Polymyalgia + Shingles

[Plonkerme]

I have PMR and read 'keep away from people with shingles' - I had a shingles vaccination. What are likely complications?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Which shingles vaccine was it? There are two available in the USA and I don't know where you are. Have you had chicken pox in the past?

The warning about shingles is for people who have not had CP. You cannot catch shingles - it is due to the CP virus having reactivated after being dormant in nerve endings. It is theoretically possible to catch CP from someone with shingles but it so unusual you can ignore it - you would have to poke at a blister and come in contact with the fluid which I really can't imagine anyone doing willingly!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

This is a post from PMRpro a couple of years ago - it relates to an ‘older” vaccine, but may be relevant.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Where's the link? And you can't even blame pred...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Good question, nicely phrased, but I did look it up, copy and paste it, but there it was...gone!

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Et voila - there it is again!! Prestidigitation - or should that be predstidigitation...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Dunno!

Whatevs - it’s a long word for a Friday afternoon! ‘Specially after an hour’s Pilates this morning!

I sometimes think I’m certifiable! Mind you, most people think I am ALL the time!

Have a good weekend.

[jennifer15]

Hi, I had the shingles vaccination but still got shingles about six months after my first symptoms. I was not aware of having been in contact with chicken pox.

I had the rash but felt absolutely fine and it only lasted about a month. The GP also gave me aciclovir. Hopefully you will not get shingles but if you did it would be very mild. Jenny

[piglette in reply to jennifer15]

You do not need to be in contact with someone with chicken pox to get shingles. If you have had chicken pox the virus lurks inside you and can then manifest itself as shingles, often when people are stressed. You should not have the shingles vaccine if you have PMR and are taking pred as it is a live vaccine. Although there is a new vaccine that is OK apparently.

[HeronNS in reply to piglette]

Shingrix is made with killed virus so should not cause disease in anyone. My husband has had the first shot (should probably get his second soon) and was knocked flat for about a day but fine after that.

My understanding is shingles comes from reactivation of chicken pox virus present in the body forever after you've had chicken pox, not from being exposed to someone else with chicken pox. Is this true? You can't get shingles if you've never had chicken pox.

[piglette in reply to HeronNS]

That is correct. The virus lurks in the body forever after you have chicken pox. If you have not had chicken pox you cannot get shingles.

I do not know anyone who has had the new Shingrix, I hope it works OK and your husband is not too far knocked out.

[jennifer15]

Oh thanks.

I had the shingles vaccine about a year before having symptoms of GCA.

Then we had a very stressful house sale and move so this may have led to GCA 3 months after moving and shingles 9 months later.

Thanks again Jenny.

There is lots to learn