gracie,

imho the quicker you resolve the rash the better!!!! w/in 2 weeks mine was quite bad and i used cortisone cream. if i had to do it over i should have gone to the dermotologist right then & there. also do keep up w/ the 3 liters of water. sometimes i would even put ice packs when the rash became red hot.

tig was spot on w/ the correct amount of fat. sometimes a little extra fat helped w/ the queasiness. flat gingerale & saltines work quite well.

wishing you minmal sx while on tx and und !

sandy,ucbgal

Hi Gracie

Tig56 pretty much summed it up for ya. I'll add the the 20 grams of fat is a must. I had a rash from the riba more than the incivek. It looked like I would break out with the hives on my torso, started around my waste band and lasted about two weeks. Don't scratch!!! Do what ever you have to just try not to scratch. It just makes it worse. Get some baby wipe and use them followed by desitin or some thing like it. What I found is the incivek leaves you from behind (hahaha) and it makes you itch and burn. Don't spend to much time on the throne when you go. Clean and coat the area with the desitin or what ever when your done. I believe the microscopic amount of leak from all the fat there carries some incivek and will make you itch if the area isn't coated. Take an over the counter med for loose bm. Worked for me anyway.

Best wishes.

Hi Gracie,

Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found us, it's a great group of like minded people that have one thing on their mind, to help each other. You'll be meeting a lot of nice people that will provide you with tons of great information!

As you've been told, the medications are likely responsible for the SFX you're experiencing. The Pegasys, Ribavirin and Incivek are a triple itching combination to beat all! The Incivek is going to cause some unpleasant anal itching problems and will likely come and go until you complete it after 12 weeks. There are a few things that will reduce those issues, but first clear all medications with your doctor. As Suffering said the Triamcinolone Acetonide cream is helpful but is a prescription. I didn't take Incivek but Victrelis, and it didn't have the rectal issues you're having. But I did have my share of itching from the other two drugs throughout Tx. My Hepatologist recommended an OTC med called "Zyrtec" (certrizine), it's a antihistamine which helps itching greatly. There are several things like calamine lotion, lukewarm oatmeal baths and try some un scented creams like "Nivea" and use it a lot. Keep your skin moist and stay out of the sun! The sun is not your friend while taking the Ribavirin and for up to 6 months after you stop. You'll likely become very sun sensitive, so be cautious. You should also be very attentive to your oral hydration. Try to drink 2-3 liters of good quality water every day!!! A hydrated body is less prone to itch from the dry skin you will experience through Tx. Lastly (for the moment) be absolutely sure you follow the Incivek directions to take the medication with the 20 grams of fat. It's felt that proper fat intake will minimize the anal itching and this has been borne out by our members.

Keep in touch and be sure to utilize our search function at the top of the page. Just insert the topic you're interested in and you will likely find info on it. Of course anytime you need a question answered or just want to talk, we're here for you. Good luck!

Tig

Gracie> My fourth day on the Incivek was the worst, and got progressively worse. Had to take a leave of absence from work. Could not even work and go thru that. It effects people differently tho, so good Luck. The anal burning and weird pains in my abdomen were really bad. After 8 weeks those have subsided. Thank GOD. Some days are better than others now, but still not able to work. If you got anymore questions later, ask away. I feel like a veteran now at this.

I'll put up with all the itchiness in the world to get rid of this...lol. Luckily my husband is a sound sleeper and doesn't wake up with all the tossing and twitching throughout the night. There just got a neck itch. I will be getting some funny looks at work I'm sure. I'll try the gold bond and try some H&S. Three days in and awhile to go yet, but am really greatful i can try this and be potentially cured. Thanks and good luck with your last 4 weeks!