[Multibilly]

Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Multibilly on Fri Mar 07, 2014 8:50 pm

So, I was reading this thread on the new shingles vaccine trial:

"Clinical trial for shingles vaccine," Beacon forum discussion started June 15, 2012

Since I am am smoldering and I am not really immunocompromised at this point, should I be asking my doctor to get the regular shingles Zostavax vaccine, even though I am only 57 (the FDA guidelines suggest you get it if you are 60 and over)? Or is the Zostavax vaccine also a bad idea for somebody that is smoldering?

[Blee]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Blee on Sun Mar 09, 2014 1:20 am

I received the regular shingles vaccine. This was after much deliberation and discussions with hematologist, infectious disease, and pharmacist.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Nancy Shamanna on Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:59 am

Hi Multibilly and Blee, I think that you should consult with your treating myeloma specialist before taking the live shingles vaccine.

But have you taken the pneumonia vaccine yet? It is recommended for people over 65, or immunocompromised folk. Since pneumonia is such a scourge for myeloma patients, it would be a pre-emptive move to take one in advance of possibly progressing to myeloma, I would think!

I know that you are a thorough researcher, and have probably already taken this into consideration though.

[Dr. Jason Valent]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Dr. Jason Valent on Sun Mar 09, 2014 4:38 pm

There are reports of fatal cases of shingles in vaccination of patients who are immune com­pro­mised from cancer. I generally do not recommend vaccination for patients with myeloma. I have had patients with MGUS or smoldering myeloma vaccinated without knowledge that they had a plasma cell disorder. They did not have side effects.

[DanaH]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by DanaH on Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:51 pm

Thank you Multibilly for creating a new thread.

Thanks Dr. Valent for your insight.

Thanks to all others who shared info.

[NStewart]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by NStewart on Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:27 pm

Dana,

I was diagnosed with MGUS in 2008 at age 60. My oncologist immediately recommended getting the pneumonia vaccine. He also advised getting the flu shot annually. He was really strong in his statement about not getting the shingles vaccine because progression to active myeloma could occur at any time and I might end up in trouble with the vaccine. He doesn't believe that we get much benefit from any of the vaccines because we are immune com­pro­mised, but he does believe that the pneumonia and the flu vaccines are safe and that we might gain some benefit to make them worth getting.

My primary doctor has been very good about keeping on top of when I need to be revaccinated for pneumonia. But, I do have to remind him that I can't have the shingles vaccine.

[DanaH]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by DanaH on Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:53 pm

Hi Nancy Stewart,

Thanks so much for your thoughts about MGUS to multiple myeloma transition , as they indeed are very important to take into consideration !

All the best to you,
Dana H

[Mary T]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Mary T on Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:15 pm

Hello,

Smoldering since 2007 (2006 per hematologist). I had a shingles outbreak in 2008 and have been on valcyclovir [Valtrex] 500 mg daily since. I'm happy to take it to avoid recurrence. Not fun. Ruined first of a few vacations that have been interrupted by myeloma related illnesses; sinus infections and pneumonia. I'd asked for prophylaxis unless contraindicated for you.

[Mary T]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Mary T on Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:21 pm

Forgot to mention. Working as a nurse, in a general internal medicine clinic, my first get a grip thought after learning my diagnosis was to get Zostavax as soon as possible because of possible immune suppression. Was shocked when the doctor told me it was contraindicated for me. First of many lesson on living with "smoldering".

[Blee]

Re: Shingles vaccine for smoldering patients?

by Blee on Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:14 am

MaryT, May I ask if you had decreased immunoglobulins when you were diagnosed in 2006/2007 with SMM.