slo’s WEDNESDAY 9/24 poll - Shingles Vaccine 💉

[slo]

Let’s have a little more serious poll today and discuss something medical, which will be the shingles vaccine. I am normally not a big yearly vaccine adult - I don’t get a flu shot, RSV shot, COVID shot or shingles shot. I am thinking about changing that to get the shingles shot this year, but I’m still not sure. As many know, I manage a chiropractors office and many of our patients over 50 have had the shingles and tell me how miserable they were with this. My mom had the shingles about 2 years ago and she was pretty miserable too. A fella that I listen to on The Catholic Channel had a terrible case of the shingles a few years ago and talked how it was the worst thing he ever experienced. I consider myself a pretty strong person, and have a high tolerance for pain, but the thought of being sidelined from shingles makes me really consider getting this vaccine. For those that know nothing about the shingles vaccine, here ya go…….





So, now that you’ve all read that, and learned a little about the shingles vaccine, let’s have a discussion……


Do you get the shingles vaccine?
Are you over 50 years old?
Have you had the shingles in the past?
(multiple choice)

*This is in NO WAY a thread to debate about vaccines. If you feel compelled to debate about this, make a spin off thread about it on the controversial topics board. Keep this thread respectful - thank you!



For Me…..As I mentioned above, I have not had the shingles vaccine and I’m highly considering it this year. I have also never had shingles and I don’t want to.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I got my first case of shingles when I was about 30 years old I got them after a traumatic event which is pretty normal I’ve had some very major surgery the pain from the shingles is the same pain that I had from the surgery so what really drove me nuts was itching
I got my second case of shingles a year later in the same exact spot
Fast-forward about 20 years going through a very traumatic event in my life I proceeded to get shingles and that did not stop I had them all over my back and then I proceeded to get cases in my eyes I had over 13 cases in my eyes the cases on my back were perpetual they did not stop my doctors suggested I get the shingles shot now keep in mind I’m on medication for this while this is still going on so I kept breaking out even though I was on medication so I went and got the shot it’s a series of two shots didn’t put a dent in it I was on medication through the whole traumatic event which lasted almost 2 years and then I was on medication for another six months pass that point it took about that long for the shingles to finally stop they were 100% stress induced
I’m going through a bit of a stressful situation right now and welcome back the shingles came back they are not that bad so far but I had to break out the medication I’m just hoping I don’t get them in my eyes again because that was quite painful

My daughter had a case of them at the age of 22 and she was not even going through a stressful situation or any traumatic event at the time actually the doctor when I sent her to the doctor he’s like you don’t have shingles and she’s like my mother said I have shingles and then he looked at her he’s like yeah your mother is right you have shingles because she was so young he did not believe that she would have shingles

I would highly recommend if you’re worried about getting them to get the shot for most people it works really well ymmv I think for me it kind of slowed mine down the only place that they were extremely bad was in my eyes Every place else they were more Annoying Because the itching About drove me insane And yes the nerve pain is not fun at all

 

[leebee]

I'm well over 50, had chicken pox when I was young, and have not had the shingles vaccine even though we talk about it. I'm worried about the injection. I'm a wuss, and avoid needles at all costs, although I have had 3 COVID shots. For anyone who had the shingles vaccine, how painful is the actual injection? I know it's stupid to be worried about the injection and not the after effects but that's where I am! I know folks who've had shingles and say it would have been worth a dozen shots to have avoided it- so I really should have it.

@WDWEPCOT You are probably right about your outbreaks being stress-induced. This happens with herpes viruses. I can 100% plan on having cold sores if I get my lips sunburned, windburned, or if I'm under a lot of stress- and the blisters are in the exact same spot every time. Both in the herpesvirus family, and are considered "reactivated" viruses- that is, they "hide out" in your system until something activates them. There is a lot that's still unknown about viruses, but with my limited understanding, I'd still guess that yeah, they can both be stress-induced.

This was pretty interesting to read: https://snuggymom.com/are-cold-sores-and-shingles-related/ It's not cited, but the few things I looked up were accurate/solid, so... like I said, interesting.

 

[mamamary]

I did get the vaccine a few years ago. I know a few people who have had shingles and it was absolutely horrible for them.

 

[Meriweather]

I had chicken pox when I was young. I got the one shot Shingles shot before the 2 dose came out and then several years later, I got the 2 dose one.
I get all vaccinations when they become available.
Same with DH.

 

[fla4fun]

I had shingles earlier this year, but did not get the rash. I didn’t know it could happen that way, but apparently it can. The pain was excruciating. It was the one time I was happy to be unemployed. I got the pain on my hip and thigh, so standing was bad, sitting was out of the question and lying down only worked in one specific position. The insurance I have right now is more of a catastrophic coverage, so I don’t have huge bills if I am hospitalized but it doesn’t cover vaccinations. I would get the Shingrix and the current Covid vaccines but they are too expensive out of pocket.

 

[HeatherC]

I did get the shingles shot two years ago and am very glad I did. My brother got shingles when he was in his 40’s in his eyes and face and almost lost his vision from it. It was horrific. He was hospitalized several times and experienced excruciating pain. His also kept recurring several times after that. No one should have to go through what he did if it can be prevented.

I figure even if I get shingles at some point, the shot should help mitigate the severity of it and it was worth doing.

 

[HeatherC]

I'm well over 50, had chicken pox when I was young, and have not had the shingles vaccine even though we talk about it. I'm worried about the injection. I'm a wuss, and avoid needles at all costs, although I have had 3 COVID shots. For anyone who had the shingles vaccine, how painful is the actual injection? I know it's stupid to be worried about the injection and not the after effects but that's where I am! I know folks who've had shingles and say it would have been worth a dozen shots to have avoided it- so I really should have it.

@WDWEPCOT You are probably right about your outbreaks being stress-induced. This happens with herpes viruses. I can 100% plan on having cold sores if I get my lips sunburned, windburned, or if I'm under a lot of stress- and the blisters are in the exact same spot every time. Both in the herpesvirus family, and are considered "reactivated" viruses- that is, they "hide out" in your system until something activates them. There is a lot that's still unknown about viruses, but with my limited understanding, I'd still guess that yeah, they can both be stress-induced.

This was pretty interesting to read: https://snuggymom.com/are-cold-sores-and-shingles-related/ It's not cited, but the few things I looked up were accurate/solid, so... like I said, interesting.

Leebee…it truly was no worse than getting a flu shot. I hydrated extremely well before both shots and barely had a reaction. In my case, I have felt worse after getting a flu shot. I urge you to consider it. Shingles is no joke.

 

[kanerf]

I did get the Shingles vaccine. My mother had shingles and it was very unpleasant for her. Did not want to go through that. I am in general a vaccine advocate and take all the ones that are recommended for me. Other than a little bit of arm pain afterword, I have never had any side effects from vaccine's.

 

[Moliphino]

I'm not old enough for it yet, but I'll get it when I am. Haven't had shingles yet and definitely don't want to.
I had a mild case of chicken pox when I was a year old, before the chicken pox vaccine was available.

 

[GAN]

I never had chicken pox -but, it's possible I had been exposed(my sister had them) and just never showed. So I am considering the vaccine for that reason -I'm 62. I have an older friend who had shingles and said it was the most excruciating thing he's ever experienced -and he fought in WWII. I can avoid that with two simple shots.....

 

[Marrila]

@leebee I had the first shingles shot a couple of months ago. I am planning to get the second shot at the end of Oct.
No regrets about taking the shingles vaccine. I know someone who was hit very hard by shingles a few years ago. It was awful for her.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'm under 50. I'm immunocompromised so I can get the shingles vaccine if I want. I do plan to get it...I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I had a very mild case a couple of years before I was eligible for the vaccine. My doctor recommended I still get the shot once I turned 50, but then I actually turned 50 during the covid epidemic, and didn't want to jeopardize my chance at getting that vaccine as soon as I could by being too close to one in the shingles series. (Probably silly, but it was during the time that covid shots were just rolling out and hard to get, and you had to be pretty flexible about where and when.) So I put the shingles one on hold and meant to get it eventually...then promptly forgot all about it and never revisited the plan. I need to check whether I'm up to date with my Tdap at my next appointment (new babies in my extended family) but eventually, I do mean to get this one as well.

 

[HopperFan]

Due to a lifelong condition I have a high tolerance for pain. I had all three kids "naturally" medicine free (and all were big). I had shingles during pregnancy #2 and it was HORRIBLE. The pain is like a million needles stabbing me in the entirety of the area. All I wanted to do was take a knife and cut it all out. I'm not a drug person or shots person, I believe in trying to muster through, but no way did I ever want shingles again. I'd take 6 shots if I required to avoid.

 

[BrianL]

I have not gotten it as I am younger than the recommended age right now, but it is something I will strongly consider when the time comes (and, boy, is it coming!).

 

[Christine]

@leebee I got the vaccine last year. Way overdue but I was terrified of Shingles. It hurt no worse than any other injection. I read all the horror stories. I did okay with both injections. Now the flu vaccine is another matter!

 

[georgina]

Big believer in vaccines here - I had the 2 Shingles shots over 5 years ago. I do remember my arm being very sore afterward - hard to raise my arm over my head for a couple of days, but that was all. I did have chickenpox as a kid, never had shingles.

When DH had his shingles vax, medicare was not paying for it and he had to pay a lot. Apparently medicare does now cover it.

 

[clappyclaps]

Apparently in the UK its only given to those turning 65 and 70 unless severely immunosuppressed. On that basis I haven't had the vaccine, haven't had shingles and wont be getting the vaccine for quite some time...

 

[AppleDumpling]

Got the double dose of shots a few years ago. I’ve never had shingles, but had chicken pox as a child (in the 1960’s). It wasn’t bad, but I’ve never had any adverse reaction to any vaccine, including Covid, other than minor soreness at the injection site.