Shingles and azathioprine

[Sezvic]

Hi all, today I have been diagnosed with shingles. The doctor started me on Aciclovir. I’m not sure if I can keep taking my azathioprine or not. Forgot to ask the doctor. Anyone has been in the same situation as me? Thanks.x

[CarolMcl]

Hi, you should've been advised to stop taking the azathioprine by the doctor. If you're wanting quick confirmation, phone the pharmacist

[Sezvic in reply to CarolMcl]

Thank you for the reply. I haven’t take any today. I will ring the pharmacy tomorrow and the rheumatology.

[CarolMcl in reply to Sezvic]

Hi, you can contact the pharmacy out of hours in your area. Unfortunately for me, I frequently get shingles so know the importance of starting the aciclovir

[LottieLou96 in reply to CarolMcl]

Your completely right, Aciclovir is best started within 72hrs of symptom onset to reduce the risk of post viral issues.

Wishing you a speedy recovery 💗

[Krazykat26]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that you've got the dreaded shingles Sezvic 🤗😞I've had it twice..last time being 2019. At that time I was taking steroids n immunosuppressant (Ciclosporin) and the doctor I saw prescribed acyclovir and told me to keep my other meds the same. The acyclovir did really help. The first time I had shingles I didn't see a doctor n it was much worse without antiviral medication. I think it was that first episode of shingles that caused my lupus.

I hope you feel better soon 💜🌈😽😽xx

[OldTed60 in reply to Krazykat26]

Yes I’ve just had first shingles in my nerves only and a GP diagnosed it a month ago based just on redness tracking up past the area of acute stabbing nerve pain in my left breast right into my nipple. No blistering spots to be seen. She started me on half the usual dose of Acyclovir so that I could stay on full dose of Mycophenolate because of other issues I was having as part of a nerve flare.

Within 2 days the horrific stabs in my breast tissue had entirely gone and my other skin flare - not shingles-like at all and in a different place to the sharp breast pain - also cleared up.

I thought at the time that putting me straight on Acyclovir so speculatively was a bit OTT - but in hindsight I think it was genius! I’m used to neuropathy and many other types of pain never had that stabbing pain before - let alone inside my left breast. X

[Krazykat26 in reply to OldTed60]

I'm with you there Ted 🤗Coz on the two occasions that I've had shingles..ten years apart..it has been in exactly the same place. Where?? In my left breast too!! 😹Mine went from the middle of my back right round to the middle of my chest on the left side..so I totally understand the stabbing left breast experience!! 😖😖😖 I had the blistering too..my left armpit was a mess!! 💜🌈😽😽Xx

[OldTed60 in reply to Krazykat26]

On wow 😺 - we seem to be twins! I must feedback to the GP next time we speak because I really was a doubting Tomasaina but now you say yours was in same place and was same kind of bizarre pain I’d like to give her a socially distanced hug! Glad I didn’t get the skin rash of course - my wayward immune system has been too busy torturing my poor lady parts with what I think the dermatologist will confirm later this morning - is lichen sclerosus 😖😳😖

I hope we aren’t twins on this too of course as wouldn’t even wish LS on my worst Enemy😬😬😬 let alone a lovely KK like you 🥰

[Krazykat26 in reply to OldTed60]

Aw thank u 🤗😘Oh your poor lady parts 😞Hope you get some relief after seeing your dermy 🤞💜🌈😽😽xx

[OldTed60 in reply to Krazykat26]

Thanks - yes they are poor old parts and even my unshockable derm was a bit shocked. I'm to have urgent biopsy next and then will see her colleague - the vulval skin expert. What a job?! 🥴😬xx

[OldTed60 in reply to Krazykat26]

PS she said there is something called "sine" shingles that is rare but possible - just as I have sine scleroderma. She said fact that Acyclovir worked and intense surges of nerve pain in breast disappeared after 2 days on it meant the GP was likely right.

[Christineosh]

Shingles is terrible especially on the head and face. I had it round the middle and the only relief in the end were Lidocaine sheets.Once you are over it see if they will give you the vaccine