Ipi and itching/rash
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Ipi and itching/rash

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Ipi and itching/rash

  • Post
    • October 2, 2013 at 4:16 pm
    mark1101
    Participant

    Took my 1st Ipi maintenance treatment almost 6 weeks ago.  Am tapering off prednisone slowly (3 mg daily as of today).  About a week ago I started to get outbreaks of what I would descirbe as hives in colonies located in various spots over my body.  I am using Clobetasol 2x daily on the sites and taking benedryl regularly.  Would like not to go back up on prednisone if I can avoid it.  Anyone else experience similar?  What helped you with the itching sensation most?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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  • Replies
      • October 3, 2013 at 12:14 am
      NYKaren
      Participant
      Hi Mark,
      What helped me the most is Atarax, an antihistamine. I believe it comes in 25 and 50mg. tabs. The 50 made me tired, but it was the only thing that gave me any relief from the rash/itching.
      I was on Ipi twice. The first time the rash/itching just about did me in; the second time, I had no rash, just colitis and adrenal insufficiency.

      Take care; I hope you’re getting a response from the ipi.
      Karen

        • October 3, 2013 at 2:55 am
        Mlalvarezus
        Participant
        My mother has stage four vaginal melanoma and has had four yarvoy treatments at NYU w/Dr Pavlcik. So far, so good. Her tumor has shrunken significantly and we will know more with a pet scan in a month. She also had quite a bit of rash and itching and her doctors approach was to hit it hard with prednisone and then taper her down. She treats the side effects immediately to avoid having them get worse. That seems to do the trick. It also addressed some fatigue she was having. I know steroids are to be taken cautiously, but in this case, their temporary use is necessary. She has gone as high as 20mg for a few days and at her last infusion it was also given prior to the treatment via IV. The goal is to make sure she tolerates yarvoy which is her only chance of survival. We always taper it down after 2-3 days at a particular level until she is off it. I will look into the atarax as well. Btw, we think the world of Dr Pavlick.
        • October 3, 2013 at 6:57 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant
        I think the world of her and her entire team too.
        • October 3, 2013 at 6:57 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant
        I think the world of her and her entire team too.
        • October 3, 2013 at 6:57 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant
        I think the world of her and her entire team too.
        • October 3, 2013 at 2:55 am
        Mlalvarezus
        Participant
        My mother has stage four vaginal melanoma and has had four yarvoy treatments at NYU w/Dr Pavlcik. So far, so good. Her tumor has shrunken significantly and we will know more with a pet scan in a month. She also had quite a bit of rash and itching and her doctors approach was to hit it hard with prednisone and then taper her down. She treats the side effects immediately to avoid having them get worse. That seems to do the trick. It also addressed some fatigue she was having. I know steroids are to be taken cautiously, but in this case, their temporary use is necessary. She has gone as high as 20mg for a few days and at her last infusion it was also given prior to the treatment via IV. The goal is to make sure she tolerates yarvoy which is her only chance of survival. We always taper it down after 2-3 days at a particular level until she is off it. I will look into the atarax as well. Btw, we think the world of Dr Pavlick.
        • October 3, 2013 at 2:55 am
        Mlalvarezus
        Participant
        My mother has stage four vaginal melanoma and has had four yarvoy treatments at NYU w/Dr Pavlcik. So far, so good. Her tumor has shrunken significantly and we will know more with a pet scan in a month. She also had quite a bit of rash and itching and her doctors approach was to hit it hard with prednisone and then taper her down. She treats the side effects immediately to avoid having them get worse. That seems to do the trick. It also addressed some fatigue she was having. I know steroids are to be taken cautiously, but in this case, their temporary use is necessary. She has gone as high as 20mg for a few days and at her last infusion it was also given prior to the treatment via IV. The goal is to make sure she tolerates yarvoy which is her only chance of survival. We always taper it down after 2-3 days at a particular level until she is off it. I will look into the atarax as well. Btw, we think the world of Dr Pavlick.
        • October 3, 2013 at 2:02 pm
        mark1101
        Participant

        Thanks Karen.  I have been taking benedryl, but maybe atarax would be better.  I'll check into that.  So far the Ipi is working.  I have actually been NED since my last surgery which was near the end of February.

        • October 3, 2013 at 7:02 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant
        That’s fabulous, Mark. I find it so interesting/ odd that what works so well for some doesn’t do anything for others. But at least now the more drugs that are approved, the better our chances become.
        Take care,
        Karen
        • October 3, 2013 at 7:02 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant
        That’s fabulous, Mark. I find it so interesting/ odd that what works so well for some doesn’t do anything for others. But at least now the more drugs that are approved, the better our chances become.
        Take care,
        Karen
        • October 3, 2013 at 7:02 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant
        That’s fabulous, Mark. I find it so interesting/ odd that what works so well for some doesn’t do anything for others. But at least now the more drugs that are approved, the better our chances become.
        Take care,
        Karen
        • October 3, 2013 at 2:02 pm
        mark1101
        Participant

        Thanks Karen.  I have been taking benedryl, but maybe atarax would be better.  I'll check into that.  So far the Ipi is working.  I have actually been NED since my last surgery which was near the end of February.

        • October 3, 2013 at 2:02 pm
        mark1101
        Participant

        Thanks Karen.  I have been taking benedryl, but maybe atarax would be better.  I'll check into that.  So far the Ipi is working.  I have actually been NED since my last surgery which was near the end of February.

      • October 3, 2013 at 12:14 am
      NYKaren
      Participant
      Hi Mark,
      What helped me the most is Atarax, an antihistamine. I believe it comes in 25 and 50mg. tabs. The 50 made me tired, but it was the only thing that gave me any relief from the rash/itching.
      I was on Ipi twice. The first time the rash/itching just about did me in; the second time, I had no rash, just colitis and adrenal insufficiency.

      Take care; I hope you’re getting a response from the ipi.
      Karen

      • October 3, 2013 at 12:14 am
      NYKaren
      Participant
      Hi Mark,
      What helped me the most is Atarax, an antihistamine. I believe it comes in 25 and 50mg. tabs. The 50 made me tired, but it was the only thing that gave me any relief from the rash/itching.
      I was on Ipi twice. The first time the rash/itching just about did me in; the second time, I had no rash, just colitis and adrenal insufficiency.

      Take care; I hope you’re getting a response from the ipi.
      Karen

      • October 4, 2013 at 4:51 pm
      sFELDMAN
      Participant
      I have just completed my 4th treatment of Yervoy. After my 2nd treatment itching was unbearable. Many oatmeal baths later I got a script from my Doc that is better then benedryl and did the trick. I take one pill before end time. It us hydroxyzine pamoate 50MG. Good luck, hang in there, it is only temporary. God bless.
        • October 5, 2013 at 7:42 pm
        mark1101
        Participant

        Is hydroxyzine pamoate generic for Atarax?

        • October 5, 2013 at 7:42 pm
        mark1101
        Participant

        Is hydroxyzine pamoate generic for Atarax?

        • October 5, 2013 at 7:42 pm
        mark1101
        Participant

        Is hydroxyzine pamoate generic for Atarax?

      • October 4, 2013 at 4:51 pm
      sFELDMAN
      Participant
      I have just completed my 4th treatment of Yervoy. After my 2nd treatment itching was unbearable. Many oatmeal baths later I got a script from my Doc that is better then benedryl and did the trick. I take one pill before end time. It us hydroxyzine pamoate 50MG. Good luck, hang in there, it is only temporary. God bless.
      • October 4, 2013 at 4:51 pm
      sFELDMAN
      Participant
      I have just completed my 4th treatment of Yervoy. After my 2nd treatment itching was unbearable. Many oatmeal baths later I got a script from my Doc that is better then benedryl and did the trick. I take one pill before end time. It us hydroxyzine pamoate 50MG. Good luck, hang in there, it is only temporary. God bless.
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