Having seen what Shingles did to my wife's mum I am concerned about this issue, esp as I am about to embark on Humira.

A rheumy consultant gave me this advice which I thought I'd share:

"Firstly, I'd suggest being tested for VZV antibodies. If you test positive, you have already been exposed, can be considered immune and won't need vaccination at all.

If you test negative, you could be vaccinated. I'd be very cautious about taking this vaccine whilst on immunosuppressive drugs (including prednisolone). So I'd suggest coming off everything (and would need to allow a reasonable interval after MTX/Adalimumab - say four weeks - before considering vaccination) including steroids. Then would leave it at least 10 days to 2 weeks after vaccination to restart, and not then if you had developed a rash (can happen after vaccination)

You'd need to set the risks of such a strategy (disease flare) off against the benefits (peace of mind over VZV exposure). Might be best not to bother."

Thanks for sharing Paul - my hubby had shingles a while back, and it was not pleasant!! I had chicken pox as a child so I think that makes me immune - fingers crossed!

Sylvia xx

Thanks for heads up Anne - I didn't know that. Luckily I didn't get shingles when hubby did - which is a relief!

Incidentally, talking about viruses, does anybody else suffer with cold sores? Years ago I used to get them regularly, but since having RA I haven't had one for a couple of years - until NOW!! Ughh - I have a monster on my lip and am mortified. Can't understand why it's suddenly appeared now as I'm generally feeling very well. The only thing that's changed is that I've just started sulphusalazine, which seems to be working as my DAS is the lowest I can remember it being! I wonder if that's got something to do with it

Sylvia xx

Hi Sylvia,
As far as I remember it is part of the vari whatsit virus and
some people get that instead of shingles. Go to the Doctor for advice
Take care Anne

Sylvia......maybe you didn't get them for ages because of an overactive immune system and maybe the fact that you have got one now means that your immune system is more normal. Just a thought and also a positive way of looking at it. Celebrate that cold sore!

Good news!!!!!

I had the blood test, and I don't need to be vaccinated for shingles because it turns out I have natural resistance.

Yay!!! Finally some good news.

Hi Everyone

I have at this very moment got shingles. I was in severe pain on Thursday in my hip and even after morphine all day it was just getting worse. My husband phoned the out of hours doctor at night to be told he couldn't give me anything more than morphine and to see my GP in the morning by which time i had the rash. I was feeling unwell a few days before and still have a high temperature and headache. The doctor gave me anti viral meds. The pain is terrible and i would not wish this on anyone.

I'm on methotrexate and entercept and my GP said i could continue with those while i have shingles. I am concerned as i thought if you had an infection/high temperature you had to stop until well again? Does anyone know?

Love Shirley

Not sure about the enbrel but I had an op recently and apparently thinking has changed and they don't stop Methotrexate now. This was confirmed by a patient opposite me who also had RA and was on enbrel, she'd had major surgery and had to stop the enbrel but not the methotrexate. So maybe that answeres one but ont the other.
Hope you begin to feel better soon.
Best wishes
Sheila

Glad to hear the pain has eased. Fingers crossed that stopping the meds doesn't cause a flare