Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Shingle inquiry due to low immune system from biologic?

I found out from my doctor that my unknown rash clusters on my abdomen were shingles. I am glad I know what they are. She said that mine is milder form and put me on Valtrex immediately.

Have you had any shingle issues after starting biologic? If so, how often, how long, how bad were they, what kinds of symptoms, what kind of treatment plans were in place for you.

One of RA patient I met in the warm pool had a really severe shingle case and was hospitalized and had to reduce her Enbrel injection dose from 50 ml to 25 ml...

Just wondering

Shingles is the result of the chicken pox virus becoming reactive due to a lowered immune system. If you are treated with the new antiviral meds, it should go away. It can be very painful though. There are LidoDerm patches which deliver lidocaine into the skin to soothe the nerves. If you have a lot of pain, ask for a prescription for them.

There's no way to determine if this will be reoccurring or if it's a one time thing. Hopefully the Valtrex will knock it out fast.

Shingles was one of the first things I got when my whole ordeal began with this lovely disease 5 years ago...though I wasn't on meds at all then.I wonder how many of us have had them...biologics or not??
Junebug

I acquired shingles 3 years ago after a vacation. At the time I was not on any A.S. meds. Jean Angel

THank you all for your information.

I never had shingles until I started Enbrel 8 weeks ago. I think my immune system is definitely lowered. My small cuts or bruises take very long time to heal now. To prevent as muany illnesses I can, I clean my hands constantly all day long and avoid sick people as much as I can.

I have chills, tingling/burning sensations all over, painful to touch, red/hard/blotches, itchiness, burning. Within 1day of taking Valtrex, I already see a big difference. Hopefull

I read shingle information on Mayo clinic website. It talks about there is a vaccination for shingles for elders. Have you heard about them?

I had shingles about 1 year ago before being on any biologics. I think I was on sulfasalazine and plaquenil. Mine were on the right side of my scalp. The worst part for me were the shooting pains I got down the right side of my face and ear area.
Gail

Does anyone have tingling and burning pains all around arms and legs when you had shingles? Valtrex is helping to decrease shingle itself but I still have a quite a bit of other pain symptoms. I was wondering how long they last....

I had my shingles about the same time as Postal did. On my scalp down to my eyebrow on my right side. My tingling and burning pain along with severe itching was just in the area of my head and forehead. It itched like crazy but the slightest touch was horrible. It hurt like the dickens. I also had the postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)which lasted for about 6 months afterwards.

I was put on Valtrex on day 2 and it stopped it in its tracks. I have heard it was very important to get on Valtrex within the first 3 days. Also, one you have had the chicken pox, you no longer qualify for the shingles immunization.

I was not on any biologics but taking Sulfasalazine and Plaquenil.

Hello Sorry to hear you all are dealing with herpes Zoster too.
I too came down with chicken pox for the 2nd time. I had them once when I was 5 and my mom stated a pretty bad case of them too. Still have scars on my face.
I am a school nurse and at work a coworker had shingles she too was also on methotrexate. ANd my daughter stated that someone in her class was sent home with them near the end of school.
I was told by my primary Doc that it is very rare to get them a 2nd time but can happen when on immunosuppressants. I am taking methotrexate and remicade. Went off Metho for a month to heal.
Now I have 3 to 4 spots on my left side of my face and neck and I am wondering if you can get shingles soon after chicken pox or not. I have seen a derm and he felt it was a contact dermatitis but it is sooooo itchy and my ear is itchy inside and they will not heal and go away. Also my eyelids and eyes were extremely itchy at the beginning of the rash. I am goign on a month now with the face rash.
My son ended up getting them too even though he had the vaccination. My daughter did not. They are now saying that the vac only lasts for 5 years. He is six and had his vac at 12 mos old.

Thanks everyone for your info. I guess I am not eligible for shingle immunization since I had a chickenpox before. I just hope that I don't get 2nd chickenpox again.

I started Valtrex 2 1/2 weeks later because I thought I had insect bites or just rashes from med. i have taken Valtrex for 5 days now so the rashes look smaller and less red but they have not disppeared. Hopefully they will go away soon.

Hope everyone stays as healthy as they can other than AS.. Have a great day, y'all.