shingles

[bebop]

My dad now has shingles. needless to say I am terrified. He is already weak from having the mds and low hemoglobin. he had 2 units of blood just yesterday. anyone know how bad this is in his condition?

[Birgitta-A]

Hi bebop,
You know we can all get shingles and especially when we are immunosuppressed. Treatment with for example acyclovir should be initiated immediately.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/shingles.htm
Hopefully your father has got treatment that will have good effect!
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
71yo, dx MDS Interm-1 May 2006, transfusion dependent since dx, Desferal and Exjade for iron overload, Neupogen for low WBCs since 3 infections Sept 2007, Thalidomide and Prednisone since June 2010 for bone marrow fibrosis

[bebop]

yes thankfully he is on meds now for it. I guess I over worry about him getting a really bad infection from it. I know he is weak already so it is a concern. thanks for your response!

Elaine