Shingles over and over again need advice re: causes please

Dear Lucyandyoshi

Warning I've already posted this information before so I'm sorry if you seen it I just wanted Lucyandyoshi to see it.

I think that this information could be very helpful (maybe even comforting and reassuring)

Shingles should not always associated with having a poor immune system or being immunocompromised. That kind of ignorance is what makes having chronic shingles (I have chronic shingles or reoccurring shingles) so embarrassing. I'm not a doctor but my sister is and she confirms all this information. Shingles and reoccurring shingles is prevalent in the immunocompetent (not a typo) population I have probably had shingles at least 30 times starting at the age of 12. Also, during both my pregnancies. As I get older I seem to have it more frequently unfortunately. I have also had the shingles vaccine which only worked for about nine months then I had a case of shingles that was the worst I've ever had! Other than have a reoccurring shingles there is nothing else wrong with me. I'm very fit and healthy otherwise. I just want to let you know that you're not alone if you're having / experiencing shingles or have reoccurring shingles. Here is the information that you might find helpful my apologies that is so long but shingles is a very complicated thing... For decades, medical wisdom about shingles has been that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The commonly-held belief is that patients are protected from a recurrence of the herpes zoster virus, which causes shingles, after one episode. But according to recent research and/or studies about shingles they have found that this is not true.

For example, a study published in the February 2011 issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows that recurrences of shingles may be significantly more common than doctors have suspected. New Medical Studies have found and prove that recurrences of shingles are prevalent in the immunocompetent population. "It's been thought that recurrences were limited to people with compromised immune systems, for instance from chemotherapy or blood-borne malignancies, but this is not the case," "Recurrence was prevalent in the immunocompetent population. We were very surprised by the results." Unfortunately, a lot of doctors are not up-to-date on the most recent research about shingles. There is still so much that the medical community needs to learn about shingles. "Shingles has a mind of its own and does what it wants to do".The bottom line is No One Knows exactly what causes a reactivation of the virus! If they knew exactly what caused it there probably wouldn't be this forum. You could have a good immune system and get it. You may also have a poor immune system and get it. It is also common to have reoccurring shingles if you have an auto immune disorder for example, lupus or MS. Some of the other speculations / research published in medical journals suggest these things may contribute to reactivation of the virus but like I said before they do not know for sure

Some other reasons people might have reoccurring shingles ( this information I also got from medical journals so they are fact-based from statistical research)

1). Having experienced injuries or nerve damage also seems to raise the risk for shingles, since within the nerves is where the virus lays dormant. 2). Some research suggests that traumatic stimulation of the nerves in the dorsal root ganglion can trigger the virus to reactive. 3). Some people also seem to be genetically predisposed to the development of herpes zoster to some extent, with research showing that changes in the gene for interleukin-10 (an immune-system mediator) are associated with an increased incidence of herpes zoster, as is a family history of the virus. 4). Finally, the impact of high amounts of stress and poor gut health shouldn’t be overlooked. Psychological stress, chronic stress, or dramatic life events seem to contribute to VZV reactivation, with studies showing an association between physical, emotional and sexual abuse and higher incidence of shingles. According to a report published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, contributing psychological factors for shingles development include financial stress, inability to work, decreased independence and an inadequate social-support environment.

I am always doing research to find out more more information there are a lot of other people out there like us that are healthy but otherwise have shingles. I read the most interesting study a few weeks. The title of it "New evidence of varicella-zoster in giant cell arteritis" I am constantly researching I tried to contact the the Doctor Who did the research because he lives in Denver and I also live in Denver Colorado. Unfortunately he died last year. I wanted to talk to him because I think the shingles can manifest in other ways also. People just don't know about it. For instance, I always seem to have sciatica but not when I take the shingles medicine it goes away completely! I'm not the first person to say this, I've seen other people saying the same thing on other forms. This article talks about the possible connection between shingles and GCA. That Varicella-Zoster (shingles) is actually being manifested as GCA. Just Google the title and you should be able to find the study. I tried to post the link to another woman I had emailed some information to because she said she had GCA and shingles so I thought it was important for her to see it. Anyway I was not allowed to post the link it is being moderated. You can probably Google the title of the study I mentioned in the beginning (the mayo clinic one) and the one at the end. Good luck to you. Try to stay positive I know it can be difficult at times.

Thinsport-Denver, Co.

Hello,

I have also had recurring shingles - since June of last year. I am also in the UK but, after the second recurrence, my GP suggested that they should try to find out why the antivirals weren't knocking it on the head. We agreed that we would look into it if it reoccurred again.

That was just before Christmas and after Christmas it was back. Apart from the first time when it was quite nasty, the recurrences have been quite mild. Nevertheless, my GP sent me for every test imaginable, including HIV. Everything came back clear, apart from one test, which flagged up a protein irregularity that is probably slightly compromising my immunity. I am otherwise healthy, not unduly stressed, and have no signs that would suggest anything sinister.

My thought is that recurring shingles may well indicate something that is compromising your immunity and should most definitely be looked into. The test that flagged something up for me was called a 'Bence Jones' test and one of my GPs told me that he wouldn't have even thought to ask for it. But his older colleague had requested it and it proved to be a very wise move. I do apparently have a heightened risk of something that is quite nasty but the good news is that I will be monitored quite regularly and, if concerns arise in future, it will be at a very early stage when intervention is possible. None of this would have come to light without the diligence of my GP.

I would definitely go back to your GP and insist that she obtain a second opinion or, as others have suggested, change your doctor to someone in whom you can have greater confidence.

The suggestion from my GP was that shingles shouldn't be recurring in someone who is otherwise healthy and that it is important to establish whether there is an underlining reason.

I should add that I am somewhat older than you. However, it seems to be a common feature that shingles is poorly understood by many in the medical profession.

I do hope that you get some progress in your search for a cause soon - even if only that it's a reassurance that you've just been somewhat unlucky!

Thanks to you all for your replies. A couple of things have striked me as interesting, especially the connection with IBS and diet. My lifestyle is 24/7 and I tend to eat irregularly, or go for days working and not eating. I'm going to check out the "shingles diet". It's really frustrating but I'll wait for my blood test results and update you. I'm quite positive nothing will show. Thanks all. Lucy (Yoshi is my cat ..)