herpes vacine

[giuliano]

Can I take the. herpes zoster vaccine in view I have LLC

I am now suffering one and taking 400mg acyclovir 5 ties a day. Its painful and my stomach is bdestroyed

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi giuliano, -

There are two different vaccines for Shingles, the older one- first used in 2006- Zostavax (single injection with a live vaccine) is NOT recommended for CLL patients and is no longer available in the USA since November 2020.

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The newer 2017 approved Shingrix, is not a live vaccine and is very effective for older patients and safe for immune compromised people.

Shingrix is two shots 60 days apart, is in high demand.

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webmd.com/skin-problems-and... SNIP

Should you get Shingrix if you've already had shingles?

Yes. Shingles can come back after you've had it. "There's a somewhat increased risk that you could get a second episode, so go ahead and get the vaccine," Schaffner says. Just wait until your rash and other symptoms have cleared.

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Len

[giuliano in reply to lankisterguy]

thanks a million, Merry Christmas and happy New Year

[SeymourB]

giuliano -

Are you on it for just a week or 2 after a recent outbreak of shingles?

drugs.com/dosage/acyclovir....

You should mention the stomach problems to your doctor. You might ask if a lower dose is possible, or if valacyclovir is a possible substitute.

drugs.com/valacyclovir.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valac...

Both of them have side effects on the liver and kidneys, and may lower platelet counts.

I've been on daily 800mg acyclovir for 2 years now as prophylaxis for shingles, and my platelets have declined, but are still in the normal range as of 5 months ago. I haven't had stomach problems from it, but everyone is different.

I had shingles about 14 years ago, and took valacyclovir for 2 weeks, and then acyclovir, I think it was much lower dose - maybe 200mg twice or 3 times a day for months. The intense pain from shingles dropped after 2 weeks, but would often flare up - terrible headaches from upper trigeminal nerve. Ultimately, the acyclovir stopped having any effect, and I realized that stress caused the flare ups. I got a new, less stressful job.

When I discussed Shingrix vaccine a few years ago with my CLL specialist, it wasn't yet widely given for people with CLL. Since then, it has become accepted, but it's not clear how much protection Shingrix gives for CLL patients in general, or me in particular. I did not make good titres for Pneumovax23 (a vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia ), but nobody seems to say for sure whether that means I will have similar results with Shingrix or other vaccines. It was also hard to find Shingrix for awhile. So I stay on the acyclovir, knowing that if I have a flare up, I can quickly increase dosage. I do get flu vaccines, and will try to get the Moderna or Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, but I won't feel entirely protected.

=seymour=

[giuliano in reply to SeymourB]

Thanks a millon Merry Christmas

[janvog]

I just got my second and final shot of SHINGRIX. (Second shot is given between two and six month' after the first). I have CLL well controlled by IMBRUVICA and I am 86. My hematologist approved the SHINGRIX for me and I got it each time from the pharmacist at the supermarket. (Stop by and tell that him that you want SHINGRIX. Wait for the pharmacist to finish what he is just doing, Then he comes and gives the shot. Time elapsed 15 minutes. Insurance pays all except $ 8 co-pay). Sore arm each time for a few days. No real other adverse reaction. I had shingles eight years ago: Classic one side of torso, Terrible ! It left some permanent "post herpetic neuralgia". Since the protection is 90% from SHINGRIX , I will still keep an emergency dosage of Valacyclovir .

[giuliano in reply to janvog]

Thanks a millón good luck and happy new year.