NeuroTalk Support Groups - qestion about MS and shingles

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Here's an article that was published in the Journal of Neurology and reported by the MS Association. There are also studies done by the CDC that you may want to read. Check the link below. As with all research and theories, they are ongoing. No cure. I am just the messenger! For anyone who has had shingles, (luckily I have not but had a severe case of chicken pox!) CDC recommends seeking medical attention. I've had many friends who have had shingles and ended up being hospitalized!

Multiple Sclerosis and the Shingles Vaccine Cure

By Cheryl Waters Likins, eHow Contributor

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects more than 250,000 people in the United States, yet a cure remains elusive. MS researchers identified a surprising link between the virus that causes shingles and the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. However, the implications of this link are not completely understood. Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, the vaccine for shingles may offer palliative benefits to multiple sclerosis patients and open the doors to further research.

Effects of Demyelination
Multiple sclerosis attacks the brain and spinal cord. Immune system cells demyelinate or strip away the protective, fatty myelin sheath covering the nerves. What remains are plaques or scleroses. The myelin sheath now has interruptions and smooth, rapid nerve transmissions do not occur. Optic neuritis, pain, lack of coordination, paresthesias, and dizziness may result from demyelination.
The Virus Connection
What do the shingles virus and multiple sclerosis have in common? Researchers believe that there may be a connection between the shingles virus and the later development of multiple sclerosis. In the April 2007 issue of "The Journal of Neurology," Sotelo et al found the shingles virus in a patient's blood during an MS attack. They believe that when a multiple sclerosis patient has a flare-up of symptoms, this virus plays a role.
Effects of the Shingles Virus
Shingles is actually the same virus as the chickenpox. Normally, people have the chickenpox once as a child and then have enough immunity to avoid getting sick again. However, the virus can reappear in adulthood as shingles. Shingles results in a breakout of blisters on a patch of skin. Shingles can be very painful and a fever may accompany it. Severe cases of shingles may require hospitalization. What is interesting to note is the fact that the chickenpox virus remains in the body forever in the nerve cells. There is no cure for chickenpox; however, newly developed vaccines help to prevent it and antivirals treat it. The idea is that if a chickenpox or shingles vaccine could also treat the virus, then it might help multiple sclerosis symptoms, too. The presence of the virus in an MS patient having a flare-up of symptoms is striking.
Theories/Speculation
The MS Association reported that patients who were administered antiviral drugs like valcyclovir and acyclovir had a reduction in disease activity. Because of the decrease in active brain lesions suggestive of disease worsening, doctors might soon be using these antivirals to treat MS patients.
Potential
Clinical studies are underway using shingles antivirals and vaccine, It is unlikely that the vaccines as we know them are the elusive solutions to the MS cure. However, the potential for a better understanding of multiple sclerosis' etiology is strong. Does the shingles virus actually cause multiple sclerosis? No conclusive evidence has yet been produced. However, this latent virus in the nerve cells which acts in tandem with a multiple sclerosis exacerbation offers clues for scientists to pursue new treatments and ultimately a cure.

I've had shingles 2 times after being diagnosed 8 yrs ago. Also had Mono. in my late 20's.

I have shingles and two falls ago I had mono. I have also had myoperiocarditis, which is when a virus infects the lining of your heart. I thought that maybe I had lupus, but the blood work is negative. Now, I am concerned that I may have MS. I work out faithfully but lately, I am so depleted after working out whereas I used to be energized. My shingles pain is nerve related and runs the entire length of my left leg. It is so hard to stand for any length of time. I was diagnosed with shingles in October and I took Valtrex which seemed to help. I caught a fever virus last week from one of my children and it made a mild rash appear on my left leg and the pain returned with a vengence. Any advice? This site came up when I entered mono + shingles! Thanks to anyone who is willing to offer advice. Best of luck to you all.

Go back to your doctor. See what they say

Below is a summary of the Herpes family of viruses. I think they ALL can set us up for MS or cause a "flair". This is my summary and I hope it is correct.

Herpes simplex virus HSV-1 Oral herpes(fever
blisters)

Herpes simplex virus HSV-2 Genital herpes

Varicella-zoster virus(VZV) Chickenpox, shingles

Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) Infectious
mononucleosis

Cytomegalovirus(CMV) "Mono-like" illness,
Infections in Immune-compromised patients

Human herpesvirus-6 HHV-6 Roseola, "mono-like"
illness ----Possible MS and chronic fatigue syndrome

Human herpesvirus-7 HHV-7 "Mono-like" illness,
pityriasis rosea

Human herpesvirus-8 HHV-8 Kaposi's sarcoma

I hope it helps clarify this subject.

jackD

Thank you so much, Jack, I always appreciate your scientific input. This info does validate my suspicions.

I too had shingles, but long after MS dx. Mine was probably activates by taking a chemo drugs called Hydroxy-urea (Hydrea) for my third disease, Polycythemia Vera. The Hydrea
was to knock down the number of platelets in my blood. I got very bad shingles, hip to foot, and was in the hospital with it and took six weeks to walk again without a walker. Valtrex was a good drug to knock it out, but still I needed the six weeks to relearn walking.

I don't know what relationship it might have to MS in me.

I am now trying Interferon in low dose to try to deal with the high platelets. It too
has side effects but so far not as bad as Hydrea. I am unclear how it works, it does affect immune system but probably selectively, i.e., lowering some immunity and raising other. It does not seem to cause marked neuro symptoms--unless burning skin is a parasthesia or chills is a neuro symptom...these go away after an hour or so, usually attacking in the middle of the night. I have to give myself a shot tomorrow because I can't go to the clinic, being snowed in.

I have never had shingles. I have a cold sore since I was a child and it only comes out after a high enough fever triggers it. When I was preggo I had a sore (points down there) and had it checked. The MD said it was Herpes simplex 1 (cold sore), but it went away quick, and I never saw it again. He said it could have been triggered by the hormones of pregnancy. exdh was a doggie and a half, so it wouldnt have surprised me if he dragged something home. This silly thing simply left and I have never seen it again. Spoke to several MDs about it and some say you can get one flare and never another, and other folks stay covered in it. consider myself lucky.

I hate this stupid disease and want better answers than they give us. :mad: