Chickenpox and Benepali

[Diamondpainting]

Good Morning Everyone! I am wondering if anyone can give me advice or has any experience with this. I have just had a phone call from my daughter. I am due to go and stay with her and the grandchildren next Tuesday (4 days time), but my grandson has come down with chickenpox - the rash (very mild) started yesterday (Friday). I have been using the Benepali pen for about 6 six weeks and am on Methotrexate. My daughter has said that my grandson won't be infectious by Tuesday (he also has a baby brother 6 months old who isn't showing any symptoms), I am just really worried about getting Shingles. Has anyone else experienced this or have any advice?

[Marionfromhappydays]

I hope your grandchildren aren't too unwell with it x

I am on benepali, when I was prescribed it by rheumatology and also when the nurses from healthcare at home showed me how to inject I was told with great emphasis not to mix with people who have chickenpox or shingles.

In the nicest possible way I wouldnt want to be around anyone who recently had chickenpox .

[Diamondpainting in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thank you Marion. I am worried that although the baby isn't yet showing any symptoms that he will become unwell while I am there - it will be too late then to avoid possible infection!

[Runrig01]

The advice when on biologics or MTX is to avoid chickenpox. Your daughter can’t say for sure he won’t be infectious, as it’s only when the blisters dry up. You have to contact gp if you do come into contact as they usually prescribe antivirals. Chickenpox can be more severe and even life threatening in immunosuppressed. They advise avoid close contact which is more than 15 mins in the same room. I personally wouldn’t risk it

[Diamondpainting in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you Maureen

[AgedCrone]

Ask your rheumy nurse urgently …..but the 6 month old could be incubating chickenpox……& if you have already had it…you could develop Shingles…..& believe you me….you don’t want that.I only had it mildly on my face, over my eyes and in my head and it was most unpleasant to say the least.

I know you desperately want to see your grandchildren ….but for the sake of your health…… I’d stay home if I were you.

[Diamondpainting in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you AgedCrone

[oldtimer]

At this time it is too risky. The baby may still develop chickenpox and be actively infectious.

[Diamondpainting in reply to oldtimer]

That's what I am worried about, oldtimer. I think I might have to see them another time

[Fruitandnutcase]

Sorry I know it will be disappointing all round but I think I would play safe and avoid the family for a while. From what I remember when my children were young you are infectious before the rash comes out. As an adult you definitely don’t want shingles or chickenpox, I had a friend who picked up chickenpox from a child in her class, she was really ill with it and I remember her saying she had spots in places you wouldn’t even have imagined you could get them. I was too polite to ask where but I wouldn’t take any chances if I were you.

[Diamondpainting in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you F. Your poor friend - I hope she is fully recovered!

[medway-lady]

It's so hard but just avoid for another week as Shingles is dreadful and can last for a long time. I was hospitalised with it and still take antivirals some 3 years later. I still get pain in the nerve endings where the rash was if its cold and it is such a nasty illness. I do sympathise as my baby granddaughter is so snotty at the moment so not seen for a couple of weeks. And Zoom is just not the same but they'll be plenty of time in the months to come so better safe than sorry. Obviously you could see them and not get Shingles anyway as it is pot luck, but is it worth the risk ? I'd say sadly probably not. x

[Diamondpainting in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you ML. I just didn't want to let the children down as we were going pumpkin picking and carving and my daughter can't manage on her own with all her children

[Boxerlady]

I can understand you wanting to see them but personally I wouldn't risk it.

My Mum had shingles years ago and my husband had chicken pox in his 30s (not at the same time as each other so not connected) but both were very ill and neither of them had any other health issues.

[Diamondpainting in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you for advice Boxerlady

[liveinwoods]

I have to agree with all those who say to stay home and avoid possible infection. I had shingles years ago and it was debilitating and painful. There were large blisters in my scalp and down my neck. The pain lasted for several months. Stay home and stay safe. You can visit when the grandkids are well again.

[Diamondpainting in reply to liveinwoods]

Thank you liveinwoods. I think better safe than sorry is the way to go!

[Nyreedw]

You can't catch Shingles. It's in the body dormant once you have had chicken pox and reactivated to shingles when you are stressed and run down. You should have been tested for immunity to chicken pox when having screening for biologics. I was working in a day nursery and never had a problem as I have immunity from it when I was screened for Biologics.

[Diamondpainting in reply to Nyreedw]

Oh that's interesting. I might see if I can speak to my Rheumy nurse today then - see if she can find out my blood test results. Thank you for the information!