Shingles (Ouch!)
Has anyone else had shingles? I read there was a study that found taking Tecfidera increased the chances of getting shingles. I was wondering if anyone else has gotten them?
HI Crystal! I know some members of our community have dealt with shingles; whether it is related to MS medications or not, I cannot say. I thought you might find this article on shingles and other, similar viruses, interesting -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/ms-and-herpes/. While I am not a doctor, the general census in medical circles is that any immune suppressing drug can allow viruses already present in the body (like shingles) to 'flare' up, since the natural responses of the immune system are being suppressed by the medication. I hope this information is helpful for you and thank you for reaching out to the MultipleSclerosis.net community. Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
, ugh. That DOES suck. I haven't heard of many young people being diagnosed with shingles, but that could just be ignorance on my part. I am so sorry you are still dealing with painful outbreaks. Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member. 
thanks. Yeah I don't think it IS that common and for years the breakouts would be minor. Like the size of a quarter on my upper arm and it was just an annoyance Now I've had it pop-up more often and new locations. The latest was all the way around my waist. I guess I should see it as the least of my MS problems but it IS painful. Thanks!
Ouch is right. I had shingles and it did hurt a lot. I had gotten the shingles vaccine when I turned 60 since there were so many sources recommending it. Darn, if I didn't get shingles when I was 62. I couldn't believe it. Other people told me later that their doctors told them not to get the shingles vaccine. I have a feeling that they were indicating that the shingles vaccine gave me shingles. I don't know what to think, but I was sure mad when I got shingles. I was not allowed to go to work for 6 weeks and had to get a release from my doctor that it was safe for me to return to work. I didn't know at that time that I had MS. Of course, I was one of those that had been misdiagnosed for years and years.
