OT: A bit of a poll...sort of. | Arthritis Information

I was lucky enough to have had a bout with shingles last month which was just the most fun I've ever had in my life. ( I hope you pick up the sarcasm there because I'm spreading it on thick) I just got my MTX and Enbrel restarted last week and think the darn shingles might be coming back. Great, time for me to worry myself sick again!

Anyway, when I asked my pcp if it would come back he said that it was possible but not extremely likely to recur. I think he said something like 1 to 5 % of the people that develop them once get them again. If that's true believe me I'm fine with that.

So how about it folks? How many of us here have had shingles and have you had them more than one time in your life?

Bob H.

Sorry Bob

That is awful. I have never ha shingles. My Aunt had them more than once though. I would think being on the MTX and Enbrel could make it more likely.

I sure hope you are not getting them again.

My spouse has had very mild episodes of shingles and I just asked him and he said that they've recurred 4 times over a 25 year span. It's possible that they hadn't completely cleared or that the nerves were still inflammed prior to restarting MXT and Enbrel. I'm really sorry that you're not responding. Shingles can be absolutely the worst and I remember your previous post and I've been wondering how you were doing. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Lindy I have had them more than once. Valtrex worked wonders. The first time, I had a complete outbreak, did not realize what they were but they completely went away in about 2 weeks. The second time, I got 2 blisters in the same area. I got on the valtrex and that was the end of them. I still have a bit of itching to that area now and then. Good luck with this. It is a bad situation but medication does help.

I had them pretty bad and they left some terrible scars. I think maybe I am experiencing post herpetic neuralgia that some get after them. It has only been about 5 weeks ago since I had them so maybe the nerve damage is still a factor. Honestly, it's not that I'm afraid of them coming back it's the inconvenience of having to discontinue meds that I need for RA. I also keep thinking well if these meds are going to make them recur then what am I supposed to do for the rest of my life? I'm just afraid that I'll end up not being able to take my RA meds for fear of constantly having shingles outbreaks.

Lorster, mine were almost healed in two weeks but it took about three for the scabs to fall off. I scratched the heck out of them before finding out what they were so that didn't help me. Did the valtrex make you shake at all? It wrecked my nerves to the point that I could barely sign my name.

Bob

Bob,

I have 4 relatives that had shingles. For 3 of them it was a one time occurrence. But my 70 year old cousin had a bad bout, and still has an itching, burning sensation that she takes meds to control. I hope its a one time thing for you too so you can continue w/your RA meds. Take care.

Had them once. Caught it early and was treatedI had a terrible case a couple months ago. Bad scars all over the torso. (so much for bikinis LOL)

My Dr said its not likely to recur. But I have certainly heard of it recuring.

I sure hope not.

I sure hope not too. Though I've been told that unless you have HIV/AIDS, cancer, or are an organ transplant patient that your body does in fact develop some defense against them and that if they do recur they tend to be a little less severe during subsequent infections. I found out that my aunt had them twice and that the second time she didn't even take anything for them they just resolved on their own. Now she doesn't take the meds I do but she does have other health issues whereas aside from RA and being a bit overweight, I'm in pretty good health.

I think maybe the problem I'm having is acne caused by prednisone. I'm going to pop into the dermatologists office later this afternoon and have him look at it. Plus, it looks like some has cleared up overnight, so that should rule out a shingles recurrence there.

Bob

I feel so bad for you two. I hope you don't ever have a re-occurance as I have heard how miserable and painful it can be. I honestly thought it was a one time deal.

best wishes and good luck!

Deb

1st time I had them was in Sept 02. All over my face and head. I've had them 4 times after that. Not as bad though. Still get the pain in my head from them. SucksI've had them once and for about a year after I kept thinking they were coming back cos of the lingering pain.

i was told at the time that there was no treatment for shingles though and they had to run their course, posts on here seem to contradict that...if so, not happy with my doctor because they took me out for about 3-4 weeks

I get them around my eye. Seems like once a year. Not fun...I am always paranoid that they are coming back.

Haven't had 'em - hope I never do.

Jay,

Your doc may have told you correctly, all I know is that my 70 year old cousin had a bad bout of them, she may have had nerve damage or something, cuz its sorta chronic. The pills she takes to manage it though makes her very groggy so she doesn't take as many as she should so she has itching, burning sensation around her ear and scalp, she has a tough time w/it sometimes.

Jay, the usual treatment for them, if caught within 72 hours of onset is Valtrex one gram three times daily for 7 days. The thing is that the Valtrex is only meant to lessen the symptoms and pain of the shingles but they still have to resolve on their own. If they are bad enough they can also give you steroids (which basically caused my bout) and pain meds. When I was in the hospital the docs gave me dilaudid for pain. (oh that is some groovy stuff there folks...talk about feeling goooood)

Then if you're lucky like some (me) and still have the stinging and itching after they have healed the docs might give you Lyrica. Mine did but I have yet to take one as I just really want to avoid another RX med if I can for as long as possible.

Bob - glad to see you post. My husband had shingles right before I met him, and has terrible scars on his arms. I have a bottle of Valtrex for mouth herpes simplex, which I haven't opened in a year as its gone away. I was under the impression you only had shingles once, then weakly after that first time. Good luck. Cathy

That seems to be the general consensus on the shingles thing. I'm talking of course about the being weaker after having them the first time. The monster case I had put me in the hospital for a week and a half so I'm hoping that I've seen the last of them for a while.

For those that have had them recur, have you found that they usually come back in the same place as they had been before or do they move around? The biggest majority of mine were on my scalp on top and the left side, but I did have one tiny patch on the left side of my neck which to this day remains irritated due to the area it's in. I think it may be PHN too though that keeps it stinging so much.

Bob H.

I haven't had them but I have had chicken pox twice. I think it's like the same virus. I remember the 2nd time I had chicken pox and I was 16. I was home bound for two weeks and my social life was gone. I still have scars on my face and arms. I thought shingles were only on a person's back. See what I know, zilch, lol. Sorry not any help. I just hope you don't have them again. I have heard nasty things about them. I wouldn't wish them on anyone.

take care