Hi, Cobb. Nice to meet you!

The most immediate thing you can do for shingles is to get some vitamin B12. That will help to heal the peripheral nerves that are damaged by that virus. I personally like the Jarrow Formula brand of Methylcobalamin (fancy name for B12 that goes right to work in the bloodstream). Unlike vitamins such as B6, a person can't really get too much of B12.

When I had shingles, I was already on B12 (have to take it forever due to B12 deficiency/damage). I then upped my dose to 2 x 5 mg (2 tablets) several times per day. Mine almost went to my eyes, and was starting to affect my brain. I only had a tingly sensation of the nerves, not pain like others report having. I attribute that to the B12.

Amazon.com: Jarrow Formulas Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12), Supports Brain Cells, 5 mcg, 6 Lozenges: Grocery & Gourmet Food

You may already have an existing B12 deficiency. That's very common! Vitamin D deficiencies are common as well. A primary doctor can test you for those. If you have numbness/tingling in your hands, face, or feet, and are tired, you might already have a B12 deficiency.

What eye drops are you on? Some of those can make MG worse.

Did you know that Neurontin/Gabapentin can make MG much worse in some people? Have you tried just Tylenol/acetaminophen?

There are other things you can do, dietary-wise, to help your immune system. Cut out sugars. Increase good proteins and green leafy vegetables. Drink those green drinks with tons of vitamins. Mushrooms have great antioxidant properties. Drink a lot of water. Sleep more! Try to cut out all stress (stress shortens telomeres, and that promotes aging of the immune system). Mrs D (savvy moderator) might have more suggestions about diet/supplements. But with all things, speak to your primary doctor first.

Only you and your neuro can figure out what you can do about decreasing the meds you're on. Pred is hard to come off of. Have you ever tried IVIG? That might not be a good idea while you have shingles, due to the risk of meningitis from IVIG. But some people do very well on that.

A doctor could also check your IgA, IgG, etc. to see how your immune system is fighting off germs. A low level of one of those is also a reason to have IVIG, other than when someone is in a crisis.

While on Pred, taking flax or fish oil, or eating good oils, keeps the gel coating of the stomach healthy. Pred is an anti-prostaglandin, while good oils are pro-prostaglandins. Has a doctor checked your metabolic panel to see if there have been any effects on albumin, electrolytes, etc.?

Infections are rough on MG. And the meds given for shingles can make a person very sleepy. Just try to pamper yourself as much as possible.

I'm not really a proponent of the shingles vaccine, but that's me. There really isn't a lot of good evidence to support that the vaccine helps keep people from getting shingles, from the virus that is already inside of people who have had chicken pox. And a vaccine, due to the adjuvants and other ingredients such as neomycin, squalene, aluminum hydroxide, barium, formaldehyde, and thimerosal (mercury), can mess with one's immune system even more! What's ironic is that immune suppressed people can get chicken pox again. So you need to stay away from others who might have that, or other viral or bacterial infections.

The good news is that you can improve your immune system. Speak to both your primary doctor and neurologist about that and how to change up your current meds. I really hope you have relief soon from shingles.

When you go anywhere, you really need to wear a mask. I make sure that I do that. I don't care what I look like to others. I'd rather not have pneumonia!

I hope you feel better soon!

Annie