Shingles jab

[Misty2552017]

Hi All,

I’ve been on Mycophenolate for almost 6 months and have been offered the shingles jab by my GP. I checked with my Rheumatologist and he said to go ahead. On checking the information leaflet about taking Mycophenolate, it says to avoid anything with a live vaccine. Now I’m unsure whether to have it.Has anyone out there had any experience and what was the outcome?

Thanks for your help!

[LucyJean]

Hi there, vaccine information seems to me to be very confusing and different people seem to get different responses about what to do. The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, and you are on an immunosuppressant so the likelihood is that you stand a very good chance of either getting it or being unable to build immunity to it, making it pointless. I would double check with your consultant or one of the specialist nurses. Even the government websites say that live vaccines should not be given to people who are immunosuppressed. I personally would not be having it.

All my best

Lucy

[Misty2552017 in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you for your reply. I’m very confused about it too.

I trust my consultant but my gut feeling says no! I did double check with him too. Many of my friends have had shingles badly so I’m in a quandary. I put off having the jab last week as I was having an iron infusion and it’s rebooked for the coming week..... I think I’ll cancel again !

Thanks once again,

Viv

[LucyJean in reply to Misty2552017]

Hi Viv, I think you are completely right not to have it when you are already vulnerable and needing an iron infusion. Your body will have already been needing to deal with that! Just to be clear unless you have it given to you via a vaccine you can't actually 'catch' shingles. You can only get shingles if you have already had chicken pox, and what happens is that it is possible for the dormant virus (the herpes zoster virus) to become active again if you are run down or immunosuppressed. I have had shingles four times, the last time when I was on methotrexate. If you develop any signs of it then you need to get to the GP and get some Acyclovir (antiviral medications) straight away. If you catch it early you stand a greater chance of nipping it in the bud.

All my best

Lucy xxx

[Misty2552017 in reply to LucyJean]

Hi,

Thank you for your reassurance. I do realise that I have a higher chance of getting it...my mother had it twice! I think I only considered it because my husband, who has only one working artery, is due to have a hip replacement soon and that will be a very stressful time for me!

At least these days we do have Acyclovir!

Thanks once again,

Viv

[LucyJean in reply to Misty2552017]

Hi Viv, I am sure they wouldn't even be attempting to do a hip replacement if they didn't think your husband had a good chance of a good recovery and less pain and more function afterwards. They will look after him, and you need to look after yourself too. If you look after yourself then you will be in the prime position to look after him. I hope you have some friends and family you can rely on to help you through this tricky time. Thinking of you both and wishing you both well. Lxxx

[Misty2552017 in reply to LucyJean]

Hi, my husband has had many hours of consultation with the surgeon,anaesthetist,cardiologists and haematologist (he has ‘Hughes Syndrome....sticky blood) and has been given 90-95% sucess rate! But I’m still worried! He says he’s prepared to take the risk as he can’t take the pain!

We have three grown up daughters,sons-in-law and six almost grown grandchildren living locally. Also fantastic neighbours and friends.

I think that the latest iron infusion has helped but you know how it is,just one step forward and two back....heyho!

Thanks for your support. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Viv