Shingles

[Alebeau]

Even though I received 2 shigles vaccinations I now have shingles and it is a real pain.

I was told that because I was receving a high dose or steroids at the time I gort vaccinated that the immunity to shigles was compromised. What fun!!

Anyone else experieneced this?

The antiviral medication Valacyclovir has very nasty side effects - my stomache now hurts more than the shingles pain.

Just wanted to share this horror story with my fellow steroid junkies.

Hope you all had a nice Christmas 🎄

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh what hard luck - though no vaccine is 100% successful at prevention. I have an appointment for Shingrix in early February. I'm on a lowish dose of pred but also on Actemra which is also an immunosuppressant so will be interesting to see how effective it will be.

I do hope your shingles isn't TOO bad - and above all no post-herpetic neuropathy which is the worst bit so it is a reasonably happy new year!!

[Alebeau in reply to PMRpro]

Thank-you and good luck to you - hopefully the low dose of pred will be no problem

If nothing else this will be a memorable Xmas season for me - cortisone shot on the 23rd for bursitis then shingles diagnosis on the 24th - a couple of Xmas presents I wasn't expecting 😜

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Alebeau]

Must have been VERY naughty last year!!!!

I've had a few similarly memorable Christmases too, one was compensated for by a baby daughter but the others I could have done without!!!

[Alebeau in reply to PMRpro]

I will refrain from further naughtiness in the future. 🥹.

Thanks for the laugh.

Have a great New Year 🎉

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Alebeau]

Can’t always get what we want!😳..hope you soon feel better…🌸

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Alebeau]

The same thing happened to me when I was given high doses of steroids for possible asthma exacerbation after the flu shot four years ago. I hadn’t yet had but I did get it last year. However, 13 days after I received a which is used for bone density I came down with shingles again. It is a mild case for sure. And actually, what works for it is putting an antiviral ointment right on the lesions three times a day and that actually gives very good relief without even taking pills. It’s the same ointment you use for a cold blister. It’s the same type of virus. I discussed this with my primary doctor although it was my idea since I’m a retired medical professional. He concurred.

[Alebeau in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Good to know

Thanks

The antiviral medication was terrible- wish I had never taken it

I am in week 2 and the rash appears to be receding but the pain is terrible.

I am starting pregabalin and so far it does give me some relief -along with ibuprofen

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Alebeau]

Be glad there is an antiviral medication. Yesterday I spoke to a lady who kept coming down with shingles what she did was take it for a few days until she felt better and then stopped kept coming It was never wiped out. This is like taking an antibiotic and stopping before it’s finished. It actually strengthens the bacteria of virus. Well this time the lady came down with such a severe case that her face is partially paralyzed, she has to be on steroids and of course, the dose of Valtrex .

Did you ever get the Shingrix shots ?Benadryl is excellent for itch; recommended by ER doctor. I would say I’m good today actually didn’t even need to put any ointment on the rash and didn’t have to take anything for it or pain and I credit the vaccine for that.

Why didn’t you like the antiviral medication?

[Alebeau in reply to Karenjaninaz]

It gave me a very sore stomach and very sore joints - like severe PMR pains along with issues peeing.

Maybe in hind sight it was shingles side effects - I will talk to my doctor about that soon

In any case it’s too late now to restart

my rash is much diminished and pregabalin and ibuprofen reduce the pain for many hours - like about 7 hours

I take it before bedtime to get a good sleep

I am hoping the worst is over now

good luck to you

[Miacaro45]

I had a very mild case of shingles after taking the 2 vaccines.

[Alebeau in reply to Miacaro45]

Did you take any medicine? What made you think it was mild?

Thanks

[Miacaro45 in reply to Alebeau]

Mine looked like a slight rash on my waist. The doctor felt I did not need to take any medicine. I had a horrible case when I was 8 yrs old and suffered for 5 months-painful headaches so that I could not brush my hair. When I was finally diagnosed with GCA, I told the doctor that my headache was like the headache I had when I was 8! Unforgettable.

[Eatsfruitsandleaves]

Yes, I had a very similar experience. Extremely unpleasant and painful. I had 2 x Shingrix jabs.