My new doctor said yes when I asked whether or not I should get these. I am 68, and don't recall whether or not I had chicken pox as a child, but I think I had most of the childhood diseases that were prevalent in the late fifties/early sixties. I might have had a mild case of shingles late teens/early twenties (I seem to vaguely recall a little activity around one eye, and the term "herpes Zoster") I understand the side effects are unpleasant and not uncommon, but not nearly as bad as the diseases themselves. Anyone with experience, or (educated) opinion about these shots?

I had the shingrix vaccine (two shots) with no reactions. Shingles can really be pretty rough so I felt it was worth getting the vaccine.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob RI:
I had the shingrix vaccine (two shots) with no reactions. Shingles can really be pretty rough so I felt it was worth getting the vaccine.

My wife & I had the Shingrex shots. We both had a slight reaction to the second shot. Not a big deal, just kind of a tired feeling for a day.

Agree. The Shingrix vaccine is supposed to be far more effective than the older one. I don’t know anyone who’s had shingles, that wouldn’t prefer to have gotten the vaccine.

My wife has had shingles several times. Very painful and looks like hell. Got into an eye a little bit once. Opthamologist was very concerned. I have had both shots recently. Got sick that night both times. Bad nausea and fever for about 3 hours. Never a reaction from TDAP.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Agree. The Shingrix vaccine is supposed to be far more effective than the older one. I don’t know anyone who’s had shingles, that wouldn’t prefer to have gotten the vaccine.

A good friend had shingles years ago.

It's not something I want any part of.

my father was unable to get the shingles shot (first gen) because of his compromised immune system from CLL and others. He got shingles in his eye. His comment was it was exceptionally painful. I would say it was debilitating to him for a few months. He'd been waiting for the 2nd gen to be available to him.

As soon as I was illegible, I went and got it

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
my father was unable to get the shingles shot (first gen) because of his compromised immune system from CLL and others. He got shingles in his eye. His comment was it was exceptionally painful. I would say it was debilitating to him for a few months. He'd been waiting for the 2nd gen to be available to him.

As soon as I was illegible, I went and got it

But I can read and understand what you wrote.

My father had shingles twice. He never complained of pain much, but he wasn't one to complain about anything. On the other hand, I talked with a gentleman years ago who had lost sight in one eye from shingles. Knowing this prompted me to get the Shingrix shots last year, which are reportedly more effective than the earlier vaccine. There were no effects from the first shot but I felt like crap for about a day after the second.

quote:

Originally posted by amals:
I might have had a mild case of shingles late teens/early twenties (I seem to vaguely recall a little activity around one eye, and the term "herpes Zoster")

Not likely you had shingles that young. But if it were shingles then you most certainly first had chickenpox.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

A good friend had shingles years ago.

It's not something I want any part of.

I had it back in 2020. Yeah it sucked. When I'm eligible, I'll be getting that vaccine.

And yes, if your shingles develops around the eye, loss of sight is a real possibility. Early treatment is the key in that case.

I got the shingrix vaccine. A close friend had shingles twice and i felt that any of the reported reactions to the vaccine had to be better then what she went through.
I did not have any reactions to either shot.

My Dad had a relative mild case of shingles once, and even that pretty unpleasant for him. My doctor recommended I get the vaccine a few years ago and I did. After the first dose I felt really tired until the next day, and my arm was a little sore for 2 or 3 days. Similar soreness after the 2nd dose but no other effects.

I had the first dose in December of 2020 and I had the most unpleasant reaction.

I experienced the side effect they referred to as "headache".

It felt like my scalp was being sawed off with a bread knife. All they could do was give me dilaudid and that terrible gabapentin shit.

The pain was non-stop for almost a year straight.

I got shingles in my early 40's. 18 weeks of absolute hell! My lack of an immune system really stuck it to me there. I got the first shingles vaccine as soon as I could. A couple of years later Shingrix came out. I got in line as soon as I could for those shots as well. I wouldn't wish Shingles on anyone.

My brother in law just told me he has it on his face, including near his eye. He thinks he had the vaccine.

I had a very mild case even though I had Shringrix. It cleared within a week with Acyclovir. My physician said it would have been much worse without the vaccine.

My wife had shingles when she was pregnant and really suffered.
She’s a nurse and was knowledgeable about the vaccine.
First shot, sore are and warm. Second shot, we took Tylenol beforehand. I compared it to a flu shot. Aches, pains,low energy and not feeling great for three days.

I got shingles Oct '21 got it on my left collar bone/neck area. The left side of scalp was very tender while still full blown. Dr. gave me an antiviral and it seemed to help hold it in place.

My left shoulder neck area still itches but the outward discolored signs/scaly/scabs are gone now.

I will be getting the vaccine once I have enough distance from this.

I recommend getting the vaccine if you are over fitty.

HK Ag

I know several people that had Shingles and suffered terribly. I took both shots and was sick 1-2 days each time. Flu like symptoms and the Dr. Warned me in advance. Well worth it to me considering the possible alternative. Choice is yours to make.

Just had my second dose of Shingrix about 10 days ago, felt like crap the next day and a very sore arm, I took Tylenol which helped. I got mine on a Friday and glad I did it then to have a couple of days to lay around. Still better than getting shingles from what I hear.