have the shingles , does iv chemo need to be delayed? - 1293716

kempten
Posts:128

Hello to all

I had the 4th of 6 carbo/alimta treatments and just developed the shingles. I'm taking 1 gram of
Valacyclovir three times a day for 7 days.

I'm wondering about weather my 5th chemo should be delayed ?
Since there is always the danger of postherpatic neuralgia and other complications of the virus entering the brain and other organs , could continuing chemo raise the likelihood of developing these complications ?

What do you usually do in these cases where your patients develop shingles during therapy?

Thanks for your answer

Kempten

Forums

JimC
Posts: 2753

Hi Kempten,

I'm sorry to hear of your latest complication, and I hope it doesn't last too long. In this context, Dr. Pinder stated "Shingles can be a difficult problem in patients on chemotherapy. In patients with metastatic disease, I will usually hold chemotherapy if a shingles outbreak is underway." - http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=6694.msg47114#msg47114

JimC
Forum moderator

kempten
Posts: 128

thank you Jim
I'm happy to hear this.

Kempten