Shingles?

Has anyone gotten Shingles along with their ITP? What did this do to your platelets? Mine drop drastically if I even get a cold, and am considering getting the Shingles vaccination, but I understand this is only partially effective. Any comments would be helpful - thanks!

[wjoyful]

I got shingles over Christmas. My platelets went up to over 100 for the first time in two years. My doc told me that she wouldn’t give me any vaccinations for anything as long as I have a count less than 100. My count fell right back down as soon as I was better.

[Kwenda]

The presently used ( Older ) shingles vaccination is a live vaccine.

Can those with ITP safely take a live vaccine..???

OR

Must those with ITP use the very new non-live vaccine called Shringrex.??

Dick

[Mpowered]

I have had recurring (almost monthly) outbreaks of shingles during treatment. Famiclover shuts it right down. My hematologist sent me to infectious diseases. That doc has me on a single daily dose to keep it at bay - it has worked well for me. He told me that since I've had outbreaks the vaccine wouldn't really help. I had an outbreak when I was young, so my case may not be typical

[Hidden]

My hematologist said there is no reason why I can't have the vaccine, but I'd rather not get it unless there is a high probability that my platelets will drop if I get the Shingles.

[Lynwoodley]

Hi I have the opposite problem if I’m sick my platelets go up I think my body fights the illness so does not attack my platelets. I have been taking pre and pro biotics (20 billion) now since October and believe they are helping me as my platelets have gone up a lot they used to average 32 now they are between 54-108 they dipped to 42 when I run out of them so I’m assuming they are helping although I can’t be certain

[sharroN42]

Good question! I was thinking of getting the double Shingrex injection (which I've read is 90% effective) but will now study it further. Thanks everyone.

Frankie

[Kyriak51]

Hi, infection, depression, uncontrolled pain and increased stress have a negative effect on my platelets dropping my counts to as low as 10-14 thousand from my baseline of 30-80 thousand inspite of my weekly injections of Nplate; once they drop it takes several weeks to recover to baseline.

The new recombinant DNA shingles vaccine is more effective than the old and I plan to have soon. This site has an excellent education section, check it out, the more you know about our disease the better the care you will receive.

Hope this helps Georgia

[sharroN42 in reply to Kyriak51]

Thanks Georgia,

Frankie

[scaryteacher]

I had shingles three years ago. Along with a Vit D deficiency and ITP, I lost the first three months of 2016.

Iirc, once you have had shingles, there is no point in having the vaccine. In the UK it is only offered to those over 70 anyway.

[BeccaUnit]

Shingles hit me hard February 12th. It was an utter shock since I never had chickenpox in my life.

After my spledectimy, my platelets run in the 400k range, but shot up to 604 on day 3 of the shingles flare up.

Thank God I have an awesome PCP. She put me on Gabapentin for the pain when all else failed. It didnt stop the pain, but definitely made things manageable enough to sleep.

I strongly suggest Aloe for the sunburn sensation and heat. Calamine lotion was an awful idea. Chemical cold packs are a good quick relief option for the burn and ach.

Make sure your doctor is checking them platelets!!