methotrexate & chicken pox

stickywicket

We've got friends coming round next week who are currently living with their daughter & family and the little one has chicken pox. I had it as a child but I'm fairly sure my brother or sister had it 3 times. I'm on MTX but would guess any risk is very small and so worth taking. Anyone know differently?

dreamdaisy

I would check with whoever gives you the meth, the GP or hospital: as we all know it compromises your immune system and could you leave you open to aquiring shingles - that is a spin off from chicken spots, yes? So not nice. Seriously sticky, think well about this. DD

wannabewriter

ha! Finally, someone else who has had it more than once! Your poor bro and sis, I have also had it three times and have been told to avoid anyone with chickenpox or shingles forevermore or so be it on my own head.

I'm not sure if low immunity to it can be hereditry/not be helped by MTX but I would definitely check it out because it would be awful to get it again.

x

cthornley

I've never developed an immunity and now i'm on mtx and about to start anti-tnf and have been told to stay away from CP by the hospital
I have a toddler - so we've had him immunised for it as the chances of a toddler at nursery coming in contact are so high

I've been told that the lowered immunity from the drugs can make CP & shingles not only more unpleasant but dangerous and you should seek out treatment immediately if exposed if you aren't immune

If you aren't sure about your immunity it might be best to steer clear
CHrissie

frogmorton

Check it out before the child comes because it is an airborne virus.

I know there is some protection once the spots have scabbed over, but....

When my youngest got shingles...l was advised to only keep her away from those oon chemo...so to me you are in that category :sad:

Sorry.

Love

Toni xx

stickywicket

OK thanks you guys. I'm being very sensible (Yuk) & I've left a message on the MTX helpline. With luck I'll get an answer before I get chicken pox.

tillytop

Evening Sticky

I think you have done the sensible thing checking it out cos it's not worth the risk I don't think, disappointing though it will be if you can't see your friends.

Will be interested to know what the mtx helpline says.

Tilly xxx

stickywicket

According to the lovely nurse, basically you're most infectious before you know you have chicken pox and are sneezing germs everywhere, a bit less so once the spots/pustules appear and more or less OK once it's only scabby but she recommended we only see our friends if the little lass has reached scabby stage and, even then, ask them to change clothes before leaving the house and after hugging Lucy!

Fortunately we are good friends. (And hope to remain so.)

It's interesting because Lucy's Dad is a lung specialist & he reckons it's actually good for 'older people' to be exposed to the chicken pox virus. (No. Me neither but I'll enquire further when I see them.)

suzygirl

SW, glad you got it checked out. My son has had chickenpox twice, the second time really badly and it was different. They say it is if you only have it mildly the first time. I also know people who get recurrent shingles. These dodgy immune systems do like to plague us!

Hope the visit goes well, enjoy!

Ankyspond

Hi sticky wicket,

I teach in a secondary school as you know and we had outbreak of that recently and I was told that if I had it as a child the probability of getting it again is very low so not tonworry about it. We also had outbreak of whooping cough and that was bit more of a risk.

Hope you get on ok, if you show any symptoms get checked out ASAP. X