Shingles...out this month?

Dutchie28 · March 2016

Hi ladies! I just got diagnosed with the dreaded shingles. I started on an antiviral. I'm just over my period, and I think I will be cleared up by the time I ovulate. I intend to ask my doc this, but has anyone been in this situation? Should I wait out this month to ttc or no? Thanks!!

itsmehere1212 · March 2016

I have never had shingles, so I can't give you experience, but I think that would be a question for your doctor.

beary67 · March 2016

I think this sounds like an excellent question for your doctor.

1017Shannon · March 2016

You need to ask a healthcare professional...aka how long it takes the meds to get out of our system, how long for shingles to go away and if there is any reason you shouldn't attempt. Serious stuff call doctor.

picklesplease · March 2016

I wouldn't risk it. You will want to contact your doctor ASAP. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but your also putting your partner at risk and any potential children.

MamaCoffin · March 2016

Don't even bother your Dr with a phone call. I'm honestly shocked you'd even consider it. Just wait until you're completely clear. I get you don't want to wait.. I don't either.... But this is so not worth the risk.

"Shingles is contagious from the onset of symptoms until the rash and blisters have crusted dry. You can still go out in public or to work, but you should avoid being around pregnant women.

The herpes-zoster virus, which causes shingles and the chickenpox, can cause serious health risks in both pregnant women and their babies. Risks include pneumonia and birth defects. If you realize that you unknowingly exposed yourself to a pregnant woman, notify her immediately so that she can contact her OB/GYN for recommendations."

ladystinson · March 2016

I have shingles too. I'm finishing the antiviral today. Shingles is not contagious, but if someone hasn't had chickenpox or the vaccine then they can catch chickenpox from touching your legions. You're only on the antivirals for 7 days and after 2-3 you're no longer contagious. I'm in the TWW as of this weekend and nothing has caused alarm when discussed.

Basically the attitude that I was given was along the lines of drink til its pink. I'm not turning a positive HPT so I'm not pregnant and I don't need to act like I am. Also, I had a coworker who got pregnant the same time as me (with DS) and she has genital herpes and is on a valtrex (which is what they use to treat shingles also) regimen. There wasn't too much concern over this short of delivery because genital herpes can cause blindness in new borns so she had a c/s. You're not going to be on the antivirals the whole time and they will control the virus (which is ALWAYS in your body after you've had chickenpox) long before you O if you just finished your period.

Of course, talk to your dr. But that's my two cents on the matter, as one shingles patient to another.

Edit: spelling

Dilynne · March 2016

My mom had shingles when she was pregnant with me, and from what I've heard from her it put her in the high risk category and things we're pretty touch and go for a while. Also, she almost went blind so...

MamaCoffin · March 2016

ladystinson said:

I have shingles too. I'm finishing the antiviral today. Shingles is not contagious, but if someone hasn't had chickenpox or the vaccine then they can catch chickenpox from touching your legions. You're only on the antivirals for 7 days and after 2-3 you're no longer contagious. I'm in the TWW as of this weekend and nothing has caused alarm when discussed.

Basically the attitude that I was given was along the lines of drink til its pink. I'm not turning a positive HPT so I'm not pregnant and I don't need to act like I am. Also, I had a coworker who got pregnant the same time as me (with DS) and she has genital herpes and is on a valtrex (which is what they use to treat shingles also) regimen. There wasn't too much concern over this short of delivery because genital herpes can cause blindness in new borns so she had a c/s. You're not going to be on the antivirals the whole time and they will control the virus (which is ALWAYS in your body after you've had chickenpox) long before you O if you just finished your period.

Of course, talk to your dr. But that's my two cents on the matter, as one shingles patient to another.

Edit: spelling

Contradiction much?

ladystinson · March 2016

I get what people are saying about dealing with shingles while you ARE pregnant, but its gone in 2 weeks. Also, much more easily treated now that it probably was when our mothers were TTC. Of course coming down with it WHILE pregnant would be bad. There are lots of things that are. But also, shingles isnt something that you can avoid other than not getting stressed because it kinda happens when it happens.

I didn't really make it clear in my first post, no I did not wait. Now, I did think that I would O today (CD17) since my temps looked like last month, even though my chart looks like it was really on 3/12 (CD14) so I figured I'd O the day I finished the meds but I'm currently waiting for AF to show or let me test in about 10 days. Since you asked what anyone in the same situation was doing.

ladystinson · March 2016

jenmlangtake2 said:

ladystinson said:

I have shingles too. I'm finishing the antiviral today. Shingles is not contagious, but if someone hasn't had chickenpox or the vaccine then they can catch chickenpox from touching your legions. You're only on the antivirals for 7 days and after 2-3 you're no longer contagious. I'm in the TWW as of this weekend and nothing has caused alarm when discussed.

Basically the attitude that I was given was along the lines of drink til its pink. I'm not turning a positive HPT so I'm not pregnant and I don't need to act like I am. Also, I had a coworker who got pregnant the same time as me (with DS) and she has genital herpes and is on a valtrex (which is what they use to treat shingles also) regimen. There wasn't too much concern over this short of delivery because genital herpes can cause blindness in new borns so she had a c/s. You're not going to be on the antivirals the whole time and they will control the virus (which is ALWAYS in your body after you've had chickenpox) long before you O if you just finished your period.

Of course, talk to your dr. But that's my two cents on the matter, as one shingles patient to another.

Edit: spelling

Contradiction much?

Shingles themselves are not contagious. That was a statement in reference to your post. My apologies for not making that clear. It is still possible to spread chickenpox for 2-3 days after starting the antivirals.

So confusing, yes. I'm at work and quick bumping. But a contradiction, no. It just didnt fully explain my point.

ladystinson · March 2016

Some interesting reading:

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1110.aspx?CategoryID=54
https://www.webmd.com/baby/shingles-during-pregnancy
https://www.medicinenet.com/shingles_and_pregnancy/article.htm

britters314 · March 2016

jenmlangtake2 said:

Don't even bother your Dr with a phone call. I'm honestly shocked you'd even consider it. Just wait until you're completely clear. I get you don't want to wait.. I don't either.... But this is so not worth the risk.

"Shingles is contagious from the onset of symptoms until the rash and blisters have crusted dry. You can still go out in public or to work, but you should avoid being around pregnant women.
The herpes-zoster virus, which causes shingles and the chickenpox, can cause serious health risks in both pregnant women and their babies. Risks include pneumonia and birth defects. If you realize that you unknowingly exposed yourself to a pregnant woman, notify her immediately so that she can contact her OB/GYN for recommendations."

Isn't it part of the doctor's job to answer questions patients have about their medical conditions? If your doctor is being "bothered" by questions from their patients, I would get a new doctor.

juliebeannn · March 2016

My DH had shingles a few months ago. As long as your husband has already had chickenpox or has had the chickenpox vaccine, he should be safe from contracting it. That being said, I guess you could TTC but from what I understand, the pain from it would probably prevent you from doing so. If it normally takes you a while to O like 3 weeks+, then maybe you'll be in the clear by then.

If it were me, I would probably skip this cycle and let my body rest as much as possible.

I hope you feel better soon!!

ladystinson · March 2016

@dutchie28 I hope you're feeling ok and not in too much pain. I was lucky and caught mine with 1 spot and about 4 more were just starting to surface so I only had a few twinges, nothing that made me have to stop what I was doing. Since mine is on my back at waist height, I got one of the huge 3x5 band aids to keep my clothes from rubbing and irritating it since I didnt want to scratch. That way I didnt scratch it open in my sleep either. Good luck and I hope yours clears up quickly!

MamaCoffin · March 2016

britters314 said:

jenmlangtake2 said:

Don't even bother your Dr with a phone call. I'm honestly shocked you'd even consider it. Just wait until you're completely clear. I get you don't want to wait.. I don't either.... But this is so not worth the risk.

"Shingles is contagious from the onset of symptoms until the rash and blisters have crusted dry. You can still go out in public or to work, but you should avoid being around pregnant women.
The herpes-zoster virus, which causes shingles and the chickenpox, can cause serious health risks in both pregnant women and their babies. Risks include pneumonia and birth defects. If you realize that you unknowingly exposed yourself to a pregnant woman, notify her immediately so that she can contact her OB/GYN for recommendations."

Isn't it part of the doctor's job to answer questions patients have about their medical conditions? If your doctor is being "bothered" by questions from their patients, I would get a new doctor.

I realize that read that way now. I was trying say don't even bother the Dr.... Because I can't believe you'd even consider trying to get pregnant with shingles. I think it's completely careless.

But that's why I'm doing me and you're doing you.

HeartMama2013 · March 2016

Total anecdotal story but a good friend had shingles for 5 WEEKS! Even after taking the antiviral. Knowing how long it can last would make me NOT want to try until it was cleared up.

ladystinson · March 2016

@HeartMama2013 thats awful! poor thing... I got super lucky with mine, I feel so bad for those who suffer with it though

mrsmcandrews · March 2016

You can deal with side effect and pain from shingles for weeks to months after finishing you ant vitals. I have seen a lot of people in the hospital have to go on long term pain management for the nerve pain. Besides that, you have to worry about fever, etc. Personally I would not risk it. Shingles infects your nerves, the neural tube is formed within the first several weeks of pregnancy. To me that just seems scary.

penelope4612 · March 2016

mrsmcandrews said:

You can deal with side effect and pain from shingles for weeks to months after finishing you ant vitals. I have seen a lot of people in the hospital have to go on long term pain management for the nerve pain. Besides that, you have to worry about fever, etc. Personally I would not risk it. Shingles infects your nerves, the neural tube is formed within the first several weeks of pregnancy. To me that just seems scary.

I know what you're saying but "ant vitals" made me laugh.

OP I'm pretty sure you should not get pregnant while having shingles but you should talk with your doctor about how long you need to wait before trying again.

mrsmcandrews · March 2016

@penelope4612 that's what I get for trying to comment from my phone! Apparently , Samsung doesn't recognize "anti-virals" as an actual word.

Dutchie28 · March 2016

Thanks guys! I asked my doctor. I actually started getting shingles on the day I started my period so my doctor was totally fine with me ttc this month since I would be off meds by the time I was fertile. I caught it early (had it on my scalp and was pretty much a constant 24/7 stabbing migraine). I am going to wait this month just to make sure I am 100% better though.

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