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Blistering, possible chicken pox?

Hi all

I have been feeling a bit shabby for few weeks. Put it down to time of year and the inevitable colds etc.

However I woke up yesterday with fluid filled blisters covering my body in various places. They are itchy, tender and in numerous places. I booked an appointment with the GP yesyerday who told me it looked like chicken pox prescribed Aciclovir, ran bloods and told me to come back if it gets even the slightest bit worse.

He seemed quite concerned about it, he is usually very calm. He also told me to call my Haematology Team and point out his findings and see what they're steer was. I called my specialist nurse's secretary and explained everything yesterday but the nurse hasn't got back yet, and from experience I am not holding my breath. 

I just wondered if this is chicken pox, treatment or something else. Just as I have only been on Bosutinb for a few month.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm achey, neck stiff, obviously blistered, cold like nose, headache, and worn out.

How concerned should I be if it is chicken pox with the CML?

Thanks.

John

 

 

 

So sorry to hear your road is still not smooth. Could it be shingles? Not that that is any better than chicken pox.

Sending you best wishes and hoping things get easier for you,

Best

Chrissie

Hi John... sounds like chicken pox or it could be shingles which can be triggered by exposure to the chicken pox virus- and usually appears when your immune system is under par.  Anti-virals should work- but try to rest and take your doctors advice- 

Sorry you are suffering.

Sandy

Hi Chrissie and Sandy

Thanks very much for your comments and care.

My GP thought chicken pox, my consultant called yesterday and asked for photos to avoid me understandably bringing a potential virus onto ward. He said it looked odd and wasn't sure if it was chicken pox but agreed with the GP on the treatment process of Aciclovir 800mg X 5 a day to treat whatever is going on.

My consultant said if it deteriorates over the weekend it may be best to go onto unit for an iv aciclovir, however I don't feel like I need to do that and would not want to take whatever is going on into a unit with people with really threatened immunity. I will therefore keep checking temperature and stay at home and hope I can get back to work as soon as possible. He is also going to call to check in on me on Monday. 

Regarding chicken pox, I can't remember having it as a child. I have a stiff neck, and wonder if this related?

Thanks again.

John

Hi John,

Is it just on your skin, or do you have any blistering inside your mouth or anywhere unusual?

 

David.

Hello David

They are pretty much everywhere, head, torso and limbs, and other parts! However not in mouth.

The blistering has stopped somewhat which looked like burn blisters as opposed to spots at the start. 

My scalp is maybe the worst.

Symptoms to date; head aches, cold like, shivvery, aching. Strangest one for me is a stiff neck, which for some reason is worse at night and stops me getting back to sleep.

The aciclovir 800mg X 5 a day will hopefully stop it... If it is a virus. I haven't got a confirmed diagnosis of chicken pox from childhood on record so unsure if this is chicken pox for the first time in life or shingles, although I know they are the same virus.

Hope you are well David and sorry about the Rugby!

John

 

 

 

I am utterly depressed about the rugby. Couldn't sleep last night because of it - seriously. Far more down in the dumps than is reasonable!!

Glad to hear it's not in your mouth. The reason I asked is because two family members have been unlucky enough to get a mild-ish case of Steven Johnson Syndrome, and that often manifests as skin sores - but particularly in the mouth. It can be nasty, and usually is more sudden than you have experienced but I was just a bit worried. But that's not something you need to worry about, thankfully.

David.

Didn't your doctor advise that you could have tests to help with diagnosis and determine whether it is shingles or chicken pox.     e.g. blood tests for such as chicken pox antibodies.   Checking blister fluid and including for such as secondary infection. 

 

I got shingles when I was nutropenic following my bone marrow transplant.   It wasn't fun!  :(

Neither was the rugby results!      We support both England AND Scotland in this household.   Double dose of disappointment.   Though Scotland played like Trojans and they really did deserve to win.   

Hi

My doc looked at me again when I seen him on Monday and he said it was Chicken Pox after examining me again. He said my bloods looked OK though!

Anyway the spots are scabbing and my cold like symptoms have decreased a lot. 

My neck is really sore and stiff and I am unsure if this is just the usual problems I have since diagnosis. I'm 4 TKI's in, over 2 years, and still having issues. Since diagnosis I have had persistent problems which are increasingly starting to interfere with everyday tasks, like lifting my little boy up or moving suddenly. I was absolutely fine just prior to diagnosis.

As for the Rugby I am an England fan, however I like to see all our home nations do well, as long as we are doing better!

Thanks.

John.

Update.

Hi everyone. I just wanted to let you guys know that following on from my "chicken pox" diagnoisis last week, things have changed somewhat.

After completing a oral course of Aciclovir my general health took a bit of a dip and after seeing my GP I was advised to go to A&E. Basically my resting heart rate would not decrease from 120bpm and my temp was going from 35.5 to 38.7 over a few hours... Plus I felt generally crap!

The hospital (not my usual hospital, but closest) believe I have some virus but it is not chicken pox. They are baffled by the rash I had. I am on fliuds and IV Aciclovir X 3 per day, whilst they await the Heamatoligist to visit me, which they now believe will be tomorrow. However after telephone chats they have said the Heamatoligist here doesn't think it is anything to do with treatment but have suspended it. I was told my lymphocytes are low and my crp marker was slightly elevated at 15. They are trying to hold of doing a lumber puncture (thankfully ha!)

I just wanted to respond with an update.

Take care all.

John

So sorry to hear this, John. Hope you get a dx asap,

 You really are having it rough,

In my thoughts,

Best

Chrisie

So sorry to read this ,John.

Hope you get a dx asap. You've certainly been having it rough

In my thoughts,

Chrissie

Oh dear!  I'm sorry to hear that.   I do hope you get the support and diagnosis you need and are soon feeling better.

Hi. Out of hospital. 

Unfortunately I still feel not too great. My CRP was 15 on Friday and then 17 on discharge. I have been taken off IV Aciclovir and put onto another 7 days of oral Aciclovir.

I have had to cancel my upcoming trip to Hammersmith tomorrow which I am gutted about. I have been looking forward to seeing the team down there for months for my ongoing issues. Traveling from Newcastle would not be an option at present according to my GP.

I have nerve pain down my arm as apparently the canula inserted on ward hit an artery and scratched a nerve. I knew right away something was wromg with the pain and pressure applied. Obviously us guys are used to needles and canulas frequently. Has anyone else had this happen and heal as the pain is bad? Docs just say give it 6 weeks, but that is difficult for work and driving etc.

I have restarted Bosutinb and over the past 2 days have had a really aching back and oblique area, feels like I've pulled something again! Also my stomach is way off. I was only off Bosutinb for 48 hours.

Just wanted to give an update and say to you all, thanks very much for your kind words and support.

Take care.

John

Hey mate -

I don't have much to add or say, but I know how much you were looking forward to your appointment at Hammersmith. Hopefully that'll be rescheduled soon.

You're not catching much of a break at the moment, are you?. You're in my mind and I hope you feel better soon.

 

David.

So sorry that you are suffering so much John. ... doesn't seem right that you have to get chickenpox at the same time as trying to cope with the side effects of TKIs. It must be a real disappointment for you not to be able to travel to see the HH team and Prof.Apperley in particular. They have so much experience with grade 3 and 4 side effects I was hoping - as I know you were- that they would have some advice for you.  Hopefully it will not be too long until you are fit enough to travel and can reschedule your appt.- You have had it harder than most, but at least you have responded to therapy- in spite of the side effects.

Wishing you better,

Sandy