After 5 weeks on methotrexate, I've got the dreaded shingles. I was diagnosed at an our of hours GP on Sunday and left a message for my rheumatology team on Sunday and then emailed the secretary there yesterday.
I usually take my methotrexate on a Sunday and adalimumab on Friday. I was hoping someone would get back to me to tell me what to do about taking my meds but nothing! Has anyone had this before? Did you stop taking your meds?
I stopped my other RA med and was given antivirals but rheumatology were slow to get back to me so I sorted it via a private dermatologist confirming shingles and GP script to take Acyclovir antivirals. That was October 2019 just after I’d had a Rituximab infusion. Hope you feel better soon and hear what to do from your rheumy team.
The GP gave me the antivirals luckily! Thanks for your kind wishes 
Glad you got them as they will really help. Feel better soon.
Yes. I stopped my drugs. I’ve still got a tingle 2 months on but not the awful pain. I stayed off drugs until to quote rheumy nurse I felt ‘fit and well’. Like we ever do!! You need antivirals: and quickly!
Okay well if I don't hear from them, I'll just stay off my meds and err on the side of caution. I've got the antivirals luckily!
Pleased to hear that. My attack was on my face.
Nasty 😔
That must have been awful. 😢 Mine was on my upper hip/side.
Ooh bad luck, I believe it can be rather painful. Sorry I haven't had it (yet) so can't offer any advice. I do hope you don't suffer too much. 💐
Thank you ❤️
I’m sorry to hear you’ve got the Shingles . I do hope you cope alright and that things are alright . It’s amazing how we catch these things it seems out of the blue . Take care
I had shingles a few years ago it was awful so I really hope your feeling better soon.
I had it too a couple of years ago...wondered what the heck it was when the stabbing pains first started! Horrid illness.
Hey there,
I had shingles in January 2018 while I was on Olumiant. I was given antivirals straight away (via my rheumy) - I was told to stop Olumiant but keep taking Leflunomide. I was very lucky - only had a very mild version. I hope you got sorted by now! xx
Sadly still no word from my rheumatologist, luckily the gp gave me the antivirals though. I'm just going to stay off them I think until I hear back (IF I hear back).
Sorry to hear you have shingles. Hope you feel better soon. Take care.
Stop your meds and start Aciclovir. I now take Aciclovir tablets, as blanket cover, night and morning to prevent attacks. Hope you can nip it in the bud...it's the last thing you need to have to deal with on top of everything else. Thinking of you.
Hi, I had shingles a couple of months ago. The nurse practitioner prescribed antiviral tablets and told me to stop methotrexate but when I questioned the Baracitinib she said no it won’t clash with the antivirals so to keep taking it. I had a feeling she didn’t really know what that drug was so held off taking until I had spoken to my rheumatology team. I was right, the rheum nurse said to stop both methotrexate and Baracitinib until the rash had dried up. I think I felt worse from stopping my meds than I did from the actual shingles!
Yeah I don't really want to stop my meds but I guess that's just part of the parcel! How long did it take to clear?
I think it was 2 weeks until I felt it had cleared up enough to restart meds, then a bit longer for tingling type sensation to completely go and the rash to fully fade away.
Shingles
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