My new Ra Doc would like me to have two vaccines... one for Tetanus & one for Shingles. I have been on humira for about 2 months now and on methotrexate for about 9 months or so. I've gone through my prednisone phase and came off that this past May. My question is "Has anyone had the tetanus and shingles vaccine's and if yes did you have any reaction to them, especially the shingles?" I've been free of all childhood diseases. Been exposed before (all five older siblings when I was growing up and my own six children, having chicken pox when they were young). I also know that shingles is a form of chicken pox and easily to contract while on Humira? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank You!
Q: Already on Humira, Methotrexate & coumadin...Any side effects from Tetanus & Shingles vac?
Answers (11)
8/13/08 5:24am
Connie, I can't answer your question, sorry. Let's hope someone knows something on this.
I also am wanting to know about the Shingles vaccine.
I'm going for my first time to a Rheumy on the 25th of August. Having known of someone (a friend of a friend) that had a severe case of Shingles for years and years ~Bad stuff.! I'm rather nervous about any reactions from this shot ...but I think I'm going for it.
Tetanus shot, I've had; good for five years, maybe longer. No problem. Recall some tenderness at injection site, not bad. Anyone had the Shingles shot?
8/14/08 11:32am
9/12/08 12:35pm
Hi Connie,
I recently read that those of us with arthritis should not have the shingles vaccine.
Therefore, I would certainly check with your doctor.
7/31/10 4:17pm
My family doctor suggested I get a shingles shot, but he wants me to check with my RA doctor first. After reading all these comments and the recent experience I had after reaction to a tetnus vaccination, I think I'll pass.
I had a tetnus and pnuemonia vaccination at my yearly physical a couple of weeks ago. I got a lousy reaction from the tetnus shot. A big red splotch from by elbow to my shoulder and real soreness. Also, symptoms similar to the flu, low grade fever, chills a constant headache. It's been over a week now and my arm is still red and sore, but the flu-like synptoms have finally abated.
11/ 6/08 12:03pm
I was told that the shingles vaccine was a no-no because it is a live virus-I am on remicade and cannot have live virus injections-not sure about other med and the shot.
8/11/09 12:49pm
I have been on Humira for more than 2 years and was on Enbrel before that. My mom had a very severe case of shingles that has continued to give her problems for about 5 years and probably will continue according to her doctors. So when the shingles vaccine became available I asked my doctor and he said absolutely not to take it. Not to take any live virus immunization.
9/ 7/09 2:08pm
Connie: Different perspective here. My RA and Primary Docs did not want me to take the live, attenuated Shingles vaccine for the reason the other commenters have made. And, there is some [little, but some] indication that contracting Shingles leads to remission of RA symptoms in some people. So, if the fully alive, active virus helps some RA sufferers, then the weakened Vaccine might also help? That is my hope.
Your RA dioc must feel comfortable with the Shingles vaccine for you. My Docs have reluctantly agreed to give me the Vaccine, but want me off immune suppressing drugs, first[6 weeks], which I cannot currently do with a severe flare.
No problem with Tetanus or other non-living Vaccines, just the weakened live forms that ring their alarm bells.
PLEASE ! let us know if you do get the Vaccine, and what the results are....do your RA symptoms decrease any?
You may be a pioneer in new ways to relieve RA, anfd I do hope your symptoms are not debilitating to begin with. Thanks.
Wib
ra
10/ 3/09 11:04am
Well first I need to apologize for not writing back sooner... I got the answer to the question on vaccines after you have started anything like methotrexate. NO, absolutely NOT!!! My new rheumy was not aware that I was already on methotrexate, very,very BAD to have any live vaccine after starting RA treatments. Another addition I learned is that if you have never had chicken pox you don't need the vaccine for shingles because shingles can only happen after you've had the chicken pox. So long story short, I didn't get any live vaccine.
Once again sorry for the late response, take care, stay strong, continue to fight the battle... we can overcome;>)
4/ 1/10 12:18pm
Ms Diller: Sorry to have missed your post. I have been watching shingles vaccine issues for years. I am on Enbrel and occasionally methotrexate [I stopped the methotrexate because I was losing my sense of taste].
I wanted the Shingles vaccine, but both my RA and Primary docs had fits. They said no way, even though the vaccine had an attenuated virus, it was still LIVE, and no one knew what would happen.
They finally checked with the shingles tresearch people who said th eshot should be OK if I wew to stop the immune suppressants for 6 weeks before, and 4 weeks after getting the Shinglles shot.
I could not go that long with out Enbrel, so, I went to the pharmacy and got the
Shingles vaccine. NO REACTION. It has been 2 months since I had the shot. I didn't even get a spot where the shot went in under my skin. Tetanus, no problem for me either, but I believe that is not a live vaccine.
As you know, your experience may be different. Best wishes.
Wib
6/24/10 2:49pm
I have been on Humira for RA for 2 years along with methotrexate for about 5 years. I have had the tetanus booster with no reaction but have been told no shingles vaccine since it is a live virus. You should discuss the shingles vaccine more indepth with you RA doctor as well as our PCP, primary care physician.
But from all I have read, and it's it on the Humira safety pack, do not receive a live virus. The mist for H1N1 is a live virus. The injection, is not.
6/24/10 2:51pm
I have been on Humira for RA for 2 years along with methotrexate for about 5 years. I have had the tetanus booster with no reaction but have been told no shingles vaccine since it is a live virus. You should discuss the shingles vaccine more indepth with you RA doctor as well as your PCP, primary care physician.
But from all I have read, and it is on the Humira safety pack, do not receive a live virus. The mist for H1N1 is a live virus. The injection, is not.
7/27/10 1:07pm
Hi. I'm 21 yrs old and have Juvenille RA and I have been on Enbrel and Methotrexate for 5 years. A year ago I got shingles, so my doctors all RECOMMENDED that I get the Shingles Vaccine, even with my surpressed immune system. (They might have only recommended it though because I had shingles at such a young age). I noticed that most of these posts said they went off Enbrel for 6 weeks, but my RA doctor had me go off for 4 months, and wait 1 month after that. I waited for summertime to come to go off the Enbrel and I just took the vaccine 2 weeks ago. I haven't had any side effects to the vaccine so far, and I am anxiously awaiting to take Enbrel again in 2 weeks, as my arthrits has flared very badly from being off the Enbrel so long. But, all that said, I would still recommend the vaccine. Shingles is HORRIBLE and even after the blisters are gone, you have nerve pain for years. So, a few months of bad arthritis is worth not having the shingles pain for years to come.
7/27/10 1:19pm
Hi. I'm 21 yrs old and have Juvenille RA and have been on Enbrel and Methotrexate for 5 years. I got Shingles a year ago, and after talking to my doctors about the vaccine, they RECOMMENDED it. (Although that might have been because I got Shingles at such a young age.) I noticed that most of the answers to this post have said they had to go off Enbrel for 6 weeks before getting the vaccine, but my doctor had me go off for 4 months, and then wait a month after taking the vaccine before starting Enbrel again. I wanted to wait for summer to go off my medicine, and so I just barely took the vaccine two weeks ago. I haven't had any reactions other than injection site swelling right after. So now I am just anxiously awaiting to begin Enbrel again in two weeks, since my arthritis has flared a lot being off for so long. But that being said, I would definately recommend getting the vaccine. Shingles is horrible, and very painful, and even after the blisters are gone you'll have nerve pain for years. So having arthritis pain for a coulpe months is worth not having the shingles pain for years to come.
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By Connie Diller— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 08/11/08
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Diane: My PCP and Rheumatologist had fits when I asked for the Shingles Vaccine, and after pestering them for a year, finally said OK, but I had to be off Immune
suppressing drugs for 6 weeks before, and 4 weeks after getting the Vaccine. I am in a flare, and I can't stay off Enbrel and Prednisone for that long.
Please, please: Tell me if your RA symptoms lessened after you got the
Shingles shot. Thanks, Wib Smith Mail me Wib411atyahoodotcom