shingles: Two weeks in of pmr/ GCA? and pred and... - PMRGCAuk

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shingles

galp profile image
galp
8 Replies

Two weeks in of pmr/ GCA? and pred and am fearful a small blister on my abdomen may be the start of shingles

I have had in this area before, this looks a little different but being that prednisone

lowers your resistance I am worried.I will call dr asap in morning.

Has anyone contracted shingles on prednisone

Gina

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galp profile image
galp
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8 Replies
Gb2613 profile image
Gb2613

Hi Gina,

Sorry to hear your concern. Having had shingles in May and still suffering nerve pain as a result, my advise would be to see GP for confirmation so that you can be put on correct medication immediately (really important if it is shingles). Hopefully it is not and just a blip. Good luck.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

You don't "catch" shingles - it is a reactivation of the virus that stayed in nerve ending after having chicken pox as a child. and it can happen easily enough even without a dodgy immune system in PMR or with pred.

You need to see a doctor asap - no waiting for an appointment, as you should be put on antiviral medication within 48 hours of the rash appearing if it is shingles.

galp profile image
galp in reply to PMRpro

Hello

Yes thanks you are so right, I worded that wrong.

If it is , it would be my third bout in my lifetime, I was just wonderering if pred which lowers our resistance , helped it pop thru again. Was going to get vaccine, but have to wait a year before having it and my bout was 8 months ago.

I will have it looked at today, It looks a bit different but Sadly another blister this am , same spot as last time, so need to get on anti viral, although that med helped keep it at bay last time , had to come off early due to side effects, Hoping its compatible with pred,

Be well

Gina

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to galp

I don't think they really know if it has anything to do with it - the pred makes it more likely your own immune system won't pounce on it though!

I wouldn't get the shingles vaccine - it mentions something in the datasheet about possibly triggering PMR! There is a post about it somewhere.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

galp profile image
galp in reply to PMRpro

Yes i have always been hesitant of vaccines of any kind. I had a reaction to flu shot, which I never take but had to for a job in healthcare, and had a week of joint pain and fatique, and have never taken another one or gotten the flu.

I was working on a neuro unit back in the 70 s when we were seeing guillian-barre over and over after the flu shots , Everyone says its not a live vaccine now ,like it was then, but I know it caused that reaction, so I have been leary about the shingles vaccine.

I will read the link, thank you

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD in reply to galp

The flu shot may not be live but I've seen a couple of neurological damage as a result in recent years. The shingles vaccine is not to be given to anyone immunosuppressed because it is a live vaccine. There is a Pred dose above which one is considered too suppressed to have the vaccine and anyone giving it should have those dose thresholds at their finger-tips.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to SnazzyD

In the case of the shingles vaccine it is 20mg - below it has been claimed it is safe. We do this discussion every few months!

S4ndy profile image
S4ndy

I had shingles in February. In my mouth and face. I am on 12mg of Pred and was given antivirals as my GP recognised the sores as Shingles. I am glad I got the meds quickly. I did feel a little worse while taking them with more fatigue but glad I took them as I think it shortened my suffering. Still have a bit of numbness/tingles in my lip and inside my mouth but U know this type of thing takes time. Hope if it is shingles you get the meds quickly.

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