Cannot believe my luck...now I have shingles

bethen

So today I go for my Herceptin treatment which I have been having constantly for the last 2 1/2 years.  I had not been feeling well for a day or so, and an area of my back felt like it was on fire, like someone was holding a lighter on me.  Well, when I got there to check in I told the secretary about it and they immediately put me in an isolation room and a Dr. came to examine me and decided that I now have shingles....can it get any better.  They have given me an anti-viral medication and also what is suppose to be a nerve pain killer called Gabapentin, I am a little nervous to take it because after checking on the internet (which I should not do) it says that it is for epeleptic seazuires.  Has anyone ever had this medication and how did you react to it.  I was sent away without my Herceptin and have to go back in another two weeks.  And to make matters worse I was told I should not have any contact with my two grandsons, ages 1 and 3 for two weeks.  Breaks my heart.  I had them both yesterday and am now wondering what will happen, I have however told there mom and she is going to phone their Dr. tomorrow to report that they had contact with me.  How many people have had shingles during their cancer treatments and how did you deal with it all.  I am just so shocked.

Betsy

Andrea623

I'm so sorry you have shingles on top of everything else. I've never had them, but do take gabapentin for nerve damage pain. I was afraid to take it too, but the only side effects I experienced were being clumsy when I first started, and it would make me sleepy. I had my dosage reduced when I returned to work after my BMX and don't have any side effects anymore. Don't be afraid to take it. It will help with the pain. I hope you're feeling better soon.

GG27

I haven't had shingles, but I am on Gabapentin for nerve pain.  Two of my friends have had shingles & they were given Gabapentin.  It was developed as an anti seizure med but didn't do a very good job of that, but they have discovered that it helps a great deal for nerve pain & neuopathy and also for hot flashes.  I have been taking 300mg 3x per day for 2 years & haven't had any SE's.  Sorry that you're going through this, hopefully they caught it early & the Gabapentin helps.  GG

firstcall

Betsy,

I had shingles recently, and it can be a complication of our treatments.  I also treat shingles regularly.  The key to this is early treatment with the antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, valtrex, or the like.  If the treatment is started early (like within the first 72 hours of the rash) you will likely do well.  I had a bad outbreak, involving my entire right arm, which is the arm affected by my surgeries.  Fortunately I knew what it was and started the medication very quickly.  It resolved quickly and hasnt been a problem. 

You may or may not need the gabapentin.  Not everyone needs it.  If you get the antiviral started early you are less likely to need it.  You don't need to fear the gabapentin, its well tolerated by most people. 

You cannot give shingles to your grandchildren, or anyone else.  You can give them chicken pox (varicella).  If they have had their chicken pox immunization (varicella immunization) then you don't need to worry about exposing them.  That is generally given at 12 months of age in the States, likely similar there. 

Again, early treatment with the antiviral is the important thing here. 

Adrian

vivian1

The thing I love about these forums is the information that a person can find on them.  When I went for my flu shot about a month ago, I was given a pamphlet about the shingles vaccine.  I spoke with my family doctor and she did recommend it, saying that I was a higher risk now.  I have put it off, tho, partly because of the cost and also because I have never had them and didn't think it was really an issue.

After reading your posts, however, I am going to get it!  Thank you all so much - wishing you all well.

Leah_S

It's a good idea to ask your onc about getting the shingles vaccine. Some say to get it, but my onc said "no live virus" and that vaccine is live virus.

Leah

firstcall

The shingles vaccine is a consideration, but if you already have shingles its like closing the barn door after the horses are out.  And anyone considering the vaccine needs to check with their MO to see if they are in the right place in their treatment, as it is a live virus vaccine.

gillyone

I had shingles while on chemo. It is amazingly common. Obviously the virus is in your body - you likely had chickenpox at some point, and our immune systems are just very depressed and susceptible while undergoing chemo. The shingles virus "makes hay while the sun shines!"

bethen

Thanks so much everyone that replied, it has helped me alot.  I did take the Gabapentin last night and managed to sleep.  It is very strange the way it is prescribed, I have to take one for two nights at bedtime and then two (one in morning and one in evening) for 5 days and then 3 a day for five days, they must be expecting the pain to get even worse.  Oh, to make matters even worse I get a call from the hospital this morning to tell me that my Muga scan that I had on Monday has dipped too much and that now I need to have an echo, has anyone had an echo and what should I expect.  

Thanks again for your help.  Hugs to everyone.

Betsy

Andrea623

I was told gabapentin is increased slowly to minimize side effects. When going off it, it's equally important to do it gradually too. I hope you'll be feeling better soon!

firstcall

Thats correct, you increase the gabapentin slowly to allow your body to get used to it.  Dont worry about the ECHO, its just an ultrasound of the heart.  No needles. 

ICanDoThis

Shingles are so common in treatment that some women here believe that we should get the shingles vaccine before having treatment.

I had it -- the rash came out the day after my 1 month post-rads checkup.

The antiviral fixed it right up.

Yet another thing nobody tells us. Le sigh

bethen

I increased my Gabapentin today, took one upon waking and need to take another tonight.  About two hours after taking it I could not stay awake, and have been sleeping most of the day.  Is this normal at first while my body adjusts to it.

Betsy

Live2Laugh2Love

I broke out with the shingles after my 3rd surgery. I thought it was a heat rash. It hurt so bad, I had it for a week before I found out what it was. I hope I never break out with that again.

RainMaze1962

I have shingles too! A little on my leg, and painfully, a bunch along my bikini line!

I'm on antiviral medication and ibuprofen. I've been putting sunburn spray on it to ease the pain. I got shingles the first time I did chemo as well. It sucks!! I haven't been able to do my daily walks with my daughter but hoping to be up for it tomorrow.

SyrMom

Leah, I'm thinking about getting this vacccine.  Did your oncologist advise against it because of chemo lowering the immune system or because of having cancer & the vaccine being a live virus? 

Leah_S

SyrMom, I finished chemo in May 2009. I'm on an AI plus a bone drug but the cancer is there, so I'm assuming that's the reason. I've been thinking about what he said plus some other things and have put "what's the state of my immune system/can I improve it" on my list of questions for my next appt (on Thurs).

If you want to get the vaccine, maybe call your onc and ask his/her opinion.

Leah

juliaanna

Bethen, It is usual to be very tired as your body adjusts to the gabapentin.  If you are still really sleepy by the time you need to increase your dosage, let your doctor know.  It's a fine line between taking an adequate dose for the pain and taking too much. (You still want to be functioning).  I broke on with shingles last Tuesday night and was able to get in to see the doctor on Wednesday morning.  Fortunately, I haven't had any pain with it.  Hope you feel better soon.

GrammyB7

I also got shingles after cycle 3 of FEC chemo. They weren't too bad but lasted a couple of weeks and were fairly painful. Took the antiviral and am back on chemo. Just missed one week. No seemingly lasting effects.

Good luck to you.

fromMontreal

Have got shingles too 3 weeks ago, in March 2013. Operated in Feb.2010, left mastectomy. Having been on femara 8 months, tamox 6 months and aromasin 1 year by now on. Shigles started with terrible pain in the liver and went up to the ribs cage without rash during 2 weeks untill the pain got unbearable. I've been taken to the emergency, they investigated all stomach: echo, scan and endoskopy. Nothing found and let me go home regardless the pain, they coulndn't recognise the shingles. Coming home I found the rush and run to the family doctor, who confirmed the shingles. He prescribed me the famciclovir, maybe it was late. Since then the neuvropatic pain developed on all torax, defficult to manage, not able to move, to sit, to walk or to do enything. Lying into the bed like a log. Lost weight 3 kg/3weeks. The worst: pain in the lymph nodes into armpit and I discovered a small pimple into the right breast. Hopefully, it's just a cyst or other innocent lump. Have to go to the onco to check up on April 12... Do anyone had complications after shingles?

FireKracker

I had shingles before bc....just a word of advice...you an get them over and over again.

I urge each and everyone to get the shot..not during tx you have to wait a while.

Speak with your dr.

juliaanna

You might ask about getting gabapentin (Neurontin) to use for the pain.  It seems to be very helpful.  Lyrica can also be helpful.  I'm so sorry you are having such terrible pain.

LW0919

I had shingles in October an then was diagnosed with IDC at the end of Dec. I'm so hoping they don't come back. So very painful. I can't imagine having them and along with chemo.