I have been on Tysabri for 16 years with no discussion of HPV. Too old to get Gardisil in the USA. Tested positive for 8 strains a few years ago and had treatment to remove a layer of my cervix. Not fun. Asked both the Neuro and OB/Gyn about relationship to DMT and got a head shake. Same issues with staying on birth control, menopause and HRT. Crazy
I have had issues with hpv and CIN3 in the past and two lots of treatment around 15-20 years ago.
Hpv returned more recently since starting DMTS and I tested positive Aug 2020, positive August 21 and positive July 22 and had lletz treatment again August 22. I tested positive again Mar 2023 and Mar 2024. It concerns me deeply that nobody in my health care has spoken to me about any risks with being immunosuppressed and chronic HPV and because I had LLETZ treatment in 2022 they’re happily awaiting a 3rd positive result again (even tho it will actually be 6 years from original positive test in 2020 and could’ve been more years than that because I hadn’t had a smear for 5 years previous to that). I am on ocrevus so not sure if vaccination would work at my grand age of 48. I’m post menopausal and on HRT.
Never had any discussion before embarking on natalizumab 10 years ago and I have been positive for HPV. My last cervical smear came back negative for HPV and due to my age I will no longer be offered any more smears
Thank you. It looks like at age 59, I’m not eligible for the vaccine. I’ve asked my gynecologist as well as my neurologist (in the US), and no one seems to be aware of this matter.
No neurologist ever spoke to me about HPV or anything else from this article. Thanks prof G, it seems it is up to us patients to do regular check ups, and hope for the best
Hi, the NHS doesn’t offer a HPV vaccine to those over 25 years of age. You mention in your article adults getting one - two, three doses etc. Should we therefore be exploring this on the private health system - is that what you mean? Many thanks
I was already vaccinated with the original Gardasil, so I don't remember if my doctor mentioned it or not.
I was older than the guidelines and had to pay out of pocket, but I still think that was a great decision. I remain older than the guidelines, so I probably wouldn't pay out of pocket for the updated version, even after IRT.
Have I picked this up correctly that a group of men up to the age of 45 can get the HPV vaccine but woman can only get the vaccination on the NHS up to the age of 25?
As someone pointed out, we in states do not have smears after a certain age if all has been well, and no one discussed any vaccinations other than pneumonia and later, shingles, if I recall when I was on a DMT. I’m aware of the bump of STDs in my older cohort. (Get with it! It ain’t the 60s anymore people! But I know plenty of younger folks who think everyone is faithful and things are hunky dory and…oops..) But I digress. This seems really risky for men, so this was news to me. Thanks for more to ponder, Prof G..
At age 58, whilst on Ocrevus am I eligible in the UK for an HPV vaccine? This was never discussed with me before I started on Ocrevus about three years ago.
I just received a letter yesterday to say I'm finally HPV negative after a persistent infection.
Before starting DMF over 6 years ago I was asked if I'd had all my vaccinations, I said yes because that's what I believed (not knowing I should have had an MMR booster!). But I'm 42 and there was no HPV vaccine.
Are you saying I'm eligible for it now? But can I have it if I'm on DMF?
(Apparently it doesn't matter that I haven't had the MMR booster because I was vaccinated against measles as a baby and also infected with all three as a child)
Should HPV-positive patients with a history of HPV infection receive the vaccine? My gynecologist says no. But if someone is positive for certain hp viruses, shouldn't they protect themselves from others?
I have been on Tysabri for 16 years with no discussion of HPV. Too old to get Gardisil in the USA. Tested positive for 8 strains a few years ago and had treatment to remove a layer of my cervix. Not fun. Asked both the Neuro and OB/Gyn about relationship to DMT and got a head shake. Same issues with staying on birth control, menopause and HRT. Crazy
I have had issues with hpv and CIN3 in the past and two lots of treatment around 15-20 years ago.
Hpv returned more recently since starting DMTS and I tested positive Aug 2020, positive August 21 and positive July 22 and had lletz treatment again August 22. I tested positive again Mar 2023 and Mar 2024. It concerns me deeply that nobody in my health care has spoken to me about any risks with being immunosuppressed and chronic HPV and because I had LLETZ treatment in 2022 they’re happily awaiting a 3rd positive result again (even tho it will actually be 6 years from original positive test in 2020 and could’ve been more years than that because I hadn’t had a smear for 5 years previous to that). I am on ocrevus so not sure if vaccination would work at my grand age of 48. I’m post menopausal and on HRT.
Never had any discussion before embarking on natalizumab 10 years ago and I have been positive for HPV. My last cervical smear came back negative for HPV and due to my age I will no longer be offered any more smears
Thank you. It looks like at age 59, I’m not eligible for the vaccine. I’ve asked my gynecologist as well as my neurologist (in the US), and no one seems to be aware of this matter.
No neurologist ever spoke to me about HPV or anything else from this article. Thanks prof G, it seems it is up to us patients to do regular check ups, and hope for the best
Was not discussed but I have a feeling HPV vaccination is not generally considered for males anyhow...
Hi, the NHS doesn’t offer a HPV vaccine to those over 25 years of age. You mention in your article adults getting one - two, three doses etc. Should we therefore be exploring this on the private health system - is that what you mean? Many thanks
I was already vaccinated with the original Gardasil, so I don't remember if my doctor mentioned it or not.
I was older than the guidelines and had to pay out of pocket, but I still think that was a great decision. I remain older than the guidelines, so I probably wouldn't pay out of pocket for the updated version, even after IRT.
Gavin - as a paid subscriber-
can you please let us know whether the trauma caused by a high speed MVA also uses up the same reserve that we are said to have neurologically for ms?
Ie- reducing the reserve that could speed up the time from RR to SPms?
Could you advise where someone over 45 could have this vaccine. When I looked before you had to be under 45, even if paying privately.
Have I picked this up correctly that a group of men up to the age of 45 can get the HPV vaccine but woman can only get the vaccination on the NHS up to the age of 25?
I’m a 33 year old female, HPV positive with over 12 months and on Gilenya since my MS diagnosis four years ago- what would you advise ?
As someone pointed out, we in states do not have smears after a certain age if all has been well, and no one discussed any vaccinations other than pneumonia and later, shingles, if I recall when I was on a DMT. I’m aware of the bump of STDs in my older cohort. (Get with it! It ain’t the 60s anymore people! But I know plenty of younger folks who think everyone is faithful and things are hunky dory and…oops..) But I digress. This seems really risky for men, so this was news to me. Thanks for more to ponder, Prof G..
At age 58, whilst on Ocrevus am I eligible in the UK for an HPV vaccine? This was never discussed with me before I started on Ocrevus about three years ago.
I just received a letter yesterday to say I'm finally HPV negative after a persistent infection.
Before starting DMF over 6 years ago I was asked if I'd had all my vaccinations, I said yes because that's what I believed (not knowing I should have had an MMR booster!). But I'm 42 and there was no HPV vaccine.
Are you saying I'm eligible for it now? But can I have it if I'm on DMF?
(Apparently it doesn't matter that I haven't had the MMR booster because I was vaccinated against measles as a baby and also infected with all three as a child)
Should HPV-positive patients with a history of HPV infection receive the vaccine? My gynecologist says no. But if someone is positive for certain hp viruses, shouldn't they protect themselves from others?