Shingles Vaccine

[Mobasser]

My mother in law had shingles at 78 yrs old. It's a horrible thing, and took her four months to get rid of it. My doctor recommended that my wife and I get this vaccine.                                               It's a two shot vaccine and you have to get these shots within a six month period. I got my first shot 4 months ago, with no effects, other than a slightly sore arm for two days. I got the second shot three days ago.           I'm still feeling the effects of this one. Sore arm, slight fever, and general feeling rough. My doctor said don't worry, it's just a side effect of this shot, and it's better than getting shingles when you get older. I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow. Has anyone else had the shingles vaccine? And, did you have any side effects?

[Choporoz]

Reluctantly got the shots 2-3 years ago.  Never knew anyone who'd had shingles....and the shots were as bad as any I can remember.   But 3, maybe 4 people in our circle have had shingles recently,  so I'm now thankful that I got the shots

[Junger]

I've had shingles twice, it's debilitating and excruciating. Since it's in the nerves, it's hard to pinpoint where the pain is, it's just there.

Coming across this thread, I've been putting off getting the vaccine, but I think I'll do it before year-end.

[BayouSlide]

Up to date on all vaccinations, including shingles.

 

No ill effects worth mentioning from any of 'em.

[ike8120]

I got both shots years ago, I would rather have a little discomfort then the shingles.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

my friend was writhing in pain with Shingles when i talked to him.  i immediately called for a vaccine.  very little side effect on me.  my doc almost forgot the second dose, but snuck it in right under the wire on another routine visit.  

 

i kinda remember her giving me the pnumonia vaccine at the same time.  either way..whatever keeps me upright, i am all over it. 

[Captain Phil]

I had shingles a number of years ago.  Mine was a mild case compared to most, but it was very uncomfortable.  Nerve pain from shingles can last years longer than the rash. Trust me, it's not something you want.  Get the vaccine. 

[gim]

My now deceased Grandfather had a rough go with shingles.  This was about 25 years ago.

 

First, he had knee replacement surgery.  Then it got infected, so they gave him a massive daily dose of injectable antiobiotics.  Well, turns out he was allergic to it so he had a bad reaction.  Two days later, he got shingles.  So now he's recovering from knee surgery, an infection, an allergic reaction, and shingles all at the same time.  At the time he was in his early 70's.  He died shortly thereafter from a combination of all those problems that hit him at once.  I remember him saying that shingles felt like his skin was on fire in certain areas.

 

He was a WW2 vet.  May he rest in peace.

[A-Jay]

I've been putting getting this vaccine off for far too long.

Know some folks who had shingles.  Most were otherwise in good health.  Each described it as top level misery that lasts and lasts. 

This thread was timely and needed.

At least for me.  Just sceduled the first poke for next week.

Thank you @Mobasser

A-Jay

[Mobasser]

8 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I've been putting getting this vaccine off for far too long.

Know some folks who had shingles.  Most were otherwise in good health.  Each described it as top level misery that lasts and lasts. 

This thread was timely and needed.

At least for me.  Just sceduled the first poke for next week.

Thank you @Mobasser

A-Jay

A-Jay, your welcome sir. Best luck with you vaccine.

[FryDog62]

My wife just recovered from Shingles last month and it was not pleasant. She was unvaccinated. However, when she got it, her doctor put her on an Anti-viral med and she was over it in a week.  A couple friends of mine had the Shingles vaccination and the side effects were almost as bad as what my wife had for only slightly lesser duration.  

 

I was set on getting the vaccination, but her experience has given me pause if an Anti-viral can clear you up IF and when you get Shingles.  If I knew I was going to get it then yes get the shot, but I might not either and/or can treat it then.  Hard to know ~

[Woody B]

I got my first shingles shot a year ago and my second 3 months later.  I had slight chills the day after the 2nd one.   

 

My Mom had the shingles ~20 years ago and developed Chron's disease shortly after.   Dr Earl (my hunting, shooting,, fishing musician, retired Doctor friend) said that he thinks shingles can mess with your immune system.  He suspects having shingles played a factor in my Mom developing Chorn's.  He didn't know my Mom.  He moved here after she passed. 

 

I believe an important but often overlooked vaccine and boosters all fisherman should get is tetanus.  You're supposed to get a booster every 10 years.  If you don't remember when you had yours it's probably time.    

 

[Log Catcher]

I got the shingles vaccine a few years ago. Got the shots about 5 months apart. I really don't remember having any bad side effects from them. What surprised me was when my doctor told me to get the shots at a pharmacy. He said he would have to charge me a lot more for them due to some kind of rules or regulations in with the insurance.

[Glenn]

I had shingles a few years ago.  Wasn't TOO bad compared to others. More like a really bad sunburn across my torso.  A 10-day prescription of anti-biotics cleared it up with no lasting side effects.

 

My doc first said I was "immune" for the next 20 years, so I didn't need the shot. But at my last physical he changed his tune and recommended the shot.

 

My wife went through the 2-shot regimen.  2nd shot gave her flu-like symptoms for several days. It was awful.

 

Looking forward to getting mine. NOT!

 

[12poundbass]

I had shingles at age 19 due to a destroyed immune system from chemo treatment. Having shingles SUCKED bad! Still to this day 20 years later the area from my left peck, just below my armpit, to just left of my spine is still numb. 
 

If you’re old enough to get the vaccine, I’d strongly recommend getting it. That stuff is no joke. 

[throttleplate]

The VA offered it to me last year but i refused. I will refuse it again  when i get year end physical. I am keeping my body away from all virus injections.

So far i have made it on my bodies system to keep me safe and hope it can maintain as i age.

[The Bassman]

4 hours ago, throttleplate said:

The VA offered it to me last year but i refused. I will refuse it again  when i get year end physical. I am keeping my body away from all virus injections.

So far i have made it on my bodies system to keep me safe and hope it can maintain as i age.

Don't confuse this with the Covid vaccine. I'm very glad I got mine a few years ago. Shingles comes from dormant chickenpox virus in your spinal cord. Age increases the risk. If it manifests itself on your face it can blind you. 

[Mobasser]

What I've learned about shingles. My mother in law suffered for four months with this. It was finally a strong antibiotic that cleared it up.                                                    As has been said, if you had chicken pox as a kid, your more apt to get them when you get older. Most people get shingles on the torso, around the waist band area. My doctor said it's almost always on the sides, but if the shingles sores connect, ( like a belt) around your waist, it can be fatal.                Some people also get it on the face and neck area, which can be bad also. It's much harder for older people ( age 50 and above), to fight this off.                                               At any rate, I'm feeling better this morning, and my flu like symptoms ( from the vaccine)  are mostly gone.              From what I've seen personally and what my doctor said, shingles are not to be taken lightly. I would get this vaccine.

 

[Captain Phil]

You can get shingles at any age.  The older you are the harder it is for your body to fight it off.  My business partner got it on his face in his 40s.  I had it in my 50s on my back. 

[galyonj]

8 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

You can get shingles at any age.  The older you are the harder it is for your body to fight it off.  My business partner got it on his face in his 40s.  I had it in my 50s on my back. 

 

I'm 43 now; I got it on my face and the side of my head about a year age.

 

It isn't an experience I recommend.

[gim]

3 hours ago, The Bassman said:

Don't confuse this with the Covid vaccine. I'm very glad I got mine a few years ago. Shingles comes from dormant chickenpox virus in your spinal cord. Age increases the risk. If it manifests itself on your face it can blind you. 

There isn't a single medical professional out there that would say to avoid getting a shingles vaccine, but if that is the decision he has made, so be it.  Not like if affects you or me.  It will only potentially affect him down the road with potential lifelong lasting side effects.  If that's a risk he's willing to take, that's on him.  We're all adults here.  We make our own beds and then sleep (or die) in them.

 

I take the advice of my primary care doctor.  I'm not in any position to refute it or argue, ever.  That being said, when the time comes for me to take it, I'll do it too.

[DitchPanda]

What age do they suggest getting these shots?

[throttleplate]

8 hours ago, The Bassman said:

Don't confuse this with the Covid vaccine. I'm very glad I got mine a few years ago. Shingles comes from dormant chickenpox virus in your spinal cord. Age increases the risk. If it manifests itself on your face it can blind you. 

Ok,  i will take your advice and when at the VA in dec i will probably get the shot for shingles. Thank you for your message it was short and informative.

[Darth-Baiter]

I remember when I had an EPIC gout attack (in my left foot and right knee), I was at the doc and I said something stupid like, "wow, doc!  this is the most pain any Male can get!"  he replied, "oh..wait until you get shingles!".

 

and he mumbled something about kidney stones.    

 

my sister had it on her face and after it cleared there was a waiting period before she could get the vaccine.  she did it on the day.  hahah.  if shingles trump Gout.  no thanks.  

[Mobasser]

9 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

Ok,  i will take your advice and when at the VA in dec i will probably get the shot for shingles. Thank you for your message it was short and informative.

Good idea throttleplate. I think in the long run you'll be glad you made that decision.