it seems to do better than the expensive face creams. Hope you get it sorted

JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to Hopetohelp

Thanks I will pop along pharmacy see if they have any. I think us woman are a little vain. My husband said its not that bad but I think it's horrendous. Hope you are well ❤️

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

Dry skin, rash, dermatitis are all known Pegasys adverse effects.

drugs.com/pro/pegasys.html#...

I have also experienced a broad band of itching with no visible rash, usually on my back. It is clearly a histamine response. I take a dose of Claritin daily that does a good job controlling this adverse effect.

I have experienced a variety of popup rashes, usually very mild and transient One exception was this rash that occurred a few months ago on my legs. That one lasted a few days. It did not really itch, but i was taking the Claritin so hard to say if it would have. This rash resolved on its own.

Besremi adverse effect
JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to hunter5582

Thanks mine is one my face red and looks like blisters. I have managed to get a Dr's appointment for tomorrow so hopefully will get something to help. Hope you arte well ❤️

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

I am doing fine, thanks. Hope the doc comes up with a solution ASAP.

SueBas profile image
SueBas

Hi JeniMac. I have been on Peg for year with range of side effects. I had awful rash on head - white dry scaly patches and now have dry skin across forehead and down around eyes. Sometimes quite red and feels like it's burning. Think I'll try Aveeno too! All the best.

DottyDaisy profile image
DottyDaisy in reply to SueBas

I know I'm coming up again as an old stuck gramophone record, Jeni, but my boring advice is always the same. Water, WATER, W A T E R should always be your first port of call. However much water you normally drink, build up before the day of your shot to double that or even more and carry on for a few days afterwards too. Filtered water from the jug, warm water, iced water, water with a pinch of salt, water as herb tea or in my case I also now make an enormous fortnightly batch of vegetable broth, from the organic vegetables in my raised beds and a couple of local organic farms. I freeze it pots to have as drinks or to turn stews and stir-fries into soups.

I am sure smoothies and huge salads would be good too, but they don't inspire me in this weather.

If I don't get enough water inside me, I know it. Dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth lips and throat, then fluey symptoms and a mild headache. I try not to let it get that far.

And my other rule is that any coffee or wine must be balanced with an equal amount of additional - yes, how did you guess? - Water !

I'll teeter down off my soapbox now and leave you in peace.

I hope Peg turns out to work well for you, as it does for me.

Love and Light, Daisy

JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to DottyDaisy

Thanks yes I think it's half my problem not enough water.. I need you on my shoulder to remind me. Hope your well ❤️

Threelions profile image
Threelions in reply to JeniMac

I too have to recommend as much water/squash intake as possible. Especially around injection time. It keeps all my symptoms manageable (inc dry skin)👍

PhysAssist profile image
PhysAssist in reply to Threelions

Hi all,

Even if you start out with adequate hydration levels, it would make sense that increasing fluid intake [and from a purely medical standpoint this means anything containing water- EXCEPT alcoholic beverages, as it has been well-proven that the diuretic effects of tea and coffee, are more than mitigated by the amount of water they also contain- perhaps barring thick concentrated things like esspresso or ristretto] would help to avoid or reduce side-effects.

The rationale behind increasing your fluid intake even if you are already adequately hydrated, is that almost everything in biology and/or chemistry, and especially as relates to medications is/are affected at least to some degree by their concentration, i.e., the amount of the substance in a given volume- so increasing your fluid intake [and by extension the amount of water your body contains] will serve to dilute the overall concentration, and frequently this alone will mitigate any possible side-effects to at least some degree.

In addition, water itself does a pretty decent job of diuresing your body- because the resultant increase in blood volume increases the amount of filtration being performed by your kidneys [your GFR] and thus the amount of urine being excreted, which also carries more solutes [e.g., waste products and toxins] out of the body with it.

Best,

PA

JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to SueBas

I went to doctors he has given me soolantra cream he said he thought it was Roseau. The cream is taken the redness out so will use until it goes then will try Aveeno hope your well ❤️

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird

hi I now use argon oil. I love it.

PhysAssist profile image
PhysAssist in reply to Wyebird

Hi Wyebird,

Could you possibly have meant: "Argan oil"?

From Wikipedia: "Argan oil is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa L.) that is endemic to Morocco. In Morocco, argan oil is used to dip bread in at breakfast or to drizzle on couscous or pasta. It is also used for cosmetic purposes.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argan...

My search for :Argon" oil was redirected to "Argan" oil by Google.

It's an interesting read. My question to you is do you use straight argan oil, or some other product/lotion that incorporates it? Also, does it help with aquagenic itching?

Best,

PA

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird in reply to PhysAssist

haha yes I always spell it wrong . I use it on my hair. I noticed when my scalp was itching I dabbed it on the spot it gave instant relief. I use it as a body lotion and hand cream. It’s cheap too. During covid I recommend it to friends they also found it valuable as hand lotion.

Pure ARGAN OIL. One lotion dose all🤗

PhysAssist profile image
PhysAssist in reply to Wyebird

Hi again Wyebird,

I am still battling the PV-itch with no relief in sight, so I'm going to have to try some out.

Thanks and best,

PA

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird in reply to PhysAssist

I can’t help with the itch I’m afraid. I have ET. Let me know how you find argan oil

PhysAssist profile image
PhysAssist in reply to Wyebird

Hi Wyebird,

No worries, but I'll let you know if you've already done so, once I get my hands on the oil.

Thanks!

PA

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird in reply to PhysAssist

if you are in Uk Holland and Barrett if not order on line

PhysAssist profile image
PhysAssist in reply to Wyebird

Hi Wyebird,

Thanks, but I'm in New York's hinterlands in NE US.

I'll find a reliable source soon, I'm very sure.

Best,

PA

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21

Jeni I bought a tube of Calendula cream from Boots chemist or health shops . It’s natural with Aloe Vera & has helped. I on interferon currently off it due to migraines then lower dose 👍

in reply to Exeter21

Hi Exeter l also have dry skin on particularly sole of one foot very strange l find " Cereve" and "CCS" swedish formula foot cream l find it helps keep things in check, in my case this dryness was linked to Hydroxy. Anyway friends l saw the consultant yesterday although lm still on the lowest dose of Interferon because of the awful migraine he decreased my injection to once every three weeks and a Venus section today. 🤞 Take good care

Adiewon

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21 in reply to

good news increasing time gap for interferon . Hopefully our headaches stop. I am off it until January & headaches went. Start again on 45 every 4 weeks. However I see after only 4 injections my liver reading has gone above normal reading . Can only be the interferon 🙈. Julia 👍

in reply to Exeter21

Morning Exeter the migraine has significantly reduced, phew what a releif. Let's hope your liver rights itself soon. Thursday coming will be my 4th injection and l have to say lm praying the migraines will be less challenging and my body is less reactive.Take 👍 care.

Adiewon

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21 in reply to

that’s better news 👍

JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to Exeter21

My doctor has prescribed some cream see how it goes will defo look at calendula or aveeno hope your well ❤️

PhysAssist profile image
PhysAssist in reply to JeniMac

Hi JeniMac,

May I ask what you were prescribed?

Thanks,

PA

JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to PhysAssist

Hi he prescribed soolantra cream. Hope your well ❤️

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21 in reply to JeniMac

that’s good thanks Jeni yes still fighting getting correct dose of interferon without headaches. Start again January . Good luck with skin . Julia 👍

JeniMac profile image
JeniMac in reply to Exeter21

Thanks Julia the cream is working well. I'm on 45 peg. Touch wood no migraines but do get foggy head. It's all a learning curve. Hope your well ❤️

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21 in reply to JeniMac

that’s good Jeni . I am feeling ok off it temporarily and fog balance & eye sight normal again & no headaches. So had to be Peg dosed too high on me. Hopefully January when start again bigger gaps body will adjust. It is the best option to be on it I am sure for my stupid body . If yours kicks off again hopefully you can increase gaps between injecting. Well done so far Julia 👍

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