Shingles vaccine

[kate1978]

Hi I've been offered a shingles jab and unsure about it because of the steroids, I'm down to 3mg a day, has anyone else had the vaccination

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Kate,

I was offered it this year but declined. I am in remission from GCA and didn’t want to risk it triggering PMR (according to manufacturers no less !) . See PMRpro’s post last year

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Plus see other comments under Related posts on righthand side of screen.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Kate, the shingles vaccine in a live vaccine and really not recommended whilst on steroids. I haven't had the jab, either whilst on steroids or since, and never will as I'm known to be allergic to one of the ingredients. I hope you never succumb to shingles but, if ever that situation arises, it is important to seek emergency advice and treatment with anti-viral medication to lower the chances of ongoing nerve pain.

[TooSore in reply to Celtic]

My Mom was told to get it at the pharmacy because the doctor was out. Went there and the pharmacist caught that she couldn't get it because of an allergy to neomycin. Can you imagine it it had been injected into her? Scary!

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to TooSore]

TooSore, Snap!

[TooSore]

Hi, I just learned that there's a new shingles vaccine that is not a live virus. It does say talk to your doctor if you're taking steroids and it's new which makes me nervous. Has anyone heard of it?

Here's the link: mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

As far as I can gather there is increasing thought that the shingles jab really is not for us.

[1Purplecrow]

I think the shingles immunization is a relatively recent addition to the pharmaceutical companies roster of lucerative offerings. It seems that suddenly all the docs were pushing the jab for us olders.

Of course, live vaccine and PmR dont mix, and I declined the offering.

......However...my 83 year old neighbor (male) was brought to his knees by the debilitating effects of shingles. He had the painful lesions in his eyes, ears, etc. he went from vibrant and active, to hobbling with a zimmer, in just weeks. He ultimately recovered, worse for wear...

So...shingles is a serious illness, and I avoid exposure like it’s the Plague. If someone has the illness, the lesions are toxic little bombs of fluid and noone should touch them without hazmat gear...or at least the little surgical gloves😷.

Cheerful little turtle I am, this morning, eh???

Kind regards, jerri

[polymy in reply to 1Purplecrow]

I have had shingles fairly recently and my GP told me that shingles are only infectious to people who have not had chickenpox. You cannot catch shingles from chickenpox, but you can catch chickenpox from shingles.

Liz.

[SheffieldJane]

No!!! seems to be the consensus. I wonder if this links in any way to the earlier post of mamci’s that attached a study linking the virus Herpes Simplex with GCA?

[kate1978 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think the general consensus is not to get the shingles vaccine , thanks to all who replied

[cctraveler in reply to kate1978]

I had the shingles shot prior to PMR diagnosis, and I'm not entirely confident that it was not the reason for my development of PMR.

[Janicep in reply to kate1978]

I had shingles vaccine just over 3 years before developing PMR - not sure if any connection but would suggest not having live vaccine while you have PMR

[northwesterner]

shingrix.com/index.html?bin...

[northwesterner]

Shringrix has just been approved in the US and immune compromised individuals can take it.

[MarsiJay]

I was staying with my sister when she had one and the upshot was that she became very ill. The call out medic said it could be the vaccination as its a live vaccine. For that reason I did not accept the offer though I have a flu' jab every year. She does not have PMR but I do and thought it not worth the risk.

[Grants148]

I was offered a shingles jab but refused it because l thought it was too much of a risk while taking steroids. I also know someone who became very ill after it. I know that most people are OK afterwards but although l was offered it several times at my doctors surgery l refused it.

[VAl4266]

I have PMR, doctor said it was ok to have shingles jab, 4 months later had shingles, must say it wasn't as bad, as I'd seen in other people, nasty but it cleared up fairly quick, with no lasting problems, but I do think having the shingles injection gave it to me