shingles and Baritinicib

[Minah]

plz anyone could share his or her experiences of having shingles or other skin rash when taking Baritinicib. Did you stop taking it immediately till the symptoms disappeared.And how did you manage this painful period

I am not sure but my symptoms are indicating me it might be the beginning of shingle rash .I could visit GP on Monday now .Should I go to pharmacy as soon as possible .

[skinnycappuccino]

Hi Minah

I got shingles while on Olumiant (baricitinib) in February 2019. When I noticed the rash along with the pain, I sent a picture to my rheumy and he prescribed antivirals, which I could start the same day. If I remember correctly, I had to stop Olumiant while I took the antivirals.

In my case it wasn't that painful and the antivirals worked really well. I think it's important to take them as soon as possible (if you have indeed shingles) so definitely so definitely go see your GP on Monday! I'd definitely go to the pharmacy as well.

Can you get the shingles vaccine? Here in Switzerland you can get it if your on a JAK inhibitor but I think in the UK it depends on age?

All the best, I hope you can sort this out soon,

Christine xx

[Minah in reply to skinnycappuccino]

Thanks for your kind reply.Now decided to go to pharmacy now because as it’s weekend and Gp surgery nurse helpline both are not available till Monday. Wishing you too best .

[Spanelmad]

Ring 111 ,you need antivirals straight away if it's shingles!!

[sylvi]

If in doubt get advice from the medics. xxxx

[Minah in reply to sylvi]

going to A&E as pharmacist suggested to get anti viral after examine me.No more Baritinicib till recovering this problem which means more tough days a head

[skinnycappuccino in reply to Minah]

Hi I'm glad you got advice at the pharmacy, all the best and I hope you recover quickly xx

[AgedCrone]

Get clinical advice NOW …if it is Shingles you need to take the anti VIRALS ASAP.

[Madmusiclover]

Stop taking your drugs. Ring 111. Happened to me. You need anti virals.

[Minah]

JUST TOOK 1st dozen of anti viral and stopped my drug but as many of you could imagine how difficult and stressed to spend this period.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Minah]

Good. Look on the bright side. I had shingles on my face and poor service at A and E meant I got antivirals too late to be effective.

[Minah in reply to Madmusiclover]

So sorry to hear about your experience but you did not tell in details about it

[Madmusiclover in reply to Minah]

That’s ok! Just pleased you’ve got yours! It’s not a nice thing for anyone.

[Haz58]

Glad you got antivirals. Hope they work fast. Xxx

[Gymcactus]

The antivirals worked really well for me.

[Minah in reply to Gymcactus]

hope so in my case as well so could restart my RA medication other wise have no energy in body because of pain .Cannot take painkillers only taking Panadol so could able to go to Toliet or take my medicine by my self

[trevorlloyd1351]

My RA team advised strongly to have the Shingles vaccine, which I have done. Not at all pleasant, but I hope I am now "safe". I am early in RA, and I am doing what I am told. Hopefully, I will not have Shingles which I believe is much worse if you have RA.

[Minah in reply to trevorlloyd1351]

Unfortunately in my case it did not happen though I am not new in this journey also have crossed 50 years .Anyhow sometimes beside of all precautions bad things happen in life especially and it feels more especially when you already are suffering.Hope things would be easier till the ant viral course completed and than next step would be restart my Baritinicib otherwise once more will have to gone through the painful experience of trying new drug .

[trevorlloyd1351 in reply to Minah]

Hi Minah, I am 85 and have been given the vaccine because I have RA.

[Green230461]

Doc told me to stop baricitinib until spots had gone

[Minah]

I have also stopped taking it but not feeling improvement ,pain is mentality and physically torcher beside taking rest all time