This morning my Dad woke up with a rash under his L armpit, on his chest, and back. He went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Shingles. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm really worried that this will turn furious as his immune system is so down 3 weeks post chemo. My worry level has now shot up and I'm SO frusturated. It's been 3 weeks post treatment and everything is getting worse, not even slightly better. Mucous is horrible, he's gagging so much he's throwing everything we put down his feeding tube. Ughhhhhh!!!!!!! I hate cancer!!
I had shingles about 8 months after chemo, and is related to the chicken pox virus, so if you had it or were exposed to it, it remains in your system. There is prescription medication I was given for this, to help with the pain, and there is a vaccine to help prevent it from recurring. They can be painful, and can take a month to heal. Good luck.
I got shingles this summer between surgeries. I was given pain patches to wear on affected areas. Stress can be a trigger, and cancer definitely qualifies as stress! Hope he feels better soon.
Many cancer patients will get shingles down the road. There is a shingles vaccine available. Problem is its only available to people over 60. It is covered by insurance and medicare.
I wish it was available to people under 60 so I could get it. If I am still here when I turn 60, I will be getting that vaccine for sure.
The vaccine is now approved by the FDA for people
age 50 and over.
Ask your Doctor for a prescription to get the shot if you are under 60. I believe that Docs can prescribe it in unusual circumstance.
Many of us have reported getting Shingles post Tx and it is painful and it can and should be treated immediately.
Re the 3 weeks post Tx and not getting better, unfortunately that's par for this treatment. We go overboard telling newbies to expect the worst the few weeks post Tx. It is usually around this time that many of us finally "walk out of that tunnel" and start our long recovery road. Even when he starts to feel better there will be bad days mixed in with the good ones and slowly those bad days will go away. This recovery can and usually does take 2 years with the 1st year usually the worst so patience is the key to getting thru this with sanity intact.
I have asked my pharmacist a couple times and they told me it was 60 years old to get the shot with medicare. HMMM??????
HUMMM????
If the vaccination is of reasonable cost at a clinic, wouldn't an option to be just pay for it? From what I hear, shingles can be quite painful and last a lot longer than a month as stated above. And if it quite common in cancer survivors, it almost seems to be a no brainer. don
Don, I was just estimating how long mine may have lasted three years ago, and like with all matters, everyone is different. Some don't even have the painful blisters, and severity may differ.
http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Shingles.aspx#
A few years ago, I was told the shot was only available to over 60. The cost then was $200-$300 which puts it out of my price range.
I will make an appointment in about 2 weeks with my family doc and find out what the real scoop is. Im sick with something else right now so once Im well again I will go and post the info.
Check how long it is effective. That is one problem with the chicken pox vax. It wears off, and then the immunuzed are at risk again, only older when it is harder to handle. A mild shingles may be preferable. (I stress MAY be. I got lucky with mine.) Anyway, something else to ask. And does it help those who have already had an outbreak? And is it one of those that makes you temporarily contagious to those who did not have chicken pox? (Live virus types. With my shingles, I had to avoid my pregnant friend because you are chicken pox contagious.)
I just quickly looked into it with Dr. Google, and Medicare does cover the shingles vaccine as part of their preventive services, but is covered under part "D", the prescription drug plan, so you would need that, and pays for the doctor or other person for giving the vaccine, and co-pays apply. Part "A" or "B" doesn't pay for the shingles vaccine, so your doctor would have yo be able to bill under Part D or send you to a pharmacy accepting medicare Part D. If you go to one that is not, you may be responsible for the entire bill, maybe get reimbursed. I did not see a minimum age requirement, but the CDC recommends anyone over the age of 60 getting the vaccine, which is different than Medicare paying. I guess calling Medicare, your Part D provider, is the best thing.
If you already had shingles, the vaccine may lessen the severity.
Shingles is not contagious per say. If exposed by direct contact, when the blisters are open, they may get chicken pox, not shingles, as Kristen mentioned.
Thanks for the info Paul!
My daughter is having my first grandchild next spring, so I need to get the whooping cough vaccine and I still need the flu shot. But until I am well, I have to hold off getting all those vaccines. Its going to be at least another week before I go, but it definitely will be this year so it goes under the 2013 insurance co-pays. I will find out what I can and post. Now heres another thought to throw into the mix.... would the Shingles vaccine info vary from state to state?
Christine, as far as Medicare, I don't think it will vary state to state, being it's Federal, but good question.
I received the flu vaccine when hospitalized for surgery in October, and read previously you should not receive any vaccines a month before, during, shortly after chemo treatment due to possibly effecting the immune system, and having adverse reactions. I didn't know this in 2009, and was given the flu, and pneumonia vaccine during treatment, and had adverse effects. Last year, it was just the flu shot during chemo. I guess all chemo's are different, and everyone should check with their doctor, if not sure. With Carboplatin it says the same, no vaccines.
This is good to know, just in case chemo ends up being on our list. We avoid vaxes when we can (had bad reaction issues in my kids) but as we homeschool, we usually manage to avoid flu germs as well because we are home so much. We will be heading right into germ season when/if we start further treatments.
You guys know so MUCH stuff!
I'm not so sure it's common in cancer patients. I had shingles numerous times pre cancer and surprisingly it didn't reappear during or after treatment. It's another one of those virus mystery things. It prefers weakened immune systems. The treatment I had beat the snot out of me - I lost over 61 lbs. See:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/shingles/id349104.pdf
I finally went to my doc who said it may or may not be covered by medicare. Yes, Gary it is common for those with a suppressed immune system to get shingles. My doc advised me to get the vaccine as my immune system is not at all what it should be. He suggested I call Medicare and ask if the shot is covered and where I should go to get it. Here in PA (not sure if its like this everywhere) the shingles vaccine may be given at either a participating pharmacy or in the doctors office to people age 50 or older. It depends on the location where you would get the shot if your insurance will cover it. It is now a minimum age of 50 years old to get the shingles vaccine.
My local county Dept of Health was giving out shingles vaccines to people age 50 and over who are either underinsured or uninsured for $5. I set up an appointment and will get my shot next week. If anyone wants the shingles vaccine I suggest you call and check with not just your insurance company but also your local county dept of health. You just might get lucky, I did.
I keep reading most posts on cost and age but I'm still confused on the need for getting the shingles vaccine for cancer survivors. Is the general vote to get vaccinated or not? Of course, I would consult with the doctor but what else besides having had cancer and treatment with chemo is going to put the balance to get the vaccine?
Im passing along the info I got from my family doctor. As always.... check with your family doc prior to getting any treatment or vaccine or even drastically changing your diet. I spoke with my family doctor at length about both the shingles vaccine and the country's anti-vaccine movement resulting in the resurgence of previously eradicated diseases.
My doctor advised me knowing my full history to get the shingles vaccine. He said anyone who has had chicken pox, is over 50 with a compromised immune system should get it. Some cancer patients over 50 may have recovered enough to have resumed their former lives, their bodies may not be as fragile as other cancer patients. They may not need the vaccine while others have a more compromised immune system and need the shot. If you check with your family doc, please let me know what they advise.
May years ago, I watched my grandmother suffer with shingles, it eventually landed her in the hospital for a couple weeks. She was so sick! Hospitals are my worst fear, (after spending 2 months stuck there in 2009) so Im getting the shot to hopefully avoid ever experiencing what its like to have shingles. I remember Davidcpa had shingles a few years ago. He is pretty resilient, nothing can keep that guy down for long.
Schedule is great. So........... what does it mean? I did not see any shingles sounding vaccine in the list? If so, it is not recommended?
Thanks
The shingles vaccine is on the 2013 CDC list..... Zolster
Its now for people 50 and older. The 2013 graph is incorrect showing it as 60 and older. This just recently changed so when the graph was made (probably in 2012) it was back then age 60+.
Thanks for the list, Paul! Very good find!!!
Thank you. At the bottom of the vaccination list, #6 Zoster vaccination, if does say FDA approves vaccination over age 50, but another organization says, ACIP, over 60, CDC too, which said it may change its recommendations when more vaccines are available, so it can be confusing.
All the info you need about Shingles.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5705a1.htmContradictions and Precautions for Commonly Used Vaccination in adults.
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072.pdfZoster (HZV) Contradictions: "Known severe immunocompromised deficiency (e.g. from hematologic and solid rumors, receipt of chemotherapy, and long-term immunosuppressive therapy and patients with HIV infection who are severely immunocompromised."
For those that like to read, ACIP, "Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices"
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm62e0128.pdf
I have been following this Topic with interest and shall ask for the shingles vaccination at my next GP or Oncologists visit.
My immune system is compromised after a recent Splenectomy (along with removal of large tumour - sarcoma) and now being on oral Chemotherapy for life.
Have already had the flu plus pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), and meningococcal vaccinations.
Gabriele
OK. Now confused about the contraindication. For prior chemo recipients isn't that statement mean Zoster should not be given?
Hi Don, I guess that would depend. Someone going into chemo, I read two, three months before, during, and soon after, should not receive any immunizations due to possibly having a suppressed immune system. Is this followed, no. My first chemo in 2009 which was disastrous, I had the Flu, and pneumonia vaccine during my Induction Chemo, and what else they wanted to give me, and believe through research, symptoms, records, I may have suffered two rare conditions, amongst others, Gallium Barre Syndrome, and Steven Johnson Syndrome. Last year, the same day as chemo, I received a Flu vaccine, which I later only learned of the contradictions. This year I received the Flu vaccine in October, two months before chemo. I must say, although a different type treatment with Protons and Carboplatin, this was the easiest for me. Last year wasn't, and Erbitux is supposed to be easy, but I was laced with Taxotere too lol.
This far out from chemo, even radiation can suppress the immune system, blood work can see if your immune system is compromised. Mine is, but have other co-medical conditions, presecriptions, which I cross reference often now with any medications, treatments I'm going to receive.