1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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PMR and Kevzara- Shingles

Posted by todds @todds, Aug 18 3:29pm

I have been diagnosed with PMR. I am having trouble with reducing my prednisone under 7 mg. My doctor says we are going to start with Kevzara. He is concerned about shingles and to get the new shingles vaccine soon. He says we are 4 times the risk of shingles while on the Kevzara. Anyone one been told this?

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Aug 18 5:40pm

Yes 7mg seems to be a serious speed bump for many of us.
Shingles was never presented to me as a concern for Kevzara.
I’ve been on Kev for 5 1/2 months and no issues. Check out the Kevzara literature I never saw shingles specifically mentioned.
Good luck.

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jeff97 | @jeff97 | Aug 18 6:19pm

Kevzara and Actemra both increase the risk of infections, including shingles. So getting the shingles vaccine makes sense. I got the shingles vaccine before developing PMR and GCA. It bothered me a little more than a flu shot, but it wasn't as bad as a covid shot.

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Aug 19 11:16am
In reply to @jeff97 "Kevzara and Actemra both increase the risk of infections, including shingles. So getting the shingles vaccine..." + (show)
Profile picture for jeff97 @jeff97

Kevzara and Actemra both increase the risk of infections, including shingles. So getting the shingles vaccine makes sense. I got the shingles vaccine before developing PMR and GCA. It bothered me a little more than a flu shot, but it wasn't as bad as a covid shot.

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Check with your pcp abt shingles shot. My Dr said no need since last vaccine I had, has not been updated, and previous shots are still viable.

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sandiw77 | @sandiw77 | Aug 19 7:38pm

I would strongly advise you to get the shingles shot before you start Kevzara. According to my rheumatologist—a Biologic plus Prednisone increases your risks for contracting shingles. I had my shingles vaccine several years before PMR but still came down with shingles 6 months after starting Actemra. My shingles were contained to one area and did not blister (which my doctor believes is because of the previous vaccination) but I still got them. Unfortunately the combo of Biologics and Prednisone really depletes the immune system and I had to completely stop taking the Biologic while I had the shingles. Apparently, your body doesn’t know how to heal from it if you continue taking the Biologic. For me that meant that the PMR & shingles pain were both significant. I did take Voltran to help with the shingles and it did help but I would advise doing EVERYTHING you can to avoid it. Good luck to you and hopefully Kevzara will be very beneficial. Blessings! ❤️

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todds | @todds | Aug 20 6:38am
In reply to @sandiw77 "I would strongly advise you to get the shingles shot before you start Kevzara. According to..." + (show)
Profile picture for sandiw77 @sandiw77

I would strongly advise you to get the shingles shot before you start Kevzara. According to my rheumatologist—a Biologic plus Prednisone increases your risks for contracting shingles. I had my shingles vaccine several years before PMR but still came down with shingles 6 months after starting Actemra. My shingles were contained to one area and did not blister (which my doctor believes is because of the previous vaccination) but I still got them. Unfortunately the combo of Biologics and Prednisone really depletes the immune system and I had to completely stop taking the Biologic while I had the shingles. Apparently, your body doesn’t know how to heal from it if you continue taking the Biologic. For me that meant that the PMR & shingles pain were both significant. I did take Voltran to help with the shingles and it did help but I would advise doing EVERYTHING you can to avoid it. Good luck to you and hopefully Kevzara will be very beneficial. Blessings! ❤️

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Thank you all. I will get the shingles shot before the Kevzara.

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esmeralda53 | @esmeralda53 | Aug 20 2:58pm
In reply to @jeff97 "Kevzara and Actemra both increase the risk of infections, including shingles. So getting the shingles vaccine..." + (show)
Profile picture for jeff97 @jeff97

Kevzara and Actemra both increase the risk of infections, including shingles. So getting the shingles vaccine makes sense. I got the shingles vaccine before developing PMR and GCA. It bothered me a little more than a flu shot, but it wasn't as bad as a covid shot.

Jump to this post

Well I am convinced the first shot of the Shingrix vaccine CAUSED my PMR. 5 days later BAM and 2 of 3 doctors concurred they’d seen that before and didn’t dispute it. Vaccines jolt your immune system and mine over reacted. I’m not an anti vaxxer but Shingrix can bring on Gillian Barre syndrome - they admit that. It’s just something to consider. Shingles can be hell - I know PMR has been.

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