Shingles

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Ngj
Ngj Member Posts: 13
edited August 2021 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Has anyone been diagnosed with shingles (on face) and is it related to chemo. I’vehad one chemo so far. I’m 2 1/2 weeks out from chemo.

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  • jhl
    jhl Member Posts: 333
    edited August 2021

    Hi Ngj,

    Shingles can occur anywhere on your body and the face is not an uncommon place for them to occur. It is related to chemotherapy only because the chemotherapy will reduce your body's ability to mount an immune response. Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. These viruses will remain latent in the nerve root cells without causing problems until a stressful event (cancer) reactives them. Call your doctor. He/she can prescribe antiviral medication to help you recover faster. Some cancer patients take an antiviral daily to prevent an outbreak.

    Stay well,

    Jane

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited August 2021

    I actually did have shingles after my second dose of AC, back when I was stage 3. It was caught early (no pain, just the typical zoster bumps on my thigh). I started the antiviral and delayed my chemo until fully recovered.

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  • Ngj
    Ngj Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2021

    thank you.

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