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shingles

Posted , 7 users are following.

mary238
mary238

Had a letterfrom my doctor that I need to have shingles vaccination. I wondered if i am allowed this as I am on steroids ? thank you

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Nefret
    Nefret mary238

    Posted

    Mary, I believe it is a live vaccine and that shouldn't be done if you are on steroids.  I suggest you contact them for the full details and explain at the same time.

    I guess these letters are computer-generated and sent to whoever meets their criteria as to age and lifestyle.  Best to talk to them, though.

  • bedilia
    bedilia mary238

    Posted

    Speak to your physician and/or your pharmacist/chemist's.  I went to the pharmacy yesterday to inquire if I should get the "flu vaccine" right now.  The pharmacist said I should wait until my current health status improves.  I'm sure my PMD would say the same thing!
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure mary238

    Posted

    biggrinIt's up to UR dr. I see no reason why u stop steroids unless it's tp itching from Shingles. The live vaccine hawked all the devert itching away. Ask u gov or call rhe nurse. 
  • EileenH
    EileenH mary238

    Posted

    I answered a post on this in detail recently and what I found in my research for that reply was: It isn't contraindicated for patients on lower doses of steroids but in the manufacturer's data sheet it mentions as a severe adverse event during trials the development of polymyalgia rheumatica! It works less well as you get older and is not recommended for patients over 69.

    Add to that the fact that it only produces a protective effect in about 40% of patients I think this is something that you have to consider hard. Given we already have PMR and the manufacturers themselves warn that the vaccine can be a trigger I personally wouldn't take the risk. I've already been persuaded I should take a statin which after 10 days almost had me in a wheelchair because of the muscle effects - which I had pointed out to the doctors were a risk and had them dismiss my concerns. It took a long time to recover.

    As Nefret says - I'll wager that the practice gets extra money for every box they tick and send out a letter to everyone.

  • EileenH
    EileenH mary238

    Posted

    Oh - forgot to say there is no real reason for us NOT to have the flu jab when we have PMR. Some people are convinced their PMR was triggered by the flu jab. Others are less convinced of the value of the flu jab since it is always playing catch up. All I know is that the one year my husband didn't have his jab he got flu and developed pneumonia which took months to clear - not a good thing when you only have 1 lung! He will be first in the queue this year.
    • bedilia
      bedilia EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen, I agree 100%.  When I got the vaccine last year I was not, to my knowledge, immuno compromised.  I had no s/s of PMR and was not on steriods.  Since I had already had shingles twice I decided it would be beneficial for me to have the vaccine.   That being said, had I known about the "only being protected 40%", I would not have gotten the vaccine!  Once again, I think it comes down to $$$.  

      My sister was on a statin type drug and she too got to the point where walking was difficult.  I told her to speak to her PMD, as I felt she needed to stop the drug asap.  She did discuss her s/s with her PMD and he basically told her she couldn't come off the drug.  What a jerk!  She is off the drug now and is slowly getting her muscle stamina back.  In fact she is now walking 2 miles a day!

      My concern re the flu jab was, with my current outbreak of shingles would it be a good idea to get the jab now or wait until the shingles were less active.  I always get the jab.  Wouldn't not get it! confused   

    • EileenH
      EileenH bedilia

      Posted

      My PMD would be fightling to have me on statins if I were in the UK. My cardiologist here was perfectly happy when I stopped them. My cholesterol is now normal since I'm on a much lower pred dose. Not that I care particularly - I never did buy the cholesterol story right from the start. I knew enough biochemistry and physiology to know the eating it part was a load of rubbish and now I have read enough medical papers to know the very poor evidence base for inviting women to take them. 

      I hope you mean the $$$ bit is Big Pharma and their marketing ploys? Medicalising a normal health status is one of my bugbears!!!!!!

    • bedilia
      bedilia EileenH

      Posted

      That's exactly what I meant!  It is one of mine also!  It's really sad how these companies push their drugs on pts. via their doctors.  And so many pts take the drugs w/o investigating the pros and cons of taking it.  They take whatever the doctor orders w/o questionining whether it is the right drug for them.  I'm always telling people it's okay to say no to their PMD.  

      I thank God that my PMD is not like this!  In fact, when my triglycerides and cholestwrol were elevated he told me to lose weight, exercise and reduce stress.  He only prescribes a drug if it will benefit me.  And once again, he listens to me and respects my opinion re the POC!

      Where are you located Eileen?  I live in So. Califonia in the US.  

    • bedilia
      bedilia EileenH

      Posted

      TY for your info.  I have several friends throughout Italy.  It is a beautiful country!
  • Madeleine_G
    Madeleine_G mary238

    Posted

    I went to my GP for the shingles vaccination but was told as I was on steroids and it was a live vaccine I could not have it.

    Madeleine G

    • mollycoo
      mollycoo Madeleine_G

      Posted

      Hi Madeliene,

         I also went to have the shingles vaccine at my GP's yesterday, and when I said I was on prednisolone, was told that they would look into whether I should have it or not. I'm only on 2 mg prednisolone, and the nurse is going to get in touch with a micro biologist at my local hospital, to ask him what he thinks. Having  since done some research myself and having read some posts on here I don't think I shall be bothering to have it! Apparently it isn't that effective if on steroids, and/or can actually cause shingles.

         Cheers,

             Mollycoo

    • bedilia
      bedilia mollycoo

      Posted

      Mollycoo, DON"T get the vaccine.  It is only 40% effective on a normal person.  I got the vaccine last year and then this year when I had to start on Prednisone, I got the worst case of shingles I've ever had!
    • mollycoo
      mollycoo bedilia

      Posted

      Thanks for that Bedilia. It's a "no" for me then.

          Cheers,

             Mollycoo.

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