I have been suffering from Shingles along with the MS for perhsaps the last 12 years. It got so I was having an attack every other week, and my Dr's (both my primary and neuro) did not want me to take the shingles vaccine because they were afraid it would trigger an exacerbation. My Primary put me on a daily dose of valacyclovir (1 Gm horse pill) that seems to minimize the attacks, but they still come.
I've almost decided to risk the exacerbations, but I'm trying to get up to speed on Tecfidera (real bad nausea), and I don't want anything to compromise its effectiveness until I stabilize.
As to if its connected, its certainly possible, but I had the MS for many years before I ever had shingles.

I didn't have this--had most of the childhood diseases (vaccines not yet available), except for chickenpox. I did get the flu whenever it came around. I had the varicella vaccine on my doctor's rec. I get the flu shot every year. Infections/bugs seem to set off the MS symptoms and I do whatever might help. Best wishes to you. Hope you're having a good restful Sunday!

Just checked some resources since I have them handy at work. Looks like they want you to have had Chicken Pox or have had the shingles (varicella zoster) vaccine before you take Gilenya because if you contract Chicken Pox or Shingles while on Gilenya, the infection could become life threatening due to Gilenya suppressing the immune system. They recommend giving a Varicella Zoster vaccine for those not already immune, before starting Gilenya. So looks like the vaccine would be safe for MSers in general.

My Mom also has MS and I just found out Today that some of the MS Drugs and Steroids can make an MS Person get the Shingles!!!!

I've been told (and really believe!) that any infection (be it bacterial, viral, fungal, whatever) activates the immune system to protect the body, and that can set-off the MS (flare-up, excerbation). I never had the chicken pox or shingles, so had no natural (developed) immunity to it. My docs recommended the vaccination and so I received that. (And the shot was no problem, just a quick prick.) It's no guarantee, but I think it improves my odds!