Shingles.!!!

[easyas123]

The current vaccine is at least 90% effective (effacy based on age and other factors).

This is my understanding as also. Well worth it.

You do NOT want to deal with the discomfort of shingles.

My Mother experienced what is best described as a mild case on her face. It didn't look that bad but she was in a great deal of pain, and she's a tough old broad. There was no 'discomfort' about it! I remembered that for years and took myself off for my 50th B'day gift of my vaccine!

 

[AussieFan8]

The meds really slowed the spread for me, but it took a few days. I used Aveeno oatmeal baths and spray calamine for the itching. The spray calamine worked well but I think I overdid it because it later made the skin dry which brought back the itching. I hope you feel better soon; it's miserable.

 

[cabanafrau]

After watching my mother suffer through shingles I got the vaccine the moment I was eligible and a dose was available. It ended up being the most painful vaccine with heavy side effects I've ever had, but still a cake walk compared to getting shingles. A significant amount of my pain was due to the technician hitting the cuff of my shoulder when giving the first dose. That felt like getting zapped by lightning and my shoulder actually felt injured for several months.

 

[Chili327]

I had it on my right chest back in 2020 or 2021? I could not sleep well for a week or two, just cuz I am...well endowed...so any way I laid, things didn't stay in place and either crushed the shingle-ed area or flopped on the area.

No fevers or anything, and the rash "only" extended from midline, across my chest, to just under my armpit. Not the best feeling in the world and I cannot imagine having them anywhere on my face...OUCH!

Hope you are on the mend soon without any damage..

I can imagine sleeping would be tough. lol
Mine isn’t terrible, unless I flip onto my left side then it hurts and wakes me up pretty quick.

The current vaccine is at least 90% effective (effacy based on age and other factors).

Yea, they told me to wait a year after I get healed, but it’s on my list!!

 

[Imzadi]

I just got a shingles vaccination before seeing this thread. I was never told I needed to come in for a second dose. And I only had mild irritation at the vaccination spot, like a bruise for a few days. What if I wasn't given the Shringrix vaccine but the other one?

 

[easyas123]

I just got a shingles vaccination before seeing this thread. I was never told I needed to come in for a second dose. And I only had mild irritation at the vaccination spot, like a bruise for a few days. What if I wasn't given the Shringrix vaccine but the other one?

there's a record of it. Look it up or call the provider that gave it to you. Then call them up & ask if you need a second shot and when.

 

[Christine]

I just got a shingles vaccination before seeing this thread. I was never told I needed to come in for a second dose. And I only had mild irritation at the vaccination spot, like a bruise for a few days. What if I wasn't given the Shringrix vaccine but the other one?

I can't swear to it but I don't think they give the other one anymore? Not sure. As for the reactions to it, I think people get hit hardest on the second dose (which is why I haven't yet done this vaccine and I keep putting it off).

 

[Einstein509]

Had it in my right eye running up my forehead and over the top of my head. Some of the most intense pain I've ever had. Initially misdiagnosed with pink eye so I missed the anti-viral med window. After a couple of days, they did give me the anti-viral meds after proper diagnosis.

I second everyone who mentioned pain management. I was in so much pain that my DW advocated for pain meds. Ended up getting Vicodin (I think) which helped a lot.

This was about 6-7 years ago and I still have lingering dull nerve pain where it broke out behind my eye and running up over the top of my head. I hope I never have another breakout. I had a breakout when I was in my early teens above my waist on the left side, but I don't remember it being as painful as the second one.

 

[AnnaS]

Hope you are feeling better this morning.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I just got a shingles vaccination before seeing this thread. I was never told I needed to come in for a second dose. And I only had mild irritation at the vaccination spot, like a bruise for a few days. What if I wasn't given the Shringrix vaccine but the other one?

The single dose Zostavax was discontinued in late 3020 following the introduction of the two dose Shingrix. Best to follow up, @Imzadi.

 

[cabanafrau]

I can't swear to it but I don't think they give the other one anymore? Not sure. As for the reactions to it, I think people get hit hardest on the second dose (which is why I haven't yet done this vaccine and I keep putting it off).

That wasn't my experience. Doesn't mean it's the same for everyone, but I struggled more with the first -- and the added issue of the tech going too high and hitting the cuff of my shoulder, oww! Seeing what my mom went through with Shingles made me desperate to get the vaccine the moment I was eligible -- and then it took at least several months before I could find a provider with it in stock, if not more than that. I DO NOT want to get shingles.

 

[easyas123]

I can add, in my personal experience, the second dose didn't bother me at all - neither did the first.
With that being said, I've never experienced anything other than a sore arm/bit of muscle discomfort when getting any vaccines, so it may just be that they don't bother me as much as others.

 

[cabanafrau]

I can add, in my personal experience, the second dose didn't bother me at all - neither did the first.
With that being said, I've never experienced anything other than a sore arm/bit of muscle discomfort when getting any vaccines, so it may just be that they don't bother me as much as others.

Covid vaccines leave me feeling a bit low, nothing major. Shingles was the only vaccine that made me stop and say, hey now. Flu vaccines, nothing. A tetanus booster last year made my arm a bit sore for a day or two.

I'd still strongly recommend the shingles vax to anyone hesitating.

 

[Chili327]

Hope you are feeling better this morning.

Thanks, I can't complain, I think it could be worse, honestly i'm not sure if its getting better or the meds are kicking in, but the rash itself doesn't really hurt or itch, but some muscles and joints are really sore.
I have an appt with the Ears, Nose & Throat specialist because some of the rash made it into my ear, & my ear is one of the spots that is most sore, so we'll see.

It's funny because i don't take any meds for anything, not even aspirin except in situations like this (taking Advil Dual Action), so to be taking all these meds daily on different schedules, etc is crazy to me, but i guess it is just how it goes.
I even added vitamin D3 pill & a Probiotic. lol

 

[fly girl]

Nothing to add except wishing you a speedy recovery, @Chili327.

 

[bluezy]

I can't swear to it but I don't think they give the other one anymore? Not sure. As for the reactions to it, I think people get hit hardest on the second dose (which is why I haven't yet done this vaccine and I keep putting it off).

I know the vaccine side effects are different for everyone, but I had no issues (and I was very worried about it). I talked to the pharmacist who administered my vaccines and he suggested taking overlapping doses of Tylenol and Motrin for 48 hours after receiving the vaccine as well as icing the injection site a few times the first day. And also exercising that arm every hour or so for the rest of the day (he suggested doing "windmills" and shoulder presses). I followed those instructions for both doses of the vaccine and had no real reaction other than the injection site feeling a tiny bit bruised for a few days. I know several people who did have rough days following the injections but none of them did the "post vaccine" routine that my pharmacist suggested (because it never occurred to them that there was something they might be able to do to lessen or possibly avoid the vaccine side effects) but they all said they'd rather deal with the reaction to the vaccine than having shingles. I share my experience with people in case they want to try it.

 

[Christine]

I know the vaccine side effects are different for everyone, but I had no issues (and I was very worried about it). I talked to the pharmacist who administered my vaccines and he suggested taking overlapping doses of Tylenol and Motrin for 48 hours after receiving the vaccine as well as icing the injection site a few times the first day. And also exercising that arm every hour or so for the rest of the day (he suggested doing "windmills" and shoulder presses). I followed those instructions for both doses of the vaccine and had no real reaction other than the injection site feeling a tiny bit bruised for a few days. I know several people who did have rough days following the injections but none of them did the "post vaccine" routine that my pharmacist suggested (because it never occurred to them that there was something they might be able to do to lessen or possibly avoid the vaccine side effects) but they all said they'd rather deal with the reaction to the vaccine than having shingles. I share my experience with people in case they want to try it.

Several folks I know who had it, especially after the 2nd dose, had more of like a "flu-like" response for a day or two. Fever, chills, body aches for at least 24 hours. These are people who've done well with most vaccines.

For me, the flu vaccine gets me down every year. I get a fever, aches, fatigue and that goes for about 2 days. For other vaccines, nothing much. It's all so random!

 

[cabanafrau]

Several folks I know who had it, especially after the 2nd dose, had more of like a "flu-like" response for a day or two. Fever, chills, body aches for at least 24 hours. These are people who've done well with most vaccines.

For me, the flu vaccine gets me down every year. I get a fever, aches, fatigue and that goes for about 2 days. For other vaccines, nothing much. It's all so random!

No idea if this is true or not, but I have been told more than once that if you do react to a vaccine it is a sign your body will recognize the virus if you happen to get it and will immediately go into action to fight it off. Hopefully that is true for you.

 

[Christine]

No idea if this is true or not, but I have been told more than once that if you do react to a vaccine it is a sign your body will recognize the virus if you happen to get it and will immediately go into action to fight it off. Hopefully that is true for you.

Now I just need to get myself there and do it. I've been traveling a lot this year and putting it off because every time I think to do it, it runs into some sort of event I have to go to.

 

[bluezy]

Several folks I know who had it, especially after the 2nd dose, had more of like a "flu-like" response for a day or two. Fever, chills, body aches for at least 24 hours. These are people who've done well with most vaccines.

For me, the flu vaccine gets me down every year. I get a fever, aches, fatigue and that goes for about 2 days. For other vaccines, nothing much. It's all so random!

Yes, I know several people who have had the flu-like symptoms after the second dose. It's very possible that I would have had that, too, if I hadn't be pre-emptively taking the Motrin & Tylenol.