1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Ugh, just been diagnosed with shingles, vaccine in one year?

Posted by sticksandbugs @sticksandbugs, Feb 6 1:57pm

After two days of intense stabbing pain behind my right ear and a slight rash on the side of neck, I contacted my rheumatologist to see if I was developing some weird variant of GCA. Just as she got back to me, the rash developed blisters, and she thought it was more likely to be shingles than weird GCA. Family doctor confirmed, and now i have to take antivirals and pregabalin for 7 days, and hold the methotrexate until the rash is gone. I'm continuing with 40 mg prednisone daily.

Doctor said I should get the shingles vaccine in a year, but I see there is a lot of conversation about the vaccine exacerbating the PMR. Lots to think about

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 7 8:14am

Hi @sticksandbugs, Have you checked out the other members talking about PMR and Shingles? Here's a search of Connect that lists the discussions and comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=shingles%20and%20PMR

REPLY
centralflorida | @centralflorida | Mar 20 8:01am

I have just been diagnosed with shingles, too. Have been on prednisone for PMR since mid August 2024. Started at 50 mg per day, and successfully tapered to 15 until this happened. To cope with the pain, I started another 10 mg yesterday, taken later in the day, which helped significantly. I hate to increase prednisone, though. The NP who diagnosed me said she could prescribe gabapentin if I need it. Has anyone tried this combination? Would appreciate any sharing of experiences. And my fervent wish is that none of you ever have to endure shingles!

REPLY
1 reply
sticksandbugs | @sticksandbugs | Mar 20 8:54am
In reply to @centralflorida "I have just been diagnosed with shingles, too. Have been on prednisone for PMR since mid..." + (show)
@centralflorida

I have just been diagnosed with shingles, too. Have been on prednisone for PMR since mid August 2024. Started at 50 mg per day, and successfully tapered to 15 until this happened. To cope with the pain, I started another 10 mg yesterday, taken later in the day, which helped significantly. I hate to increase prednisone, though. The NP who diagnosed me said she could prescribe gabapentin if I need it. Has anyone tried this combination? Would appreciate any sharing of experiences. And my fervent wish is that none of you ever have to endure shingles!

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My shingles have been a complete nightmare, and unfortunately I developed post-herpetic neuralgia which is intensely painful. I take pregabalin with my prednisone, and it’s been helpful. Pregabalin and gabapentin are very similar. Hope you feel better soon.

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sandiw77 | @sandiw77 | Mar 21 4:47am

I hate to chime in on this one but I was diagnosed with shingles yesterday! I thought it was the “thin skin” that I have heard so much about and had made a doctors appointment to see what could be done to treat the terrible tingling, burning pain when I was told it was shingles. I have had PMR for 3 years this month and am currently on 15 mg of prednisone and Actemra.

I was feeling very badly prior to this lastest diagnosis and wondered whether or not my PMR medication was still helping. Praying that the reason was shingles and that feeling better is in my very near future! My doctor did tell me that taking prednisone and a biologic have made me more vulnerable to singles. I was very grateful to feel substantially better after my first dose of the Valtrex prescribed for shingles. Hope this is a very short diversion—checking with my rheumatologist to see if I delay tapering prednisone during this illness. ❤️

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