While you are scheduling your flu shot, also get your shingles shot!

[CTyankee]

I have had shingles (you can get it if you had chickenpox and I did) and YOU DON'T WANT to get it! I had it and it was terrible. Fluid filled blisters are horrible. AND to this day I take medication for Post Herpetic Neuralgia, which often follows shingles. Even with medication, I occasionally get a stinging pain in the nerves of my neck from my PHN.

Shingles interferes with the enjoyment of your life. Please read this https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054

If you were innoculated against chicken pox, ask your doctor who can best guide you.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. I had both at once - just a very mild reaction

Need the repeat Shingrix (2-6 weeks after the first).

Had a mildly sore arm overnight (went away with advil next day) - very slight nausea in the morning, which passed quickly.

[CTyankee]

2. a small price to pay for avoiding a very debilitating case of shingles

I couldn't go near my little grandson and that was devastating to me.

I wouldn't wish this on anybody (well, maybe you know who)...

[CTyankee]

4. Yes! Esp. if you are elderly, like me.

[sheshe2]

5. Unfortunately

There is a shortage of the newest vaccine. I’ve been on a waiting list since June. They think it be sometime next year before it’s available.

[sheshe2]

9. My doctor prescribed it..

I get the shot from CVS. I check every time I’m down there.

[sheshe2]

12. They are pretty good at harassing me to pick up my prescriptions

Sometimes they send me to texts a day. Thanks, I will keep on top of it.

[sheshe2]

17. I saw that about the lollipop lady.

However I did not know the POS was an RN! 😐

[pangaia]

26. I had the new shingles shot a couple weeks ago...

right after fully recovering from a very mild case of...... shingles.. I was lucky...only reaction was a slightly sore arm and had fever, aches, tiredness the next day....

I had had the old version several years ago..

[sheshe2]

30. I have had the old version.

Amazing there is such a shortage of the new one. WTH!?

Last I talked to CVS…they think it will be available Feb/March. I hope I don't have much of a reaction, my reaction to high dose flu-shot was awful. Arm pain, hurt to raise it, fever and vomiting. That lasted about 36 hours. Then just soreness for two days and my arm itched like crazy. Lol~ I lived to tell about it!

[pangaia]

31. wow. quite a reaction

can your PCP get you the shot? or did I miss that?

Or a hospital?

Got mine through my PCP.. no problem...

I'm in upstate NY

[sheshe2]

32. My PCP doesn't seem to give shots.

However when she wrote the script (June) she said there was a waiting list. This is for the new vaccine, I had no trouble getting the older version 5 years ago. I also researched on line, there is a shortage.

I am MA.

[safeinOhio]

8. 2 dogs, 1 cat and I

are current on all of out shots. Got 4X the dose senior flue shot. Never felt a thing and no sore arm.

[sheshe2]

15. You were lucky.

I had a pretty nasty reaction. A temperature and vomiting the swelling and pain in my arm lasted well into the next day.

[Aristus]

10. Excellent! But with one caveat:

The shingles vaccine is really only indicated for patients sixty years old and older, although it can be recommended in certain cases for patients fifty and older.

[frazzled]

14. Another caveat

You can still get shingles, even if you've had the vaccine, although it will be much milder a case than if you hadn't. The vaccine is only 51% protective. Happened to my spouse, and we were quite surprised when told it was fairly normal. However, it was relatively mild and was alleviated quite effectively with medication.

[Aristus]

16. Yeah, and it attenuates over time, usually a five-year period or so.

Which is why it's not recommended for patients under sixty except in certain circumstances. If you get it when you're fifty, the immunization begins to weaken just as you're hitting your most vulnerable time for shingles.

[pangaia]

27. the newer 2 shot one is something like 90% effective...

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. I was over 60 when I got shingles...

but my brother was just 53 when he got them.
Sadly, we both had exact same break out pattern, left trunk from navel to arm pit, front and back.

a pattern I have reminded my sons about, as they get closer to the danger age.

same brother got prostate cancer this year, he is 59. So far he is doing well.

[demmiblue]

21. I was under 50.

I was lucky not to have any sequela (especially since I didn't take any meds... it was too late before I realized what it was)

It was painful AF, though.

[demmiblue]

19. 50+ for those receiving Shingrix.

Zostavax was for 60+.

Zostavax has been shown to offer protection against shingles for about five years. Although Zostavax is approved for people age 50 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Zostavax be given at age 60, when the risk of shingles and its complications is highest.

Studies suggest protection against shingles with Shingrix may extend beyond five years. Shingrix is approved and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people age 50 and older, including those who've previously received Zostavax.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/expert-answers/shingles-vaccine/faq-20057859

[Aristus]

20. We don't have Shingrix yet. We're still using Zostavax.

Community Health...

[OriginalGeek]

22. my doc wouldn't give me the shot

I was 54 when I asked but I have been getting the occasional outbreak in one localized spot since I was 51 or 52 it's only happened a few times but a few times is a few too many times. Doc said to wait though.

[CTyankee]

24. But people younger than 60 can get shingles. I don't understand why they can't be protected, too.

[Aristus]

25. It depends on their risk factors.

It varies, and I guess the CDC relies on each provider to use his or her clinical judgment.

[demmiblue]

34. They can (and should). The person you are replying to is using dated info.

See: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181278833#post19

[llmart]

23. Two anecdotes.

Within the past month, I have heard from two different people I know that they did get the shingles shots and both still got the shingles.

[redstatebluegirl]

28. Just got my shingles vax.

My Dad had shingles and he was miserable. I do not want that!

[Auggie]

29. FYI: The new vaccine, Shingrix, is given in two doses, a few months apart

I guess most doctors -- mine included -- suggest a blood test to see if you've had chicken pox.

[smirkymonkey]

33. I just had my annual checkup and asked for it.

I had the first one last month and have the next one in December (you have to get two of them of them about two months apart). I just turned 56 and after all the nightmares I have heard about shingles, I decided to go ahead with it.

There was no chicken pox vaccine when I was a child. My siblings and friends all came down with it at the same time so my parents just decided to expose me and get it over with. I never really came down with a serious case. I just got a few itchy bumps (like 3 or 4) and that was it. I think I have a pretty good immune system, but I still get the flu shot every year and didn't want to take a chance with shingles either.

[MissMillie]

35. I'm apparently not old enough

And I'm concerned about it because I've already had shingles one. I asked the NP if having them once had any affect on my chances of getting them again and she dodged the question by saying that because of my age, insurance probably wouldn't cover the vaccine for me.

[LeftInTX]

36. I had shingles when I was pregnant 30 years ago

It was just awful and they wouldn't give me anything for it except Benadryl.


Acyclovir was on the market and had been through trials, but they wouldn't give it to me.