Aa
So the MS Society website states this on Varicella Vaccine?
"The varicella vaccine may be specifically considered for people with MS who:Have never had chicken pox, lack evidence of prior immunity, and are considering starting an MS medication that has the potential to suppress cell mediated immunity. The vaccine should be taken well before starting the therapy."
So could I translate this to me people who are on a MS therapy should not produce the vaccine? Because, thats kind of what I do for a living -_-
So could I translate this to me people who are on a MS therapy should not produce the vaccine? Because, thats kind of what I do for a living -_-
Wow, I must apologize for that convoluted answer mixed in and repeated with a quote from a completely different topic!!! How bizaare. I was trying to get my response to you finished before I fell asleep. Plus, I composed off-site because I've lost too many posts to one wrong finger strike if I do it here. Doesn't look like any of it was such a good idea, eh? I'll wait until morning next time.
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It is unfortunate if corporate decides to err on the extra-safe side. Still, I know they can't afford to take chances with vaccines these days. Any incident can spark unreasonable reactions and rumors/myths that persist for years. I'm glad someone is still willing to risk making them.
It's hard to take when MS threatens your livelihood, especially when the reason is hard to justify and you like what you're doing. I'd do everything possible to make sure corporate understands MS isn't a disease that suppresses your immune system. I lot of people think we are super prone to infection. Of course we aren't. It's just that an infection can pack us a double wammy if it triggers a flare of MS symptoms.
Frankly, I can't imagine anyone being less than extremely careful to follow protocols in a vaccine production facility. Truer than ever when you fight daily to keep a threat like MS at bay. I hope you can continue on track.
Mary
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It is unfortunate if corporate decides to err on the extra-safe side. Still, I know they can't afford to take chances with vaccines these days. Any incident can spark unreasonable reactions and rumors/myths that persist for years. I'm glad someone is still willing to risk making them.
It's hard to take when MS threatens your livelihood, especially when the reason is hard to justify and you like what you're doing. I'd do everything possible to make sure corporate understands MS isn't a disease that suppresses your immune system. I lot of people think we are super prone to infection. Of course we aren't. It's just that an infection can pack us a double wammy if it triggers a flare of MS symptoms.
Frankly, I can't imagine anyone being less than extremely careful to follow protocols in a vaccine production facility. Truer than ever when you fight daily to keep a threat like MS at bay. I hope you can continue on track.
Mary
Thanks so much!... there are plenty of safeguards at work. not an inch of my skin is showing while I'm working in the area. I don't even handle the virus by itself. My Dr. thinks it should be fine while on interferon or Copaxone. However my company my still band me which *****!
Before begining work here I had to have a titer to test my immunity to chicken pox, measles, mumps, and rubella. I personally don't see why I couldnt continue to work in the department. But its up to corporate people.
Its just one big headache to think about.
Before begining work here I had to have a titer to test my immunity to chicken pox, measles, mumps, and rubella. I personally don't see why I couldnt continue to work in the department. But its up to corporate people.
Its just one big headache to think about.
"Please, would someone tell me they have experience something similar while trying to discover what in the world is going on w/ our bodies?"
Wow, this is a bit of a tough one. I realize the MS Society is recommending these vaccines but in my own research they haven't been universally embraced as a good idea for people with MS.
The problem is that viral infections have the potential to trigger a massive flare in PwMS so we have to weight the risk to benefit ratio when considering exposure to disease and/or vaccine.
Vaccines that don't contain live virus might cause a mild and brief increase in MS symptoms as the immune system gears up in response to them. Live virus vaccines carry a larger risk because they have more potential to actually cause the disease they are designed to prevent.
The Varivax probably isn't so much of a stretch in general. It is probably far more desirable for people to accept the small risk of developing chicken pox from the vaccine than it is to risk chicken pox gone wild when taking immunosuppressant drugs. Likewise, woman of child-bearing age aren't likely to risk fetal complications for their babies by choosing to forego vaccinations themselves.
Zostavax, which is used to prevent shingles and decrease post-herpetic neuralgia, is usually not given routinely until people are much older. It's a harder sell to convince people to risk a painful shingles outbreak by taking a live virus vaccine. After all, it is my understanding Zostavax doesn't offer protection anywhere close to 100% and there is no risk of contracting shingles from contact with those who have the disease anyway.
Your situation is unique because of the increased chance of exposure during vaccine production. I don’t know what that process is or how it is controlled but I’d like to think there are plenty of safeguards in place to prevent employee exposure to disease causing viruses and bacteria. You might, in fact, be safer at work than we are visiting with each other!
I think some of your answer will depend on which drug therapy you intend to start. The interferons and Copaxone are immunomodulators. Your ability to fend off invaders isn’t an issue when you take them. If you will be starting an immunosuppressant drug you will have increased vulnerability when exposed to any and all disease causing agents. In that case, your ability to work safely could end quickly.
Hope we were able to clarify some variables for you. In the end, your doctor and employer are going to need to help you figure this out.
"Please, would someone tell me they have experience something similar while trying to discover what in the world is going on w/ our bodies?"
Wow, this is a bit of a tough one. I realize the MS Society is recommending these vaccines but in my own research they haven't been universally embraced as a good idea for people with MS.
The problem is that viral infections have the potential to trigger a massive flare in PwMS so we have to weight the risk to benefit ratio when considering exposure to disease and/or vaccine.
Vaccines that don't contain live virus might cause a mild and brief increase in MS symptoms as the immune system gears up in response to them. Live virus vaccines carry a larger risk because they have more potential to actually cause the disease they are designed to prevent.
The Varivax probably isn't so much of a stretch in general. It is probably far more desirable for people to accept the small risk of developing chicken pox from the vaccine than it is to risk chicken pox gone wild when taking immunosuppressant drugs. Likewise, woman of child-bearing age aren't likely to risk fetal complications for their babies by choosing to forego vaccinations themselves.
Zostavax, which is used to prevent shingles and decrease post-herpetic neuralgia, is usually not given routinely until people are much older. It's a harder sell to convince people to risk a painful shingles outbreak by taking a live virus vaccine. After all, it is my understanding Zostavax doesn't offer protection anywhere close to 100% and there is no risk of contracting shingles from contact with those who have the disease anyway.
Your situation is unique because of the increased chance of exposure during vaccine production. I don’t know what that process is or how it is controlled but I’d like to think there are plenty of safeguards in place to prevent employee exposure to disease causing viruses and bacteria. You might, in fact, be safer at work than we are visiting with each other!
I think some of your answer will depend on which drug therapy you intend to start. The interferons and Copaxone are immunomodulators. Your ability to fend off invaders isn’t an issue when you take them. If you will be starting an immunosuppressant drug you will have increased vulnerability when exposed to any and all disease causing agents. In that case, your ability to work safely could end quickly.
Hope we were able to clarify some variables for you. In the end, your doctor and employer are going to need to help you figure this out.
Mary
Wow, this is a bit of a tough one. I realize the MS Society is recommending these vaccines but in my own research they haven't been universally embraced as a good idea for people with MS.
The problem is that viral infections have the potential to trigger a massive flare in PwMS so we have to weight the risk to benefit ratio when considering exposure to disease and/or vaccine.
Vaccines that don't contain live virus might cause a mild and brief increase in MS symptoms as the immune system gears up in response to them. Live virus vaccines carry a larger risk because they have more potential to actually cause the disease they are designed to prevent.
The Varivax probably isn't so much of a stretch in general. It is probably far more desirable for people to accept the small risk of developing chicken pox from the vaccine than it is to risk chicken pox gone wild when taking immunosuppressant drugs. Likewise, woman of child-bearing age aren't likely to risk fetal complications for their babies by choosing to forego vaccinations themselves.
Zostavax, which is used to prevent shingles and decrease post-herpetic neuralgia, is usually not given routinely until people are much older. It's a harder sell to convince people to risk a painful shingles outbreak by taking a live virus vaccine. After all, it is my understanding Zostavax doesn't offer protection anywhere close to 100% and there is no risk of contracting shingles from contact with those who have the disease anyway.
Your situation is unique because of the increased chance of exposure during vaccine production. I don’t know what that process is or how it is controlled but I’d like to think there are plenty of safeguards in place to prevent employee exposure to disease causing viruses and bacteria. You might, in fact, be safer at work than we are visiting with each other!
I think some of your answer will depend on which drug therapy you intend to start. The interferons and Copaxone are immunomodulators. Your ability to fend off invaders isn’t an issue when you take them. If you will be starting an immunosuppressant drug you will have increased vulnerability when exposed to any and all disease causing agents. In that case, your ability to work safely could end quickly.
Hope we were able to clarify some variables for you. In the end, your doctor and employer are going to need to help you figure this out.
"Please, would someone tell me they have experience something similar while trying to discover what in the world is going on w/ our bodies?"
Wow, this is a bit of a tough one. I realize the MS Society is recommending these vaccines but in my own research they haven't been universally embraced as a good idea for people with MS.
The problem is that viral infections have the potential to trigger a massive flare in PwMS so we have to weight the risk to benefit ratio when considering exposure to disease and/or vaccine.
Vaccines that don't contain live virus might cause a mild and brief increase in MS symptoms as the immune system gears up in response to them. Live virus vaccines carry a larger risk because they have more potential to actually cause the disease they are designed to prevent.
The Varivax probably isn't so much of a stretch in general. It is probably far more desirable for people to accept the small risk of developing chicken pox from the vaccine than it is to risk chicken pox gone wild when taking immunosuppressant drugs. Likewise, woman of child-bearing age aren't likely to risk fetal complications for their babies by choosing to forego vaccinations themselves.
Zostavax, which is used to prevent shingles and decrease post-herpetic neuralgia, is usually not given routinely until people are much older. It's a harder sell to convince people to risk a painful shingles outbreak by taking a live virus vaccine. After all, it is my understanding Zostavax doesn't offer protection anywhere close to 100% and there is no risk of contracting shingles from contact with those who have the disease anyway.
Your situation is unique because of the increased chance of exposure during vaccine production. I don’t know what that process is or how it is controlled but I’d like to think there are plenty of safeguards in place to prevent employee exposure to disease causing viruses and bacteria. You might, in fact, be safer at work than we are visiting with each other!
I think some of your answer will depend on which drug therapy you intend to start. The interferons and Copaxone are immunomodulators. Your ability to fend off invaders isn’t an issue when you take them. If you will be starting an immunosuppressant drug you will have increased vulnerability when exposed to any and all disease causing agents. In that case, your ability to work safely could end quickly.
Hope we were able to clarify some variables for you. In the end, your doctor and employer are going to need to help you figure this out.
Mary
in my treatment (i don't have MS) they don't make you get a shingles vaccine, instead they give you a medication to take as a precaution so you don't get shingles (famvir). If you are on something that suppresses your immune system I recommend you ask about taking this med.
Let me tackle this one and see if it makes sense. The MS society is advising people who have not had the chicken pox through exposure to the virus, then they should get the Zostavax vaccine to protect themself from getting chicken pox ever. This is especially true if the therapy these non-exposed people are going to take suppresses the immune system.
In two cases in the clinical trials for the oral drug Gilenya there were two deaths - both were from complications of getting chicken pox while on this immune suppressing treatment. Had they had chicken pox or the vaccine earlier before this therapy was started they would not have died. As such it is a requirement before you go on Gilenya to be screened for chicken pox and vaccinated if you don't have that immunity.
Once you have either had chicken pox or the vaccine you are then ok to take any of these therapies that suppress the immune system.
We don't get sick often with MS thanks to our over active immune system, but when we do it can make us extremely sick. An opportunistic virus such as chicken pox or shingles can cause unbelievable complications.
I would assume that if you work producing these vaccines you are either already immune to the chicken pox through natural means or you have had the vaccine. I'm thinking your career is in no danger with this, but run it past your doctor just in case.
If this all doesn't make sense, let me know.
Lulu
In two cases in the clinical trials for the oral drug Gilenya there were two deaths - both were from complications of getting chicken pox while on this immune suppressing treatment. Had they had chicken pox or the vaccine earlier before this therapy was started they would not have died. As such it is a requirement before you go on Gilenya to be screened for chicken pox and vaccinated if you don't have that immunity.
Once you have either had chicken pox or the vaccine you are then ok to take any of these therapies that suppress the immune system.
We don't get sick often with MS thanks to our over active immune system, but when we do it can make us extremely sick. An opportunistic virus such as chicken pox or shingles can cause unbelievable complications.
I would assume that if you work producing these vaccines you are either already immune to the chicken pox through natural means or you have had the vaccine. I'm thinking your career is in no danger with this, but run it past your doctor just in case.
If this all doesn't make sense, let me know.
Lulu
Trying to clarify a little more. I work in the pharmaceutical industry and my job is to make Varivax and Zostavax vaccines for the world.
If you aren't suppose to get the shingles vaccine with MS. I'm thinking that they will banned me from producing the vaccine when I start a MS treatment.
Just wondering if anyone here works in vaccine production with MS.
If you aren't suppose to get the shingles vaccine with MS. I'm thinking that they will banned me from producing the vaccine when I start a MS treatment.
Just wondering if anyone here works in vaccine production with MS.
Oops for clarification.
I'm not asking about getting a vaccine. My occupation is making the vaccine, and I am faced with the possiblilty that I can't work in the area I work currently once I start on a treatment.
I'm not asking about getting a vaccine. My occupation is making the vaccine, and I am faced with the possiblilty that I can't work in the area I work currently once I start on a treatment.
I am not sure I understand what you are saying but to keep it simple..my understanding is that we with MS cannot have a shingle vaccine..
meg
meg
Should not "produce the vaccine" or should not take the vaccine? Need a little clarification, here.
I had chicken pox as a kid, so, not an issue.
I had chicken pox as a kid, so, not an issue.
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