Hi flower, good to see you again.

They are pretty strict about the age limit for the HZV vaccine. I haven't researched the reason for this, but I think it might be difficult to get it before the age of 60.

Hi Lois, thanks for the welcome! Good to see you too. I haven't researched it much either, so I guess I should put that on my list of things to do. I think I will ask my Dr. too, when I go in for a check-up in March. I consider myself very lucky that I've gone 21 years without a recurrence, but I wonder if the odds will go up with age as does shingles???

Hi Bob, Herpes Zoster has been suspected as a cause for BP. I have never had Chicken Pox, but I do get cold sores from time to time, so I know I have that virus in my body. I contracted BP when I was 8 months pregnant, when women are 3 times more likely to get BP than non-pregnant women. However, until some real research is done, we may never know what actually causes BP. Of course, today, BP is, by definition, facial paralysis of no known origin. So a true diagnosis of BP should only be given after medical tests are given to rule out other causes, such as Lyme disease, tumors, etc. Glad to hear you are making progress. I am still getting new movement after 21 years. Crazy, huh??? Don't you just love this disease??? NOT! LOL Hang in there!!

Actually, Herpes Zoster causes Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, not BP. HZV (chicken pox and shingles virus) is proven to cause Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which is very similar to BP, but can be more serious and can affect more than just the CN VII.

Herpes Simplex I (cold sore, whitlows herpes, cytomegalo virus) is believed to be the cause of BP, but as Flower said...there's no proof. BP is idiopathic. HSV-1 usually establishes latency in the trigeminal ganglion, a collection of nerve cells near the ear. From there, it tends to recur on the lower lip or face. HSV 2 (genital)usually sets up residence in the sacral ganglion at the base of the spine. But it's possible for HSV 2 to reside in the trigeminal ganglion, and HSV 1 to reside at the base of the spine. So either could be the cause of BP.

I don't know which center you tried, Flower. Do you still have the link to that site? That is my source of info. I know that one of the doctors at the Houston center is not there anymore, but I believe that it's still functioning with a good Dr. Deneka, one of our members, would have more info on that. She lives in Houston and is treated there.

Hmm..Todd on the BPIS, just today recommended Andrew Houtz to someone who asked for a good physical therapist in his area. Keep trying.

Thanks for the comments about my Botox. Yes, I'm very pleased with the results. You have to remember that those are not moving pictures tho. I have only about 75-80% recovery, so a lot of spots still don't work and I do look quite wonky when I talk, laugh, etc. But I'm sure I think I look a lot worse than I actually do....don't we all? Makeup does wonders!

Thank you!

But you are being too modest. You look mahvelous dahling! I know you want that lovely smile you had as a 20 year old, but no one would guess you've had BP so many times nor that you are your age.

Sage,

the only other drugs that I am on are for control of blood pressure. Before I retired (Nov 2006) I had been traveling for Dept of Defense to all the exotic places, Haiti, Saudi Arabis, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq. Imy last visit to Iraq was about two months before I developed BP.

I have my doubts that the vaccine was the primary cuase of BP however, it was only thing that was different in my life style. My wife recived the vaccine aobut six weeeks before I did ( I was in Iraq at the time).

Perhaps it was just my time. I think I maed the right deision in trying to prevent shingles.

It is 7 months now, I had the gold weight implant about three months after the onset, some folks thought it was early, however, I did and still think it was the right decision.


I saw Drs at the Universityh of Cincinnati Medical center, booth the head of the ENT department and a neurosurgeon. They both see pts on the same day to try and decide a course of action. MRI showed no abnormality. ENT recommended a PT who is taking things slowly. At one time he mentioned eloectrical stim only as a last resort. After asking question on this forum, I decided to wait before heading down that path. PT or something has made a difference. PT rating went from about 3, to 20 and last visit in December was 45. I see him agian this week.

Support from this forum has been GREAT!! Thanks.

Bob

Sage,

thanks for the information. I am amazed how much information there is on this forum. Thanks to all who have helped me. I'm sure that many of the questions have een asked before and will be asked again.

I understand that the lo9nger you have the issues with the nerves the greater the li8kely hood of residual damage. My wife told me early on, " be thankful it wasn't a stroke." I have repeated that many times and will continue to do so.

Thanks for all your help.

Bob

Debbie,

My mother and an aunt both had shingles and after seeing the misery they went through my wife and I decided to go for the vaccine. I agree, we think it was worth it.

I think many of us had chicken pox as a child. the feeling then was to have chicken pox before you started school and some parents actually visited friends whose children had it so they could expose their children before school started.

Oh well, things will improve.

Bob

Physicians have some liberty to prescribe FDA unapproved uses of medications in the US, under certain situations/conditions, which means that even if it is not approved by the FDA for such use or scope of use, but upon the physicians discretion, it can happen. It can be a delicate issue and sometimes can result in heavy liabilities.

Shingles vaccine is currently only approved for 60 and above but in your friend's case, Debbie, getting a shingles vaccine at 58 which is obviously pretty close to 60 and with the shingles history and other medical conditions she has, it makes sense.

Lobo: one thing to keep in mind is that the two vaccines are different: i.e chicken pox vaccine and varicella zoster vaccine (shingles). Varicella Zoster Vaccine (shingles) is more potent than chicken pox vaccine. It makes sense, that your husband was given chicken pox vaccine after they checked his blood.

In the US it is assumed that almost all people born here before 1980 are immune to varicella (chicken pox) and they can get shingles vaccine regardless of their history with chicken pox. If the person in not born in the US, they recommend a blood test.

Did your husband's doctor specifically say that he will not need shingles vaccine, ever? i.e. that the chicken pox vaccine he got will prevent him from getting shingles?

If the varicella vaccine (chicken pox)can protect him against shingles/Zoster because he has been recently immunized, that would be pretty good I'd say- but I don't know if that is or is not valid.

I remember reading that zoster vaccine should not be given to children for protection against chicken pox (makes sense), and chicken pox vaccine should not be given for protection from shingles (also makes sense because it is weaker in strength)

The safety studies on shingles vaccine looks pretty good and it seems to be very safe. More studies are underway: safety and efficacy for 50-59 yrs, 70+ yrs, more safety studies on 60+ yrs. In a few years we will have more information, but based upon the reported adverse effects which occur in very very small percentage, it is probably a good idea to get the Zoster/shingles vaccine if you are 60 or above. Yes, you can get shingles vaccine even after having shingles.

Lobo, yes, the first part is very clear and logical - that his blood test showed that he was not exposed to chicken pox virus so the doctor rightly gave him the chicken pox vaccine (as is also recommended). He needs to have the chicken pox immunity.

Since your husband has been 'recently' immunized against chicken pox, may be the doctor thinks that he will be protected from shingles later on. I have not come across anything that suggests this though, but could be.

Most of us have been exposed to chicken pox/have immunity to it - but many still get shingles. Having immunity to chicken pox does not prevent shingles from happening later on, when general immune strength declines- which is the reason for getting shingles vaccine.

May be because he was only recently immunized against chicken pox, that he is protected from shingles as well??

May be the chicken pox vaccine he got was stronger than the one given to children? which may have protection against shingles later on??

Yes do ask the questions and let us know what the doctor says.

Yup those are the two vaccines I was talking about- Varivax and Zostavax.

I think the doctor would have said something if he/she thought your husband needed shingles vaccine later on, but check with the doctor in anycase.

Don't worry about your husband getting chicken pox from the vaccine and then shingles. Imagine the other way around- not having the chicken pox vaccine, more likelihood of getting the chicken pox and then also shingles.

I was trying to find if people with varivax have gotten chicken pox...don't think I found anything credible. Even if it happens, it is very mild form I think.

There may be a very small chance of shingles with varivax...it is not completely ruled out (I think).

And don't quote me for this one: I seem to remember reading way back (I even posted here about it) that shingles vaccine prevents reactivation of varicella, but not a primary chicken pox infection. Makes sense from many angles. It is made in a way to work against reactivation! This is the key I think. This is why I think shingles vaccine is not used to prevent chicken pox (and the potency issue)

Let us know what the doctor says...it is better to have questions! at least now you are aware of all these things which can only be good.

Lois (and Sage),

This has been a great thread - very informative.

Now, Lois, I am sorry you have to go through that c-word adventure, but am so glad you are being proactive with your health. Knowing you to be very health-conscious I am happy to hear you have scheduled the dreaded deed and going through with it - I will say little prayers for you tomorrow as you go through the prep (the worst part) and continue to pray for you through the weekend.

Hope it all comes out ok in the end (oops) - Good Luck and Hooray for you!

Thanks friends! Yes...I feel pretty good about myself getting up the nerve to do this. I hope my doc will say the same thing to me, Debbie.

So, the jello is made, lots of juices and flavored sparkling water in the fridge, a couple cans of beef and chicken broth...Powerade to replace electrolytes...I'm all set for my liquid cuisine. I'll let you know how it goes.

I've talked to a lot of people who've had this dreaded experience...they all say the prep is worse than the test.

What did you eat after in was done, Debbie?

Lobo,

Glad your husband got a double dose of chicken pox vaccine, no booster shot needed later on, that he will not get chicken pox EVER, so no shingles vaccine needed for him, ever. Good news.

The fact that you got shingles multiple times (you said you have had it twice) suggests that the shingles antibodies you have are not helping you combat it fully.

Zostavax was not studied to see if it prevents shingles in people who have already had shingles. Currently studies are underway for this scenario. But if you are 60 and above, you can get shingles vaccine whether or not you have had shingles.

Since you are above 60, you should have no problem getting a prescription for shingles vaccine, even if you have had shingles. If I were you, I would get the shingles vaccine, specially since it seems to be so safe. But it is your call.