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Remicade and Shingles?

I have been on Remicade for four years but recently increased from every 8 weeks to every 6 weeks due to a recent flare. I also take Imuran and just finished a two-month prednisone taper (due to the flare). This last week I was diagnosed with shingles. It started with swollen lymph nodes and pain, then the rash developed. It was miserable. I ended up in the hospital and the doctors there said I likely got it because I am immune suppressed from the medications. Anyone else experience shingles while on Remicade? I do see my GI doc tomorrow to get his take on things.
 
I did not get shingles while on Remicade but I know that some drugs for Crohn's can leave you more susceptible to sickness
 

Lisa

Adminstrator
Staff member
Location
New York, USA
Yup, I had shingles on my torso....it popped up between infusions...did not need to be hospitalized thankfully as I had it caught fairly quickly - was VERY painful though and I did have a week off work until the blisters healed over.

My GI only made a note in my chart, no change in treatments or any special precautions.
 
Yep, had it on my torso, lower right quadrant.

I went to urgent care and they prescribed Valtrex and that helped a lot.

I didn't even think to mention it to my GI ... until about a year later he was examining my stomach and noticed the scarring...

"What's going on here?"

"Oh, I had shingles about a year ago..."

"Uhm, you might have mentioned that sooner."
 
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