I'm on 20 mg.MTX and 60 mg. Prednisone. My Doc said NO, NO, NO to live virus vaccine. Have to be off immune suppressants for a couple of weeks, to get live virus. So check with a pharmacist about your med interaction.

Best to get it when you are off treatment, I think Lucky babe is not on active treatment now am i right??
It seems like a good one to get for us, the treatment puts us at higher risk for getting shingles. I keep waiting for some time off treatment...
Good luck Lucky!!!

Very interesting. I do not understand why the doctor would want you to have a live virus. I have put in a prayer for you. Keep in mind that The Lord will work things out for your good. (Rom 8:28).

You are so correct about not living in fear because it is a waste. I do have reservations sometimes about what doctors will do, but mostly things work out fine. Do keep us posted.

Thank you for your replies - Shawna is correct - I am off treatment so I am hoping nothing reacts. So far just light muscle pain. TRPT - the only way to get a shingles vaccine is with the live virus (which I did not know). My concern was (is) I don't think adding anything to our bodies is good (unless we have to) as I think our immune systems are too unpredictable. Thanks again everyone.

I've been told similar as the other that as long as I am on Prednisone and MTX, I can't have the shingles vaccine because it is a live virus. My son is always mad at me every year because he can't do the nasal spray flu vaccine because it is a live virus.

Since you are off treatment, you are probably fine.

If you can get the virus without causing trouble, do it! I had shingles about 18 months ago and it was horrible.

Just seen the rheumy on thursday. Had a rash on my forehead and suspected shingles (I had coffee with a friend who is babysitting her little grandaughter who has CHICKEN POX). I think people forget we are suppressed and I never thought to ask, but man I got this lovely outbreak on my forehead and eye. Went to the medi clinic yesterday and got the anti viral and was sent immediately to the hospital to see the opthamologist to check for damaging eye involvement. Hopefully caught it in time. Very painful.......if you are not suppressed it is a live vacine.....get it......this hurts like a bugger!

Leanne

Thank you LeeAnn - I hope you get over the shingles quickly. I had my shot and so far no reaction.

Good job on getting the vaccine!! I've had shingles twice..not a good feeling. As a pharmacist...there should be no other med interaction. The immunosuppression thing is pretty much it.

Also, it's not airbourne, it's only spread by direct contact to open vesicals. If you've EVER had chicken pox and are NOW immunosuppressed, you are at risk for shingles. There is nothing you can do at this point to prevent it. Just get seen by someone within 48hrs of noticing ANYTHING rash like with "pustules"...anitvirals work better the sooner you start them.