Harvoni RASH ON LOWER LEGS

[janne325]

On Day 12 of 8 weeks of Harvoni and 2 days ago developed rash on lower legs.  Thought it was from shaving, maybe pulling weeds and sitting in grass, lotion, etc., etc. and then it dawned on me that maybe it was the Harvoni!  See many indications when I Google that this is true, but nowhere can I find out what to do?  Anyone have suggestions?  Has this happened to you?  Red spots all over both legs from knees down and no place else.  Doesn't itch, or hurt, but I live in Florida and it is shorts season!!!!  Feel good other than this...a few nights of not sleeping very well and maybe some slight hair loss, but I have thyroid and am really paranoid about this anyhow.  Would appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks.

[KimInTheForest]

Hi Janne. In my first Week of Harvoni+Ribavirin, I briefly (for a few hours only) had red dots appear all over my thighs after mowing my lawn in my shorts in hot sun. They didn't itch and they did go away and never returned, even though I have been out in the sun a lot since. But they looked quite weird at the time - like I had measles or chicken pox on my thighs.

In Week 2, I developed a Ribavirin rash (at least I assume that is what it was). It was red bumps that WERE itchy on my chest and upper back in exactly same area as I had begun having night sweats (also treatment-related). That rash appeared to be moisture-related, since no other part of my body was affected. In that case, I kept the skin really clean and dry and put potato starch on it regularly to wick away any moisture. The bumps stopped itching, dried up, went away.

You may find your red dots disappear.

best to you,
kim

[janne325]

Hi Kim:
Thanks for reassurance that rash will go away.  Mine looks like measles or chicken pox too.  I read a lot about Rash from Ribavirin and only a little about being from Harvoni....I guess it could be something else, but I really don't think so.  Not anything about how to treat it.  I will try your suggestion of keeping it really dry and then call my Dr. on Monday to see what she suggests.  thanks a lot.  If this is the worst of it, I am a happy camper.  Am wondering why you have Ribavirin as we appear to be about the same?

[KimInTheForest]

I am Geno 3. We are the hardest Genotype to treat, so ribavirin is added. Also, I am doing mine through a clinical trial, and it is a Harvoni+Riba trial so, no choice. But Harvoni alone for 12 weeks would probably not cure me whereas Harvoni+Riba is expected to.

About the rash - some people think their rash is a result of their skin becoming too dry during treatment, so they find that moisturizing it with coconut oil or something good like that helps. In my case with the Riba rash that followed the night sweats (not the red dots on my thighs), I could tell that moisture was the problem and that I had to dry out the skin, not moisturize it. So if one approach doesn't work for you, try the other.

cheers,
kim

[Philadelphia]

If your platelet count is low it could also be petechiae

[janne325]

Thanks Philadelphia, I checked it out on Mayo website.  Glad to report that is not what it is.

Kim, I am praying for you and admire your persistence......this will work for you....things have really come a long way.  Up until just recently, I was figuring on having a short life that didn't end well, now we all have new hope for the future...it will only continue to get better with more options.  If this doesn't work for me, I will try again until I beat it.  In the meantime, I am doing my best by eating organic, drinking only Pure Life water, new toothbrush daily, new washcloth daily that I disinfect, etc.....this is just me and my theories.  I figure if we do what we believe to be our best....we can let God do the rest.....
By the way, I slathered on a organic lotion and legs look much better today, so whatever it is does seem to be clearing up.  Thanks for your support.

[KimInTheForest]

Great to hear the rash thing is clearing up Janne!

best,
kim