Brian's rash has reappeared with a vengeance after responding well to first course of steriods. Now back on another steroid course but doctor says she cannot repeat this and he is waiting to see a skin specialist. This all started when he took an anti depressant which was discontinued, but the rash has carried on. Now worried in case his Glivec treatment is affected and what are the alternatives. There is no way he could continue without some help to control the rash he has,as he is unbearably itchy, red and sore. So glad to hear if anyone knows what might be done, so worried he might have to come off Glivec and what then.
Thanks
Christine
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previously discussed skin rash
Hi Christine
The rash seems to be due to Glivec. Should he have to come off Glivec there are other inhibitors Brian could try such as Sprycel and Tasigna. If the consultant deemed it necessary to stop the Glivec, Brian would be classified as Glivec intolerant and qualify for an AMN/Tasigna trial and also Sprycel.
Are Brian's liver function tests normal ? Usually when one has a Glivec rash the liver function also goes up and it is an indication that it is Glivec. Some people do take low dose steroids for quite a while to settle on Glivec, however there may be a reason for the consultant to advise that she cannot prescribe steroids again.
I hope Brian has some steroid cream to ease his skin problems.
Keep us posted on developments.
Best wishes
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth
Thank you very much for responding. The rash had accelereated to impossible levels last week and Brian saw our GP on Friday, and she has organised a skin specialist hopefully next week. Brian's next appt. with Dr Eynaud at the hospital is on 7th August and hopefully his situation will be fully looked into. Up until now, ~Brian was diagnosed on 15th Feb 2007, all his hospital tests have proved ok, but obviously his liver function needs to be tested and he can mention that when he goes.
We don't have steroid cream but I will look into that.
So grateful for your help.
Thanks
Christine
Hi Christine
My husband also has CML. He was diagnosed just over two years ago and is taking Glivec. He started with a really bad red itchy rash which covered nearly all his body. He also started with some dark discolouration of his skin. He had two breaks from Glivec and two courses of steroids but things didn't ease very much.
His consultant referred him to a skin specialist who did some tests. It turned out that it wasn't directly due to the Glivec but he had developed some secondary skin condition - this could have been due to a lowered immune system or some other trigger which we don't know about.
It turned out that the rash was fairly 'self limiting' and is well on its way to going.
Please try not to worry. Your husband's rash might be caused by something else other than the Glivec. But as Elizabeth says, there are always other options even if it is.
We found everything very hard in the early days after diagnosis. Things do get better so hang on in there.
Sue