Marie, I have them, my Dad had them, my Grandfather, both my brothers, my sis. There is much discussion if they are hereditary, personally I think they are. I do know several things, I had them before the RA, as time has progressed the outbreaks have decreased in intensity and in frequency. I'm lucky, mine always break out on the inside of my right thigh, damn near makes wearing pants impossible. Read up on them, like RA they are an interesting beast. God bless, Charlie

More and more I am hearing of people getting shingles. I have heard that stress can bring it on or make it worse. Hopefully you will be able to destress your life right now. I hope you feel better. Shingles is nasty! (((hugs)))

isnt it related to chicken pox?

I just got my second round of them. It took a month on Famvir to get rid of them last year.

They are not heredity, although why some people get them and others don't is unknown. They are caused by the herpes zoster virus, which is chicken pox. If you have had chicken pox, you always have the chance of getting them. The virus lies dormant in your spine. Usually a period of stress triggers them. Last year it was my reconstruction on my foot failing. This year - life and med and liver issues? Who knows.

The interesting thing is last year I got them on my right arm. This year the identical place on my left arm. So back on the drugs, and this time lots of Gabapentin. I didn't sleep all night last night the itching and pain was so bad. Worse than RA, if that is possible.

So glad you posted this - now I don't have to.

Warning - do NOT get the vaccine - it is a live virus, so contraindicated for RA, and there is no proof it works. I read all the info from the Pharmaceutical promos. Even they admit they don't know if it works, and it may even cause shingles in some people. My pharmacist was totally disgusted at this vaccine. Just a farce.

I got shingles right after starting the Enbrel a couple years ago. Ever since I have had an occasional spell of pai in the are. Now I am having a few small sores starting on the other shoulder blade but nothing has really erupted yet. I beleive stress brings them on. I was lucky the Valtrex pills worked for me. I hope I never get them again.

i had shingles when i was in college..many years before i was dx w/RA or even had any symptoms. i had them on my back and really felt like....well..you know. i was on meds for what seemed like forever but they went away and i haven't had any symptoms like that in many years now. hang in there!!

I had shingles in Aug (small outbreak thankfully - 3 spots). I've got a script for Valtrex in case they come back. My GP thought it was linked to the depo medrol shot I'd had a month earlier, but my rheumy said that had nothing to do with it -- just that everyone who had chick pox as a child was bound to get them at some point when their immunity wore off.

Given you are contagious til they crust over and fall off, it's a pain. I felt like a social pariah for a while there, staying away from my pregnant friends and their small unvaccinated babies!