All the drugs I took, take lowers my immune system. No prednisone anymore, but Methotrexate lowers immune response. About 4 days ago, got shingles on my face and forehead. It is super pain, bad pain. Before the shingles, I felt like my eyes were infected, eyes and skin all red and sore. Pain not quite as bad as the PMR at it's worst was. Doc gave me Valacyclovir. And an antibiotic as I may also have an infection under my ear. My hands are so much better, they feel more normal and my finger strength is coming back. The shingles is also on my right outer eyelid, but not my nose. The pain is worse when touched or you push on the skin. The last few weeks I have dropped methotrexate down to 4 pills from 6. I think will keep reducing methotrexate.
I have no shingles actually in my eye and they are no longer red. Right ear hurts a lot and a lymph node under the ear is swollen up and very tender.
Ibuprofen actually helps the pain feel less intense.
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sdowney717
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I can see how if the pain never went away, this nerve pain would seriously debilitate a person. Extreme chronic pain, that makes you think about pain all the time your awake and it is a pain that does not stop.
Typical 2 to 4 week duration and I about finished a week of shingles already.
The rashed area on my forehead, half is drying up.
I have areas that are red, painful and not rashed yet.
Hard luck - shingles is not nice. At least you have the valacyclovir - hopefully it is helping. And hope you have a short episdoe with no post-herpetic neuralgia which is the long lasting really nasty bit when it happens.
I got my first shot recently but there was a debate between the clinic staff when the next booster should be. They went for 6 months in the end. Not sure if this is correct. Do you happen to know?
" How long should I wait after giving the first dose of Shingrix to give the second dose?
A: You should give the second dose of Shingrix 2 to 6 months after you gave the first dose. For individuals who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed and who would benefit from completing the series in a shorter period, the second dose can be administered 1 to 2 months after the first."
They booked me in for 2 months then cancelled it and said wait till 6 months. I got they feeling they were very unsure. I had to jump through enough hoops to get the first shot
poor you, I had eye shingles a few years ago, it was all over my eye, my forehead and scalp and nose, it lasted for about four weeks , then about a year later I got shingles in my eye, on the cornea, that was very painful, I had it again a couple of years later, it’s very painful but it does clear up. Hope you get better soon. I’ve just had my shingles jab so fingers crossed it keeps at bay.
I am recommending my family get Shingrix, I read it is 90% effective at preventing shingles. Most people don't get shingles more than once. Seriously, you don't want to risk getting long term nerve pain or eye issues. A very few people actually die from shingles.
For me it never entered my mind I would get shingles. I think for PMR people who take immuno suppressive drugs, like prednisone, methotrexate, just more reasons to get that Shingrix. 1 in 3 adults will get shingles once in their life.
I feel like I am on the mend here with shingles, Forehead, and head, are scabbing over and my eye is much better. I will stop my weekly dose of methotrexate for a while. Before the rash showed up, I thought I had an eye infection. As soon as rash appeared I went to doctor 2 days later. At first rash looked like contact dermatitis, almost looked like early poison ivy.
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On top of everything else, Now I have covid19!
shoulder pain but only on the right side?
Is this my PMR or am I now suffering from arthritis
soreness on right side of head GCA
Is varicella zoster (herpes zoster, shingles?) perhaps a partial cause of some PMR, GCA? Does it fit for you?
