Chicken pox risk?

[Zebedee44]

Hello, I'm new here, and very recently diagnosed with PMR after some challenging months with other medical problems, beginning with what I Thought was sciatica and resulting in a quick hysterectomy just after Christmas.

When the blood tests suggested the pain, stiffness and weakness might be PMR, My doctor stared me on a whopping dose of prednisolone, and i am now reducing slowly, with mixed outcome.

Today I drive that my friends littleboy has chicken box and I think I read that it's not advisable to be in contact. The family are moving away soon and I really hoped to see them before they go, so would welcome any advice.

[piglette]

Have you had chicken pox? If not you should keep away from him.

[Hidden]

Hi Zebedee44

Sorry to hear of your recent health issues, l personally would not go near anyone with Chicken Pox even though I've had it as an adult. Have you had it yourself?

There's a lot to learn about PMR & Prednisolone, what dose have you been started on?

I trust you are recovering well from your surgery & I hope your friends son recovers from his chickenpox in time for you to visit before they leave.

Best Wishes 💐

Mrs N

nhs.uk/Conditions/Polymyalg...

[Zebedee44 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I had chicken pox as a child and have never worried about it since, but I remembered reading something about the added risk with PMR.

I have so much to learn about how this condition will effect my life and how to manage it. The past few months have been grim and I do really hope to get my life back on track.

My doctor started me on 50mg for the first three days!!! I reduced to 25mg and now on 20mg, with a lot of pain still but feeling so much better than I did, and now almost fully over the hysterectomy. It has not been much fun.

I'm pleased to have found some sympathetic and supportive folk here. And information, xx

[Hidden in reply to Zebedee44]

Gosh that was a big dose but he was probably trying to hit it on the head, 15/20mg is a more usual starting dose.

There's a good book by Kate Gilbert, l'll look the name up & add it as a PS

You also need to be mindful of anyone with measles too, I'm on another drug to which makes me more susceptable to infections etc but really none of us want to be ill, do we? It's the Prednisolone not the PMR that makes us more vulnerable.

Yes, this is a great sight with loads of help & advice. Has your GP prescribed any other Meds along with your Prednisolone?

Take it easy for a couple of weeks & let the Prednisolone do it's work.

Best Wishes 💐

Mrs N

This is the book details

Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: a survival guide. 2nd edition. By Kate Gilbert

[Zebedee44 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the details about Kate Gilbert's book. I will order a copy of it. I have already ordered the book by the Professor at Southend on Sea but I'm expecting it to be a bit text booky! There so much to understand and I am the kind of person that needs to know what's going on in my body.

I have driven today for the first time in six weeks and done some shopping and really OVERDONE it, silly me. It's my 60th birthday on Monday and I hadn't planned to be so decrepit at this stage in my life.

[Hidden in reply to Zebedee44]

Chill Out over the weekend then hopefully you'll feel better by Monday! 🌺 It's the mistake we all make & keep making, you feel fine so you do more, then you pay for it!

Kate's book is really good & great to pass on to family so they can understand a bit more of what's happened to you.

I'm having a difficult few days, so I'm resting but around to answer a few questions!

Everyone's really good on this site & helpful, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Don't get bogged down to much with it all this weekend, relax & enjoy your Birthday 🎉

Best Wishes 💐

Mrs N

[Zebedee44 in reply to Hidden]

I read some of Kate's book on my iPad and will order it asap, it seems very readable. I guess it makes sense to get the paper copy so it can be passed around the family, good idea. And it's so encouraging to see that she feels she has left it behind, cured.

Thank you for all the support and info. It's a scary time just after diagnosis, not knowing what to expect or how my body will respond, but seeing other posts about the same issues is helpful.

Today for the first time in months I have had a headache, so I started to get anxious about CGA, but I hope I don't have to worry about that too much if I'm already on a the prednisolone. Sadly worry is my default setting at the best of times, probably something we all have in common too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebedee44]

You're right about the textbook! It is a heavy read - it isn't a book so much as a collection of review articles by different authors.

Happy birthday when it comes!

[alexgranma13]

Oh I do hope you start feeling a bit better soon. Yes we are all learning about this rotten condition. Keeping away from anyone with shingles too. Add it to your list. Keeping a sense of humour where possible helps. Take care

Christine

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Once you have had CP as a child there is far less risk - the warning is for people who HAVEN'T had it as a child as getting it as an adult is very risky and people with poor or no immunity are at a high risk. You would be amazed how many people don't know if they had it - and nowadays a lot of people don't get it.

If you have had CP then you are not at risk from someone with shingles - you can't catch shingles, although you could develop it. The CP virus remains dormant in the nerve endings and something causes it to reactivate and cause shingles. It is theoretically possible to catch CP from someone with shingles but you would have to touch an unscabbed blister as that is the only way to infect yourself so it is VERY unlikely.

As for the child - it depends on what stage his CP is at. The most infectious period is the 48 hours before the rash appears and then it declines until the last blister is scabbed over. Once the scabs are all formed then he will not be infectious at all and can go back to school for example. So if you wait a few days you won't have to worry.

[Zebedee44 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, that is great information. I have messaged his mum to see how long he has had spots, so hopefully will see him and his big brother (who is very special to me) before they move away.