Hi, I was dx in 2003 and my then neurologist thought there might have been a link between my first symptoms starting and my daughter catching chicken pox. My question now is, my work colleague has shingles so does another colleague in another office, am I of any greater risk of suffering a relapse? TBH, since working alongside my other colleague at the end of last week, I’m feeling quite nauseous and light headed/slight vertigo. Could this be linked or just an unfortunate coincidence? Thanks x
My wife has MS (SP), she caught Shingles in Nov 2014. The effect on her was devastating - I suggest that you keep well clear of any chance of contracting it.
Just to illustrate - pre Shingles, my wife could walk just about 1km, albeit slowly with several rests, within two days of catching Shingles she couldn’t get out of a chair unaided. The Shingles is now long gone, she can walk about 200m on a good day but suffers with a common follow on from Shingles, Post-herpetic neuralgia, that’s just pain basically, it can last for many years.
Thanks ayjay, I just feel that the HR department at work has a duty of care for other members of staff especially those whose immune system are compromised.
I need as much evidence as possible to back up my worries before I confront them.
Denise, I’m pretty sure you can’t catch shingles from a work colleague; it’s chickenpox you have to avoid as that’s what causes shingles, usually many years later, but I’m sure you have to have had chickenpox in the first place. I had shingles a few years ago, and whilst is wasn’t very nice it did eventually pass. My neurologist assured me it had no connection with MS and left it at that.
I was spending a lot of time in Germany when I got ill and developed the ugly rash following the line of my lower left rib. Over there they call it Gürtelrose meaning Red Belt, which I thought was a very fitting name for it. I didn’t like wearing a shirt whilst I had it as it would brush against the rash and trigger shooting neuro pains similar to MS pains, but as I say above, apparently there’s no connection between the two.
But don’t take my word for it, I’m not a doctor. Why not have a word with your GP or MS team, just to be sure.
Ben
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I remember when my mother in law had shingles, I was advised to stay clear of her because although shingles aren’t catching, they’re still viral and might cause MS to flare up.
But I might be wrong. I could have been taking advice from Dr Google. I can’t remember where I got the info from.
Sue
For a few years now, there has been a medication for shingles and as long as it is caught early, it doesnt develop into the long lasting nasty thing it used to be.
My dad got it in his eye, saw his gp quickly and was immediately sent to the eye clinic at the hospital.
he soon got better.
pollsx