Shingles vaccine and biologics | Arthritis Information

 

Has anybody here who's on a biologic gone off their meds for a while so that they could get a Shingles vaccination? My mom had a nasty case of shingles a few years ago, and I don't want it to happen to me. However, you can't get vaccinated while you're taking a biologic because the vaccine contains a live virus. Biologics throttle back the immune system so much that you might actually come down with shingles from the vaccination, or, your body will fail to produce shingles antibodies (the desired effect). I'd hate to go off of Humira for an extended period, but it would be worth it if I could get vaccinated and not have to worry about shingles. In retrospect, I probably should have gotten the shot before I started taking Humira ... sigh. I'm the exact age my Mom was when she got shingles, and I'm starting to sweat a little bit. I wanted the vaccine too and the doctor said no way.  He never suggested I go off my meds temporarily so I could get the shot.  I guess he didn't think it was worth the risk.  Is there a genetic link to getting shingles?  Has your doctor told you you're more at risk because of your mom's experience?  If that's the case, I would certainly ask the doctor if it would be a good idea to stop your meds briefly.  But be warned, I've heard of some here who have gone off their meds for various reasons and had a hard time getting the same relief they had earlier, when they went back to the medication.  It's kind of a crap shoot, isn't it? [QUOTE=Jesse88]... I've heard of some here who have gone off their meds for various reasons and had a hard time getting the same relief they had earlier, when they went back to the medication ... [/QUOTE]

That's my biggest fear. I'm doing so well on Humira that I'm not sure I'd be willing to take my chances going off of it for even a brief period unless I was fairly certain of getting a good result from the shingles vaccine.

I don't think shingles has a genetic link. I'm pretty sure anybody who has ever had chicken pox is at risk ... and I had a NASTY case of chicken pox.
I sincerely hope that nothing forces me to stop the enbrel.  I am feeling the best (most days) than I've felt in a long time!

My doc refused to give the vaccine too.   I went off my meds last summer to have a lung operation done.  I have not had a good out come with my meds since I went back on them.  I would be leary about going off my meds for a vaccine that may or may not keep us from getting Shingles. hi treefrog i have never heard of a shingles vaccine in the uk.
i thought a person got chickenpox . the virus remains dormant
in the body untill trigered and shingles develop..i have had shingles.
but before ra.a tough decision on the meds maybe dont rock the boat.

Boney    I know that anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles, but I'd still be interested to learn if someone is more suseptible if a close relative has had it.  I mean, is there a genetic component as well that would make one person come down with it and another not?Waddles, thanks for the link. I guess the best any of us can do is watch for the first signs of shingles, and then get to the doctor immediately. I believe there are medications that can help quite a bit as long as they're administered within the first few days after symptoms appear. [QUOTE=Boney]hi treefrog i have never heard of a shingles vaccine in the uk ...
[/QUOTE]

Hi Boney ... It's a fairly new vaccine (Zostavax) that's highly recommended for anybody over 60 who has had chicken pox. It's about 60% effective at preventing shingles. The problem for us folks who have compromised immune systems is that the vaccine contains live virus cells. If they could use dead virus cells, it likely wouldn't be a problem.
hi treefrog thanks for the information.. the only vaccine i getis the flue
jab once a year which is a dead virus..

Boney   I guess this is like the Catch 22 my daughter is in for chickenpox and rubella vaccines.  Can't get them if you are immune-suppressed; can't get them with active arthritis; unless you go into non-medicine-induced remission, I guess you go without?