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question about immuno-supressants and contagious diseases

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/3/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have been off prednisone now for several weeks (and have some crohns symptoms creeping back). I had a colonoscopy a couple weeks ago which showed the disease is still active so I need to get on some other drugs. I am seeing my specialist next week (Wed) and I think he will be putting me on imuran.
My mom called me this morning (she is coming to visit for one week starting next Tues). She informed me that she has just been diagnosed with shingles. Is it okay for her to come visit me? Does this mean I will have to delay the Imuran if I have recently been exposed to shingles? Should I be worried because I just came off prednisone?
I did have chicken pox as a child.
Any thoughts?
Posted 11/3/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I would DEFINITELY talk with your Dr.

My MIL had shingles last year and I was not able to be near her (see her) for 8 weeks after her last blister healed. This was my GI Docs. request/orders.

Now I take Methotrexate which is a Immuno-suppressant and his reasoning was that my immune system is compromised so don't push it.

I would definitely see what the dr. says and then ask him why so that you can explain to your mom if he says it is a "NO-NO"

Just my experiance.
Posted 11/3/2010 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I also wouls speak with your doc, because crohnies might get shingles worse too.
Posted 11/3/2010 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have read that shingles is mostly contagious to people who have not had chickenpox and that you won't get shingles, but chickenpox if you come in contact with the rash/sores and fluid that is draining from the person who has shingles. However, you can’t get shingles itself directly from someone else. It is caused by the chicken pox virus, which has been dormant in your body ever since you had chickenpox. Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body.

My mother had a terrible case of shingles. I simply avoided touching the blisters and was around her for a week helping her out.

I agree with calling your doctor to make sure, though. 

Posted 11/3/2010 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
You can get shingles from contact with open sores.

Advice from your doctor would be best.

If it's not a huge problem I would put the visit off until she is well. Might be best for both of you since traveling and staying in a different place may aggravate your mom's illness - not to mention making her a bit more grouchy than she would be otherwise yeah
Posted 11/3/2010 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
I was told something completely different by my GI. I babysit for 2 little ones and when one of them came down with chicken pox I freaked out since I am on prednisone and 6MP. I was told that being exposed to shingles and/or chicken pox would not make me get shingles. I had chicken pox as a child, and a bad case at that, so I should not have to worry about getting that again, but shingles is a possibility. My GI said that being exposed would not trigger a case, it is just a freak happening of your immune system.
Posted 11/3/2010 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was on imuran and remicade and had just had surgery so my Mom was taking care of me. She had shingles. My drs. knew this and they all said that it was not a problem. I had the chicken pox when I was an infant. Found this on a website...

You cannot catch shingles from someone who has it. However, the rash that occurs with shingles sheds the same varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and may be contagious. So, if you have not had chicken pox or have not been vaccinated against the varicella zoster virus, you can develop chicken pox (not shingles) if you come in contact with someone who has shingles. People with shingles can transmit the virus only if the blisters have broken and the virus is transmitted when skin-to-skin contact with broken blisters occurs.
Posted 11/3/2010 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Where are all these shingles springing from!! Son had chicken pox and then shingles and is now on his second lot of Shingles(he is on Azathioprine(immune suppressant) and has been given anti virals.
The virus that causes chicken pox is not totally eliminated from your body afterwards and it is this that can go on to cause Shingles. Both can be infectious to someone who has had neither but if you haven't had chicken pox and come into close contact with someone who has shingles you could catch chicken pox(not shingles).For this to happen contact has to be made with the sores/blisters/weeping liquid.
There isn't really a reason for her not to come(my son is still attending school-on medical advice)you have had chicken pox so the virus is already within you.
Posted 11/4/2010 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone - I am going to go ahead with her visit and just mention it to my specialist when I see him next week. It is my convocation next week so she would be very disappointed if she was not here! :)
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