Does anyone have any information on the possibility that the shingles shot cause my flare up?
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 50 and was placed on hydroxychloroquine 200 mg which is the generic for plaquenil. It is now 8 years later and I have done generally very well over the years with diet, exercise, and medication. At times doing so well that my rheumatologist felt that I did not need to take my medication. Last year my family physician said I should ask my rheumatologist if it was okay for me to get the shingles shot. I did ask my rheumatologist if it was alright to get the shot and she said I could get the vaccine. It might be important to note that I had not needed to take my medication for at least six months and my rheumatologist felt I was doing so well I did not need to see her again for a year. I got the shingles shot on December 8th and the next week I started becoming very tired and then the following week I developed a stiff neck that was so painful I could not turn my neck and then both my arms in my bicep area became very painful. These problems have been painful enough that I am having a great deal of difficulty sleeping. These problems developed when I was on a recent extended vacation so I could not get back to my rheumatologist for awhile. I tried to manage the discomfort by getting massages and seeing a chiropractor in the area where I was vacationing which has helped but the only real improvement is that my neck is not as stiff. I tend to be a person who tries more natural remedies first before rushing back to my prescription but I am now at two months since my problems began so I am going to make an appointment with my rheumatologist. However recently the thought occurred to me that the shingles shot could have triggered a flare up. I have been unable to find anything online regarding that topic. I have only found a lot of information indicating people with RA should get a shingles shot. Does anyone have any information on the possibility that the shingles shot cause my flare up?