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Shingles and remicade

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Posted 8/19/2017 9:47 AM (GMT -6)
Right before my most recent remicade infusion, I felt like I had a pulled muscle in my armpit. After my infusion it got progressively worse and started to burn. I went to worst case scenario so I Went to my primary care doctor and she diagnosed me with shingles without rash. I started the anti viral and still feel the same but I know shingles can last 10 weeks.

Amazingly my doctor thinks it was stressed induced...we're moving out of state and im selling my business so I'll buy that. First time stress didn't cause a flare!

Does anyone know if they'll make me wait to get my next infusion if I still show signs of shingles? Has anyone had shingles without rash and can share symptoms? Because there's no rash, and I've never had chicken pox I'm questioning the diagnosis. But I'm pretty sure it is shingles.
Posted 8/21/2017 2:34 AM (GMT -6)
It seems strange to me that you would have shingles without the telltale rash - how were you diagnosed, via blood test? While I haven't had shingles, I just wanted to let you know that an extremely effective new vaccine is currently undergoing approval called 'Shingrix' that can be taken by immunocomprised people. It might not help you right now, but I just wanted you to know that help is around the corner so you don't need to worry about this becoming a regular thing.
Posted 8/21/2017 9:21 PM (GMT -6)
I've never had shingles but my MIL did without the rash. She said it was an intense burning on her backside. She does not have major health issues btw. But I'm not quite sure how she was diagnosed.

As for having Shingles with Remicade, it's best to ask your GI.
Posted 8/22/2017 6:54 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks everyone. My doctor thinks somewhere along the line I had a mild case of chicken pox and never knew it...but I've had the antibody test in the past and it came back negative. I can't for the life of me imagine what else this would be if not shingles....it presents in the most common place under the armpit to the breast and is a burning, tingling pain in the nerves.

I see a new primary care doctor in 2 weeks since I'm moving, so hopefully he'll have more insight.
Posted 8/22/2017 6:18 PM (GMT -6)
Hi I had shingles without the rash a couple of months ago. I had a shingles outbreak before that in 2015 and in 2010. Those times were with the rash. I'm so familiar with the nerve pain I immediately know. The first shingle outbreak was caused by Remicade, the second was due to an infection. The last one, I really don't know what caused it. Maybe stress. I took antiviral meds every single time.

Just because you don't remember having chicken pox doesn't mean you never had it. I don't remember mine but I asked my mom and she told me that I had it.

My primary doctor in Germany told me it's important to take something for the nerve pain otherwise the nerve pain becomes chronic. I'm still fighting mine but I do have some Lyrica around which I take if it gets unbearable.

I hope you get better soon.
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