Shingles - Again. Have the Vaccine!

And, if you do get it make sure you get anti virals asap.

Dinahmo
Taking your advice very seriously indeed . We also are in France and I'm waiting to get Shingrix because I understand it is much more effective than Zostavax. My OH is 81 so unfortunately cannot have it . Too late. He is a healthy horse( touchwood) so hoping he won't get it.

A friend of mine has gone blind in one eye because of Shingles, and is still suffering enormous eye pain and having to go to the eye hospital regularly.

With respect Dinahmo you can’t really “ask people to get the vaccine.” It’s up to the individual.

I had shingles a few weeks ago but got the anti virals within 72 hours. I would not have the Shingles jab.

Hope your husband gets well soon.

In Scotland they are now using only Shringrix and are targetting those who would not usually be eligible, but are immunocompromised.
I have just had my second dose.
A friend who has had a transplant wasn't going to bother, but has now changed her mind.
Another friend who was due it on grounds of age, refused it, because he is fed up with vaccinations.
Perhaps there should be a campaign highlighting the dreadful symptoms and lasting after effects.

My husband had his first does of Shingrix just before Christmas and spent at least a couple of weeks feeling really poorly. His second one is due soon and he's not looking forward to it! Anyone else had bad side effects? I'm wondering if the second dose will be easier on his system. (fingers crossed!)

I had the first dose in January, the after effects were dreadful for about two weeks. I’m waiting for the appointment for the second dose. I’ll go but discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the practice nurse.

In Scotland you're eligible for the free shingles vaccine if you were aged 65, or 70 (or over) on 1 September 2023. This excludes people who were aged 66 to 69 on this date.
Tough if you're 66-70 (same as rUK)

not quite.
in england, if you were already age 65 on 1st sept 23, then you have to wait until you turn 70 to get the vaccine.
most annoying for lots of people.

living near a rabid (!) anti-vaxxer, who lambasts anyone passing by wearing a mask,
i have become actively pro every possible vaccine.
the anti-vaxxer is part of a cult who go round the world, holding seminars, persuading people not to have vaccines.
they have a big following, and pay for her tours.
so much unnecessary suffering ensues, esp to children.
i had no particular interest previously, just glad, as most sensible people, to live in an era where we benefit from modern science.

Can't get it until 70 because I'm either too young or too old to fit the criteria, not sure which.

you are probably both; over 65, but under 70, on 1/9/23.

I had dreadful side effects and was in bed for nearly a week after them. I still feel rough two weeks later. I am very sensitive to medication and vaccines.
However, for me the consequences of catching shingles or Covid are even worse.
I am about to start a new course of treatment, which was delayed because I had to have some protection from shingles before starting it.

I tried to get the vaccine last year as I was 65 end of April 2023 but you had to be 65 1st September 2023 onwards . I tried through my neurologist but he couldn't get it for me because of the rules . Have been told to need to be 70 before I can have it. I had shingles for the first time I week ago Wednesday got the anti virals on the Thursday 5 x 800g tablets a day. The leaflet tells you when to take them. I was lucky I was already on tablets for nerve pain for my neurological condition and other pain killers. Because of getting the anti virals think it helped as the rash didn't get any bigger and part disappeared after a couple of days. The worst thing was the 6 day headache and tiredness.

I am annoyed I couldn't get the vaccine on NHS but told I could pay for it £450 . I will have to wait until I am 70.

Why didn't they say from 1st January 2023. Yet another thing woman in their 60's are missing out on.

It might be worth checking again Whiff, if you are deemed CEV. I remained on the CEV list, when it was amended after after the Pandemic.

I checked in the summer and was told my GP couldn't help, thatt my consultant would have to try. Then out of the blue in January, I received an appointment because I was CEV.

J52

I had the first dose in January, the after effects were dreadful for about two weeks. I’m waiting for the appointment for the second dose. I’ll go but discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the practice nurse.

The nurse will tell you what she/he is paid to tell you. i.e. they recommend it and it’s better than having Shingles. 😉

Primrose53

J52

I had the first dose in January, the after effects were dreadful for about two weeks. I’m waiting for the appointment for the second dose. I’ll go but discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the practice nurse.

The nurse will tell you what she/he is paid to tell you. i.e. they recommend it and it’s better than having Shingles. 😉

I'm not sure what your point is here. Are you saying Shingles vaccination is a waste of time?

Many of us do the research, read about the pros and cons, listen to our clinicians and then make a decision, rather than just listen to a random vaccinator.

You were fortunate, Primose, that anti virals lessened the severity of your attack, others are not so lucky.
My immune system is severely compromised and I will do whatever it takes to lesson any complications.

I tried CEV but I have hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3 which is rare. My neurologist nor his colleagues have had a patient with it. It's only by my neurologist having my whole genome genetically tested and I finally found out in 2022 what I was born with it. And in 2020 found out I was born with a whole in my side of my heart which thankfully is small. But I have PAF so on treatment for it and on treatment for HPX that stops the limb jerks and seizures.
Took me 35 years to get disability benefits when my health got worse and only because the Brain Charity got me a solicitor pro bono and we went to PIP tribunal end of August. And was awarded enhanced living and mobility indefinitely.

Because it's rare it's not on the list to have the shingles jab. Have all my Covid ,flu and last year had the pneumonia jab.

I look on having both my diagnosis as a bonus and glad I had them . My life makes sense and on a Facebook group of others with it it's world there are 991 of us. I am no longer alone with this condition and I understand why my body has done and does what it does. Also why I am unable to do some things. Only wish my husband had lived to find out with me. He was fit and healthy but got cancer and died aged 47, 20 years ago. He was my rock and the love of my life but because of him I fight to and do what I do everyday and live my life to the full like he wanted.

As you have noticed I ramble 😁

Marydoll

Primrose53

J52

I had the first dose in January, the after effects were dreadful for about two weeks. I’m waiting for the appointment for the second dose. I’ll go but discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the practice nurse.

The nurse will tell you what she/he is paid to tell you. i.e. they recommend it and it’s better than having Shingles. 😉

I'm not sure what your point is here. Are you saying Shingles vaccination is a waste of time?

Many of us do the research, read about the pros and cons, listen to our clinicians and then make a decision, rather than just listen to a random vaccinator.

You were fortunate, Primose, that anti virals lessened the severity of your attack, others are not so lucky.
My immune system is severely compromised and I will do whatever it takes to lesson any complications.

No, I’m not. You said you were going to discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the Practice Nurse. I said they will tell you what they are told to say. I didn’t mention a random vaccinator.

Your second para is what I think most of us do.

Primrose53

Marydoll

Primrose53

J52

I had the first dose in January, the after effects were dreadful for about two weeks. I’m waiting for the appointment for the second dose. I’ll go but discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the practice nurse.

The nurse will tell you what she/he is paid to tell you. i.e. they recommend it and it’s better than having Shingles. 😉

I'm not sure what your point is here. Are you saying Shingles vaccination is a waste of time?

Many of us do the research, read about the pros and cons, listen to our clinicians and then make a decision, rather than just listen to a random vaccinator.

You were fortunate, Primose, that anti virals lessened the severity of your attack, others are not so lucky.
My immune system is severely compromised and I will do whatever it takes to lesson any complications.

No, I’m not. You said you were going to discuss the chances of feeling ill again with the Practice Nurse. I said they will tell you what they are told to say. I didn’t mention a random vaccinator.

Your second para is what I think most of us do.

Actually, I didn't say that. You are confusing me with someone else.
My vaccinations are given at an NHS Scotland vaccination centre and I have no need to question the vaccination. It is a no brainer for me, despite usually having to report the side effects to the Yellow Card site.
Any reports help make these vaccines safer.

It was the 😉 in your post, which puzzled me.

Please, anybody consider acupunture.

Marydoll. Sorry for confusion. It’s just a wink.

welbeck

not quite.
in england, if you were already age 65 on 1st sept 23, then you have to wait until you turn 70 to get the vaccine.
most annoying for lots of people.

That's the same as Scotland

Primrose53

With respect Dinahmo you can’t really “ask people to get the vaccine.” It’s up to the individual.

I had shingles a few weeks ago but got the anti virals within 72 hours. I would not have the Shingles jab.

Hope your husband gets well soon.

It was a suggestion and not a request. As I explained he has been suffering for nearly 6 years from the pain and, at his age, it is a possibility that the pain will remain for the rest of his life.