Shingles vaccine?

[barbieg]

I am about to start on Methotrexate next week , starting on a low dose. I take Sulfasalazine but it has stopped working so well so I will be taking them both and working up the dosage of Methotrexate. My Consultant asked if I’d had the Shingles jab as I should do. She told me 2 yrs ago not to have it but now says I should. Has anyone had it when they are taking a low dose of Methotrexate? Perhaps I should delay starting the Methotrexate? I’ve also read about the Shingrix vaccine that isn’t a live vaccine but not sure if this is available in the uk?

[oldtimer]

If you have a look at the guidance for health professionals about the shingles vaccination, it should give you the information you need to make a decision. gov.uk/government/publicati...

[helixhelix in reply to oldtimer]

Rats....I should have asked before I started biologics.

[Montys-Mom]

Methotrexate worked really well for me for many years. But when I started it about 15 years ago I got severe shingles within days of my first dose. I was never offered the Shingles vaccine but I wish I had been. My GP said it was mild shingles and said that there was a vaccine but didn't feel it would help and that it was expensive. I accepted this but then the full blown shingles was diagnosed as severe. My sister did have the vaccine and hers shingle never passed 2 or 3 spots, I had about 30 which turned into craters down my neck, face & shoulders. The vaccine would have stopped this, when it had cleared I went back on Methotrexate and am still on it now.

[AgedCrone in reply to Montys-Mom]

You were obviously very unlucky.....Shingles without the vaccine isn't always severe.

I had it in my head & over my eye...got the anti viral drugs the same day the eruptions appeared & I was only poorly for about three weeks. Although I did have the strange pins & needles headaches for about a year.

My Rheumy reckoned having had the vaccine wouldn't have made any difference.

[Leics]

I was told the non live shrinrix vaccine is not available on NHS in the U.K yet however you can get it in private hospitals in London. I’m not able to have live vaccines but I was told by consultant last Friday he expects it will be available soon on the NHS maybe in the next year. I would hold off on vaccine ‘live’ version and get it done when it’s available on NHS that way you can start your methotrexate which you probably need more.

[barbieg in reply to Leics]

Thank you for the info. I think that’s what I will do as I read it works better too.