Yes I have it now for 3rd or could be 4 th I’m beginning to think it is something to do with having MPN .

I wonder if it has to do with my immune system

Shingles is in the herpes virus group. I’ve never had shingles, but I have to take Valtrex every single day because I get cold sores on my mouth constantly, which is in the herpes virus group too. I wonder would it be effective for your condition? Ask your care team and see what they say. I would be interested because just like you, even being on medication, I am still getting breakthroughs on the fever blisters.

Dear Kathyryn,

Shingles being the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox, it is usually linked to our immune system being a bit dysfunctional. MPNs can be behind it, but also medication for treating MPNs.
If your initial set of anti-shingles vaccine did not work well, you could try another vaccination.
If you are treated with anything that could lead to immunosuppression, you need to time the vaccine so that you take it in the period in which you do not take the immunosuppressive medication, so that your body gets the chance to react properly to the vaccine.

Would it be possible for your doctor to check if you have an adequate response to vaccination, or generally if you have a good immune function? That could help a lot with making sure you take the adequate vaccine doses to give you a good immune response.

Best regards,
Tatiana

Hi Julie,

This study might be of interest to you:
"These novel findings of an overall increased risk of infections in MPN patients, irrespective of common cytoreductive treatments, suggest the increased risk of infection is inherent to the MPN."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC77...

Many hugs of support,
Tatiana