Shingles - Again. Have the Vaccine!

If you have not yet met anyone who has suffered through shingles you have no idea how painful and debilitating this condition can be both in the immediate and long term.

Of course like all things, severity varies from person to person, as does how each person reacts to the vaccine.

When the first vaccine became available in Canada many years ago, I got it even though it was not yet covered by our gov't health plan. It was if I remember correctly $115.

As soon as Shingrix became available... about 10 years later, I got the two shots of that. Again it was not yet covered yet and paid I think about $135. per dose. It is now covered.

*Well worth it in my opinion!!

Labradora: Is there a reason your husband who is 81 can't get this vaccine? There is no age limit where I am.

I strongly encourage folks to get this vaccine!!! Good luck!!

My husband has suffered chronic nerve pain for 50 years resulting from injuries after a motorbike accident. As we know shingles can cause you have and in many cases be left with nerve pain there was no way we were not going to have the vaccine. We had the single dose one 4 years ago and have now just had the second dose of the newer more effective vaccine.
My husband had no side effects, I was ill for a night and the next day. The peace of mind is wonderful. Coincidentally my 86 year old neighbour has shingles and is in really bad pain for the past 3 weeks.
Everybody has to make their own decisions but personally I am just glad the vaccine is there to protect us

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I had shingles about 15-years ago. Nothing on my body but on my head, forehead and eyelids. Doctor checked with a colleague (without giving his own prognosis) who also said “shingles”. It was unusual not to be affected on the abdomen. My scalp was raw with itching.

When it eventually cleared I was left with excess skin on my eyelids which fell across my eyes (nose side) and half blinded me. Very frightening. With only limited peripheral vision I wasn’t able to drive so my husband had to do the school runs!

Luckily, at the time (until they priced us out of the market) we were with BUPA who sent me for optical tests with specialised machines - with my eyelids pinned up and free. BUPA agreed to cover the cost of the operation to remove the excess skin.

I looked 10-years younger. Oh, how I’d asked at the time how much it would have cost for the surgeon to operate under-eye as well - I could have looked like a teenager!!

Anyway, I had the jab when it was offered a few years ago. Even with the after benefits it was still a horrendous experience.

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When my friend caught Shingles lasy year and was admitted to hospital, he was informed that he should stay away from people like me, who are vulnerable.

This does concern me at the moment. We were having young friends over for the weekend to do some crafting. Anyway, one (about 35) just informed me, as a fly away comment, that she was staying with her parents because she is recovering from Shingles. I was horrified because not only is my DH and myself over 70 but my DIL is 8 months pregnant. So I immediately cancelled the weekend to be rescheduled.

What shocked me was her reply and attitude. The NHS111 told her it was not contagious and she will 'get over it' in about 2 weeks once the rash has gone. Apparently her GP told confirmed this. AIBU to cancel and be concerned that we always seem to have conflicting messages these days

I thought I had never had chicken pox, despite my three children and my pupils having it.
Don't be too sure, RunaroundSue.
Bloods tests before starting biologics, showed I had actually had it without knowing.

I have never had chicken pox so cannot get shingles. Our two sons and grandchildren all got chicken pox when they were young but I never caught it. I have never had any childhood illnesses at all, neither had my sister. My mum used to say it was because of the Malt and Cod Liver oil she used to give us every day when we were children.

Sparklefizz

Robin202

Have you had multi covid vaccines - because it is now known to cause Shingles.

This is not a medical fact!!

There have been extremely rare cases of Covid vaccinations related to a Shingles flare up. This is NOT the same as Covid vaccinations causing an attack of shingles.
I despair at the inaccuracies posted by some posters.

I have just had the second of two shingles vaccination jabs. The reaction to the first was awful and lasted a good couple of weeks and then left a lot of pain in my arm for a month.
The second was, as I expected, much better.
But, the effects of having shingles could be so much worse. I’m not terribly old but am considered at risk because of asthma, and, knowing the cost of these jabs, I’m very grateful to have been offered them.

Robin202

Have you had multi covid vaccines - because it is now known to cause Shingles.

This is not a medical fact!!

Keep your immune system strong & you won’t get it.

Oh dear!

I don’t understand why they don’t just give the vaccine to anyone that wants it, or even eg the over 65’s? Shingles is so debilitating and can cause lifelong problems. Maybe it’s incredibly expensive but so are the anti virals if you do get it. Why this lottery as to who’s eligible and who isn’t, especially as anyone can get it at any time any age.

Having had two bad bouts of shingles I wish I qualified for the vaccine I can and I will encourage anyone who can ti get the vaccine I d not wish shingles on my worst enemy

I would never have the jab.
Keep your immune system strong & you won’t get it.
However if you do anti viral or homeopathic within first 72 hrs can knock it out

I really want Shingrix but unfortunately I'm one of the Inbetweeners and will have to wait until I'm 70 for it. I'm quite pissed off about it.

Have you had multi covid vaccines - because it is now known to cause Shingles.

I dont live in UK and paid c 450 euro for Shingvix that was given in two doses about 6 mths apart. I had a reaction for a day after each dose but not major. I am in my 70's and have heard enough of the horror of shingles to encourage me to take this vaccine.

Yes I don't understand this??? Im 68, in Scotland. Why not 66 -69 year olds? Do we not get Shingles??? I had it 4 years ago...horrible..luckily got anti viral meds within 72 hrs but just horrible

Great sympathy! Shingles is nasty! It is undoubtedly important to be immunised, but also remember that contact with children/people with chicken pox will also "wake up" your immunity to the herpes zoster virus (which resides dormant in the sensory roots of your spinal nerves) and get more antibodies circulating, so making it less likely you will have a bout of shingles. It is therefore a very good idea for grandparents to be around their grandchildren when they get chicken pox. What's the evidence? In the USA, when they introduced a chicken pox jab for children, they saw a great increase in shingles among older people.

Dinahmo, sorry to hear that. I can only relay my experience in the hope that it helps somebody.

Sparklefizz

Marydoll

Dinahmo, sometimes people, who have had a mild dose of shingles, don't realise how serious it can be.
As I have previously said, my friend nearly lost the sight in his eye, despite getting anti virals immediately. A year later he is still experiencing problems.

Chronic pain is so debilitating, your husband has my sympathy.

My friend has lost the sight in one eye due to Shingles, and has had to attend the eye hospital every month ever since. She said the pain has been horrendous.

Exactly this!

Marydoll

*Dinahmo*, sometimes people, who have had a mild dose of shingles, don't realise how serious it can be.
As I have previously said, my friend nearly lost the sight in his eye, despite getting anti virals immediately. A year later he is still experiencing problems.

Chronic pain is so debilitating, your husband has my sympathy.

My friend has lost the sight in one eye due to Shingles, and has had to attend the eye hospital every month ever since. She said the pain has been horrendous.

Dinahmo, sometimes people, who have had a mild dose of shingles, don't realise how serious it can be.
As I have previously said, my friend nearly lost the sight in his eye, despite getting anti virals immediately. A year later he is still experiencing problems.

Chronic pain is so debilitating, your husband has my sympathy.

Ps I'm pleased that so many of you are taking it seriously.

zakouma66

Please, anybody consider acupunture.

My DH had acupuncture. He also saw 4 different magnetiseurs, each one recommended by a friend. None of this treatment worked.