Humira and Shingles

[Steve E]

Hi,
Finally have the chance to try Humira. But during the screening it has been picked up that I have active Varicella Zosta (aka Shingles). Explains why I have felt utterly horrendous lately with the GP puzzled.

Got Chickenpox from the kids a couple of years ago and it hit me hard due to being on Azathioprine leading to pleurisy.

So hoping I can keep the lid on this virus and that it would not wreck the anti TNF alpha treatment as I am running out of options.

Anyone with any similar stuff?
Steve

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I think you need to treat the shingles with antibiotics before proceeding with humira. Shingles can be very dangerous if not treated and Humira will lower your ability to fight it.

 

[David]

Shingles is a virus, antibiotics aren't going to help.

Steve, I'm sorry you haven't received any other responses. What did your doctor say when you came back positive for shingles? Do they want to continue with the Humira despite it?

I know there are antivirals that can control shingles, but know nothing about them.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Maybe it wasn't an antibiotic I'm not sure what they put me on when I had shingles.

 

[PsychoJane]

Usually it is treated with Zovirax(aciclovir), valaciclovir or famciclovir. Only thing is that the treatment normally needs to be taken as early as possible. I really don't know what happens when the problem is the shingle though. I have a zovirax script for ocular simplex herpes 1. It would normally rarely be active, pretty much only when I would have insane fever from getting another random virus but in precaution I have a script for while I am on humira. I was afraid I would deal with more frequent "crisis" but I had it once or twice maybe in a year which is more than pre-humira but still it was not worst than usual in intensity. I did take the zovirax though.

I know that the herpes zoster is similar in certain way but I am in no way expert regarding that. Would there be a need for a prophylaxis use of such a medication for shingles? Maybe, but I have no clue. I am guessing there is something to be done in that area to allow you to take the humira. I assume your doctor will be in a much better position than myself to rule this though.
Hopefully there is a way you can get the humira once the shingle is back in its nerve!

 

[Robert747]

Taking Azathioprine brought on shingles for me - I have been taken off Aza for two months while I take a course of Aciclovir,

 

[Steve E]

Many thanks for your replies. I have had another blood test to see if the virus is on the retreat or not. I think the medical team will not give Humira whilst the problem is still active. They seem to be on the ball.

I am also aneamic and do not know why.

The good news is I am feeling a little better, albeit tired.

I will keep posting whilst I steer towards stability (or not as the case may be!).

 

[David]

Did they do an iron panel to see if it is iron deficiency anemia? And have you had your vitamin B12 and folate levels tested? If so, what were the levels?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Steve, sadly it's not uncommon and many of us are anemic. The nature if the disease makes it hard to absorb certain vitamins and nutrients. I agree with David to check on b12 and folate. They are also often culprits.