Shingles vaccine and Enbrel

General
1

I was supposed to start my Enbrel treatment this week (I pick up the meds this afternoon from pharm.) However my rheumy wants me to get a Shingles vacc. but my general dr wants me to wait two weeks after getting vacc. to start Enbrel (I've already been waiting nearly a month to get approval, and take care of other immunizations etc.) Plus I was told (by rheumy) that the vacc. is only effective 50% of the time.. Last week I went ahead and got caught up on everything else. (flu, whooping cough, tb test etc.) so I'm thinking.. screw it.. just start the Enbrel (TONIGHT!) and forget the vacc. I realize Shingles is not fun at all, but it's not deadly or permanent, and seems can be controlled, and the chances slim of me being exposed and even if I got the vacc., only 50% chance it would prevent it..

so apart from my self justifying my decision. hehe.. has this been common among other Enbrel users? were you asked to get Shingles vaccine prior to starting treatment? Is Shingles communicable?

and have you contracted Shingles since starting a biologic? just wondering how bad a scenario I might be facing.. not really fearful either way (my strength is in the Lord!) but I want to do the right thing as well

2

Shingles is not communicable. It arises from the chicken pox virus which is harbored in all of us who had chicken pox. It tends to re-appear as shingles in some people when older. No one is quite sure why it raises it's ugly head again. It's triggers seem to be when someone is struck with something else seemingly unrelated such as another virus or illness. It is also seen with immune deficiency such as a kidney transplant etc. I decided not to get mine as it is horrifically expensive and most insurance does not pick up any portion until people are 65 or older. I also feel our immune system is over active not under active. I decided I would rather deal with it if i get it.

3

My husband was not told to get the vaccine. He did however contract shingles while he was on humaira. It was not fun at all but thankfully did not cause any reoccurring pain.