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Wife's Diagnosis SCLC- Chemo Next Week-What Should I Do?
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Aug 16 5:11pm | Replies (41)Comment receiving replies
My wife had her first Immunotherapy with durvalumab (Imfimzi) on June 25. The only side effect she has had from this one treatment is rashes and bad itching. We contacted the oncologist and he prescribed a prescription and cream. They didn't help at all. We went to an Urgent Care (big mistake) and they gave her a steroid shot and a prescribed a pack of steroid pills. That worked at first but then the rashes and itching returned even worst.
By then it was time for her 2nd round of durvalumab (Imfimzi). Once the lab saw the rashes we were sent to the oncologist. He said the 2nd round would have to be delayed until the rashes and itching were treated and gone.
Clobetasol Propionate cream and Prednisone 10mg were prescribed. She has been taking the pills and using the cream for 5 days and the itching is finally letting up and rashes slowly clearing up. The rashes are all over her body except her face and stomach. And now the cream is all gone and no refill for another 3 weeks.
Anyone else had this rashes and itching problem (side effect from durvalumab (Imfimzi)? If so, did you find any OTC help?
Thanks for reading!
Replies to "My wife had her first Immunotherapy with durvalumab (Imfimzi) on June 25. The only side effect..."
Hi @bovic21—treatment-related rashes can be miserable, but a dermatologist can often help quickly. When similar skin issues flared up for me, the dermatologist prescribed creams I’d never even heard of, and the rash calmed down within days.
After seven years of living with lung cancer, I’ve learned the value of building a small “village” of specialists—cardiologist, nephrologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, even a personal trainer. Each one tackles a different piece of the puzzle and makes the journey easier for both patient and caregiver (my wife.) Don’t hesitate to lean on that expertise; you don’t have to manage every symptom on your own nor should you expect your oncologist to specialize in everything.
All the best to you and your wife.
hi @bovic21 - that rash sounds miserable. I wonder if benadryl might also help. I second @flusshund's recommendation to see a dermatologist. I see one at my cancer center that treats skin cancer, but also skin based side effects from cancer treatment. (I also lost most of my hair and the dr has me on low dose oral minoxidil, which has helped it grow back!) I hope your wife feels much better soon - and it's very loving of you to seek info that might help her feel better. 🙂
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@bovic21, This rash sounds miserable. Reach out to her oncologist for more advice and an earlier prescription renewal if she needs it. Is she continuing to improve?