Shingles!

[Otterfield]

Last week I felt the first tingling feeling of Shingles, but it disappeared. I happened to have an appointment with my consultant and she decided to prescribe a prophylactic dose of Aciclovir, as I'm on Ruxolitinib, therefore immune suppressed. A couple of days later actual Shingles developed and I am now just starting 5 x 800mg of Aciclovir a day. Has anyone else been on this high dose and can you tell me from experience what to expect in terms of side effects etc. It seems like such a huge amount and I'm slightly anxious about it!

Thanks, Jennie

[katiewalsh]

Hi I’m sorry I can’t help. That’s one problem I’ve been lucky enough to avoid. Hopefully someone with experience will reply. Good luck. Katie

[socrates_8]

Hey Jennie...

Yes, the 'Valciclovir' I take is really the same thing as the Aciclovir... I was also started on 800mg d and then changed over to Valciclovir 500mg d ...

The problem is that the Ruxolitinib suppresses our immune systems, and so much so that we are far more prone to a huge range of infections, and especially those that might be latent in our systems from many years earlier, things like: Chickenpox & perhaps even Tuberculosis (?)

I believe that it is the Chickenpox virus, (if left untreated when we were younger, that might be the cause of the shingles (Zoster virus), in later-life etc... (?)

Hence, why you, I and others on Jakafi must take anti-viral medications for the foreseeable future...

They started me on it when I commenced taking Jakafi... and I believe that is the recommendation I usually hear of...

So I do understand your initial apprehension, however, I am speculating that they are trying to play a little 'catchup'... and then the dose might be titrated downwards etc... (?) Just ask your consultant when might it be reduced etc?

Best wishes Jennie...

Steve

[JediReject]

Hi Jennie , , yes it seems a very high dose but don't be too concerned as it's oft prescribed in high doses. I started on it in August 2015 and have been popping in 1600 MG a day ever since with a higher dose during my SCT and for a time after. I've had no discernable side effects at all.

As our wise friend Steve says it's likely you're getting a big hit to start with and it will surely be tapered down.

I'm sure it can only help you and I hope your shingles are soon gone. Unfortunately Shingles is a fairly common event in immuno-suppressed peops.

Hope your discomfort is short-lived.

Regards - Chris

[hunter5582]

Sorry to hear about the Shingles. Hope the med work fast. You will be in thoughts and prayers.

[flfair]

Google Vitamin C and Shingles.