MTX and Shingles

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joyful164
joyful164 NonActiveMember5yrs Posts: 2,401
edited 5. Apr 2010, 07:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Does anyone know if you should stop your MTX if you think you have shingles.

These pains in my head are now turning into a kind of pattern on my head with a large blister under the skin. As the CT Scan did not pick anything up, this is my only assumption, that I may have shingles.

Cannot get to see Dr until Thursday and take MTX Tues. Not sure what to do

Joy

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  • salamander
    salamander NonActiveMember5yrs Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    joyful164 wrote:
    Does anyone know if you should stop your MTX if you think you have shingles.

    These pains in my head are now turning into a kind of pattern on my head with a large blister under the skin. As the CT Scan did not pick anything up, this is my only assumption, that I may have shingles.

    Cannot get to see Dr until Thursday and take MTX Tues. Not sure what to do

    Joy

    hi again Joy, I've had shingles quite often and it does sound a bit suspicious. Does the blister seem bumpy or as if there are lots of little ones all massed together? Very important if you get shingles on your nose or near your eye to see a doctor without delay. CT scan wouldn't pick it up I don't think. Can you call emergency doctor tomorrow? Also, generally one feels very tired with shingles, a bit flu like.
    I would err on the side of caution and speak to someone before taking mtx.
    xx
  • skezier
    skezier NonActiveMember5yrs Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Joy,

    Sorry you are not too well and as Sally said it does sound suspicious. I wonder if it might be an idea to call NHS Direct cus they would know if you should stop immediately. ((( ))) and a hope you will soon feel better. Cris xx
  • kathbee
    kathbee NonActiveMember5yrs Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Joy

    I am on MTX, have been for many years and a couple of
    years ago I got shingles. The blisters were on my head
    and neck and it kind of was a circle of them, neck, up the
    back of my head,over the front to my ear and back down
    my neck to just at the top of my chest, as shingles follows nerve paths.

    I called in to my local pharmacist who is very good but he
    said see your GP as it does look like shingles, next
    I phoned NHS direct and they also said see your GP, so
    I did on the same day, they can give you medication but
    you have to have it prescribed fairly quickly, something like
    within 48 hrs, ( not oversure about the timing).

    I wasnt told to stop the MTX on this occasion though.
    At the time my grand-daughter was living with us and she had
    caught chicken pox, so presumably I got it from her.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Kath x

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