Shingles are not uncommon in immunocompromised people. Could have been from the Enbrel just as easily as from the Imuran, as both suppress your immune system. Have they put you on a heavy duty dose of anti-viral meds? There is pain meds they can give too. Should be treated pretty aggressively to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain once the shingles dissipate). The Enbrel can wait. Just get to feeling better and take care!

I am so sorry! My grandmom and aunt have had these, and I know it's horrible. I'm thinking about trying to get the shingle vaccine, I know they generally only offer it to seniors. I'll be praying for you! God Bless!

Yes I have had them and YIKES they hurt! I had mine years ago in my twenties, for no reason at all. Mine popped up on my tummy and had to be on anti viral meds along with high dose steriods.

Get better soon!

No! It NOT from the drug. Please look up the Shingle group here. You'll find alot of answer there.

Anyone who had chicken pox when they were a child or any age is prone to Shingles.

Is the pain comparable to RA pain? My friends hubby has the shingles right now and you know how men are, he's dragging himself around like he was hit by a Mack truck....she's losing her patience with him but maybe it is bad!

What Kylie said is correct - shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a reactivation of the chicken pox (varicella) virus. Anyone who's had chickenpox can develop shingles.

Unfortunately for us who are on immunosuppressants, we are more likely to get them.

Sorry you have to deal with this.

And the Imuran didn't give them to you. The Imuran just suppressed your immune system, making you more susceptible.

Thanks!! Eyemailme-I was on pain med for it but just 2 days. I feel so much better today! I am on anti-virals and it's really working. I'll have to stay off the Enbrel till they clear up.

Suera-The pain is worse than RA (my RA anyway). It's hard to compare because it's a different kind of pain...like after you've had surgery pain...like someone stabbed you with a knife and you had to be stitched up kind of pain...that's the best I can explain it. And it makes you feel really out of it, like you have the flu and your vision is blurry. FUN TIMES! But I feel tons better today. Thanks everyone for your support!

Yes I had shingles on my back before I was diagnosed with RA. They are awful. Like you I just had a few spots. When I finally went to the doctor I asked was I dying or a hypochondriac? He laughed and said I had shingles and it would go away in several weeks which it did. My husband who doesn't have RA but is a type 2 diab etic has had shingles in his groin 3 separate times. Very painful indeed. I am sorry you now have to give up your RA meds til you are feeling better. Remember DO NOT gets the shingles vaccine. We with RA cannot take it because it is a live vaccine. Be sure to discuss this when you see your doc.

I had shingles after my foot reconstruction. I was told by a nurse that it often happens post op because of the stress. My surgery did not go well, the bunion did not fuse and that is when I got the shingles.

I was on vacation and did not get medical help for almost a month and it took 5 months on anti-virals before I finally got it under control. Then a year later I got it in the identical place on the opposite arm. I was a frequent flyer in the shingles forum for quit a while.

Maybe the new drug stressed out your system, or you were just worried about how it would work. But I am glad to hear you have it under control, esp. on your head. If you get PHN, you may want to try Gabapetin. I actually put castor oil on my arm after it was heated from a shower, and it got rid of the PHN permanently on both arms. I am not sure how much fun that would be on the scalp.

Shingles are very painful! I frequently prescribe valtrex and vicoden which usually does the trick. A topical cream can also be prescribed and usually dries it up in a few days.

I just want to comment on how painful shingles are. They really are worse than RA, but in a different way. No matter how bad my RA is, I can always sleep, at least enough to feel like I had a sleep.

Shingles were so bad, that I would sleep with ice packs wrapped around my arms. I took all kinds of sleeping pills, and I would wake up in an hour, wanting to rip my arm off. I really did consider amputation after a few months.

So yes, they really are that bad. I hope I never get them again.

I am getting ready to start on Enbrel - have done mtx for 12 weeks now.. First I had to get a pneumonia shot, next they are testing me for TB and the doc sort of wanted me to get a vaccine/shot for shingles since he said it could happen especially since my mom had them. I would have to wait 4 more weeks to start on Enbrel if I got that shot for shingles but I just don't want to wait anymore! We decided to put me on enbrel for a couple of mos and once it kicks in, we'll stop for 4 weeks to get that shot.
Sounds like my doc is really getting me prepared. Just hope - no shingles and sorry you're experiencing this.

Well, I thank God...my shingles are actually gone! It's been about 4 days of medication and I feel so much better. No more shingles pain. Now I have a huge red ring about the size of a silver dollar around the site where I gave myself my Enbrel injection. It started about 4 days after the shot and was about the size of a dime. Called my Dr. and they said typical reaction. If it gets bigger I have to go see my Dr tomorrow to make sure it's not infected. Since I've been off my meds because of the shingles I'm really feeling pain in my wrists, feet, and ankles, but at least its not shingles pain~

Glad you are feeling better. I was just reflecting that I did not go off any of my RA meds when I got shingles, although my rheumy suggested that I should at least cut back. I had a nodule on my vocal chords, and lost my voice for months when I went off of them for 2 weeks for surgery a few months earlier. I still cannot sing properly, and probably never will be able to again.

Interesting how I was willing to endure shingles than stop talking. LOL

Does shingles always hurt? I found 2 small bumps on my torso this morning and I'm afraid that's what it is, though thankfully no pain I had 3 on my hip last summer and have some leftover valtrex that my gp told me to hang onto in case they came back. We weren't sure if they were shingles, but likely that or some odd bug bite that got infected. So will call to see if I can get in tomorrow, though really hoping they're 2 misplaced zits!I had my first shot of enbrel on Friday, have been on mtx for 10 months. Could the enbrel have compromised me that much after one shot? Il also follow up with rheumy, but am I now supposed to skip my next shot of enbrel?