I had my stiches taken out today, I am a wimp and it hurt probably because I feel so sick. The biopsy came back negative.

The doctors think that it is a med, that is reacting to the sunlight. I am extremely fair skined and have to be very careful - 15 minutes out in the sun without 45 block will give me a burn.

The blisters are back, the headache and the fever..

It is just times like this that I want to cry and say, please, please someone just hold my hand until the pain pass - but there is never anyone there.

i've got your hands.....love you, pat

Pat

[(JD)]

(((gentle hug)))

I'm glad to hear the biopsy was negative.

I had a problem with a med... discolored my forearms (usually in the sun when driving?) and I'm just now beginning to find the real skin after 10? years! I've been off the med that long, btw. I have hat and "sleeves" to pull on when I drive with the top down now.

Do your best...that's all any of us can do.

[Cheri]

Sky, did it make your forearms kind of a splotchy red? I have had this problem for a few years, even during the winter, and it's noticeable to the point that people sometimes comment about it. Just wondering if it could be similar.

Freewill, I feel for you and how frustrated you must be dealing with this rash and other symptoms. I'm really sorry you're going through this. Is your doctor going to try to determine which med is causing the problem?

thank you... no the dermotholgist is now sending me back to the primary care...

there is a red color, like sunburn all over my arms and legs and face - hot to touch

then there is another layer - looks like a very small chicken pox or a shingle on my arms and legs... they are fluid filled, then break.. and then the long healing process starts.. there are probably now about 35 on each arm.. and then on my legs...much better... but still hurts..

so sorry to be so graphic.. but if anyone knows what the next step should be - I would appreciate it.

[January]

Freewill,

Are you on lamictal, trileptal or any of that class of drugs? I took lamictal for a couple years with wonderful results and then out of the blue, had a Johnson Stevens, (or the revers), rash. It's very dangerous. Please talk to your Doc and see if you're taking anything that could cause that type of reaction.

Hugs,

Jan

hi.. no I'm not on that med... I asked the doc if it was that.. but he said no... grrrrrrrr to this stuff..

thank you for bringing it up...

[January]

You're most welcome. You might need to go to a dermatologist if your regulare Dr. can't figure out what it is. Please let us know.

Hugs,

Jan

[seeker1950]

Freewill, may I ask...Is your rash due to medication or to exposure to sunlight, or both?
I avoid the sun most of the time because I too have very fair skin. A trip to the beach...well... always gives me a rash, and so I haven't got there in many years. I've also had the blisters from sun exposure.
I don't know what to tell you or even what to think if this is due to medication!
I would add, though, that I am totally intolerant of heat, which I have learned recently is a side-effect of taking antidepressants. For two months now, I'm breaking my 40 mg. tabs of Paxil in half, and seem a bit better in the heat, hoping ot go off this medication totally ....eventually, though I know it will be a slow process.
Patty

Thank you for responding..

I too take Paxil.. so my heat tolerance has become worse. It's always been really bad.. though I love to see the sun... being out in it has always been hats, lots of sunscreen and sometimes long sleeve shirts LOL.. my friends said - I was the only person that could go to FL and not come back with a tan.

The dermotogist took biopsy and the results came back (I forgot to include that).. it said dermotis... so just general...

He felt it was a med that I am taking that when I go out in the sun causes a reaction. So if I stayed completely away from the sun... like a "vampire" then I would not have this problem..

But I am on lots of meds - for asthma, depression, anxiety...
sleeping.. so which med.. I can't cold turkey any of them.

I don't know... maybe this night thing isn't so bad..

I am now a "vampire", person of the night...

and I hate Paxil,,, but haven't been able to get off it..

freewill, man, that sounds awful.......wish i could bring you some sour cream cookies and we'd sit in your closet with the door closed and eat them...........

has anyone given you anything at all for the rash? when i sunburn, i use apple cider vinegar. organic. lightly patted on. but those blisters that you have give me pause on that one........

xoxoxo pat

[January]

Freewill,

I'm going to a dermatologist tehis week about a spot on my hand, but I also have the sun and heat rash. Maybe she will be able to tell me something that will help us both.

Hugs,

Jan

PS. Pat, please pass the cookies.

Thank you both!!!!

And could we share the cookies?? yummmmmm..

[January]

Hi Frewill,

I saw the dermatologist today. He prescribed a cortizone cream to use on my hands, arms and face. I can use it on my face twice a day for five days and on my hands and arms twice daily for 10 days.

I don't know if you wake up with a rash on your face, but I do and he is going to give me an antihistamine to take when I go to sleep. He said it will keep the rash from forming.

He also asked what SPF I was using. He told me nothing less than SPF 50 will do. I didn't even know they made anything in SPF 50. I have to go try to find some tomorrow.

He gave me some literature. Did you know people can break out in hives from being cold? I had no idea.

I know you can buy over the counter cortizone cream. Find some SPF 50. If I find any tomorrow I'll try to come back here and let you know the brand.

Hugs,

Jan

That is awesome information that you got... thank you very much for sharing.. I surely didn't get anything like that from my doc... I would love to know if you find anything in that sunblock range..

For right now, I am being a person of the night... sounds funny but I am acutally scared to go out right now..

I am healing, the really terrible hot flashes are easing - thank heavens..my tummy still hurts..

I see my pulomnary doc next week... I am off Advair for now.
I would like to get back on this...

Thank you... freewill

[January]

Freewill,

Do you live near a Walmart? They have several different brands of SPF 50. I bought three tubes because I need to use it every day all year long.

I was using NO-AD, SPF 30, so I bought some of it in SPF 50. I also bought a tube of Banana Boat Baby SPF 50 for my face. It's hypoallergenic, so hopefully it won't set my face on fire.

I hope this helps you a little bit.

Hugs,

Jan

hugs back to you... yes I do live near w-mart... I have to go out for T tomorrow.. I'll pick some up.... Thank you...

[January]

I found this link that suggests ways to help with the heat. I knew part of it, but certainly not all the info here.

LINK

Jan

[January]

Well, I have to say the Banana Boat Stuff burned my eyes when persperation dripped into them. I tried another brand today and tried to rub it in really well. I ended up looking like I had cottage cheese on my face, neck and arms. Now that was just appealing! So, I'm out of ideas. I can feel my makeup sort of sliding off my face because the sunblock is slick, no matter what it says on the package. It also makes my face look even whiter than I am and I wasn't aware that was even possible. Does anyone have a suggestion? It would be most appreciated.

Jan

ohhh Jan... it hurts so much when that stuff gets into your eyes... ochie.. I haven't been out and about to try my new stuff.. but I will be tommorow... I'll let you know..

i hope you get better very soon.......

[inkblot]

Funny, but I've had issues recently with these similar type problems! It started out with my skin really red. Then I noticed like millions of tiny blisters! My skin got scaley and peeled, I got more brown "liver spots" and darkening of the skin on my arms. It's ugly! And I *LOVE* the sun!!! I emailed my doc that it can't be happening to ME because I love the sun so much.

[January]

The Dr. gave me Topicort .25%. The blisters on my face are gone and my hand and arm are almost back to normal. You might be able to buy something like it over the counter. It's really done wonders.

I'm using a 45 spf from Nuetrogena right now. The only problem is that it takes so long for it to rub in. It makes my makeup all messed up.

Any ideas are more than welcome.

Jan