Shingles while on Methotrexate

pisica
pisica Member Posts: 19
in Living with arthritis

I've just started feeling the first twinges of Shingles. I've had it twice before, but both times were before I started Methotrexate.

I've spoken to a GP, and am going to be starting on Aciclovir asap. Obviously I'll be skipping my mtx until told otherwise. Luckily, I already have next week off work (OU exam, so doing that with Shingles will be a joy).

I'm mostly just hoping someone has some advice on what to expect with Shingles while on an immunosuppressant. Has anybody here got experience of it? It was bad enough the last two times, but I'd like to be forewarned if it's likely to be a lot worse.

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  • pisica
    pisica Member Posts: 19

    Well, the Shingles is not too awful at this point - some pain and a lot of itching. No fever, at least.

    But boy, am I ever feeling the effects of missing my mtx. I started with the shingles on Thursday, was due my mtx injection on Friday, enjoyed the lack of nausea over the weekend, and woke up on Monday feeling like I'd rolled down a hill hitting every stone on the way down.

  • Arthuritis
    Arthuritis Member Posts: 452
    edited 24. Mar 2023, 13:39

    @pisica hi, I am in the same boat now. No clear advice on whether to take MTX & ACV while suffering from a bout of shingles… how did yours go?

    Anyone else had shingles while on MTX? How did both RA & shingles progress?

    @stickywicket …@frogmorton Any thoughts, or recollections of anyone else having this?


    got my shingles diagnosis today. I am certain it was triggered by a gentle brush on my lower spine with a nettle while gardening… The brush I barely felt, but next day I had a 50p sized red blotch. Shingles didn’t occur to me until it started spreading along a dermatome line. Doc confirmed today. Unfortunately there is little literature on how to best manage shingles in our community of MTX /immune suppressed.

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    Sorry, I can't be of use except to say I'd be amazed if you were told to continue with the meth for now. And, if I couldn'f get through to my rheumatology helpline for advice, I'd skip it anyway. However, I'm further down the RA line than you and I've skipped it before - while on antibios, bedore ops etc. Try to get decent advice and good luck. I don't envy you.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scarey
    Scarey Member Posts: 1
    edited 3. Oct 2024, 09:17

    hi - I am currently in the same boat . Having been given advise by my rheumatology help line and GP to stop all Methatrexate and BioLogics meds. I’ve completed a course of anti virals now after a week . Not wanting to be too negative , but it’s very unpleasant indeed . The pain seems worse at night . Have been proscribed Gabapenith ( neve pain killers) for regular relief and the devil that is coedine for night times . But just can’t tolerate the coedine as it makes one constipated and gives terrible headaches. The main problem is not being able to take any RA meds means it’s also really painful . I’m finding strong paracetamol is helping slightly but not much and these can only be take relatively infrequently . My GP has prescribed a 10 week course of Gabapenith as he said to expect the shingles to last upto 12 weeks. My understanding is that you must be vigilant for any infection occurring from the blisters. If this occurs seek immediate advice and antibiotics.
    my question - which I am unsure about and don’t seem able to get a clear answer on is :- when can I start to take my methatrexate and BioLogics again .
    if anyone can help with that question please .


    Many Thanks in advance

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