Hi Magpie, I too have had the skin reactions as described here, not on Riba, just have sensitive skin and it’s more so on Tx and in the sun – even minimal exposure gives me red blotches or those little bumps.

If I have only minor ones on arms I rub in Lavender Essential Oil -it stops the inflammation and itchiness.
I personally wouldn’t advise using Sorbolene – it is made from mineral oils e.g. paraffin oil; it is not a moisturiser but a barrier cream. This means the oils sit on the surface and create a layer on your skin that traps any moisture there and this can give temporary relief of dryness. But it doesn’t penetrate the skin to moisturise it and hence the problem returns and in the long term it’s believed to affect the skin’s natural barrier reaction to environmental effects.

Moo Goo products, as Ariel suggested are good as they don’t contain mineral oils.
Rubbing in Coconut oil, which a great for hydrating skin as it penetrates deeply, moisturises and softens skin. Also Jojoba, Rosehip, Sweet Almond (Cold-Pressed) or Avocado oils are all fantastic for dry, itchy skin problems and especially for sensitive skin issues.

I’ve been using an Organic Product – ‘Natural Instinct’ Body Lotion with Jojoba, Rosehip and Avocado oils. It has NO Petrochemicals, Parabens and PEG’s, Silicones or Mineral Oils.
I got it from a Chemist – one that carries lots of usual Health Store products.

Good Luck finding what works for you

Hi Magpie,

The Ribavirin can make it feel a bit like you are experiencing extra gravity so I understand having issues with keeping up in a gym class but I do feel that excercise at your own pace is still beneficial. I try to walk twice a day and while the mornings are usually at a good pace I often feel fatigued in the evenings and have to slow down a bit. Helps the sleep though!

Hi Ken,

I also noticed a huge improvement during the first few weeks that has dropped away to some extent now but I wonder how much of that was due to the massive and sudden reduction of the virus causing a significant contrast for our bodies and minds? A bit like turning on a bedside lamp which is blinding at first but after a few minutes you realise still isn’t quite bright enough to read comfortably by.

I’m also reminded of a comment I saw on another site which can be paraphrased as:

Many of us being treated are in our 50’s and 60’s with all the issues that go along with growing old. The majority of us have been infected for decades and have had symptoms that hide the effects of ageing. Those little niggles are minor compared to the systemic issues that HCV causes. After treatment the HCV symptoms dissipate making the normal aches and pains of aging more evident. We get to start feeling for the first time in decades. We start living again and will now notice things that have always been there, but were minor compared to the Hepatitis.

Now personally, I’m affronted by that suggestion as I’m still a good couple of months from turning sixty and have no intention of getting old!

…..but I do plan on doing a lot of living from now on.

Hi Magpie,

Happy that you are on tx and sides are manageable.
Wish you all the best

Only 17 magic pills left to EOT for me!

Great to catch up with you Magpie, I hope the rash is not too nasty on you. I am waiting for my second ‘back up’ VL here…seems to take longer this one is a better one than my first path, will look closer than the assay they did first up. I hope you get what we all want. Lots of love from Ariel… It seems to be taking ages doesn’t it when we wait for results! Ticking clocks in brain sound yup so relate to it….