Story Highlights
- Shingrix, a new high antigen vaccine designed to prevent shingles (herpes zoster), is produced by GlaxoSmithKline and is being aggressively marketed for adults over age 50.
- Approved for use in October 2017, the new vaccine is competing with Merck’s shingles vaccine, Zostavax, and there are already reports that Shingrix is associated with significant administrative errors and both common and severe side effects that may prevent people from returning for the recommended second shot.
- Although not widely known, an increase in the incidence of shingles, particularly among younger people, was predicted and has occurred since the varicella zoster (chickenpox) vaccine was licensed in 1995 and subsequently mandated by states for children to attend school in the U.S.
The new herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine, Shingrix, is produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and is being marketed as the welcome and best answer to preventing a painful bout with shingles. GSK’s Shingrix vaccine is in head to head competition with Merck’s shingles vaccine, Zostavax, licensed in 2006. The relentless advertising for Shingrix is difficult to avoid: It is blared over grocery store speakers, has taken the place of muzak on pharmacy or doctors’ office hold lines, and is aggressively being promoted by nearly the entire medical establishment.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster) in a person who has previously had either natural chickenpox or has received the vaccine. Children or adults who get shingles suffer with a painful, blistering rash, usually on one side of the body. The rash and blisters usually last for two or three weeks and the nerve pain may persist for months or even years.1 The condition usually occurs in adults over age 50, which is why public health officials and vaccine manufacturers target that population for marketing shingles vaccines. However, shingles has also been diagnosed more frequently in children since the chickenpox vaccine was licensed and recommended for all healthy children in 1995.2
Two doses of Shingrix costs close to $300.
Since its approval in October of 2017, Shingrix vaccine has overshadowed the older Zostavax vaccine produced by Merck, which had been the only shingles vaccine available in the U.S. for more than a decade. Shingrix is reported to be up to 90 percent effective in preventing the development of shingles, compared to an estimated 50 percent effectiveness for Zostavax.3
Administrative Errors
Even among the vaccine’s most ardent supporters, however, the news about Shingrix hasn’t all been positive. In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report discussing a significant number of administrative errors and serious injuries associated with the new shingles vaccine.4 Within the first four months of being on the market, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) received 155 adverse event reports linked to Shingrix.
Several of the errors were attributable to vaccine administrators confusing the two shingles vaccines, which actually differ in significant ways. Merck’s Zostavax is a live attenuated vaccine (ZVL) that is given once as a single shallow injection, just under the skin (subcutaneous injection). GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine (RZV) that must be reconstituted prior to injection and is administered deeper into the muscle (intramuscular injection). Shingrix is given twice, with the second dose given between two and six months after the first one.
The reported errors associated with Shingrix included administration via the subcutaneous route, a mistake that usually caused significant injection site reactions including pain, severe itching (pruritis), and redness (erythema). Other errors reported were administering the vaccine to patients younger than 50, giving out the wrong vaccine information sheet (VIS), administering just the vaccine’s novel adjuvant without reconstituting it with the actual vaccine antigen, and mistakenly giving the shingles vaccine to a person who was supposed to get chickenpox (varicella zoster) vaccine.
New Adjuvant Turbocharges Immune Response
One of the challenges for manufacturers of inactivated vaccines like Shingrix is that they do not contain a live-virus, which traditionally have provoked stronger immune system responses. The strong immune system response reported for Shingrix is due to one of the new vaccine’s ingredients, QS-21 Stimulon manufactured by Agenus, Inc.
The novel vaccine adjuvant QS-21 Stimulon is a purified extract from the bark of the Quillaja saponaria vergreen, otherwise known as the soap bark tree.5 QS-21 Stimulon is an “immune potent” adjuvant designed to “turbocharge vaccines by strengthening and broadening immune responses (both T cell and antibody mediated) to a vaccine’s antigens.” The new adjuvant is currently under study for use in immune therapies against cancer, HIV, and malaria.6
Shingrix vaccine’s novel adjuvant system, AS01B, not only contains QS-21 Stimulon but also MPL (monophosphyoryl lipid a), an immune-stimulating fat. Shingrix ingredients (per dose) include 50 mcg of the QS-21 and 50 mcg of 3-O-desacyl-4’- monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) from Salmonella minnesota, as well as 50 mcg of its antigen: recombinant glycoprotein E (gE), along with 20 mg of sucrose (as stabilizer), 4.385 mg of sodium chloride, 1 mg of DOPC, 0.54 mg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.25 mg of cholesterol, 0.160 mg of sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, 0.15 mg of disodium phosphate anhydrous, 0.116 mg of dipotassium phosphate, and 0.08 mg of polysorbate 80.7
Severe Side Effects
Even when it is administered according to protocol, the Shingrix vaccine is very reactive. The vaccine’s side effects are known to be more severe than those associated with Zostavax, but public health officials insist the vaccine’s benefits are worth the risk of “skin rash, joint pain, flu-like symptoms, headaches and fatigue” commonly experienced by those who get it.8 Kathleen Dooling, MD of the CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases admitted that more than 70 percent of patients had pain and, “About one in six people experienced side effects so severe that it actually prevented their normal activities.”
In fact, the side effects of Shingrix are so severe that the vaccine’s promoters are concerned that many people will not be willing to go back for the second dose of the vaccine.
Early Warnings of Shingles Epidemic
After participating in a CDC funded study of the effect of widespread use of chickenpox vaccine in California between 1995 and 2002, researcher Gary Goldman, PhD, published a major paper in 2005 warning that the decline in incidence of chickenpox would lead to an increase in children developing shingles.9
In 2003, Goldman predicted that “a large-scale increase in shingles incidence would soon become manifest among adults—a group more susceptible to serious complications.”10
Referring to the “solution” proposed by vaccine manufacturers at the time—to license a booster “shingles” vaccine to substitute for the natural boost in immunity that occurred when people were exposed to wild-type chickenpox in the environment—Goldman said, “This will likely lead to endless disease-and-cure cycles.”
Questions Remain About the Rising Incidence of Shingles
The incidence of shingles is much higher than it used to be, and it is being seen in younger people, though there is disagreement about the reasons for the increase. Many scientists have suggested that mass vaccination of children with the varicella zoster (chickenpox) vaccine has reduced the presence of the chickenpox virus in the environment, thereby eliminating the natural immune system boost people used to get from exposure to the virus.12 At one point it was thought to provide 20 years of protection, though more current thinking puts the effect at more like two years.12
The current mainstream medical message denies that the chickenpox vaccine is responsible for the observed increase in shingles,13 but others suggest that the knowledge has been deliberately suppressed.14
Clarification: In response to a comment by one of our readers, the word “muzak” in the first paragraph of this article is not misspelled. It was not meant to be “music,” but rather a reference to the background music often played in retail stores, elevators and other public locations.
References:
2 National Vaccine Information Center. NVIC Challenges VAERS Data of Chickenpox Vaccine Adverse Events. Press Release Sept. 13, 2000.
3 Esposito L. A New Shingles Vaccine: Prepare for Harsher Side Effects. U.S. News & World Report June 15, 2018.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the Field: Vaccine Administration Errors Involving Recombinant Zoster Vaccine — United States, 2017–2018. CDC.gov May 25, 2018.
5 Adjuvants: QS-21 Stimulon®. Agenus. C 2018.
6 Ragupathi G, Gardner JR et al. Natural synthetic saponin adjuvant QS-21 for vaccines against cancer. Expert Rev Vaccines 201; 10(4).
7 Package insert. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. C 2017.
8 See Footnote 3.
9 Raines K, Fisher BL. CDC Accused of Manipulating Shingles Data. The Vaccine Reaction Aug. 19, 2018
10 Threat of Shingles Epidemic from Chickenpox Vaccine. Vaccine Choice Canada Oct. 1, 2003.
11 Raines K. Chickenpox Vaccine May Increase Shingles Risk. The Vaccine Reaction Apr. 26, 2016.
12 Chickenpox Vaccination Does Increase Shingles Cases, but Mainly in Young Adults. Science Daily Aug. 11, 2015.
13 Gordon S. Chickenpox Vaccine Not Responsible for Rise in Shingles, Study Says. WebMD Dec. 2, 2013.
14 Goldman GS. The US Universal Varicella Vaccination Program: CDC Censorship of Adverse Public Health Consequences. Annals of Clinical Pathology Mar. 31, 2018.
519 Responses
The VA doctor in Oklahoma talked my husband in taking the Shingles shot over two years ago. Shortly after taking the shingles shot he started experiencing incontinence. He had never had that problem before. The immediately put him on Flomax for the incontinence. The Flomax made him so confused he was trying to drive on the wrong side of the road. He went to put the electric controlled hatch down on our van and did not step back far enough and the corner of the hatch door hit him right across the eyebrow and knocked him out. He stumbled around, turned toward the street and fell face forward down the drive way. He spent two nights in the hospital for observation as he has four areas of blood bleeding in his brain. With that short stay he acquired hospital induced pneumonia and the next weekend spend three nights in the VA hospital for that.
Wow, thanks for sharing. Many people have no idea of the immediate or delayed symptoms or medical conditions they may develop later on from the vaccine. People need to be educated.
I received the “Shingrix” vaccine on August 29, 2018. I immediately had severe pain in arm and within 2 hours, I couldn’t walk! I was confined to my bed and when I needed to use the bathroom, I had to grasp for walls, doorways etc. I couldn’t eat, developed severe neuropathy, sensitivity to smells and light.
Over the Labor Day weekend, I thought I was going to die. My Primary Care Doctor insisted that I have this vaccine. When I went to see her (had to use cane, looked like I was drunk because I couldn’t walk), she was amazed but couldn’t look up any information on Severe Reactions. I was told I would just have to “go through with it) since there was no antidote.
To this day (March 21, 1999), I’m still plagued by recurring symptoms. Again, nobody has any answers regarding how long these symptoms will continue. My arm has a lump which is still sore!
I filled out the VAERS Report, but that doesn’t help me! I have talked with GSK, CDC and FDA. FDA does admit there’s a problem with the Adjuvant added to the “Shingrix” Vaccine.
I blame “Big Pharma”, Hospitals, Drug Stores and Doctors with the “Big Push” to have adults receive this and other vaccines. The number of people tested for trials was so minimal that “WE” become the guinea pigs!!
Hi Judith.So sorry you are going through this. My friend is having the same issues. Has your symptoms gotten any better? Have you found any more information?
I went to the doctor after five days and she prescribed some medication for me but there was know way out the symptoms was just getting worst each an every day and I have read that the virus will forever stay in my body, i have search a way out to get rid of this herpes and spend a lot in hospital. i wanted to visit my aunt in Canada because of this virus i was ashamed to visit, so i have to open up for her about the herpes i was surprised to hear that she was affected years back when she was still in USA but at the end she was able to it it out and she was free from herpes.i was happy to share my problem with her because problem share is problem solve, she gave me an email of a man called Robinson.buckler who was able to help me flush out the herpes virus from my body system totally, ever since then i never had any symptom or cold sore because of the HERBAL NATIVE MEDICINE he prepared and was send across to the address i gave him. you can contact him if you have any problem Email: Robinsonbuckler ((((@)))) yahoo. com,………
I just caught the title subject and want to say my husband and I both had the same two shots many months apart of the last two. the one shingrix we had a couple of months apart and had no reaction. we did have shingles in the beginning and that is why we got the vaccines to begin with.
we knew that we both have had chicken pox as a children. we are now 77 yrs old. the vA gave my husband his second one, we paid 150 for our first ones, 45.00 for my second on and VA
didn’t charge him. I think they are going to hurt a lot of people that will be no shock to them. grandma has been pushed off the cliff to many times lately.
Dear Judith, I would like to have further contact with you regarding your experience. My husband suffered an extreme reaction to the Shingrix in 2018. He came home from the appointment with arm pain and feeling ill and quickly was experiencing extreme muscle pain and weakness in his legs making it difficult to get up or walk. Progression of symptoms was quick and devastating. He began to fall and has had times when canes and wheelchairs were necessary.
He was also told their were no cases like him and it probably wasn’t due to vaccinate despite the fact that he was fine when he received it and quite ill by the time he got home and it progressed from there. He has been seen by the Mayo clinic in FL, University of Rochester in NY and Columbia University. He was treated with steroids long term and is now on Mexotrexate in hopes of restoring some of his mobility.
Until recently the CDC has denied reports of serious reactions like this and he health is quite tenuous.
I’m a healthy 71 yr old male. Got my 2nd shingles vaccine (Shingrix) yesterday. Felt fine so took a bike ride for 12 miles later that day. Began to feel very tired and sore. Had very bad chills when I went to bed in our warm TX bedroom. Slept lousy. Got up a 6am and was very dizzy and weak and sweating heavily. Thought I might vomit……which I’ve not done in 48 years! And my HR per my Fitbit was 20 bpm faster than usual. Took 2 baby aspirin and one Aleve and I’m beginning to feel better now but still shaky and a bit dizzy. We’re to drive 14 hours to CO tomorrow and that appears to be iffy.
I looked at my Product Info sheet today on Shingrix and the Side Effects section is totally blank! Duh!
Oh my gosh how horrible! I’m so sorry to hear that ;(
Your poor husband, it’s a full time job just trying too stay alive !
My dad received the shingles shot and flu shot at the same time. He had never received a flu shot before and the doctor convinced him to take both at the same time. Three weeks later he is still not feeling like himself. He has shortness of breath, his stamina has decreased, he’s gotten dizzy when walking the dog around the block and that has never happened before. All the issues started right after he received the shots. He called his doctor and the doctor told him that there are no side effects and it has to be something else causing the symptoms.
Listen to your doctor.
NO! Doctors reflexively say this all the time when they have not informed themselves about side effects. I often have severe reactions to flu vaccine, but most doctors will insist it doesn’t happen. I am afraid of the shingles vaccine, which causes severe reactions in a lot of people.
Individual reactions to vaccines can’t be predicted. My Grandson had the public school-mandated chicken-pox vaccine; a few years later, when he was seven years old he came down with a serious case of shingles…at 7 YEARS OLD!! SMH, It all seems to be such a crap shoot.? Sadly, doctors seem to be required to simply follow a pre-determined, one-size-fits-all, rote recommendation when it comes to vaccines — I don’t see how that can be trusted!
I agree with you. My doctor tried to get me to take the Zostervax vaccine for shingles before, and I didn’t feel good about it.
Now, he is trying to push this Shingrix. Told him I had a light case of shingles years ago. Not sure if a vaccine might even cause me to get a bad case.
DON’T TRUST DOCTORS, OR NEW MEDS! MY MOM DIED IN 98 CAUSE FDA APPROVED BAYCOL, AND DR SAID NO, WHEN I ASKED IF SHE SHOULD DISCONTINUE IT.
I am so tired of Drs pushing stuff on older patients. I am NOT their guinea pig. Research and treat your own illness, when possible!!
My 79 year old mother received her second vaccination a week before traveling to visit me. Initially she had the common symptoms listed that were pretty unpleasant. In the subsequent 3 weeks, she’s had all kinds of mysteriously new and severe problems, like neuralgia on the side of her face, severe lethargy, feeling spacey, back pain. She is under a doctors care for these issues although there is no implication of association with Shingrix. I’m skeptical because I also just got it, and after 4 days I’m still feeling shaky and off balance. I am skeptical about proceeding with the 2nd dose for sure. We can all minimize these symptoms in comparison to the shingles, yet I am concerned. Do people jump through hoops to report these symptoms anyway?
Because doctors refuse to acknowledge that vaccines cause severe, persistent reactions, I refuse to go to one. It is obvious that vaccines cause immediate damage but doctors do not listen to their patients when they tell them this, they deny it and place the burden on you the patient to sort it out because they are scared and frightened of the politics involved with the trifecta: the FDA, big pharma, and cdc.
Often? Why would you keep doing it? Do you know that the MOST money paid out [so far] by the vaccine courts in recent years have been for the Flu shot? Plus it is only about 10% effective. I have never had a flu shot [age 70] and never get the flu because my vitamin D level is 90. Most Americans are very deficient in this vitamin as we spend too much time indoors. Supplementing is very cheap and a test even if self pay is only $50 online. Should be between 60-100 even though they will tell you that 30 is sufficient.
WOW! Did you really say that Jack Nimkel!? Hopefully you’re being sarcastic. If not just WOW!
I am perhaps on the flip side of this. I have been waiting diligently for the Shingrix vaccine for some time as I have CLL and ITP and there is no way my immune system could have handled zostavax but I had to take acyclovir multiple times a day to prevent shingles type infection which I might not have recovered from. I had my first shot and other than upper arm discomfort there was little else. About 60 days later I had my second shot, I had similar discomfort initially which did spread down the arm a bit, and I also had some achy bones for a few days which I took Aleve for. It was a small price to pay for the ultimate benefits I will get from this, and as a person who has had to be a guinea pig in clinical trials for their physicians; don’t think for once that anyone is on the level saying they are feeling like a guinea pig because their doctor has suggested this vaccine. It is well worth the potential for some side effects because it can be lifesaving. Public health statistics overall highly support this vaccine even with some potential side effects. If you want to know about side effects, I have left a long review of them post clinical trial over on drugs.com. I know what being sick for 9 months and then recovering for 18 months is all about. Shingrix is a piece of cake.
Kevin, the point is, one size does not fit all. People should be able to make up their own minds, once given ALL the information and not manipulated or lied into taking a drug they would not want, given full facts. That’s great that this is effective for you, but the opinions of others with serious side effects are valid as well.
@Kevin: There are no benefits from this vaccine. It in no way protects you from shingles, just like the chickenpox vaccine does not protect you from chickenpox. Public health statistics are massaged by putting pressure on doctors to change diagnosis practices in order to fake vaccine efficacy. You are just as vulnerable to shingles as the next person (if not more so), the only difference is that due to your vaccination your doctor will likely be highly reluctant to give you a shingles diagnosis if you get shingles.
I could have died today. I had such severe reactions I was hospitalized. I listened to my doctor and got the 1st dose. Will not be getting 2nd. Started with flu symptoms, ended up rapid heartbeat and blood pressure to stroke level. Be aware. 142 people have died since August 2018 related to this shot.
I listened and ended up in the hospital with ER staff thinking I was going to have a stroke. My heart rate shot up, my blood pressure out of control and all the flu symptoms to match this horrible shot. I lost my father because he listened to his doctor 6 years ago who never gave him an xray for back pain, threw him on vicadin and summed the pain up to old age. Well the pain turned out to be a cancerous tumor along his spine and killed him. He woke up paralyzed one morning and died a month later so don’t believe all doctors are correct; they are practicing medicine and you are the guinea pig. Do your own research; advocate for self. I didn’t this one time and this is the result.
My grandmother always said that doctors bury their mistakes.
Listen to your doctor? Are you serious? They do NOT get any medical training in toxicology. They don’t even get training in vaccines. They get pharmaceutical REPS (i.e. salesman) who are there to SELL vaccines and therefore talk them up as if they are gold and you can’t live without them and how much profit THE DOCTOR will get by administering them to you and your family. I’m sorry but I’m not LISTENING to any doctor that says “can’t be the vaccine causing your symptoms”. You know why they say that BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW!!!!
listen to your doctor??? Wrong! Do your research people. Then pray your doctor is a sensible one who appreciates that his/her patients are taking their health seriously.
I had the shingles a little over a year ago. I had a rare kind, Herpes Oticus, that came with the potential of having Ramsey-Hunt syndrome (loss of hearing &/or Bells Palsy on the face). The shingles attacked my inner ear and tri-geminal nerves in my face. Blisters actually formed inside my inner ear, then on the side of my face from the top of my cheekbone, down to my chin, I had the rash. The pain started a few days before I got the facial rash – so I had no idea what was going on. The pain was beyond pain.
Pain on your skin (abdomen, back, arm, leg) is one thing – those places aren’t nearly as sensitive as the nerves inside your ear and head nerves. My teeth hurt, my ear drove me crazy with pain inside, and my facial nerves – the pain jumped around 24/7. I called my doctor practically screaming with this unknown pain. He told me to go to my Neurologist. I did and they followed me every week for 3+ weeks, then the post-neuralgia set in and has been there for over a year. I took 2700 mg of gabapentin just to stand it, and knock myself out for 2 weeks.
At about the 3 week mark, my facial muscles started quivering, twitching if I tried to smile. The muscle in that side of my face was tight for months. I did not get it in my eye – it was about 1/2 inch away. The Neurologist continued to watch me as we didn’t know how long my face was going to have nerve damage or to what extent damage would be.
Well, I got the Shingrix shot (had to wait 6 mo after Shingles went away). The 1st shot was miserable for 3+ days (aching, arm swelling, feverish….but I survived). I had almost planned not to get the 2nd one – but after 3 months I thought I should because of the potential nerve damage, especially if it came back anywhere near the same place. That shot laid me up for 3 days in bed, fever, hair even hurt! Then, the 4th day – I was okay. I have no advice to give except – I did not want the post -neuralgia from another breakout for the rest of my life, and it affecting muscle movement nerves. Thanks for letting me share 🙂
Update from 2nd shingles shot. It’s been a couple of months since the 2nd dose of the Shingrix vaccine received 3 months after the 1st dose. Nothing notable until now and I don’t know if it’s related. I had shingles on the right side of my face, inner ear, etc as stated in my first post.
Now, for the past month, I have had nerve sensations (wouldn’t call it pain) on the LEFT side of my face along with twitching from the lower outer corner of my eye down my cheek past the bottom of my ear. It resembles the nerve twitching I had following the shingles on my right side. ??
Yes, just let them kill you like a good little sheep. Not me. They are completely uneducated about vaccines because they don’t care as long as they get paid. Quacks. All of them
And what credentials do you have? What’s with the just let them kill you like a good little sheep. You sound like a Trumper. You would sound more knowledgeable of you left that out! They know a hell of a lot more than I or you do about vaccines. Though I am sure they don’t know everything. If 96% of people are ok with it, that’s what they are looking at but I have been part of the 4% and what that can do is absolutely horrendous! That’s what scares me.
I got flue shot still feel ? dizzy & sick
Your doctor clearly was wrong about side effects, but that doesn’t mean that’s what ails your dad. Lots of conditions can cause such symptoms — including the quite dangerous Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. If caught early such things often can be treated, so you may want to have him checked rather than assuming coincidence implies correlation in this case.
The “soap tree bark” in Shingrix alone may cause some people to experience negative reactions, especially if you are on blood sugar meds, as it causes a decrease in absorption, and also not good for people with liver issues, according to this info:
“Side Effects & Safety
Quillaia (one derivative/extract in Shingrix) seems to be safe when taken in food amounts. But it might be UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal doses. Plants such as quillaia that contain high amounts of tannins can cause stomach and intestinal disturbances, and kidney and liver damage. Quillaia also contains chemicals called oxalates that can lower bloodcalcium levels and cause kidney stones. Quillaia use can also cause diarrhea, stomach pain, serious breathing problems, convulsions, coma, red blood cell destruction, and kidney failure. Quillaia can also irritate and damage the lining of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract…”
I just had the first vaccination yesterday and did feel very tired and had to stop my very short walk about 2 hours later—had been feeling tired the day before and work long hours. This type of fatigue was very pronounced but from what I have researched it is better than getting shingles. Severe reactions may be from altready compromised immune system factors.
Pre-existing undiagnosed inflammation may also combine with the inflammatory process innate to vaccines = not good.
So many times general MDs and specialists do not have key information on patients or know how to apply it to newer meds, including vaccines, but we are facing newer strains and levels of disease that pose threats too.
My 72-year-old colleague and 78-year-old parent both got the vaccine before me, and had mild flu symptoms of fatigue for about 3 days, so severe cases may have been caused by triggering underlying issues as someone mentioned above. There are ingredients lists that doctors might go over to determine which vaccine would benefit and not cause harm to the patient, but nothing is 100% sure even when under a doctor’s care.
For instance, the tree bark extract used in Shingrix along with other elements, could be an potential allergen, and introducing prednisone can make a person more more sick as it stops the inflammation that fights infection and leaves ypu vunerable.
My docs have made many mistakes and I have had to be a persistent advocate. Nobody offered me Shingrix, but I chose to get it based on ads (!) and peers. I have been building my immune system back up for about 7 months after discovering an undiagnosed inflammatory process and addressing it first. I feel that the risk was worth.
It is sad to hear the horror stories here, but important to note that there are people, self-included, who did not suffer from these complications after Shingrix. I am taking it easy because self-care includes noticing our individual limits—that I was too tired to operate a care last night, and not ignoring it. Thanks to your posts, I will not to push it for another day or two.
Thank you.
Shingrix has Thimerosol as a preservative….I saw it on the insert while the doctor mixed the vaccine.
Are you sure you got the Shingrix and not the old vaccine? I am looking at the Vaccine Media summary from the CDC right now & while Shingrix has some really nasty ingredients in it ;there is no Thimerisol listed and I have been tracking the Summary for at least ten years now. Looks like only 4 shots still contain any form of Hg; but they have substituted multiple doses of different types of aluminum [ sulfate, phosphate,etc] which is also a brain toxin. I also count at least 7 possibly 8 shots that still have aborted fetal cells [MCR5 ,WI 38] in them including the Shingrix [host cells & DNA] and the former shingles shot. The Covid shots are not listed as they are still EUA and “proprietary”.
I received the Shringrix
shot in May 2018 and have been suffering since. I was perfectly healthy before receiving this shot! I had a fever, nausea, in bed for days with agonizing pain allover my body. My doctor incorrectly diagnosed me with “reactive arthritis”. I still dont feel well. Lost 30 pounds, legs and arms hurt day and night. I have seen multiple doctors and they seem to think it may have something to do with the vaccine. I thought I had cancer, it was so bad. I’ve had more bloodwork, only shows inflammation. I wonder if I will ever feel well again. I am never going to get that second shot and I will tell everyone, DO NOT get the shringex shot to prevent them from going through misery and hell like I did. I missed a month of work, and am still suffering.
How are you feeling now? Got the second shot yesterday and have been up all night in pain. All over my torso.
I had the first Shingrix should about a year ago. The next FOUR days were pure hell! I had a fever, muscle aches, my bones ever hurt, TERRIBLE headache. Could not move for 4 days. l have never been so sick in my life! I had already decided not to have the second dose, and my doctor confirmed that I should not. The pharmacist told me some good news, though. She said I had such a reaction to the first shot that I probably didn’t need the second shot anyway; that made me feel a bit better.
I recently got shot #2. For shingles that was on the 17th of Feb. By Wednesday I hurt across my shoulders like someone was tearing the muscles apart pain still unbearable I am having to take pain meds for it the headache I have never had such a severe reaction to vaccine as I have with this hope this goes away soon
I just got the second shot last Wednesday. That night I thought, if I had a squirt gun, I would have shot my self between the eyes! I hurt worse than I did with the flu. And you should see my arm…….it’s red, swollen and itching from upper shoulder,to my elbow.
Boy, had I known all of this, I would have never gotten it!
I’m so grateful I found this site. I thought I was the only one who experienced problems, and when I called the CDC, they were of no help whatsoever. I’m a healthy 54 yo female who got the 1st Shingrix shot in Aug. 2018 in my dominant arm (left) as my doctor said she felt soreness in arm for 3 days post-vaccine when sleeping on side. I usually slept on right side, so opted for left arm for shot. The nurse administered the shot incorrectly, sticking me in the groove between the bicep and deltoid (shoulder muscle) instead of the deltoid. It hurt immediately, but I wasn’t alarmed by it. Then, within a day or so, my arm was extremely heavy feeling with burning, tingling, pins and needes, and numbness from the shot site up into my shoulder and all the way down past my wrist to the base of my thumb. I also had severe itching especially at the base of my thumb. So weird! It’s almost 6 months since, and I’m still experiencing many of the symptoms, though not all as severely. I think the nurse grazed my median nerve. I went to a neurologist after 10 weeks. He did an EMG and said the test showed no nerve damage. I’m not convinced, so I’m going to another neurologist in 2 weeks (which will be exactly 6 months post vaccine). For others of you that have pain and palsy, I wonder if you too had the vaccine administered incorrectly.
I have been wavering on whether or not to get the 2nd shot. I think I’ll pass on it now that I’ve read of all your experiences. I’m upset that I let myself be talked into getting the shot. I don’t even get flu shots because I don’t trust pharmaceutical companies, but I was so fearful of contracting shingles because of the horror stories I’ve heard. Instead, I’m dealing with possible permanent nerve damage. 🙁
Just read your comments about the shingles shot from 2019 and was wondering how long it took to get rid of side effects. I am going through it now and wish I never received it! I also have nerve pain and muscle cramps.
I’m going through a similar reaction now which started December 14, 2018
I would like to compare notes with this person. Contact me please 808 937 7149
Barbara I received the 2nd shot in October and within a week had very bad muscle pain much like you described. My doctor also did blood work \that showed inflammation and put me on prenidose. That has not helped. Now sending me to a rheumatologist. Some mornings I can raise my arms or lift a cup up to drink.
Keep in mind that long term steroids [prednisone, cortisone, budeneside, etc]; suppress your immune system and can cause cataracts. When I stopped the Budeniside my vision cleared up and I won’t be having that cataract surgery any time soon now!
I suffered from the results of the Shingrex Vaccine in Dec. 2017 for over 6 months before I was diagnosed with PMR – Polymyalgia Rheumatica, an autoimmune disease. Muscle and joint pain along with fatigue. Lightheaded from taking Prednisone. Not a fun disease!!! It’s been over a year now, just starting to feel better. It takes up to three years to get it under control. Some have PMR for the rest of their life. ER three times, hospital twice.
I already had PMR before I got my shingrix shots. The 1st shot I got in Aug along with the flu shot. Ended up sick. Got the 2nd shot in January and have not felt good since. The body aches and pain recurring fevers asthma and bronchitis. If I had done better research before I would never have gotten the shots. Even though I had the zoster shit 10 yrs ago and broke out with 2 separate rounds of shingles at the end of the zoster effectiveness. I tell anyone who thinks about getting the shots not to. The side effects are horrible.
How are you feel by now? I had a similar reaction with asthma and sinus problems. I began to go downhill for the two months following the first one and my primary doctor insisted I should get the second one. I am now taking steroids to combat the severe reaction. It makes working out about impossible as my lungs are so compromised.
I feel exactly the same as you did you have a severe stiff neck on both sides of your neck along with headaches and overall pain
Last week it was 3 teeth with pain/sensitivity all at the same time.
This week severe stiff neck and dizziness, with headache, four days now.
really tired and achy flu like symtoms, No fever, but night sweats.
First shot 34 days ago. I iced the injection site and pain was minimal. Headache that followed was eased with Imitrex.
I THOUGHT I WAS HOME FREE.
The stiff neck and diziness are preventing me from going anywhere.
This is the second reaction from a vaccine, first being the Pneumovax 23 that kept me in bed for 8 days.
Since this vaccine has a 5 year life, I think I’m passing on getting shot # 2.
I should have just stayed on my preventative dose [ for cold sores, same family] of acyclovir.
If these symptoms don’t go away, I am screwed.
Just because it is a “dead” virus, means nothing.
Regular “flu” shots have not affected me like this [ so far, anyway].
I am very sensitive to herpes viruses [cold sores, cytomeglavirus, Epstein Barr, Mononucleosis] so I take L-lysine every day which is a known suppressor of herpes viruses . If I get one; I double up on the l-lysine, vitaminC & D and use a Lumen Cold Laser [red light] which worked on chronic shingles in FDA trials back in 2007. I also avoid L-Arginine because it can activate Herpes. I take no shots period.
I too have a constant headache, pain, soreness and stiffness in neck, upper shoulders and the chills. It is very uncomfortable.. This was my first shot. Sometimes I have an elevated kidney reading, so it is not good for me to take any kind of pain relievers. Certainly hope this is not permanent and I am concerned about taking the second vaccine.
I am so scared. We were not sure if the symptoms I had after the first shot were related to the vaccine. 7 weeks of pain even if no weight put on my leg I had excruciating knee pain and trouble walking. A shower was so painful when the water touched my skin. Decided to get the second shot. Currently running fever and feeling ill. If this repeats itself I don’t know what I will do.
I got my 2nd shot 9/26/18 and on 9/29/18 i had severe kidney pain knee swelled up couldn’t walk.went to dr put on meds then left knee had same issues. its now 3/4/19 and still in pain walking is a problem.still undiagnosed.i have found a few post’s with same symptoms
I have a similar problem. I have a chronic severe dull pain in my lower back. I have never had any problems or injuries to my left side. I felt the shot move from my arm across my shoulder into my neck and creep down my spine, settling into my lower back over five days. The doctors and Pharmacist look at me like a deer in headlights when I tell them. I took the second dose with precaution believing shingles would be worse. I’m in extreme constant pain and they will not respond in kind to relieve it or otherwise. No one warned me of any possible liver or kidney damage. I researched it prior, yet just found this forum. If I have to live with this pain daily without any relief, I am heading toward failure faster than before.
I am astonished you got shot #2.
Your doctor should have advised against it!
I had a severe autoimmune liver reaction. What has helped me are pre and probiotics and a natural anti-inflammation supplement called Zyfend by New Chaper sold by Vitacost. I hope this helps you.
I have been unable to walk without severe pain in 5months.it started 2days after 2nd shot and have had pain in my right kidney
I had shingles around 65 years. Now 71, waited a month after flu shot and got 1st Shingrix shot. Within few hours I spent next few days aching, chilled, sweating, coughing, hallucinating and dreaming when I could sleep. Had fever and stayed in bed. I debated about which was worse, shingles or shot. I have decided not to get 2nd one, sorry I got first and probably will skip flu shots from now on. Shingrix was the worst vaccination I remember ever remember. Hadn’t gotten flu shots before, but my doctors have been pushing. Believe they push a lot of bad stuff.
I need to correct my article
Barbara-
I would heal your gut up. It sounds like you have leaky gut and the vaccine went thru the bowel wall and inflamed your immune system via the blood. Work with a Functional/Integrative/Natrupath MD and look into the GAPS Diet. God bless~
Hello Barbara,
I received the Shingrix Vaccine July 18th, 2018 at 4:30 in the afternoon. 3 hours later my arm was in such pain I could only think about going to bed and hoped it would be better in the morning. No, it wasn’t and I have not been OK since.
I have never been ill or on medications was pretty normal and healthy. The reaction was
so bad and the doctor who’s staff gave me the vaccine never responded to the pain issue but said take Tylenol… Well, I work at my own business and cannot take off from work.
I finally after a month found a Dr. who put me on steroids Prednizone for PMR, the pain and weakness that I felt was better but it is now 8 months later and I am still weak
it affected my muscles in my arms and shoulders. Now the Dr thinks it is neck related,
but I have gone to a specialist and he did not think so…I do not know what to do but I am reducing the Prednizone so the side effects of that are less. But I am still not over it.
Not going to get any more of these Vaccines.
Are you any better.3days after my 2nd shot my knees swelled and haven’t been able to walk without severe pain for 6months.now on long term disability from work.thanks Mark
Barbra, I took the vaccination 11/29/2019 when the pharmacist recommended it while I was there to pick up some vitamin D. Since that time I too have been experiencing chronic joint pain, neck, back pain and occasional fever. I went to my doctor on 12/23/2019. He ordered a complete blood and urine panel and the result tended to lean toward Lupus or RA due to elevated autoantbodies that showed up with ANA screen.. My titter results were borderline and Nuclear was Dense fine Speckled. Until the vaccine I was a very healthy 61 year old male with no issues other than those minor ones associated with my age. All other blood/urine results were fine. My Cholesterol was a little high. Prior to this, in August 2019, I underwent a fully physical with blood work and no issues except for the Cholesterol. I am going back for a follow up on 12/2/2019 and will post the results of my visit.
Please read my posts here concerning my husband’s experience with the vaccine. There are many similarities to your reaction and the CDC and vaccine company have done nothing but deny that there are people experiencing this type of severe reaction.
I had the same symptoms. I could do most anything before with no pain now the steps and many other things give me a lot of pain. I have not been the same since & I regret ever getting this shot & I did get the shingles after that anyway.
Your symptoms sound exactly like what my husband experienced. Please read my above response to this thread. He was told his crisis was not due to the vaccination despite the onset being immediate after receiving the shot. He is still suffering and currently on chemo drugs after being treated with long term steroids. I would like to initiate more conversation with you regarding your condition.
I am 70 and got both Shingrix shots five months apart. Other than a sore arm at the injection site for a couple days, I’ve had no other problems. I believe the cure cans have numerous side effects in many people but the disease is a lot worse. I know people with shingles and they suffer tremendously and have to be on prednisone.
This was not on the market when your husband had vaccine. Perhaps a different vaccine.
Three days ago. I got my second shingles shot. I am in bed with fever, shortness of breath, nausea, blurred vision, Bone ache, my arm is swollen, rash in my back and and around my neck. I feel so sleepy all the time. I feel terrible.
Check to see if you have Shingles.
About 2 months after my first shot I got the shingles, my entire right side is still numb. Sometimes the nerves get so aggravating that I get a headache. Its been over 21 months, Gabapentin doesn’t seem to help much. Before the shot I was in good health, now I can’t work much, don’t think I could last thru an 8 hour work day.
Weird you say that. My 75 year old Father had the shingles vaccine and now he has in continence.
I had the first shingles vaccine at the beginning of this month Feb 2019. At first I had a severe pain in the arm that the injection was administered for 24 hours and didn’t get anymore side effects. But just this Sunday I started getting real bad pains in my left leg. The Doctor diagnosed me as sciatica. That is a pinch nerve that takes my whole leg. I never had this problem before and I’m 61 years old. I wondered if it had to do with the vaccine that I started getting this.
I had the 2nd Shingrix shot Feb 12. Slight sore arm but ok. Then I developed sciatica. Intense pain. Couldn’t sleep because laying down
was the worst. Anyway that has lasted over a week but now I’m so tired, absolutely exhausted. Aching joints, some nausea off and on. This just seemed so close to my symptoms. Hope yr feeling better though.
I had been dealing with Sciatica for a month when I received my 1st Shingles Vac shot.
Sciatic had diminished to a 2 or 3 level pain for a week straight.
Within 24 hours of my 1st Shingles shot I went through heavy Flu like symptoms and now I have the full return of Sciatic pain.
I wish Doctors would research better.
Got the 2nd Shingrix vaccine Saturday (April 2019), okay that day but next day could hardly lift arm but that was expected. Then Monday got searing electric like pain along back of thigh. Repeatedly starting and stopping. Worst pain of my life – I was screaming. Now on Tuesday, it’s letting up a bit – pain is less frequent. Guess this is like sciatica. I’m 64. No way you can tell me this isn’t from the vaccine. Pharmacist is checking with manufacturer to see if they’ve had other reports of this but I see from these threads that I am not alone. Hopefully it will ease up and be worth it – I know Shingles itself is a horrible disease. First vaccine of this went off with no issues. I hope they can find a way to lessen these side effects. I still remain pro-vaccination. At least at this point.
Janet,
Would love to have an update on how you are doing. I have had similar experience and wondering just how long this will last. Got 1st shot with no issues, but the second was terrible.. same symptoms as you. I improved then relapsed…again and again. Still not right.
i haven’t had the slightest reaction from the Shingrix vaccine this morning, and was wondering if that indicated a problem. i see some people were like me with no immediate reaction but developed side effects later. i am hopeful this will not happen. i did have a moment of my arm feeling stiff a couple of hours after receiving the shot, but it went away immediately.
i was afraid a second bout of shingles was trying to get out. that is why i got the vaccine.
Same issue with pain and sciatica. I’ve never had any issues with my back. The day after getting the 2nd dose of shingrix (4/12/19) I could barely walk. The pain in the left side of my lower back, thighs, and calves was severe. It has been 5 weeks now and I am just starting to feel better. Not sure if anyone else is experiencing the burning sensation on your skin. It always changes location but always seems to be on my left side.
Unfortunately, it seems that I have the same experience as Angela, Suzanne, Les, Janet, and Michael. Had the 1st Shingrex vaccine in March with typical symptoms reported: pain at injection site, muscle pain, headache, flu-like symptoms, which subsided after a day. The 2nd shot was administered May 21st, with similar symptoms as the 1st. However, within a few days, I started with pain in my left leg, radiating from the top of my leg to my hip and then down through the calf to my ankle. It is now over 3 weeks and still in pain, which actually got worse. Went to my physician who prescribed steroids and had imaging performed. No change yet in symptoms and waiting for test results. Have any of you recovered from the leg pain? If so, how long did it take to subside?
Kathleen,
I am still experiencing some pain from the sciatica 11 weeks after receiving the 2nd does of shingrix. What is odd now is that the pain can switch from the left to right side. Overall I am feeling better, probably 80% of how I felt before the 2nd dose. Maybe it has to do with timing, I received the 2nd dose 2 months after the first although my wife did as well and she was fine.
Hope you feel better soon.
Michael,
Still experiencing sciatica pain now at about 6 weeks from 2nd vaccine. Mine is still on the left side. My doctor prescribed muscle relaxers and naproxen which may have helped somewhat. You give me hope that it will get better. Thanks so much for responding and hope you are feeling better as well.
I am a retired dentist who firmly believes in immunizations. Since my mother had shingles several times, I wanted to be vaccinated in the hopes of preventing it in myself because it is so painful and can lead to loss of vision if eye becomes infected. I was fine on day of first shot 1/19. Later that day, I became severely ill and told my mother I either had the flu or the Shingrex shot made me feel this way. My arm was so sore I could not lift it or lie on my side for about 4-5 days. I was bedridden for same amount of time and barely ate and only got up to use rest room. I have had just about every vaccine imaginable because of prior military service and mission trips to foreign countries and I have never had such severe side effects from any vaccine in my life. I debated whole 2 months on whether I should get 2 nd dose. I kept telling myself: it is better to spend 4 days bedridden than to possibly go blind from shingles, so got 2nd dose 2 mo later. That was on March 8, 2019, and I still have not felt like my old self. Thought I was dying but no way I had strength to go to ER for about 5 days and woke up soaked in sweat for about 4 days. Since I was too weak to get up to pee, I guess I developed a bladder infection or the vaccine caused it? My kidney function is decreased and AST and ALT levels are high. Just finished cipro Sat and abdomen feels swollen still. Have no energy. Spend most of day in bed. Never experienced Shingles pain, so can’t advise which is worse, but after having these severe reactions and second one lasting so long, would not do again and would take my chances on getting shingles. I really feel there is something wrong with this vaccine. My mother got sick after her second shot too but she returned to normal after about a week. Not so for me. My neighbor only got sore arm, so can’t figure out why I had such terrible reaction. Think GSK should re-evaluate this vaccine.
To Crys:
I agree with your statement. The manufacturer should have and needs to do further studies.
I have heard and been told about many reactions with Shingrix. I recommend that everyone do their research before getting this shot.
As a pharmacist, I do advocate immunizations. This one needs more investigation / studies. I believe each person is their own best advocate.
Oh brother! I was trying to determine whether or not the vaccine contained fetal tissue, and got an earful regarding reactions to this vaccine. I’m already incontinent and my back has numerous problems. I’m totally rethinking getting it even though my mother suffered unbearably twice with shingles. I’m also upset that the pharmacist is the one administering this vaccine and how do I know he/she has been properly trained?
I had my second dose on Oct 30th and today Nov 4th I have a fever and feel sick. My arm also was so sore and it went all the way up under my armpit. I hurt to put on deodorant. Something isn’t right with the side effects for them to last this long.
lookup symptoms of Cipro. Took many times this last time for an ear infection, I’m 61 over 60 not supposed to have I still have hip pain and phantom pain was 4 mths ago. check it out. Class action suits.
I went and got the first and last Shingrix shot a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have had NO Energy what so ever, sweating bad, leg pain, stomach pain, low grade fever off and on, headache off and on, it’s been horrible. Not to mention that shot was the most painful shot I have ever received! and I’m not a baby when it comes to shots. I will not be getting a second!! I just hope all this goes away by the end of August, going on a trip and I want my energy back and want to feel good!!
MaryAnn, I’m so, so sorry about the ridiculous cascade of unfortunate health events your sweet husband and you have had to endure due to a shingles vaccination. OMGosh. I hope you both might be interested in learning about holistic health care that might be able to tone & support your systems that need help while your husband recovers. Maybe this is the silver lining that you need & very much deserve to heal by. All the best to both of you.
Hello I received my 1st Shingles shot Dec 20th 2019 today is the 30th, the 1st 2 days I had a horrible headache along with flu symptoms, then I broke out in hives day 3 which lasted for 10 days, the 10th day the rash is a border line around the areas, had the rash on my butt, legs, arms, underarms, the headaches still come and go, day 8 the neck pain started, day 9 woke up with a sever sore right hip, pain all around it that has since gone down the right leg into the knee, now I have swelling in both feet. I noticed today on day 10 that my vision was blurred some while driving. The pain in my hip causes sleeping to hurt, sitting hurts, along with walking. My stomach is sore with pain, my face around my teeth hurt last night.
I have not taken my blood pressure as of yet. I am not getting the 2nd shot. My husband got the shot a week before me, his blood pressure has shot way up – he has made an appointment to see the doctor, he had flu symptoms and a bruised arm, he still is not feeling 100% right due to the high blood pressure.
I came down with shingles and it hurts like you are being burned! At first I thought it was a spider bite. The young doctor said I didn’t have it because it wasn’t on my back (at first)! I had the chicken pox as a child.
One thing people haven’t addressed is that you can get chicken pox from someone with shingles. My husband caught it from me! This can be very dangerous for a man over 40. He did not remember if he had chicken pox as a child. Then when I called the older doctor had us come in before opening hours, don’t touch anything and leave right away!!!
You can give chicken pox to pregnant women when you have shingles. The old vaccine wasn’t recommended by my doctor after that because it had such poor results.
I just received the flu, new shingles, and pneumonia vaccines all at the same time. As expected, I have a headache and sore arms. I do realize there could be other reactions but if you’ve ever had shingles you would know why people get vaccines! I also had measles as a child vaccine was after I had it. I was nothing I’d want any child to go through!
It was nothing
If you want a more effective vaccine, you sometimes have to have a vaccine that will cause more temporary side-effects. I believe the DTP vaccine had one of components a killed whole virus. Because of the side-effects which created much of the anti-vaxxer infrastructure, they went to a vaccine that used just parts of the virus. The vaccine is safer in terms of temporary side-effects but not as effective in terms of efficacy.
This is seen with flu vaccines where higher dose vaccines are especially used for the elderly, who have a weaker immune response.
No surprise that the new shingles vaccines will have more temporary side-effects.
No, I don’t want a more effective vaccine. I want to keep my immunity strong by eating organic, sleeping 8 hours a night, exercise, relaxation with music or meditation. And NO Vaccine. No adjuncts of mercury or aluminum that might end up in my brain causing dementia. No thank you.
As if eating organic and getting normal sleep will protect you from disease. If only it were that simple!
Nice strawman attack, Kate. Be sure to take every vaccination your doctor recommends. Good luck, troll.
I do not believe in the practice or theory of vaccines, that injecting anything into my bloodstream is protective. I applaud all the tireless people who speak up and out against vaccines and do their best to tell the truth to help the innocents. Squalene, formaldehyde, egg protiens, soy, wheat, casein, fetal cells, animal DNA, polysorbate 80, aluminum, thimerosol, and other ingredients are not necessary for human health. The reactions to these ingredients can be horrific for so many babies and children, the accumulated effects are untested. When you understand what true health is you understand drugs and poisons do not create health, and Jean is correct. I am responsible for my strong immune system, not the medical system or their poisons. Most people are “malnourished” and turn to drugs as the solution, but the only cure for anything is eliminating the root cause of the problem. Vaxxine manufacturers cannot be sued? that is a massive warning sign “avoid at all costs”. I believe pharmaceuticals and vaccines are related to the Nazi’s.
Vaccines are the biggest medical fraud in history, but some people believe in them because they do not know the truth. namaste’, rachel
You are suggesting that a healthy lifestyle WON’T protect a person from illness. You might want to do some research on that.
You, unfortunately, understand nothing about immunity, virology, epidemiology and thus the rationale and need of vaccines and immunization. It’s all about you, isn’t it princess? A statistical sampling of one!! I would wager you have little or no scientific training. A first-year college biology course would be a good start. But, alas, the uneducated anti-science sheeple by ignorance and thus refusal to understand elementary scientific first principles are priming themselves for a re-visit of the 1918 influenza pandemic. And how many of your children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, nieces, & nephews, perhaps even your spouse, will agonizingly perish by such consensual and collective ignorance when the vector ‘arrives’?
Oh, and me? I’m a life-long learner and no expert but I do have an earned graduate degree in molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego, with a thesis in the areas of immunobiology & immunochemistry.
Hey Ron, full of yourself much? So arrogant and condescending! Try being more respectful. People tend to listen that way.
Ron, I agree with you. It’s difficult to get across to the anti-vaxxers. Sometimes a club is the best tool. Obviously trying to educate them hasn’t worked. And Brock, I’m sure you consider me arrogant since I have a degrees in chemistry, microbiology and immunobiology. Having an education and knowing what you’re talking about tends to make you intolerant of ignorant people who thinking a nice organic salad and a good nights sleep will protect you from all diseases.
Shows what you know! Did you know (I doubt it) that the number of deaths from the 1918 Flu epidemic was caused by doctors prescribing aspirin and other fever reducing meds to the patients?
Those that let the fever run its course had a significantly higher survival rate! They let the body’s natural defense mechanism – fever – kill the disease instead of treating the symptoms!
That’s because, as the adage suggests, that doctors are “practicing” medicine. They are more interested in passing along the pigswallow of the pharmacological establishment so they can get their kickbacks. Also, they derive their “expertise” from the drug representatives who have no medical background. They don’t have the time in their practice – due to over-booking of patients – to do any research on their own!
It is not true that he high death rate from the 1918 flu were caused the over use of aspirin.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ten-myths-about-1918-flu-pandemic-180967810/
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/fun-with-spanish-flu-myths/
Thank you, Different Ron, for restoring our faith in Rons. That “original” Ron is an obvious troll and not a very good one, using the typical “anti-vaxxer” buzzword to imagine he is winning an argument against better educated, smarter, more humane and more science-conscious people all over the world. I hope GSK or Merck or whatever corporation is paying him to shill takes note. Or if, by chance, that “Ron” is a real person, we can only hope that he takes all the shots his doctor recommends so that he won’t live as long as the healthy rest of us. Cheers!
Ron, thank you for your sensible, if slightly scathing comment. Not all react, most don’t get a bad reactions. Unfortunately for some the results are really bad, but it is a statistical thing. Shingles is a horrible disease. Immunizations protect the whole community. I had my first shot, localized irritations or 5 days. But, I insisted in getting the shot in my thigh — absolutely no reason why not. I have thin arms, muscular legs and always react badly to immunization in my arm.
to the lady whose doctor did flu and shingles at the same time: your doctor is an incompetent find another doctor and complain to your medical association.
Ron, Your delivery is absolutely horrendous – you egotistical jerk! Do you honestly think that anyone will seriously listen to your arrogant remarks? Every person has the right to make their own decision on whether or not to have the Shingrix vaccine. I am not necessarily anti vaccine, but due to past experiences, I am certainly leary of any new vaccines OR new medications, for that matter. I do not think that nearly enough studies are done on vaccines (and medications) before they are “dished out” to the public. I already had the Zostavax vaccine about two years ago, but my doctor told me that it was now considered to be ineffective. She strongly recommended that I receive the newer, better Shingrix vaccine, which I did. Thankfully, my reaction to the vaccine was not anywhere near as debilitating as some, but I was so ill from it with SEVERE flu like symptoms that I was unable to do anything for nearly a week. I am 69 years old, a cancer survivor, and I have never been so ill in my entire life. Because of my reaction to the first dose of Shingrix, I will probably not get the second dose. Your so called “scientific training” means absolutely nothing if you have not gone through long term debilitating side effects from the Shingrix vaccine.
Kayte: Reading your comment I feel so bad for what you have gone through.
As an 87 yr old who had Shingles about 30 yrs ago, I’m very anxious about getting the Shingrix shot. I never had the original Zostavax one. After reading all these “reaction” notes, I just may pass on getting the shot even
though my doctor has recommended it. I have strong memories of having shingles and was ill for weeks and have some of the nerve damage on my
back which sometimes occurs. As an oldster I have enough aches and pains as is – don’t need to create some new ones. We shall see if I chicken out or
go for it, but the odds are with the chickens.
Ron, you really need to get over yourself. Especially your use of exclamation marks. Insulting comments do nothing except make you look like a ninny.
I can also lie on the internet, Ron. We have no reason to believe you at all. You try the old scare tactic of asking how many of our loved ones will die once the vector arrives. Classic fearmongering. Better understanding of sanitation and germ theory took care of most diseases before any vaccines were ever introduced. Read Dissolving Illusions by DOCTOR Suzanne Humphries. Or look to the court documents where the CDC’s own expert witness, Dr. Zimmerman, a pediatric neurologist, told the DOJ lawyers that he found instances where vaccines do cause autism in children. They immediately fired him. That was in 2007.
Oh dear, Ron, you may be one of the sheeple without realizing it! http://healthimpactnews.com/2017/harvard-immunologist-to-legislators-unvaccinated-children-pose-zero-risk-to-anyone/?fbclid=IwAR0Hh3FTsvjf2_bQkFrzQX-oPpUOtyCwH0yD3OqH6E5ZsLRX4RPIBzJRfTg
Ron, name calling and belittling is not required here. Sure, the author of that post obviously advocates for non-pharma intervention but do you have to stoop to that level? People have a right to make informed choices, even if their biases does not permit them to go beyond a set of certain values. I personally am seriously considering not getting the shot because I have had 2 serious bouts of cellulitis in the face and my “gut” tells me this is not the vax for me. It does come down to personal choices and instincts.
Ron,
I guess the hundreds of people reporting adverse reactions on this web site, along with the approximately 150 deaths already reported as linked with this vaccine, are all just “anti-vaxxers” and “conspiracy theorists.” And you are such a genius of a science guy while anyone who questions anything about vaccinations is anti-science. That’s precious. Your ad hominem propaganda aimed at reasonable people with real experience and real vaccine injuries is as nasty as it is pathetic. You’ve been outed, troll. I hope you will take every vaccination you say you support so we don’t have to deal with the likes of you any longer than necessary. A pox on your and yours.
Wow are you people MEAN! Wishing people dead seems like an extreme reaction to a different point of view.
who in the hell are you!! the world can really do without your arrogance and rudeness RON! Nobody cares what you are!
Good grief, we are not all the same. Was biggest supporter of all shots until had a child whose shot resulted in severe vaccine injury. Disbelief could possibly happen. So learned if low or no IgG, IgA. IgM getting shots with live component very dangerous. Then allergies to components (ingredients), shocked when I experienced life threatening reaction to a shot. Skin tested for next shot, 10 cm welt….did not get on advice of immunologist who tested me. Have learned hard way, while shots benefit many, there are some that severe, life altering, even loss of life, adverse reactions happen, and do not offer results desired, some should not, cannot safely have.
Agree, Jean! Don’t buy into the lie that is Western medicine. All they’re interested in is making money.
I’m sorry but how often do you hear of people who lead an ultra healthy lifestyle get sick …. cancer / colds / flu and yes Shingles . I had the second shot and feel like crap but its nothing compared to how I’ve seen people suffer with Shingles .. I bet all the other anti vaxxers going thru measles now have are re-evaluating their choices .
Jean, all you have to do is walk outside these days – the skies alone are full of heavy metals from the chemicals planes are spraying. These are not the “steam” coming out of the back of a plane – they are chemicals (the streaks they make in the sky last for hours when the “steam” would be gone within minutes). They’re spraying everywhere….. Trump promised it would stop – it did, for about a month.
So, don’t think the air you’re breathing outside is healthy – just FYI because what you believe you’re doing to stay healthy is a myth now. It’s a slow kill just to breathe anymore. Just think, your organic foods are receiving the same particulates from the air.
My brother-in-law has cancer and he did all those things including exercising! Not just the gym ocean swimming too.
I don’t believe that the incontinence a woman commented as a side effect experienced by her husband after having received the vaccine is temporary. I’m curious as to what your comment might be regarding the increase of shingles outbreaks since the introduction of the chicken pox vaccine and it’s having heavily removed the chicken pox virus from the population being the cause of this increase?
Sheldon, You may have all the vaccines that you want..I’ll pass.
Well, no surprise to you, [ lol] BUT the rest of us should be told there are chances of MORE side effects than are listed.
Since shingles involve NERVE pain, I have to wonder why so many are listing this as a side effect.
Many other symptoms are the body “fighting off” whatever is in that shot.
I am just getting over a case of the shingles so would there be any sense in getting the vaccine in the near future?
They say you should still get Vaccine. I would check with Dr on when to do. I had them when I was 37 and now I’ll be 54. The Drnts me to wait untilm60 to get.
I had a severe case of shingles in my eye, face, nose, and mouth. It was pure hell. After two months clear I got the Shringrex vaccine. I’ve had my second dose as well. Believe me, any small side effects is worth not getting shingles again. And, even with the vaccine there is still a chance of getting shingles again; hopefully less severe. The shots hurt and my arm stayed sore for about a week. After that, it’s been fine. So far, so good as I haven’t had another outbreak of shingles and hope I never do.
I agree. Just got second Shingrex. Had headache, body aches, joint pain, felt like I got hit by a truck. BUT all this is worth it if it prevents a repeat case of shingles. Ugh.
But for some of us, it’s not small side effects. I had the first shot about 4 months ago and the 2nd 2 months ago. I was very ill for 2 days after the 2nd dose, but I could handle two days of it. Problem is, I’ve had body aches, joint pain, feverish-ness ever since. Some days it is almost unbearable, some days better. it has been difficult to work, and sometimes even to walk or do normal activities. If this end shortly, ok. But it’s terrifying to think that it may not and I didn’t have to do this – I’m glad for those whom it helps, but I wish I had known more.
Kathy, for my husband the side effects have been catastrophic. He was in pain and feeling ill by the time he returned home from the doctor’s office. By the next morning he could not get out out of a chair without assistance. The symptoms progressed to the point where he had so much difficulty walking that he began to fall and has periods when he needs a cane and even a wheelchair. He has endured long term steroid treatment after being seen at the Mayo Clinic in FL, the University of Rochester in NY and Columbia University in NYC. He is currently on a chemo drug in hopes of diminishing his pain and myalgia. He is in his second year of treatment with no hope of even having a true diagnosis much less plan of treatment that is not mere guesswork. The CDC is still denying that such severe side-effects exist and doctors are doing the same because the CDC is telling them it doesn’t happen – so the doctors do not file the reactions so the CDC can say it is not happening. Such a catch 22!
Ask your doctor. Good question
I had shingles down my right arm and it was bad for about 6 weeks; severe pain. This resulted in me having neuropathy in my right arm down into my thumb where I could barely use a computer keyboard; I write for a living. I put up with the arm pain and numbness for about two years; it runs along the nerve that was hit with shingles. Then I rceived the first Shingrix shot in June 2018 and within about 2-3 weeks the neuropathy went away. I felt flu-like symptoms from the shot for about 2 days but well worth it to get rid of the arm pain and numbness. I noticed last week that my arm pain and thumb numbness was starting to come back. Today, almost 8 months later I received the second dose since it has not been available at my pharmacy all this time. I hope the delay won’t make the vaccination ineffective.
No Paul. The manufacturer just changed the recommendations, I think. There is really no time limit for the second dose though preferred it be at around 6 months.
Mary, I had a case of shingles several years back. In my opinion, brought on my the stress I was going through. Years later I had the first shingles shot that was available. So far it has not returned. Yes it can happen again which is why I took the Zostermax? so far so good. My understanding is that I could not give shingles to anyone except I could give chicken pox to those who had not had them. Shingles was the worst thing I had ever had in my life. I have had breast cancer with chemo and radiation and would gladly do that again over having the case of shingles that i have.
My husband (58) got shingles on the right side of his head, including in his right eye May of 2018. He got the 1st dose of the new vaccine in Sept 2018, and today, 2/25/19, got the 2nd dose. The 1st dose he got flu-like symptoms, which is typical. Take aspirin or some type of nsaid to relieve symptoms. If you get shingles in one part of your body, you can get it elsewhere, so get the vaccine to help prevent a recurrence. He still has problems with his right eye; eyesight is perfect in the a.m. and later in the day is worse. He has recurring nerve problems on his face, depending on the amount of stress. In short, there are lasting effects from shingles. They may eventually go away, they may not. He does not wish shingles on anyone. 3-4 months after he got it our daughter (39) got it on her back. Since he had recently had shingles, he was able to recognize it, so she got treatment from her doc right away. Early treatment does help. It isn’t supposed to be contagious, but her 4-year-old son had spots that looked like chicken pox. 1st grandpa comes down with shingles, then mommy gets it. FYI
I had the shingles called “Oticus Zoster” – they say only 10% get that one. It’s deep inside your inner ear and affects your trigeminal nerves in the face. It can also come with a syndrome called Ramsey Hunt Syndrome which can cause deafness, and/or facial paralysis (like Bell’s Palsy). The pain path is extreme in your inner ear, your teeth, your facial muscles (think how tender those places are compared to skin on your body). I had some blister rash on my face, but blisters also formed inside the inner ear, outer ear, some in my hair. Pain was on the scale of 1000! I was fortunate it did not get my eye muscle or around my eye. I was really fortunate that I didn’t get the R-H syndrome.
Almost two years later now, I have some nerve issues in my cheek muscles and around that side of my mouth. My ear still gets fleeting earaches inside. I went to get the Shingles first shot 2 months ago – had the regular side effects (arm swelling/pain….feeling bad for 3 days, in bed).
Getting ready to get my 2nd shot this week – am really afraid of any potential side effects or lasting damage of any kind. For me, I never wanted that brand of Shingles again!! But, I understand it can reappear, but maybe not in the same place. So…..it’s a coin toss isn’t it? Because shingles can leave you with some lasting nerve damage (neuropathy)….or the shot can injure you somehow. Pray for me? Thanks.
People need to learn how to cure their shingles if they should experience it. For starters, do what the Austrians and German doctors do……high dose vitamin C, as a lipospheric vit c, and high dose B vitamins.
Jan,
You are so right to mention that. It is a long standing way to ..OMG, I am going to say it…cure shingles.
There are zero peer reviewed publications that validate “high dose vitamin C, as a lipospheric vit c, and high dose B vitamins” delivering any symptomatic relief, let alone “cure”, for shingles. Count them, zero! The virus here is the perpetuation of myth, urban legend, and false hope. Truly sad. It is a fact that at this time there is no “cure” for shingles. None. For our readers here, provide reputable peer-reviewed citations if you choose to debate my statements.
There are “zero peer-reviewed publications” for all kinds of things, in fact for most things. That doesn’t mean there is not some efficacy for some of them. Further, you won’t see peer-reviewed double-blind studies for this new vaccine either, or many others. They are fast-tracked and doled out as quickly as Big Pharma can bring them to market.
Doctors for years found treatments that worked for various conditions, based on experience, and used them. My physician was a former army doctor who had several and used some of them on me and other family members with success.
I have a lot of personal experience with large doses of Vitamin C for well over 40 years. It was the best thing I was recommended for my bad allergies at a time when the only medications, the antihistamines, would have put me right to sleep. I’ve used it since for impending infections of various kinds as well as allergies.
Of course, one of the best basic things people can do is develop good hygienic practices to avoid disease. Amazing that in this day and age, doctors and other hospital health staff have to be cajoled into using them when gong from patient to patient, while staph and other infections run rampant. Maybe you can focus your advanced degrees on solving that problem. Lots of people would be very grateful not to pick up secondary infections in the hospital.
I dont believe in putting any foreign crap in my body. God gave me a immune system.
They’re just treating the active outbreak – shingles is usually gone by itself within 2 weeks or so.
There is no cure for shingles! It’s a dormant chickenpox virus everyone has inside them – no one knows what kicks it off (and I had natural chickenpox as a kid) but it’s hibernating in a ganglia of nerves and follows a certain nerve path from there. One-sided, if you draw a line vertically down your body – only hits one side and stops at the line.
UM, Leah, not so.
My dad had shingles that went 2/3rds or so around his waist. Poor guy suffered and blamed my mother for using the wrong detergent!
That was the first time I had heard of “shingles” and that was about 30+ years ago.
sheldon101, the higher dose flu vaccine that is given to the elderly has never been shown to decrease the incidence or severity of the flu. It was approved solely based on an increase in antibody level in those who received it. So the elderly are being used as guinea pigs.
When will people understand that when you mess with God’s creation and the normal perfectly capable immine system of healthy people, especially out of greed, you will get burned. You can’t perfect perfection.
VACCINATION IS NOT IMMUNIZATION!! People please wake up. Big Pharma uses you as their guinea pig. They enlist the help of the FDA, CDC and our Congressmen to make sure by law that infants, toddlers, children, young adults get a schedule of 69-74 vaccinations with the most being given as a child.
Now they are targeting older adults and the elder with their toxic poisons. You need to research and educate yourselves about vaccines. They are dangerous and deadly. Why would you allow a poison to be injected into your healthy or half healthy body to cause health issues?
Vaccines are nothing more than a money maker for Big Pharma, doctors, Congressmen, the pushers at the FDA and the CDC. They are ALL complicit in having the pockets lined from Big Pharma.
Why are so many children sick and dying from “rare” cancers and tumors, have neurological issues, muscle issues, auto-immune issues? The single thread running through all these diseases and “rare” cancers is the vaccines that are loaded with mercury, aluminum, fetal tissue, bovine proteins, etc., just to name a few.
Go to YouTube and WATCH the series on “The Truth About Vaccines.”
I took a chance and got this shot and I am really sorry I did. Since then my glucose has been impossible to control, white cell and lymph count shot up, extreme and long periods of fatigue. The bicep pain lasted several days and soreness lasted close to a month. This shot may end up being the death of me. GlaxoSmithKline is an evil corporation with history of criminal convictions of lying about the effectiveness of their drugs and their horrible side effects including death. The hyped-up trials GSK paid-for finding 95% effectiveness are probably just pure BS. And lots of people complaining on Internet everywhere about serious side effects of Shingrix. GSK is a pack of evil elitist criminals who think they deserve to get rich while cleansing the Earth of the “burden” of the majority of its working and middle classes. If you value your health, don’t use anything this company sells.
Well if it’s on YouTube,it must be true. Please. I just received my 2nd dose shingles vaccine and am sore and tired but that is nothing compared to what I saw both my aunt and nana go thru when they had shingles. My aunt never really recovered from her shingles and spent many years sick from it. Shingles is worse and more dangerous than the vaccine.
I just received my second dose of Shingrix yesterday (June 27, ’19). My first was administered in February ’19. I am 59 yrs old and consider myself to be in excellent health. After the first dose, I experienced such pain at the injection site, that radiated into my shoulder, that it woke me up in the middle of the night. I took some ibuprofen and was able to get back to sleep. For the next couple of days I was headachy, had the chills, and also had a stomach ache. My pharmacist told me of the possible side effects but I poo-pooed them (in my head) because I’ve never had a negative reaction to any flu shot or DPT or MMR booster. However, I was humbled by my reaction to the Shingrix vaccine. Even so, I returned yesterday for my second dose. Yes, my arm hurts but not as badly as the first time and I slept through the night. I have not taken any ibuprofen. I am sitting on the couch now with occasional chills but I have a blanket over my lap and it’s okay. I don’t have a headache nor the stomach upset like the first time. I am willing to go through these temporary side effects because I have seen people I love suffer horribly with shingles. I have a significant amount of stress in my life that has been thought to reduce a person’s immune response and make them vulnerable to a shingles outbreak. For me, I decided it was worth the temporary discomfort and I felt getting the Shingrix vaccine was the right choice.
You must be a Trump lover! You sound so ignorant in your statements.
I can’t believe you would bring politics to this site. Who is the ignorant one? People are sharing their experiences regarding the vaccine. Such BRAINWASHED DEMOCRATS
Please leave POLITICS out of this discussion.
Inappropriate.
as with any skull lobotomy, a “temporary side-effect” is great, unless YOU or YOURS are the one(s) that’s injured die, etc.
Trust your docs & esp. the medical administration who took an oath,
First Do Big Profit.
One Less.
My theory for the increase in shingles is this.
Wild chickenpox is becoming less common, and so people are not being exposed throughout their lives, and therefore boosting their antibodies naturally. So, when their health begins to decline in old age and the zoster is reactivated, there are not enough antibodies to fight it. Deleting the chicken pox (if you even believe THAT vaccine works) just made shingles a whole lot more common for EVERYONE. Or maybe they’ll just keep suggesting more and more boosters and our population decreases to the point of extinction…
Yes, the article mentions this and I firmly believe this theory is 100% accurate.
I got the new Shingrix and happy I did !! I had chickenpox at 30ish and shingles at 59. My wife is just getting over shingles. Trust me … you don’t want shingles! Get vaccinated and wear your bandaid proudly.
I am a 58 yo who received the Shringrix vaccine and within 24 hours I am experiencing so much pain. I have chills and terrible body aches from my head down to my legs. The arm which received the injection cannot even be touched. There is even soreness under my armpit. 600mg of Advil is lessening the severity of the side effects, as long as I keep the Advil on board every 6 hours. I am an extremely healthy, active person. I do not have any health issues. The only other time I have been this sick was in 1984 when I had the flu. I receive yearly flu vaccines, have had Tdap, Hep A and Hep B and I have never felt anything other than a sore arm. I CRIED over this pain. I cannot even think about going for the 2nd injection. I wish I would have been forewarned of the terrible side effects. I probably would have waited 2 more years for more data and personal experiences related to this vaccine. I’m thankful to those have posted their experience and I hope my post will help others.
My experience seems to mimic yours. I have a huge red lump, that is very hot to the touch. My arm hurts to move. I have a head ache and a low grade fever. I got the shot on Monday early evening, and by bed time, it was sooooo itchy! Then the next day the soreness and redness started. Today it is awful. So ……….all of this within 48 hours. I just don’t know now about getting the 2nd dose in a few months. I expected a little reaction……….just because it is a vaccine….but not all of this craziness!!!
I got my Shingrix shot 4 Days ago … have not experienced much arm pain but do feel tired and my stomach a bit unsettled. My biggest complaint is the severe Diarrhea I have been experiencing since day 1. Imodium Ad did not work so my P.C. Doctor prescribed an anti diarrhea medication and that has not helped. Stool sample tomorrow to see what’s going on. Has anyone else experienced this from the 1st shingrix shot. Thank You in advance.
Leesa, that sounds like the injection caused the problem. Some of these people who give injections into the muscle are horrible at it. This is not an “under the skin” injection – and I think they damage the muscle/nerve when they hit it in the wrong place. I had that happen with a different vaccine.
I would like to know how long the high blood pressure lasted. I think my issues started the day I had the vaccine. BP bottom number high been 4 days now
There is no evidence established by the scientific method that indicates vaccines do what they are alleged to do. NONE.
Vaccination is based on a “belief”, that was introduced by Edward Jenner of England, about 1790, and proclaimed by his following, who were interested in profitting. Several Jenner family members died from his experimentation, and the Dr. title was awarded as an “honor” rather than earned via formal study.
Perhaps the highest scientific authority saying vaccines are contaminated is professor Garth Nicolson, cell biologist and editor of the Journal of Clinical and Experiental Metastasis and the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Professor Nicholson is one of the most cited scientists in the world, having published over 600 medical and scientific peer-reviewed papers, edited 14 books, and served on the editorial boards of 28 medical and scientific journals.
Scientist Nicholson states that not only are vaccines contaminated with mycoplasma but warns the US that we are all being damaged by them and contracting chronic, degenerative diseases.
His videos are at_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WIWwEtjDRk
How do you explain the rapid decrease in Polio world wide after the Polio Vax? Same question about mumps and measles?
DDT and the Rise and Fall of Polio
https://thevaccinereaction.org/2015/07/ddt-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-polio/
Polio Wasn’t Vanquished, It Was Redefined
https://thevaccinereaction.org/2015/07/polio-wasnt-vanquished-it-was-redefined/
The Salk ‘Miracle’ Myth
https://thevaccinereaction.org/2015/06/the-salk-miracle-myth/
The Story of Measles’ Sharp Decline
https://thevaccinereaction.org/2016/04/the-story-of-measles-sharp-decline/
The Myth of Measles Eradication
https://thevaccinereaction.org/2015/05/the-myth-of-measles-eradication/
I received the first Shingrix vaccine in June of 2018. I had no problems with it. When I got the second one in September, I fell very ill with flu like symptoms and Shingles within 2 weeks. After the mega doses of Valtrex to rid myself of Shingles, in December I got Shingles again! This Jan. 2019 I got shingles for the 3rd time. I keep Valtrex on hand so I am able to identify early and take it before Shingles get’s out of control. I too have lost about 31 pounds of weight. I have worked out most of my life a.nd at 5’10” weighed 180 before all of this. It doesn’t matter how much I eat I cannot gain weight back and am struggling to keep 150. My skin has become very wrinkled and seems like chicken skin with bumps all over. I think this vaccine is scary and would stay away from it if healthy. I had no choice as I had recurring shingles and thought it was my best bet…….I would have skipped it had I known this was going to happen to me. My age is 64 and I feel like I’m slowly dying.It’s awful.
If your immune system is significantly weakened and you lost more them 10 pounds in 6 months, I would suggest to make every check for CA.
I had the old shot many years ago. Had very small case of shingles last year. I took the first shot of the new about 1 month ago. Within a week I had fever blisters all in my mouth and tongue that have not gone away. Last week I started breaking out with small patches of shingles bumps. Took VLtrex, used cream, on infected places and kept getting mor places pop up. Today I have shingles all over my upper body.
Yes! I’m glad someone finally pointed that out to all the tabid anti-vaxxers! I’m personally afraid to get Shingrix but I believe in most vaccines. Those same people complain about chemo and “big pharma” being out to kill, yet I am alive today, because of chemo and definitely the grace of God!
I got mine today, my arm isn’t sore or red. I think a lot of these reactions are overplayed. It stung a little but that was it. It is totally better than getting shingles.
Kathy, then that was just You. If you haven’t experienced the reactions that others have – then consider yourself lucky and don’t diminish the experiences of others. Some people have conditions that make reactions worse, especially since most of the recipients are 60 or so.
And I healed breast cancer with alternative cancer treatments. Many friends who chose the chemo method are sadly dead now. Because of my experience I am very skeptical of the pharma / FDA methods. Each situation is so unique so support medical freedom and choice instead of judging each other!
My uncle developed shingles 3 days after he was given the shingle vaccine. This was 5 years ago when he was 83. I warned him not to get it but his Doctor convinced him it was needed. He suffered terribly with that virus and it finally abated 5 months after it developed. However, fighting the infection his health deteriorated. For the next 5 years he was in and out of the hospital and spent the last 2 years in a care facility rather than his home because he needed more attention than my aunt could provide. He died last week and from the time he took that shot he continued to have nerve pain. Is there a connection between his deteriorating health and the Shingles vaccine? I think so.
I am not a scientist but I think it highly unlikely that the shot was related to his bout with shingles. It takes longer than 3 days for the virus to take hold. Most likely your uncle had the onset of shingles prior to his injection.
It is quite possible that if he had declined the injection – and 3 days later developed shingles, he would have regretted not having the injection much earlier.
All this is impossible to prove but something to ponder.
BS, didn’t you read the lady’s story about her uncle? So according to you all the people getting the shingles vaccine was already getting shingles already. Yea, ok. Please.
Shingles is a re-activation of the chickenpox virus that is already in the person’s system,I don’t know how you’d have any real way of testing how quickly a reactivation of a virus can show symptoms, since they are not even sure just what all causes a reactivation. I have known more people who got shingles after getting the Zostavax- anywhere from a couple of months to a year later, than I saw come down with shingles who had never had Zostavax. I worked in a medical office with primarily older adult patients population- 40 & up- I retired just before Shingrix came in.
I still have nerve pain after one month. No shingles but the nerve pain in my upper arm in NO fun. I am 70 and I hope eventually the pain subsides.
My daughter-in-law recently suffered greatly for many weeks from shingles in her ear and tongue. I took the first Shingrix dose and had some ill feelings for a few hours and a very sore arm for several days. Definitely way better than having shingles. People need to stop this nonsense about the danger of vaccines. They forget that many people died from smallpox, or were paralyzed and in an iron lung with polio, or even died from flu before vacccines were developed.
I got shingles 2 days after I had the first Shingrix shot. I had never had shingles before. I reported this to the CDC and the manufacturer who both suggested it was “a coincidence.” I also reported it to VAERS. I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), stage 0, so I am only able to take the “dead” vaccine. I don’t think this one is “dead” enough.
I also just got the new Shingrix Vaccine, Three days ago. Yesterday I got a Shingles outbreak.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I received my second Shingrix shot last Friday. The following Tuesday, I experienced the start of mt first-ever shingles outbreak (I’m 73.) Both the pharmacist and the doctor insisted the outbreak was coincidental and couldn’t possibly be the result of a vaccine made from a dead virus. Seems more than coincidental to me since I had no symptoms or common precipitating factors prior to the shot. Based on the posts here, I feel medical professionals should at least acknowledge the possibility and the pharm company should note there are anecdotal accounts of shingles outbreak as a possible reaction
I got the shingles almost exactly one month after I received my first shot, even though I was never asked if I ever had chicken pox. Now just about a year later, I am still suffering nerve damage as a result, prior to that I was in very good health for someone in their seventies.
I also got shingles just 3 days after the 1st Zostermax injection. When I went to Urgent Care to verify that it is shingles and not something else, I had the doctor first look at the blisters. It took her less than ten seconds to say “it’s shingles.” Then I showed her the paperwork from the pharmacy where I got the injection. All of a sudden, she changed mind and said she needed to do a scrape to see if it’s really shingles or if it’s “just a rash”. It’s shingles, no doubt about it. I have a healthy immune system. I know I got this from the Zostermax. I won’t be getting the 2nd one. It has become difficult to trust the medical system when these new drugs are pushed upon us by our doctors who feel they need to protect the big profit pharmas. I wouldn’t be surprised if my chart says I got a rash from the vaccine rather than shingles from the vaccine.
Marie, I got shingles on my neck, face and scalp about 5 days after getting the 1st injection in January, 2018. Doctor verified that the rash was shingles, but said there was no way I got them from the vaccine, I totally disagree. Fast forward to present and I still break out on my face almost weekly, as a matter of fact I have them now. The only pain I had was like an electrical shock down the left side of my back. Must have caused some nerve damage because a portion of the skin on that side of my back stays numb.
Should have gotten a second opinion for your records.
Was the scrape positive?
Both my shingles vaccines have made me very sick with flu-like symptoms, fever and a very achy body. I’m one of the “lucky” 6% who gets this reaction. Tylenol takes care of it, but it’s a pain to be sick for 3 or 4 days after the injection. You feel horrible! However, having had shingles, I’d take these few days of really bad discomfort to having actual shingles any day. I had them in my mid-50’s and it was awful. I cannot imagine how bad it would be at age 70.
Jamie, I agree with you. A few days of feeling crappy is nothing compared to dealing with shingles. The first vaccine was not effective. I got shingles, so did my husband. Yesterday I had my second treatment of the new vaccine. By the evening my arm was really angry. Then I woke about 3:00 AM with chills, a headache, muscle pain added to the pain at the injection site. My husband gave me Tylenol and this morning chills are gone but the other side effects are still there. Still, not nearly as bad as shingles.
I had exactly the same reaction after my 2nd Shingles vaccine. I woke up at 1am shaking with chills, aching all over and just feeling horrible. It went away the next day. 3 weeks later, I woke up at my normal time, took my shower, are breakfast and it but me again! Chills, aching, feeling absolutely awful. I still feel lethargic and weak. I’m wondering if this is going to be a regular occurrence? And when will I have energy agsin?
Karen:
What kind of reaction did you get from the first vaccine? I am thinking you mean “zostavax”?
Same?
How about 2 years of constant pain and needing canes and wheelchairs? How does that rate in your tidy little calculation??
I got the first Shingrix shot in Sept. 2018 and got the second dose two day ago on Thursday. The first shot, my arm was very sore, nothing more. After the second shot I had nausea, chills, headache and woke Friday morning to feeling I had full blown flu like symptoms including feeling half drugged. Took Tylenol from the onset and it helped but of course did not cure symptoms. I missed work and slept off and on the entire day. By evening I felt some better and next day was back normal except for sore arm. I wonder why so many have this set of symptoms after second dose and not first dose or maybe some do….
I got the first shot yesterday in my left arm. I am sicker than I’ve ever been from a vaccination. Extreme torso pain, headache, pain from behind my left ear all the way down into my left thumb, sore throat way down deep in my esophagus, coughing, and I’m breaking out with fever blisters on my lips, nausea, fever and chills. So I don’t think I’m overstating my reaction. As the lady said, because she had just gotten the shot that day. I’d like to know how she felt by the next day.
Same thing happened to me. I am 64. Had shingles on my face and into my eye a year ago . Had two Shingrex shots one in November and the second one a few days ago. Sick as a dog with flu like symptoms for a day and a half. Back to almost normal now.How long does it protect you for? Worth it if it works.
Had my first shot 5 months ago and had severe swelling on my arm. I just had the second shot three days ago and addition to the severe swelling I am in so much pain. My chest hurts, My shoulders hurt, my back hurts, my arms hurt, the injection site is still inflamed and is very itchy and hot. Each night I am having trouble sleeping waking up with cold sweats. I am running a low-grade fever. I am tired and lethargic. I also feel like I have the flu. I keep hoping to pass but several times and gotten out of bed and start to think about going to the hospital. I guess I will see what happens tomorrow morning. Will some of you people who wrote about bad reactions up above, comment now how long to you started feeling better?
Everyone is different but I have read 2-5 years.
Chris: Just to be clear, I have read you can have immunity for 2-5 years after your second Shingrix shot. I guess that means you may need a 3rd booster shot in the future. I can’t find any information regarding a titer level reading time frame confirming a booster is needed though (like Hep B series).
I had my first shot four months ago with nothing more than a sore arm for a few days. I had my second shot yesterday and woke up in the middle of the night with chills, 101 temp, flu symptoms and muscle aches and pain. I will hope it goes away soon. I got this shot because I have had several of my 50+ friends get shingles. No fun! One was hospitalized for weeks and almost lost her vision. I will hope it was a good decision.
Leesa, that sounds like the injection caused the problem. Some of these people who give injections into the muscle are horrible at it. This is not an “under the skin” injection – and I think they damage the muscle/nerve when they hit it in the wrong place. I had that happen with a different vaccine.
Jamie, it’s a LOT higher than 6%. In fact, what you’re saying is what most people get as a reaction.
Shingrixed and still kicking.
I had my first Shingrix shot on 8-1-18, and my second one on 10-7-18. My side effects for both shots was a sore upper arm/shoulder at the site of the injection which lasted for two-to three days, That’s it, nothing else. At 75, and from what I’ve heard about shingles, I’m glad I had the shots. FYI: I heard on that medical news show from a promenant NY hospital discussing this issue, the second Shingrix shot is more effective if given right after a two month wait, rather than waiting any longer, so I acted quickly for my second shot. Hope this gives you the confidence you may need if you’re on the fence. Good luck!!! By the way, my pharmacy, in Prividence, RI, charged me $160 for my second shot. The first shot was $140.
Jamie, I went through some of the same symptoms in August and then just a few days ago after the second dose. But it’s very preferable to having shingles. A friend of mine has suffered horribly from that disease. She was literally screaming in pain. Another friend’s brother almost went blind from shingles. I could go on but the point has been made. There are risks from vaccines just as there are risks from any other treatment but I am willing to take those risks.
I have Rheumatoid arthritis, for which I take orencia infusions monthly.
My rheumatologist says I should get Shingrix vaccine in between my infusions, which lower T cell activity in my immune system.
Has anyone taken orencia and Shingrix
alternately? I am 66.
?
Your doctor should speak with other rheumatologist to get feedback on your question. I have seen people with compromised systems do either well or not. Not sure if a definitive answer exists except in the realms of MD anectodotal stories at this point.
Trisha, I am 57,have RA and am on a biologic, Remicade, and Methotrexate. Similar to you I have compromised immunity. I checked with my rheumatologist who said I can’t have a live vaccine and so yesterday I opted for Shingrix which is not live. Today I feel crappy….chills and achy. However, a few years ago I had ocular shingles. I ended up with iritis and impaired vision that required I see a specialist regultarly for the next 18 months. I’ve done the math in my head and I will take these flu like symptoms anyday over ocular shingles. Every patient has a different treatment plan and responds differently to any changes to that plan. Don’t guess…talk to your specialist.
I have had a terrible reaction to the second shingles shot a month ago. My right leg burns, tingles and is so painful. I got the typical flu like feelings with headache and head pressure soon after the shot but developed a rash and pain, itching and burning in my leg about 5-7 days after the shot. My doctor said that some people are suffering for up to 6 weeks after the shot so I hope I don’t have shingles and that this will go away soon. Very uncomfortable. Almost went to the ER. I Reported it to CDC FDA GlaxoSmithKline. Doctor and pharmacy didn’t report my reaction. The FDA said they have a hard time getting docs to report.
Kathy (post from 11/13/18), did you receive the shot in the leg that had side effects????
No I received it in my arm but has especially effected my right side. It is February and I am still very sick from the shot. My symptoms haven’t improved. Also my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis has become hyperthyroidism after years of being stable. I still ache all over, head pressure, tinnitus, sweating, increased pain in back, rash and pain and burning in right leg. Also the neuropathy in both feet has doubled in area and discomfort. All this happened after the second shot. Am really starting to get scared that I will be permanently disabled. Doctors don’t know how to help. My friend who is a PCP said he would never take it the first year or so. Wish I had asked him. I just hope my body will eventually stabilize. I have never experienced anything like this before. Had many shots before a trip to Honduras years ago. My doc called the company hotline for doctors but they never returned their calls. I think they are very busy. I would never tell anyone what to do but I was sick for 5 days after the first shot should never taken the second.
Kathy~I had the first vaccine in May 2018 and light flu like symptoms. 10 days post the second vaccine in Oct. 2018, I began developing an itchy rash that persists to this day! The rash resembles both chicken pox and scabies. I’ve been to three GP’s and two dermatologists. Been on cortisone pills, ointments and injection and no relief from itch rash. I have not slept through a night in five months! Any tips out there?
I received my 2nd shot March 9,2018. I and the usual flu like symptoms for the next 2 days like I had. With the 1st shot.
I then developed severe diarrhea which lasted for 2 days and have been since suffering from chronic rash and itch all over my body.
I have been to the dermatologist she said it was excema. I am now going to a immunology/ allergy doctor this week. I cannot stand the itch any more.
Wouldn’t an antihistamine help with the itch?
Kathy, are you diabetic?
I received my Shingrix vaccine on 9/14/18 and my arm hurt for almost 2 weeks. And by hurt, I mean I could barely use my arm for 2 weeks. I then noticed my ears ringing. I am now on a very strong dose of prednisone while waiting to get my hearing checked and to see an ENT. I have lost a good portion of my hearing in my right ear. I was given the vaccine in my right arm. I will never go to get the second vaccine.
Vaccines are dangerous. Someone spoke of polio—Im 64 and had polio at age 5 So everyone thinks polio is gone? What few realize is that hundreds of thousands of folks had polio and didn’t know it. The problems started much later in life with ‘Post Polio Syndrome” and that’s IF the problems are recognized by a specialist.
Vaccines are now thought to be the cause of the HUGE increase in autism. They cause brain inflammation.
Regarding this shingles vaccine—someone above is correct—there is ZERO PROOF that it works. How could they prove it? Think about it. WE are all sheep being herded down the money shuts. You know that vaccinations are a 60 BILLION dollar industry???? My father in law didn’t have signs. He got the vaccine and several weeks later had shingles that did NOT GO AWAY for his final two years of life. Coincidense? He was just about to get them anyway? I had chickenpox as a kid. I am afraid of shingles but no way will I do this vaccination.
Got the Shingrix vaccine basically because a popular sports figure was used to advertise. Had no problem with the first dose. But after the second dose began to feel the above mentioned, joint pain, flu-like symptoms, headaches and fatigue.” Mild, but noticeable. That’s why I’m reading the article. It’s true we can’t “prove” the vaccines work because as humans we can’t know the future as to whether we get Shigles or not. I’m just trying to stay in the mainstream, and stay as healthy as possible, by taking advice from people who we trust.
Had first shot, and the reaction was 1 day of full blown flu, sweats, bones hurt, bed ridden. After having so many bouts of the shingles over the past three years (6 times), I was determined to take the second shot. Well, the second shot put me to bed with the flu for three days! A month later, I got the Shingles AGAIN! So, my advice is: DO NOT TAKE IT!
If I had it to do all over again, I would have stayed far away from any vaccines. I do not trust them.
Shela,
Get yourself to a ND (Naturopathic doctor). Build your immune system..then you can stop worrying about shingles.
I would tell everyone to not get the new shingles shot. I had it a month ago. I got all the symptoms such as fever tiredness and achiness The next day my left leg just ached. I walk with a cane now and am in pain. I have been to the Dr. And they don’t know of anything to help me. It has ruined my life!!
I, too, greatly regret getting the new two-dose shingles vaccine. About a month after the first dose of the vaccine, I started getting minor outbreaks of shingles. At first I thought they were insect or bed bug bites (which I had never had). But these red bumps were more persistent, and had pussy heads, and the pustules were grouped like a rash. It didn’t occur to me that this could be minor shingles until I was reminded to get my second shot. I figured the second shot would stop the outbreaks. A month after the second shot, I developed a moderate case of shingles along a nerve line from my spine to my underarm.
I had never had shingles before and am 72 years old. The latest outbreak may delay a much-needed surgery I had scheduled.
My greatest fear is that I will now be prone to shingles for the rest of my life. At the very least, the two shots were ineffective. At the worst, they encouraged or enabled my first experience with shingles.
Very sorry that I followed my doctor’s advice to have this vaccine and that I did not trust my best instincts to avoid medicine whenever I can.
Very curious why there is now a “shortage” of this vaccine. Has Glaxo-Smith-Klein withdrawn it from the market?
I had my first vaccine in May 2018. I had pain at site and a fever and aches for 2 days and then fine. In October 2018, I had the second vaccine. 7-10 days later, I began to get a rash. Went to the dr. and was told it was scabies. I’d not been anywhere where I could have contracted scabies, but put the poisonous cream all over my body. No relief. Told my dr. that I suspected it was the vaccine. Oh no, it couldn’t be, I was told. I’ve seen two dermatologists, had biopsies of the skin, nothing. I am now five months into this itchy rash that moves all over my body and looks very much like chicken pox. I haven’t slept in all these months as the itch is so intense it keeps me awake. I wish there was someway to reverse the damage done to my already compromised immune system!
I received the first injection on July 26th. It is now Dec. 1, 2018 and continue to have severe arm pain from my shoulder to my elbow. Can’t put my arm behind my back or over my head. The pain is continuous, sometimes feeling like the needle is still in my arm. It just doesn’t get any better and my doctor has no solution to ease the pain. I will not get the second dosage!
Trya chiropractor adjustment and acupuncture treatment. Sounds like you have a clog and it is just sitting there… needs to be circulated and moved out of your system.
This has also happened to me Darlene. I am now 6 months out & my vaccinated arm still causes me those problems on some days. It isn’t every day thank goodness however, my arm is still much weaker than the other arm as well as my legs. I regret getting this vaccine.
I’ve had a very similar reaction. I’m 55 and got the first Shingrix dose Oct 2018. I did not get the 2nd shot. I got the shot in my left arm (I’m right hand dominant). For about 4 days, it felt like someone punched me in the arm. I also had fatigue and fever for 24 hours. Then I noticed it was painful to use my arm, pick up objects, extend my arm, etc. The pain was mostly in my left elbow. I thought it was arthritis or tendonitis. I mentioned it to my Dr. but he wrote it off as getting older and aches and pains. It hurts when I sleep too. I can’t figure out why when it’s at rest that it hurts. I get some tingling at times too. My Dr. told me to take Aleve. I got a massage a few days ago hoping it would help but arm hurts worse and is bruised. It feels like I spent about an hour lifting heavy weights and its muscle fatigue and pain. I thought I was being paranoid, but now that I am seeing others reactions, I think this is from the vaccine. As much as I don’t want Shingles, I am afraid of what will happen after the 2nd vaccine and also worried that this pain I have now is permanent.
You are not paranoid. I am experiencing the very same symptoms. It’s has been 30 days since I got vaccinated. My left arm (injection site) has nerve pain and is no fun. No doctor can solve this. My hope is that eventually go away.
Was your shot administered correctly in the deltoid muscle? I have much the same in my arm, but my shot was given too low in the arm. If not given in the meaty part of the deltoid, an intramuscular shot can cause nerve damage, I’ve read. 🙁
I received the first injection in September and was terribly ill. Besides the common and NOT so common side effects I broke out in blisters on one side of my face including blisters on the rims of my eye lids. Without immediate treatment I could have been blinded. In spite of treatment, I was ill for nearly a month. Injection side swelling, fever, fatigue, aches, sleeping issues, arm pain, stomach issues, bathroom issues, rapid heartbeat and blisters on my face. My doctor agreed that I should NOT have the second shot. Even if she had not, I would have declined.
I had the first dose of Shingrix my doctor’s office administered and suffered no ill affects whatsoever.
I was surprised when told I needed to get a Shingrix injection and reminded them that I had the very first one when they received them. I didn’t realize there were two in the series. I had Shingles within a week from being released from the hospital for hip replacement surgery in 2016 and never wanted that experience again so I had no apprehensions getting the second shot, which took place on a Friday afternoon.
Monday morning, I left a tearful message for my doctor’s Medical Assistant complaining that there was definitely something wrong. I feared I was having an allergic reaction or something because the pain in my arm was unbearable. I take Percocet for pain for ever since I had extensive back surgery years ago, but it did absolutely nothing at all for the pain in my arm at the injection cite.
The Medical Assistant called me back and said they were surprised they didn’t hear from me after the first shot because virtually every one of their patients that had the first Shingrix shot contacted their office with complaints of horrible pain. She went on to say that several patients adamantly refused the second shot. I informed her that if I had this type of reaction to the first injection, there most definitely would NOT have been a second. But I consoled myself that I was spared any problems from the first shot.
It will be three weeks since the injection the day after tomorrow. I am STILL experiencing bouts of pain so bad they wake me up from a sound sleep, and it is virtually impossible to get back to sleep. Just when I think it may be letting up, the pain comes back in full force. Seriously??? Three weeks of what can only be described as hell. When will it end??? Or, will it end??? I keep trying to remind myself how miserable Shingles was and this is the means to an end. But Shingles eventually subsided. It was horrible. I woke up screaming in pain. But it did finally stop.
Is there any assurance this will ever subside??
I have absolute faith in my health care provider and feel she is THE BEST there is! But, because I was the first, I firmly believe if she had any inkling there was a possibility of this horrific agony, she would have warned me. It’s useless to regret my decision now. What’s done is done. But if I have to deal with this for the rest of my life, I have decided to use every method I can think of to get the word out to warn folks of what may be in store for them.
Does anybody have any suggestions for alleviating the pain? If I have to endure this for the rest of my life (and they live forever in my family), I fear that my quality of life will be ruined to the point of total despair.
I had the shingrix shot also, I am 77 years old and so sorry I had that shot.
I got a fever, chills, my arm hurt so much I cried, I felt so tired I just slept
And slept, it took 4 days until I felt better. I Still do not feel like I should,
And I blame it all on that darn shot! I felt great before I got it. I also wonder
How long this will last.
I think there should be an investigation by the FDA if enough people complained.
I agree whole heartedly that the pharmaceutical companies are just out to
Make money and do not care at all that it may hurt people
I took this vaccine this past Spring & Summer 2018. The first vaccine (Shingrix) really made my arm sore for several days. I didn’t expect that. After the second injection, I have had problems. For several months, both my legs & my left arm were so weak I could hardly use them. My Left arm was also very, very painful, especially in the joint. I actually got scared that the vaccine was going to cause permanent muscle damage to my arm & maybe other muscles in my body. My last injection was in June & I still have days where the pain is very strong & I can’t lift my arm past shoulder height. Right now as I type, I notice fatigue & weakness in my left arm. I accepted the vaccine when I went in for my yearly VA appointment. I should have known better than to take something that had not been out in the public long enough. I regret getting the vaccine & hope it doesn’t continue to affect muscles such as my HEART!
All good to know….after the fact.
I had a horrible reaction, knocked me down for 3 days, and I have had 6 severe skin rashes…the worst of which was on my FACE., which has caused scarring. Never again. Let me know when the costs action suit begins, I have pictures of the rash and scarring, which a dermatologist advised can only be fixed with extreme and costly dermabrasion or plastic surgery.
I had the new shingles vaccine. No problems.I had chicken pox as a child. I am 76 years old.
I had to be hospitalized (and missed two weeks of work and accumulated $1000s in medical bills) after my first shingles vaccine. Reaction started with fever and nausea, followed by numbness, tingling, and pain from head to toe. Also double vision and loss of balance. Diagnosis; inflammation of the brain and spine caused by adverse reaction to vaccine. Three months later I’m still experiencing tingling and numbness in my arms, back, and legs, along with weakness in my legs. Wondering if my body will ever feel normal again?
I have a lot of the same symptoms but can’t get help because no one seems to know what to do. Am very worried
I got the shot in October and it has ruined my life also. Same reaction you had. I will talk to my doc about the brain inflammation you experienced.
Kathy, my sister had these same symptoms and after two months we took her to to the ER in Pittsburgh. After previous testing at different hospitals showed nothing was wrong we finally got help in Pittsburgh. Until they did an MRI. It showed inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and also inner ear canal. She also had two spinal taps which showed inflammation. High doses of steroids helped the migraines and pressure felt in her head and ears. She is getting somewhat better but still dealing with a lot since her vaccination in November. She even went to Cleveland clinic and they agreed that everything was caused by the vaccination. She also got help and some relief from a dr that specializes in concussions. Please find yourself a doctor that will listen to you. The first time my sister went to the ER she was told she was having a panic attack…..WRONG!!! Drs need to start listening to their patients!!
I’m 51, got the Shingrix vaccine end of August. For the last 10 weeks I’ve had excruciating shoulder pain that has radiated down to my arms. At first I thought it was Bursitis. But looked in the calendar and it’s time for my 2nd shot, and it hit me…”I wonder if it could have been the shingles vaccine”. Sure enough, I’m reading stories similar to mine. It’s so painful at night at that I can’t find a comfortable position, and can’t sleep. My arm muscles (biceps, forearms and inner elbow joints feel like I lifted too many weights the day before. Can no longer open jars, lifts things, walk my dog. I cannot even make a muscle when I clench my fist anymore. I can’t take my shirts off and on anymore without extreme effort and pain. It’s as if the muscles have actually atrophied. I tried to throw something into the trash out of habit and it actually made me scream it hurt so badly. I’m usually really tough about pain…but this is ridiculous, and I am so pissed that it could be from this vaccine!!!
I had the Mew Shingles Vaccine shot in July 2018..let me tell you..my arm hurt so bad. Could not raise it..had a fever of oer 102° ..hurt all over..and was so tired..was in Bed for over 3 days..pharmacy just call me today finally for 2nd Shot..I really don’t think that’s a Good Idea!!!
Can shingles be taken with osteoporosis meds and or bioidentical hormone therapy meds
Still after researching questions of dexa scans..meds all different suggestions by different drs..opinions from research ctrs.can not get an actual picture of my bones..pharma companies making millions..now taking z score off dexa screenings. Who should we really trust..have me stressed out on this..no honest answers and among other things my poor husband went thru 4 bad ablations and a robotic surgery for afib in 2006 which we are no told no longer is done..any honest medical physicians facilities out there or are our bodies just a test to have drug companies make $$$off of us and same goes for surgeons on us hardworking US citizens. Sad???
My husband is diabetic on insulin and had leg amputation 1 1/2 yrs ago after 1st shot he developed large blister on toe end of Sept 2018 Blister wouldn’t heal Had 2nd shot around Nov 20th 2018 administer by VA. Toe turned black about 2 weeks later and had to be amputated I can’t help feeling this had something to do with blister he got to begin with. Maybe shot shouldn’t be given to everyone
Marcie- I’ve had a very similar reaction. I’m 55 and got the first Shingrix dose Oct 2018. I did not get the 2nd shot. I got the shot in my left arm (I’m right hand dominant). For about 4 days, it felt like someone punched me in the arm. Then I noticed it was painful to use my arm, pick up objects, extend my arm, etc. The pain was mostly in my left elbow. I thought it was arthritis. I mentioned it to my Dr. but he wrote it off as getting older and aches and pains. It hurts when I sleep too. I can’t figure out why when it’s at rest that it hurts. I get some tingling at times too. My Dr. told me to take Aleve. I got a massage a few days ago hoping it would help but arm hurts worse and is bruised. You described it well. It feels like I spent about an hour lifting heavy weights and its muscle fatigue and pain. I can lift my arm. I thought I was being paranoid, but now that I am seeing others reactions, I think this is from the vaccine. As much as I don’t want Shingles, I am afraid of what will happen after the 2nd vaccine and also worried that this pain I have now is permanent.
If you’ve ever seen anyone with post herpetic neurology than you will line up to get the vaccine. My wife has it now and it’s been three months since the blisters have left and she’s almost suicidal the pain is so bad. Numerous ER trips for a few hours of pain relief and the pain comes back by the time we get home. I had the old Zoster shot years ago and got the first dose of Shingrix two months ago and when I get to the front of the waiting list for the second shot I’ll be there when they open the door. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. It’s bad people.
My wife still has post herpetic neurophy after shingles and it’s not getting any better. We are afraid it will be a lifetime issue. DO NOT GET SHINGLES !
I got my first shingles shot on Monday morning at 8:00 am. By Monday night my arm was getting real sore and my back was aching. So I went to bed at about 9:00 pm. At 2 am my wife woke me up asking what was wrong. I was shaking so bad I woke her up. Every bone in my body hurt and I was freezing. Slept all Day and night Tuesday no energy and just felt awful. Today is Thursday and I’m just starting to feel like myself. But I’ve had friends and family suffer with shingles and believe me it lasts a lot longer than a few days.
I had a vaccination against shingles 5 years ago and got shingles after 2 years in my right ear. Had to go to the ER twice for the pain in my ear and head on the right side. Developed dizziness, which I have to this day. Tests were done and the result: permanent damage to the inner ear nerves. When I heard of this new vaccine Shingrex I had my first dose in September of this year and the second one 2 days ago. This time I seem to have more discomfort, swelling and a big red, sore bump on my arm. If this will subside and the flue like symptoms will disappear, i’ll be happy! Hopefully, I won’t develop the awful reactions which people are reporting here. I got to live with this debilitating dizziness and just hope not to get Shingles again. I am 76 years old.
The shingles vaccine was the only thing new in my life/diet/etc when I developed severe pain in my feet, swelling in my ankles and lower legs which became a severe red rash on my legs, arms and abdomen for weeks, doctors are “stumped” and even did a biopsy on the rash(waiting for results). I’m convinced it was all caused by this vaccine.
I got the first Shingrix dose four days ago (Dec. 17, 2018) and have had flu like symptoms starting the next day and still going strong. I’ve experienced cough, headache, fever, really sore injection site and fever along with a rash over my upper body. I’m hoping the next dose doesn’t cause such a severe reaction. I have taken flu vaccines for the last 20 years and never had anywhere near this level of reaction. I will have invested $300. in this preventative vaccine when all is said and done. Really questioning why the reactions are downplayed by medical folks,
I also just received my second dose. The first dose did not bother me. The second dose caused heart palpitations the next morning and extreme fatigue for 2 days. But what concerns me now is I have a pimple like area the size of a nickel next to my ear (same side as vaccine). I never have pimples. Hope it is just a coincidence.
Is there any danger (beyond not full protection) if I choose not to get the second shot of Shingrix? My reaction to the first was 3 days of flu-like symptoms and after reading the posts, I’m concerned the second shot might be even worse.
i am 82 years old and hardly have any area and discomfort more than a week a month —
should i considered such vaccine? is it worth it for me?
In the summer of 2018, my wife had the second Shingriz injection. A few hrs later she almost died – REALLY!! She is allergic to bee stings so she always has her Epi-pen close at hand, thank goodness. A while after the injection of the second dose of Shingrix, she told me she was having the same reaction as a bee sting (no bee sting, however)and in minutes she was having an anaphylactic episode. She injected herself with her Epi-pen, we jumped in the car and halfway to the hospital, she collapsed on my shoulder and said, “I don’t think I’ll make it.” The ER docs and nurses were fantastic and a few hrs later she was discharged. Bottom line – be extra careful with Shingriz if you have allergic reactions!! Not sure it’s ready for prime time.
My wife almost died from an allergic reaction from Shringrix. I posted her story and I was expecting it to be posted in the hope I could help others. However, I don’t see it on this blog, why? Shingrix is potentially fatal for those who have previously suffered from anaphylaxis.
Not overacting as we have an ER experience to prove it.
I got my first Shringrix shot in August 2018. My arm was sore and I didn’t feel very well but that all went away in about 2 days. Then I started to notice how sore my joints felt and my muscles felt sore and I had aches and pains in my legs and arms. To be honest I did not immediately connect it to my Shringrix shot. It has steadily gotten worse and it is now hard to sleep. my arms and shoulders ache all the time. Sometimes it is a low-level manageable ache and sometimes it is incapacitating. I can not sleep at night and the throbbing muscle spasms in my legs wake me up throughout the night. My knees are sore and I feel very fragile. I can not believe this has happened. The doctors deny it is connected to this shot but too many people are experiencing this for it to all be a coincidence. The shot is not available now for the second dose as they say there is just too much demand and they will let me know when it is my turn. I will not get another shot and I truly believe they are trying to keep us calm without admitting they are trying to figure this out. Today my pharmacist said that no one nationwide has the shot available as the CDC says they are trying to produce enough vaccine to release so it covers second doses and new patient vaccinations. I don’t believe them. I think they are holding back while they try to get a handle on what is happening. I have very little faith we are being told the truth. I am trying to tell myself that these side effects will lessen and eventually go away. I am just not sure I will ever feel healthy and whole again.
I am 62, I had chickenpox as a child. I received the second new shingles shot two weeks ago. I am a teacher, never a sick day taken in all my years. I now have shingles from the shingles shot. I have, HAD a perfect immune system. Should have never listened to my doctor.
I got the Shingles two days after receiving the Shingrix vaccine on 12/28/2018. Not A happy camper as I thought this was supposed to PREVENT them.
I am a 60 yo female, I am in good health, exercise and eat well.
My husband and I got our first shot 3 days ago.
Both of us felt bad the next day with flu like symptoms. The next day we were feeling better but by noon I was getting extreme inflammation in both leg nerves.
I now have extreme pain at bottom of foot the nerve ending. It does not respond to ice. I have a feeling of chills, virus caused. I did have Valcyclovir and so started using that. I hope it will modify the response. I would recommend anyone considering this vaccine to have Valcyclovir available just in case as it can be used for
Shingles. I am on crutches and waiting for inflammation to subside, God willing. I am not going to get the second shot. I am concerned about this vaccine rollout as a giant experiment on the public. When you research it you find only 1 of 4 people get shingles and if you can use antiretrovirals to limit the response why in the hell would you take a chance on a vaccine?. No more vaccines for me.
Because the anti-virals do nothing. They’re supposed to help lessen the Shingles severity, but I sure didn’t notice anything lessening, and I took them immediately even before the rash appeared – (maybe it would have been worse). I definitely would not rely on the anti-virals as a defense or modifying the response. Nope.
Leah:
They have helped prevent outbreaks of herpes simplex 1 [ cold sores] for me.
Here’s the problem: I started on ZOVIRAX [ brand name] years ago. Worked great as a maintenance dose.
Now, because Brand names are expensive, and generic is available, not all pills are created equal.
I did some research on meds and according to an article on the Bloomberg web site, 80% of ingredients in generic meds used in USA come from India and China.
Makes me wonder where Glaxo gets their ingredients for SHINGREX.
Thank you for posting our story. I should have mentioned that after my wife was discharged from the ER, we called the CDC and left a message outlining her experience with Shringrix with the name and address of the hospital. We didn’t hear back with a few days so we called again and left a second message. Still no return call from the CDC.
I became very ill from the first and now from the second vaccine. I also have a rash. My arm is painful throughout including under my arm.
I received the flu shot in early September, followed by the Shingrix shot in early October. I was perfectly healthy at the time of the shots.
6 weeks later I started having tingling and burning in my feet, then I lost the use of my legs and had to drag myself around, my knees would buckle, I suffered extreme fatigue, I had trouble holding my urine, had diarrhea. Then the tingling and burning moved up to my groin area. Then I had trouble swallowing my food and developed a cough. Finally went up to my neck area.
I had episodes of dizziness and lose of balance. I fell all the time. I needed help getting out of my chair. I still have the symptoms.
NO WAY DO I GET THE SECOND SHOT!
I received my first shingles shot in september. I came down with shingles two and a half months later. Prior to the shingles outbreak I had inflammation in my right knee so bad I couldn’t walk until I got on prednisone for six days.
I received the LIVE singles shot when I turned 60. Five years/tears ago. Worst thing I could have ever done to my body. I had never had shingles until I received that shot. It was a very bad case of shingles and I can honestly say it took me a good two months to feel like myself again. Never again, and I will continue to tell about my experience to anyone who will listen in the hope that they can be spared some of the misery I endured. I don’t believe our bodies can handle all the injections we are told will help us or as they say, lessen the effects of shingles should we get it. BS! No more shingles or even flu shots for me, I AM DONE!
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I received shringex shot in May 2018 and I am still suffering! DO NOT get the shot, I want to prevent needless suffering! I was perfectly healthy before shringex shot. I am 60 but feel like I’m 90. A few days after shot, I felt sick, nausea and fever, in bed for five days with excruciating pain. Went to doctor, did blood work, diagnosed with “reactive arthritis” and told me to see a rheumatologist. Out of work for a month, had never called in sick in eleven years! Swollen ankles, pain all over, could hardly walk. Lost 30 pounds. Thought I must have cancer! Went to multiple doctors, had numerous scans
Xrays. They didnt know what was wrong with me. All my bloodwork was normal, except for some inflammation. Second opinion rheumatologist said NOT reactive arthritis. Finally a heumatologist said yes it may be due to the vaccine. I am STILL suffering. Pain in shoulders, arms, and a lot of pain in legs. Complete fatigue. I struggle to go to work each day. I experienced depression. I was even told by one doctor it was all in my head! What a complete nightmare looking for answers. I know the answer, it was that shingles shot that ruined my health. Hopefully I will recover eventually.
Did you’re doctor say you should get better? I got my 2nd shot in September and still struggling with severe pain in both my legs. It started about 11 days after I got the second one. I’m so hoping it will go away but has it done nerve day or something? The pain is horrible. Plan to call Doctor again, who thought I had “alittle arthritis “ in my knees and gave me injections, I got some relief but it’s not my knees that hurt so badly. It is my calf and thighs. Also having spasms up and down my legs especially at night. I was walking 3 miles before work every day before this shot. Now I struggle to get up my steps. I truly believe it was the vaccine.
I got my 2nd shot 9/26/18 and on 9/29/18 i had severe kidney pain knee swelled up couldn’t walk.went to dr put on meds then left knee had same issues. its now 3/4/19 and still in pain walking is a problem.still undiagnosed.i have found a few post’s with same symptoms
I had no oriblems with my first shingrix shot, other than pain at the injectiin site. The night after my second ahot I experienced about two hours of chilks and was fatigues the next day but have had no lingering effects. I am so glad I got the shot and so glad I’ve got only a 10% chance if getting shingles—never had the, din’t want them—-ever.
I had the original Shingles shot 10 years ago after a facial bought with shingles. No reaction. Now I have had the the secondary vaccine. Both shots in the space of 4 months. For me the shots were a combination of being kicked by a mule where the shot was given. A 3 inch wide rash and pain in legs, weakness several hours after getting the shots. All in all it is still a small price to pay for the shingles pain on my face when I had the shingles. Your odds of getting shingles as you age doubles every ten years and 1 in 3 will have had them by age 80. You will never forget the pain of shingles. A friend of mine in his late 70s had shingles for 6 months and it almost killed him. SO you have to be the judge. Talk to your doctor first. Sometimes the supply is hard to get and you may have to get on a wait list.
Had the vaccine in July of 18 and a month later had unexplained rash under both arm pits which itched…took over a month to go away, but came back after the flu vaccine in Oct of 18. Rash was more mild, but took a few weeks to disappear. I was not going to get the second vaccine, but my doctor convinced me to do so and the rash was not related th shingles. Received the 2nd vaccine in Jan 19 and for 24 hours had severe flu like systems. All side effects were gone except for wheezing after a few days. Both shots/vaccine left my arm swollen and painful for 3 days. My wheezing never went away and am now being treated for pneumonia and bronchitis. I think the 2nd vaccine is causing all of this. Prior to the vaccines never had any medical concerns…I am now 60 and am worried what kind of damage has been done. I do not recommend rje Shingrix vaccines. Please say a prayer for me.
I got the shingrix shot Dec. 12th 2018 and the next week I was showing my GP itchy red bumps on the opposite arm that I could not explain. Not painful, but very itchy. She agreed that it looked like it could be related to chicken pox/shingles, but not sure. They went away within a week, but more bumps arrived a couple weeks later on the arm below where I was given the shot, and on my neck. I am using a topical anti-itch cream to control it. I hope this will be the end of it. After reading all this I am sorry I did the first shot.
If you get a flu shot you may get slight flu symptoms. So what, it’s not a big deal.
I got the first shingles shot and got mild shingles symptoms. Again, so what, it’s Norma big deal.
So now I go back for the second shot and it’s not available. This is because of all you whiny a$$ bitches complaining of mild discomfort.
I hope you realize the misery that shingles will give you. Because now your not going to be vaccinated and will be at risk for the rest if your life.
So when you get shingles please don’t complain because you have already made your decision to take the chance.
My husband has been in pain for two years and some days can barely walk. He has been to the Mayo Clinic, University of Rochester and Columbia University and all saying they can just guess at treatments. Do you have documentation of shingles lasting 2 years or taking away your ability to walk? Take your snarky dismissive attitude somewhere else. Many of the people here are describing debilitating side effects that exceed the average shingles outbreak and your callous dismissal of their suffering is reprehensible!
I have found Doctors and pharmacists under-disclose the significant number of people who get a two day, flu like reaction to both first and second shots. The Doctor from the CDC, on the other hand, notes this is a prevalent reaction. Symptoms are like a moderate short flu – aching muscles, joints, creakyness, tiredness, that come on about 5-8 hours after the shot. People taking this excellent defensive injection should be advised to time it so they have 2 days of possible rest and lower functionality after the shot. Not a fun injection, but far better than getting shingles – whose possible after- effect complications can be truly nasty and long lasting.
My husband has had the shingles for months and I can assure you he would pay any amount of money to not have them. he has been miserable for months. I had the vaccine and my arm was very sore for a few days but it is worth it if I avoid the shingles.
I have a prescription for the two shingle shots. I am so glad to be able to read all these comments from your readers. I have changed my mind about getting these two shots. So many people suffered the SAME problems after the shots. That is terrible….muscles, legs, face, neck, and ear problems! IF I get the shingles, I will just grin and bear it until gone. I really thank all your readers for their input.
I took a chance and got this shot and I am really sorry I did. Since then my glucose has been impossible to control, white cell and lymph count shot up, extreme and long periods of fatigue. The bicep pain lasted several days and soreness lasted close to a month. This shot may end up being the death of me. GlaxoSmithKline is an evil corporation with history of criminal convictions of lying about the effectiveness of their drugs and their horrible side effects including death. The hyped-up trials GSK paid-for finding 95% effectiveness are probably just pure BS. And lots of people complaining on Internet everywhere about serious side effects of Shingrix. GSK is a pack of evil elitist criminals who think they deserve to get rich while cleansing the Earth of the “burden” of the majority of its working and middle classes. If you value your health, don’t use anything this company sells.
I had the singles shot (RZV) on Saturday, January 12, 2019. I had no soreness or other reaction that day. On Sunday morning, January 13, 2019, I woke up with extreme dizziness while I was lying flat. I was actually unable to get up and walk. I also had chills and nausea. I was transported by ambulance to the ER. Many tests were performed and nothing was found. I can’t help but think it was a very severe reaction to the immunization. I am wondering if my PCP will/will not recommend that I get the second shot.
I am considering getting the vaccine. I am also a nurse. In looking over the comments regarding arm pain/issues following injections, I would offer this anecdote.
My daughter worked at a large grocery chain that has a popular pharmacy. Since they offered free employee flu shots she got one. The day after her shot she started having problems with her arm. Pains shooting up and down, weakness, occasional numbness, etc.
After questioning her about where she got the shot, it appears it was given fairly high up, less into the “meat” of the deltoid muscle. She observed that was where all the shots were injected. I actually went there and observed myself. Sure enough, that’s how the pharmacists were doing it.
Now I have nothing against pharmacists. But if some have been improperly taught how to administer intramuscular injections, this may account for some problems.
It took her over 6 months and physical therapy to get back on track. Her md thinks there was nerve damage.
Ever since then we have only gotten vaccinated at our doctors office. The problem now is many doctors are not buying the shingrix as it’s cheaper to send their patients to the chain drug stores.
I had the new shingles shot in May 2018. Shortly after that my left leg went to “sleep “ and has not woke up yet. I went to emergency and had all kinds of tests. They thought at first it was a stroke. NO Signs of that. I have been to many Drs and the only conclusion is that it was the result of the singles shot. Needless to say I never had the second one. The last Dr said it is called transfer myelitis. So I am stuck feeling like I am dragging a lead left leg with my at all times. Hard to get around.
TRANSVERSE Myelitis
I received my first dose of Shingrix on Sept. 17. In addition to the site pain (which I expected), my entire body felt miserable all night. Less than 20 hours later, I suffered a pontilar stroke (in my brainstem) and was ambulanced to the hospital. Fortunately, the stroke was minor and I was sent home with an aspirin and Plavix regimen. I spoke to one doctor who said that vaccines can prompt the Fight or Flight Response, which can include hypercoagulation, and that may have brought on the stroke.
Four weeks later, I suffered an epidural hematoma in my spine (worst pain that I’ve ever experienced). Another ambulance ride! I quickly became paralyzed from the waist down until they were able to get some steroids in me and some platelets to stop the bleeding. Since I was improving and gaining my feeling back in my legs, the neurosurgeon wanted to forestall a laminectomy intended to relieve pressure from the bleed, which he said was most likely caused by the Plavix.
Now I have mostly recovered and am only dealing with some sciatic pain down one leg and overall weakness. What a fun ride! Am I taking the second dose of Shingrix? As my doctor said, shingles may hurt like hell, but they’re unlikely to kill me. The vaccine just might.
I got the shingrix shot (first dose) in Oct 2018) along with the flu shot. Left me very achy and sore for several days, esp the arm i got the shingrix shot in. Tomorrow I’m due to get the second and final dose. While i don’t look forward to the shot or the soreness, I watched my roommate as he dealt with shingles 3 years ago and still has issues with it to this day. He will also be getting this shot soon, due to insurance issues.
I am 62 yrs old. Had what my Dr. deamed, the worst case of shingles she’d seen in her 24 years of practice. It looked as if I had 3rd degree burns. I could not take the medicine they gave me at the ER, to lighten its duration, because I got an “instant” debilitating migraine. Gabapentin, Morphine, Hydrocadone, you name it.. nothing took the pain away. I felt as if I were being burned alive and surgically cut open without anesthesia! Believe it or not, Enduring the pain of rubbing peroxide on it all, really dried it all up, ICING the entire area, before peroxide, Benadryl and Ibuprofen, helped better than all else. That all happened when I was 56 years old. I have PERMENANT nerve damage now.. extreme nueropathy from the shingles. Having been there, I was definitely one who advertised the shingles immunization. But after reading the ingrediences in both types of shingles vacs, and hearing these horror stories of side affects.. I have reconcidered calling it quits on my advertisements! Even though at this exact moment, my uncle (66yrs old) is suffering from a severe case of shingles that started the very next morning after getting his flu-pneumonia- pertusis- hepititis and so on, vacinations. Curious as to whether or not they slipped the shingles vac in with all the rest. ( he didn’t get all vacs the same day, it was a period of 1-1/2 weeks. But right after his last pertusis +vac. ) Grant it, his shingles might not be from his vacs, but attacked the area.. sore and vulnerable. when his defense mechanisms were compromised. Wholy cow, may you all get through such an attack!
Wow.
Sorry. That is a horrendous story.
I am one of the many people who are suffering from the new Shingles vaccination. My glucose shot up to 357 for several days! I manage my diabetes very well and this was a shock to me. My biceps became so sore I could barely move my arms; my knees were in extreme pain, could barely walk and the fatigue is extremely bad. It has been 1 month since the shot and I feel like an invalid. If I had known this would be the reaction (after the second) shot I would have NEVER, NEVER gotten vaccinated! My life feels like it has been ruined. I am hoping and praying this shot did not give me a horrible debilitating disease. I want to feel like myself again instead of being weak and very sore all over. Someone should sue Glaxo company for what they have done to us!! “What are they trying to do….THIN the herd”
I had side effects from the first shot and the second. My right arm hurt worse than it did after right shoulder surgery. I started having weird sensations around my toenails and a couple of fingernails. I had foot pain I have never had in my life. Went on and off for 3-4 months. I also developed dry eyes and mouth and skin. Looking back on it I am positive the Shingles shot played into all of it. We were selling our house and downsizing so I was busier than ever. I said STRESS was the reason. It surely played into it but it didn’t cause all the misery those shots did. I also have refused to get the flu shot this years. No thanks. I have had that shot every year for 15 years. My body has been through enough. I have had Shingles. I had the first shot they came out with. Now these two. No more for me. I am 67.
I had both. No side effects. It’s worth it.
An article on web M.D. about the vaccine and it’s effectiveness talked about a trial of 14,000 people. Aftet four years (the stated length of effectiveness of the vaccine) the number of people who received the placebo who developed shingles was lower than the percentage that is mentioned for your chances of getting shingles in the first place.
This is a follow up to my first post on December 17.
I thought symptoms had gone away but not so. The last week I have not been able to walk as I have pain inflammation of my leg nerves. I have been using Valcyclovir but it seems to be resistant. If you have a prior PHN condition I would recommend to NOT get this vaccine.
Doctors are not picking up on this. It is adding insult to injury.
I am hoping I can heal.
I am in my fifties and thought I didn’t need to vaccine because of my exceptional diet, exercise and overall lifestyle habits. Well… I was wrong. I am currently suffering through Shingles. Trust me, you do not want to go through this. I am fortunate that it is not on my face and am hopeful I will avoid complications; however, I plan to get the vaccine as soon as this outbreak is cleared up to minimize my chances of recurring Shingles. I have never had a flu shot and have been suspicious of vaccines. However, in this case I think it is smart to weigh the risks of an adverse reaction to the vaccine against the risks of getting Shingles. If I could do it over again, I would get the vaccine.
My husband had the first shot of the new Shingles shot. Started experiencing more and more symptoms of reaction. Spiked b.p., headache, almost passed out, Gillian Barre Syndrome.. He is now in the hospital. Is receiving immune globulin by i.v.. Was fine until he had the shot. Has had cat scan, MRI, spinal tap, etc. to find cause. He is in good health, found nothing that would warrant I’ll health except the shot. We are waiting on spinal tap results. Don’t take new shingle shot
I had the shingles vaccination about six or seven months ago. and I have been in pain with my arm ever since and I mean it’s bad. Does anybody know anything that will help
I had the first shot for shingles, it didn’t bother me but when I got the second one my arm hurts so bad I can’t even raise my arm up in the air and that has been seven months so think twice before you get these shots.
I had the 2nd Shingrix vaccination last week. Almost now reaction to either — a little soreness in the arm after both.
I agree with Jean who stated that really good health habits may help prevent or lessen many diseases including shingles. I’m not sure that I ever had chicken pox and don’t intend to get the vaccine. I wonder what many vaccines do to our immune systems. It’s the long term effects that I’m concerned about. I recently lost my husband to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He never had shingles or the vaccine but he did have two doses of pneumonia vaccine. Something over stimulated his immune system and initiated a healing response (the formation of uncontrolled scar tissue in the lungs). It may have had nothing to do with the vaccines, but who knows?
I have had shingles eight times, so I keep oral Valacyclovir, along with topical Denavir cream on hand at all times. I was approved to get the Shingrix vaccination almost a year ago, but it has been on back order from the manufacturer. Each time CVS received any, they were giving it to those who had already received the first shot. I was finally able to get my first shot on January 17, 2019. It was given in my left shoulder, and within hours, my arm almost felt paralyzed with pain. I could barely move it. Felt like I’d been lifting weights for days. The pain kept me awake it was so intense, then all of the “flu” type symptoms began. I have been exhausted, no energy. The “flu” type symptoms left after three days. It’s been six days now. My left arm still has sharp, stabbing pain. It’s difficult to move it or lift anything. Now a bruise has formed where the injection was given, and a faint but definitive flat, red rash (NOT Shingles) appeared on my left arm this morning. It looks almost like sunburn, but in a very jagged pattern. For the past four days, my toes (not my entire foot) will go numb. This alternates between left and right feet. Never experienced that before the vaccination. I had a regular check up at my doctor yesterday, and he listened to my lungs, no issues. Began coughing today. No nasal drip or congestion, feels like there’s a tickle in my chest. I still feel completely drained, no energy. I was told that this vaccine is not “live”, but I feel the same as I do when I have an outbreak of shingles, only without blisters. If these symptoms persist, I probably will not get the second vaccination.
I had the second shot yesterday. I came home and did not feel well. I was so exhausted I crawled into bed early. Today I have felt like I am dying all day. I am exhausted and my head is killing me. Now I believe I know why. I guess I am having vaccine side effects. Everything hurts.
Before I even got the shingrix vaccination June of 2018 I talked to my medical professional to see what her recommendations was ? At the time I had experienced pain from constant outbreaks of shingles she told me because I didn’t have any blisters to go ahead she even went to the CDC site to read what the side effects was and since she reported it was very mild I went ahead and got it especially when I found out how fast it was running out. Let me say I’ve had many shots in my lifetime and this shot flat out hurt I kept moving my arm like I was instructed to do on my way home ..by night time it was sensitive to the touch and by the next morning I couldn’t even get a box of cereal.. now I began to experience red small bumps on my right hip I had pain and than my body literally felt like it was getting shock waves down my arms, in my mouth, scalp, down my legs so I called a good pharmacist that I trusted and told her about my constant breakouts and what was happening and she told me because I already had pain the shot fired up my nerves on overdrive .. it was then she highly cautioned me not to get the 2nd one.. about 2 days later I got ugly sores on the side of my mouth and pain that radiated all over my face I went to my doctor and they said it was associated with the shot because it’s a dead virus.. news flash Doc it was from the shot and no I’m not putting my body through hell again I know how awful shingles can be I’ve had them many times, but never did I go through what I did and still do following this shot.
To those contemplating it I would suggest you read here and do your own research and come to your own decision! For those still suffering my heart goes out to you.
Thanks everyone for sharing the effects of the shingles vaccine. I am so sorry to hear how so many have suffered from that vaccine. I made my decision not to get it. My pharmacy just called me that my vaccine has arrived and I almost got it. So glad I didn’t and I cannot thank everyone enough who posted the ill-effects you experienced. I’d rather get the shingles, although I know it must be painful, but not as painful as what I have read some of you have been experiencing from the vaccine shots. Thanks again and may the LORD heal everyone who is still suffering from the shots..
I have had a total knee replacement, two toe fusions, bunion surgery, two natural childbirths, extensive oral surgery, and two other surgeries. NEVER have I been in so much PAIN. Tomorrow begins the third week. I have not left my home, worn a bra or slept. I wake up while on Ambien and cry!
All this and I have been told I have a very high pain tolerance. I have been on a waiting list for six months, waiting for the new vaccine. I WILL TAKE IT!!! If you have never have Shingles you have no idea of what you are talking about. I will take a week of soreness never to go through this again!!!!!
I am 75 years old and in good health. I had the first shingles vaccine in August 2018 and the second one two months later in October. No reaction to the first but a terrible experience with the second one. I got the second shot at 10:00 a.m and by 5:30 I had terrible chills, my whole body was shaking, my teeth chattering. I couldn’t get warm so got into a hot bath which did help but I became very light headed, weak and nauseous. I barely had the strength to get out of the tub, threw up, and could hardly get my pajamas on and actually crawled into bed. I fell asleep and woke the next day glad to be alive. I was weak the whole next day but gradually recovered.
I first had shingles after childbirth 35 years ago. Doctors said there was nothing they could do and it could last a month or 6 months. Was told you could only have shingles once and only on one side of the body.
SURPRISE!! In Nov of 2015 I had an outbreak that started with extreme pain in my left shoulder blade which is exactly what happened after child birth. I then had bumps on that side of my back to my waist. Extreme pain for 6 weeks, but bumps never itched or crusted over. In June of 2016, I again suffered a break out of bumps without the shoulder pain but it was BILATERAL on both sides of my back. Still no real crusting or itching. In August of 2016, I had another outbreak with huge itching hives on right side of my body but still no crusting. I took acyclovir each time. Then I went to homeopathic methods of taking Vitamin B Complex Vitamin C and L-Lysine to strengthen my immune system. I did not get the original shingles vaccine because it was a live vaccine even though doctors thought I should.
When the Shingrix vaccine was announced and NOT a live vaccine, I studied long and hard and then decided to get it because I didn’t want shingles again. Got the last dose anywhere in my city In August of 2018. Couldn’t lift my left arm for a week. I had bruising at the site and arm was hard as a rock in that area, swollen and couldn’t sleep on that side or even touch without pain, In October, I hurt my left knee and got a cortisone shot in it on Nov. 3. Immediately got a stye in my left eye which I have never had before and it wouldn’t go away. Then got bronchitis and took 2 doses of antibiotics to cure. Was told it was was safe to get vaccine even after a cortisone shot.
In December I went looking for my second dose of shingrix and again couldn’t find any in my town. I went out of town about 4 hours north and found 1 dose. On Dec 18, 2018 I got the Pharmacist to give the shot a little lower on my left arm and no problem until 12 hours later when I woke in the middle of the night with the symptoms so many have described before like pain at injection site but not nearly as bad as before.. but with added symptoms like…nausea/throwing up/bathroom issues/teeth chattering/chills/very tired etc. This went on for several days and then except for getting sick a lot when I ate, I seemed to be better after about a week.
On Dec 27, I awoke sick on my stomach in the middle of the night and also discovered I was passing red blood from my bowels which had never happened before. Only lasted about 12 hours and then hasn’t occurred again. I also felt cold inside and couldn’t get warm and that still continues. I also continue to feel tired etc. Then I got a cold sore which I have never gotten before.
This week I went for a physical and got blood work done. My blood pressure was 160/110 and I have never had anything close to that before. Now I am dealing with that issue and for the last two days my legs and arms and muscles have been aching like crazy. Plus my, hands and feet have numbness and joint aches. Don’t know if this is related or not but have to get to the bottom of this quickly. Could be from the blood pressure issue or something new.
I am under a lot of stress, so that may be a factor but some of these events are definitely related to the second shot. Until then, I seemed to be perfectly fine; took no kind of meds at all, even though I am 69 years old…. until the second shot. I am now wondering how long the effects of this shot can last and if problems will continue to pop up with time. I notice several of you reference spike in blood pressure but wonder if any of you have that problem over time or any other of my symptoms as more time passes. Right now I feel like I am having a repeat of the original symptoms with some add- ons. Guess I will now have to get treatment for high blood pressure and just hope nothing else crops up and some of the other symptoms get better, Have a doctor’s appointment on Wed so maybe I can get some answers at least on the blood pressure issue then.
I thought yesterday I might have an outbreak of shingles again because I had bumps and red spots right at the base of my spine that itched, but I put cortisone cream on it last night and it doesn’t itch but I can’t see what type of bumps are there because of where it is located. I hope it isn’t shingles again.
For myself, I feel like the shingles has been so sort of mutant strain because of the way it has presented itself and the number of times I have had it.
I hope we all get some answers soon and that there won’t be lasting effects for many of us who had the shot so that none of us will have to ever have shingles or suffer another outbreak of this hideous disease.
Had the first shot and no side effects. Had the second one (60 days later) on Dec. 1. My arm still hurts like hell. Dr. said it will go away, eventually. At least I’m protected. Had Stevens Johnson ten years ago, in ICU for 2 months. Don’t need another major illness.
Yeah, had the second dose at Walgreens last night. Today, I feel yucky — seems worse than the first shot. Headache. Upset stomach. Muscle aches. Slight fever. Arm hurts.
I never get sick.
The reason for me getting the vaccine is that many of my uncles got shingles and that’s really icky. Some had lasting, life-long effects from the virus. Kind of scary.
So I opted for vaccine. I lived through the first installment, but this one seems worse. I am thinking I will eventually be fine. I am in at work today. And I hope that this prevention works.
I received the shingles vaccine when it first came out. I had never had chicken pox. I have had shingles twice since getting the vaccine.
I’m 55. When i receive my 1st shot within 6 hours i became so sick. I took Tylenol at the 1st sign of joint and muscle pain. It did not help. It put me in bed for a day and a half. I’m the kind of person that never get sick. I could not believe how a shot could put you down so fast. I told my doctor and he told me that I’m the 1st one that complained. I was reluctant to take the second shot. My wife even told me not to do it. But I did because I feared that I would get the shingles. So two months later I got the second shot and the exact same thing happened to me. This time I took it on a Friday knowing that if I did not feel good at least I wouldn’t have to take time off from work. Sure enough I was in bed sick flu like symptoms body aches and pains joint pain and it was miserable. Of course the wife said I told you so. Since then I don’t think I’m the same I get sick now easier then before I also get the flu shot every year. I don’t know if it’s related but something’s not right with me after the shingles shots. I just want to share my story so that people can be informed on the risks. More studies need to be done to understand the side effects and what they can do to you. I would have to say that what happened to me after my shingles shots that if I had a choice to do it all over again I would say no.
I agree I wish I had never gotten this first shot. Seven days later and I can not put any weight on my leg and my whole leg is so painful. I am afraid I am going to fall, in pain (8) all the time. I won’t get the second shot.
Here is my story – PART 1. I am committed since I already have taken the first Shingrix shot per the recommendations of my doctor and pharmacist. My pharmacist discouraged me last year as she did not have any experience with it, but this year she gave me the go-ahead. So, Wednesday (January 30), I got a shingles shot – and a flu shot and a pneumonia shot. Was tired and went to bed early. Both shoulders hurt a lot. For the first three hours, would wake up every five or ten minutes talking out lot. (I am not exaggerating.) After that, I fell asleep for longer periods of time (without talking in my sleep), but very uncomfortable due to painful shoulders. Sleep much of Thursday during the day (and during the night) more comfortably because I got a great big fat pillow which kept my sore shoulders off of the bed. Friday seems more normal. I worked out at the gym today. My work out is very intensive. I was able to maintain peak performance for all exercises despite my right shoulder hurting like heck. (The Shingrix shot was in the left shoulder.) The only thing different was that my heart rate was the highest that I have recorded in many months. This evening I observe pinkness on my left shoulder/arm and seems warm to the touch. There also seems to be a similar, but smaller pink area on my right shoulder. (Is this my imagination?) As of Friday night, I don’t seem to have any nausea, flu-like symptoms, itching, anything like that. My left shoulder is tolerably sore. On the other hand [arm?]. I have actually screamed if I touched my right shoulder, however remember that is not the shoulder of the Shingix shot. So, that is my story so far after 3 days and at this point do not regret having gotten the Shingix shot. (The only thing that I question is the wisdom of getting all 3 shots – and a blood draw – on the same day.) Plan to record my progress periodically – unless is my last posting ??
I’ve just had the first shot. I did a lot of things immediately to increase circulation, reduce inflammation and use my arm muscles. The injection site was sensitive to even light touch for about three days and there was pain on moving my arm to the side, but that went away on day four or five. Now at day six, my arm is still warm and slightly swollen, but no pain. They say prevention is better than treatment and I’m not sure if what i did will help people who’ve had the shot a while ago, but give one or more of them a try if it makes sense to you.
Here’s what I did and why.
1) to prevent inflammation, used an ice pack day of shot for 10 minutes 3 or four times a day (one site recommended every hour or half an hour but I didn’t go that far.)
2) to prevent inflammation, took advil before shot and every six hours (to whatever max recommended dose is) as long as I felt pain.
3) To keep muscle limber and hoping the contractions would increase blood blow to move the medication out of my arm and into my blood stream to be eliminated quirer, Immediately began exercising very frequently. I did arm exercises, 10 reps every hours, without weights the first day, light weights the second day, usual weights the third and fourth. Shot is given in the deltoid muscles which abducts the arm (moves it sideways away from body) so that was
main one I did.
4) to speed healing, after a few days remembered i have arnica. began taking it orally often. occasionally rubbed arnica cream in arm.
5) To stop itching (which I read is part of the healing process….body releases histamine), began taking a 24-hour antihistamine. (I’m pretty allergic to cats and mold and some foods that contain histamine). Got immediate relief. Itching stopped and didn’t come back. But still taking antihistamine.
6) To speed healing, on six day, remembered I have a chinese healing remedy called dit da jao that martial artists use to recover from their injuries. Seems to be have made the injection site warmer and a bit blotchy, but it’s a warming remedy and when I’ve used it on bruises, the bruise gets discolored, so as of now it seems to be helping to resolve my reaction to the shot.
7) hot compresses can also be used for 10–15 minutes to warm the area, which gets the blood vessels to dilate and that brings in more blood which helps heal injuries faster. (it’s quicker to rub in some dit da jao so i’m using that warming method now. )
I have no recommendations for problems away from the injection site as I didn’t experience any. And if my arm is still swollen after a few days from now I’ll call my allergist.
You can read general recommendations about dealing with/preventing flu shot side effects. Different shot, but principles are probably the same.
Hope this helps someone.
I received my 2nd Shingles shot Thursday evening (1/31/19) on my way home from work. I stopped to pick up an antibiotic because of an on going sinus infection and the pharmacist said the dose was available. When I mentioned the sinus issue he replied that if I didn’t have a fever it would not be a problem. Well, if he had warned me about how much my shoulder would hurt, I would not have accepted the shot at that time. I could not sleep all night due to the pain in my shoulder. I took a shower at 2:00 in the morning, used an ice pack and motrin to try to reduce the pain. I still went to work on Friday. I don’t know how I made it through the day. My arm still hurts and I feel tired. I rested all day today. I hope that the pain goes away soon. I should have looked up all of your comments before I got the shot but I honestly did not expect this reaction. The first shot was not a problem. This shot is a whole different deal. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I hope that all of us with issues get better as soon as possible. I will be calling my doctors office Monday to report my reaction. I already called RiteAid and told the Pharmacist that I should have been warned about the reactions prior to being given the shot. No more shots for me without researching reactions first.
Had the first shot in Oct, the second one a couple of days ago. I felt flu like for maybe a couple of days after the first shot. The night after the 2nd shot was not fun: I felt cold, went to bed, a few hours later, woke up drenched in sweat. The next morning I rested, took a nap in the late morning and seemed much better, knock on wood. Ibuprofen on scedule helps a lot. One comment in all these preceding accounts was one made by “A shot in the dark January 14, 2019 at 1:30 pm”. Scroll back and read her account! This is written by a nurse and she says if a shot is not given correctly it can cause problems. Look on youtube for how to give a proper intramuscular injection of the deltoid muscle. Since most of these shots are being given by pharmacists, I suspect that some do it right and some don’t. This issue is worth a discussion with your doctor given people’s experiences here and the the nurse (aka”A shot in the dark”) on this site. It might be that part time shot givers are not the best plan.
You all need to research REVERSE VIRULENCE. NEVER EVER EVER GET A LIVE VACCINE PERIOD! Ron is an arrogant prick go look on pubmed there are many many articles showing the dangers of vaccinations.
ok.
However, Shingrex is an attenuated or “dead virus.
I’m 61, had old shingles shot a few years ago, no problems. Yesterday, I had the first dose of the two part shot. I am scared of what I’m reading. I woke in the middle of the night and still have the headache from hell. I felt so sick thought I would throw up, bit haven’t, thank God. Body aches, but I’m praying it’s from working in the yard. I don’t think I’ll get the second dose.
[email protected]
DO NOT TAKE THE SHINGLES VACCINE!!!
I had my first shot on March of 2018 at the suggestion of my general doctor, he also recommended me to take the Pneumonia vaccine…
Immediately after taking the first shot for Shingles I had a rush all over my body and felt very and I mean very weak…I am a very healthy person.
I took the shot on my left arm and immediately I felt so much pain that it has been impossible to lift the arm higher than shoulder level, even today (11 months after the first shot) I can not raise my left arm above my shoulder without much pain…I was asked to return in June for the second shot and I seriously though about not doing it, but decided to take it as I was half way already and I though I couldn’t get any worse…Well, BIG MISTAKE!!, after the second shot I felt so terrible and so weak that I was unable to do anything that required some physical endurance…Then my immune system was severely affected and I started getting many allergies, rashes, nose congestion, etc….My immune system after a year is so weak that I get colds, flu, etc. very easily…Before the shot last March of 2018, I had 23 consecutive years with no colds, flu, H1N1, etc.
This Shingles vaccine seems to be a $$$ greed scam of the labs without much scrutiny from our FDA who are also part of the business….
So again: DO NOT GET THIS VACCINE!!…I’ve been feeling like dying for a year and I may, and if you ask me: I seriously have been thinking if this is a “Population Control” vaccine.
I requested the Shingrix shot from my doctor yesterday. I wish I had an inkling of what was coming because I had important obligations that I needed to take care of today. Instead, I have wretched flu symptoms and was up all night shivering and whining. Mostly because I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Thank you for all your comments, at least I know a mend is on the horizon.
I am a fit and healthy 71 year old male. I ride over 2,000 miles a summer on my road bike and I alpine ski aggressively in the winter. I have never had a bad reaction to a vaccination. I had the first Shingrix shot with little side effect but the second shot knocked me off my feet for three days. I had sever flu like symptoms and loss of energy. Now six weeks later I still have not recovered the vigor I enjoyed prior to Shingrix. I am getting stronger but I am easily fatigued. Knowing what I know today I would not get the Shingrix vaccination.
I am am similar to you but my problem manifested it in sinus /asthma issues. Have you made a full recovery or are the problems persisting?
I received first vaccine May 2018 and had mild fever, aches for 2 days. Second vaccine in Oct. 2018, and haven’t been the same since. I have a moderate to severe rash that’s taken on many transformations. It’s extremely itchy and I haven’t slept in months. It looks pox like, or like bug bites. I was treated for scabies though there was no chance of my having scabies and the treatment, of course, did nothing. No cortisone cream, nor injection, nor course of prednisone has helped. Dermatologists are baffled. Biopsies of skin show nothing. Finding this site, I read another poster w/similar symptoms and I have long been convinced that the vaccine was the culprit. Any tips on eliminating? Naturopaths or other alternative solutions? Western and/or my GP, has not been helpful. But, this is a not a life worth living w/constant itch and no sleep!
@Cass my skin condition, red dots on arms, legs and abdomen that look similar to what photos of a measles rash looks like, has lessened but has still not completely gone away since November’s Shingrix shot. The biopsy showed vasculitis of the small blood vessels in my skin, common to reactions/allergies from medication. Medical doctors put be on steroid creams and prednisone, to no effect. I have had more luck, but not complete relief, from bathing daily with about 2 cups of Epsom salts and 2 cups apple cider vinegar in a full warm bath, as well as oral and topical CBD oils (no THC). As a healthy 53 year old male, the new Shingrix vaccine was the worst life decision I have ever made…
I had the first shot in October, along with the flu shot in the other arm. Let me tell you I have never felt closer to death-I’m serious. The joint pain was bad and the flu like symptoms were horrible.
Yesterday I had an appointment with the Doctor for something else and against my better judgement decided should go ahead and get the second shot while there. Despite having to drive in a snowstorm in Detroit and had to do some work around the house I decided to roll the dice and get it over with. I knew I didn’t have to leave the house for two days, or I would of had to blow it off. I was ok until last night when I was so zonked out of my mind and felt like crap. The joint stiffness was so bad I didn’t know if I could make it up to bed. I had to force myself to go through a stretching book I use just to be able to move. My shoulder was killing me but that was the least of my problems.
Sorry about the short novel-I will leave you with this-if you decide to get these shots do it on a Friday or sometime when you don’t have any commitments for a few days so if you get sick you can stay home! Good luck everybody!
Please, report your trouvbles with SHINGRIX to the CDC via VAERS. https://vaers.hhs.gov/ This is a vaccine adverse reaction reporting system.
Go to the “report an adverse event”: https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html
Please, report any problems with the SHINGRIX VACCINE to the VAERS system of the CDC through their web portal: https://vaers.hhs.gov/
Add details of an adverse vaccine event to: https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html
I had the Shingrix vaccine in early January. I had had an upper respiratory infection immediately following Christmas and felt another one coming on the day of the vaccine. Therefore I was not able to determine if I had any flulike symptoms due to the vaccine. I had a bit of discomforting at the injection site for about 3 days, but nothing major. I have had aches and pains, but I tend to have pain most days anyway. I have been a bit more fatigued, but aches and pains cause fatigue. I did increase my exercise routine staring Jan 2019 and take care of my granddaughter a couple of days per week. So I really can’t attribute my symptoms to the vaccine. I have always gotten flu and pneumonia vaccines without any side effects, so definitely not an antivaxer. I don’t know if I’m having an especially bad winter or if some of this may be due to th he Shingrix vaccine. I will wait for the better weather for the 2nd dose. I would never want to get Shingles, having seen my uncle go blind and a friend’s mom have lifelong neuropathy that surely ruined any quality of life.
My husband just had the first shot yesterday, he was persuaded at his annual physical to get it. He has been vomiting badly this morning, and says his arm is on fire. He is in bed and not at all well, which is extremely unlike him. I was thinking of getting it too as his doctor was so positive about it but after seeing how it has affected my (59 year old) husband I definitely won’t now! And having read several articles about it it now sounds as though side effects beyond just injection site pain and redness are very common. Clearly this isn’t being relayed to potential recipients beforehand so they can make an informed decision on whether to have it or not.
I just received the Shingrix on Monday within 24-hour I started experiencing shingles symptoms – burning feeling in my right ear and jaw, needles in my tongue and lips…no rash yet. The doctor didn’t think this was shingles but did put me on anti-virals on Friday. Sure sounds like shingles to me.
Hi Stacy! Although I was sad to read about your experience of Shingrix causing a sense of “needles in your tongue and lips,” it was helpful to know I wasn’t alone in experiencing a similar reaction. How are you feeling now? Did you find anything that worked for you?
I got my first Shingrix shot on April 12 and within 5 days my tongue and the inside of my mouth were burning. It felt like little bumps on the inside of my cheek. I have been taking a RX topical Acycolvir for my lips due to continued outbreaks for the past year. I have had Shingles at 17 years old, the live Shingles shot at age 60 and continual minor outbreaks of Shingles on the left side of my face from ages 62-63. I am worried about getting the 2nd dose. At the same time, I’m already vulnerable to getting Shingles. I recently discovered that I have Hashimoto’s Disease impacting my thyroid and impairing my immune system. From the vaccination, It feels like I have shingles inside of my mouth. When I called my doctor’s office about this concern, they contacted the CDC, but did not have any info on this type of side effect. Any thoughts about this? Many Thanks! Susie
I received the first Shingrix vaccine in November 2018. Used my left arm deltoid muscle. Side effects were As discussed with the Nurse Practitioner : arm pain, fatigue, some redness at the injection site. All resolved over 4-5 days.
In January 2019 I received my second dose. Again, side effects were discussed and experienced. Although the NP warned side effects were sometimes more with the second dose. Flu like symptoms, mild fever, arm pain. But this time I felt tingling in the thigh area enough so I thought there would be a rash. There never was a rash and all symptoms cleared in about 4-5 days.
Like many contributors here, I have seen the devastating effects of shingles on friends and family. To me the side effects were worth the risk of using this vaccine.
I have a personal health history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism.
DO NOT GET THE SHINGRIX VACCINE!!
I’m a healthy 52 yo female. Got 1st vaccine in April 2018. Had expected flu like symptoms for 2 days.
Got 2nd vaccine in August, same flue like symptoms. On the 3rd day after vaccine my upper arms and neck had a rash and was itching so bad I was almost going into fits.
Took bynadryl, used otc anti itch cream to no avail.
After a month I visited my regular doctor. He said it should clear on it’s own. After another month with no sleep and no relief and wishing to die I went back. He referred me to an allergist. Did allergy tests that were all negative. He prescribed 2 Allegra and 1 Zyrtec per day. This provided the most reliiid had in months, but I was still worried because there was still some itching.
So I visited a dermatotand was told that the SHINGRIX vaccine is so powerful that it can take up to a year for the immune system to calm down from it.
They said it causes your mast cells to swell and leak histamine which causes the itching.
It’s been 6 months since the last vaccine and I’m still taking 2 Zyrtec per day and my chin and neck are still itching, but my arms have gotten better.
My joints are more painful as well. The physiological effects from the intense itching are as bad as the itch itself.
I wouldn’t recommend this vaccine to my worst enemy.
Please beware,and BE AWARE, what you allow to be put into your body. It can ruin your life!!!
I also would recommend NOT getting the Shingrix vaccine!!
The symptoms are debilitating. For both shots, I was in bed for 2 days straight and suffered symptoms similar to a very bad case of the flu…..headaches, fever, severe body aches, dizziness, sleeplessness, etc., etc. I would recommend some healthy doses of CBD and/or THC to combat the misery.
The comments on here sound like the rantings of members of the flat earth society. Go ahead and don’t vaccinate your children for measles, mumps, diphtheria pertussis, etc. And be sure YOU don’t get the shingles, flu, pneumonia, tetanus or other recommended vaccinations. I happen to know what it was like before these common vaccines were developed, and I can tell you that the world WITH them is a heck of a lot better than the world in say, the 1800’s or before that. The comments on this web page tell me that Darwinian selection is really a force for good in this world. The average IQ of the human species is going up all the time. The feeble-minded are being weeded-out. By disease. Hate to say it, but it’s true.
Love it!
Katherine- I am sorry, but you are part of the brainwashed masses who will line up for anything the schoolmarm advises. I have a graduate degree in medical anthropology and I am very selective as to what vaccines I now allow in my body. Not every vaccine is made with an equivalent amount of care or certainty that it will target the pathogens for which it is intended or advertised. I share the same amount of disdain for the “homeopathic” products that are marketed at eye level in the drug stores and supermarkets, that offer absolutely no symptomatic relief to sufferers of acute allergies or sinusitis. I was part of the cohort that benefited from the mass vaccination of schoolchildren for polio, smallpox, measles, etc. The number of vaccines we were administered were minuscule in comparison to what my grandchildren are getting shot up with. I offer an excerpt from a scientific review on infant HPV vaccination from the nih.gov site.
“Although these two indicators effectively represent programme goals, neither are straightforward to monitor in a consistent way over time. Incidence in 5-year-olds is estimated through surveys that require the collection of specimens from a representative sample, which can be difficult to obtain in this age group.9 Cause-specific mortality is difficult to measure reliably, particularly in countries with constrained resources. It could take decades for mortality data to fully reflect vaccine-related improvements, due to the long latency of chronic HBV infection in the causation of liver disease.”
In other words, this is a disclaimer pertaining to the efficacy of the “programme”, the lack of their ability to collect good probative data and to the educated reader, an admission that the whole mandate is a crap-shoot… with your children as the guinea pigs.
I am a firm believer in your freedom to get shot up with whatever you deem desirable. Just be careful that you are really as smart as you think you are, Darwinically speaking.
Aren’t you a ray of sunshine.
In case you missed it, posters here are sharing their reactions so that others who are looking for answers can be rest assured they ARE NOT CRAZY OR WHINNEY.
You “happened to know what it was like”? That would make you what, like 200+ years old?
Please find an appropriate blog to post on.
People here are in pain and don’t need your rant.
I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE sorry had to shout that! I am not alone after my first does of Shringrix I thought I was going to die, Nausea, Complete body pain, Migraine , worse than any other migraines I usually get, thank goodness I had just filled out my Migraine Script, Took some but couldn’t keep it down. finally slept, but it took me two days to recover. I am a RN I will not be coming back for the second dose Sorry Charlie no way!!!
I was diagnosed with COPD stage 2, five years ago now. I moved to Wales 3 years ago in the hope my health would improve. I am now 66. I also had a triple heart bypass 10 years ago, which doesn’t help! I often get headaches and migraines and can’t walk upstairs without getting out of breath. Even small exertions sometimes make my breathing bad. I was also going through cough and start getting really bad aches in my back and chests was directed by a local doctor in Cardiff to use totalcureherbsfoundation.com supplement on my condition which cure me perfectly, i went to pulmonologist and I was told that am free from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.xx
currently a class action suite against Mereck for the Vaccine
I believe Shingrix – the vaccine this comment section is supposedly about – is manufactured by Glaxo-Smith-Kline, so not sure about the accuracy of your class action suit info.
I had the first Shingrix vaccine on the same day that I received my flu shot a couple of months ago, which I regretted after because both arms were very sore for a few days. However, that was the only side effect that I experienced, I felt fine otherwise. I received the second shot on a Friday afternoon, thought nothing of it, but am thankful that I was heading into a holiday weekend because within three hours, I was so sick that I couldn’t function. The injection site was beyond painful, I had chills, spiking fever, nausea, and the worst headache that I can ever remember having. I spent the next three days not having the energy to get out of bed, alternately shivering and sweating, crushing headache, and no appetite. By the third day, I was completely dehydrated. I did call my doctor the morning after getting the shot, and they told me to visit an urgent care facility, but I didn’t have the strength to get up and get dressed. It was the first time I have every been afraid of living by myself, and I made sure to connect with relatives who checked in over the weekend (which I had plans for but had to cancel everything.) I work with the senior population and have seen them suffer with shingles, so I am conflicted about my thinking in terms of if people should get the vaccine. I guess I would have just been better off if someone had told me that the reaction could be this severe, I would have made plans for it.
Thank you to everyone who has stated their experiences with Shingrix. I am being told I need to get the shots. I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet and lower calves. My asthma has been in remission for a couple of years. I am 74 years old. I have had pneumonia shots and flu shots as recommended. I had shingles when I was 50. I had the original shingles shot 1 year after it was developed and proven (per my doctor at the time). I wish I still had him to advise me. After I have done some research on this issue and thanks to everyone’s input, I have decided not to get this vaccine at this time!!
After reading all of the post ,I will not be getting this Vaccine ,My Dr trys to push all these shot on me, Not going to do it, I know my Body , I wont do this to myself.
I am a retired physician. As a child I was a Salk Polio Vaccine “pioneer.” Those were also the days when Smallpox vaccines were given. Even today I go to the front of the line when new vaccines are produced. As a child I had mumps, measles, chicken pox, German measles and Whooping cough.
None of it was very much fun. Even had Mumps cerebritis and hallucinated.
As an adult I have had the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus boosters, Pneumovax… twice, annual flu vaccinations.
Let us not forget that in the flu pandemic of 1919, 50 million people died.. Small pox accounted for over a 90% death rate in the North and South American Native American population. Bullets finished off most of the rest..
Prince Albert of England died of typhoid fever.
Hepatitis either kills or leaves serious morbidity in its wake.
Jim Henson of the Muppets died of pneumococcal pneumonia.
Unfortunately as a society we have become insulated. We do not see these diseases anymore except in 3rd world countries. However, seeing is certainly believing.
When I was a Resident in training I saw 2 cases of Tetanus. It’s a nightmare disease. Indescribable. The woman I took care of had to be sedated with curare on a ventilator for three weeks to prevent the titanic muscle contractions that could have broken her spine.
As a Cardiologist I saw several cases of people in their 30s or 40s who died of Influenza related cardiomyopathy. On and on.
I just finished the second round of Shingrix. Yes. I had side effects. Localized muscle inflammation, aches and pains. Felt lousy for two days or so. But if that prevents a case of Zoster, I’ll take it. Zoster is a miserable and often life changing illness.
I can’t tell you how many patients who told me they were not going to get the flu vaccine “because last year it gave me the flu.” No really….probably just a few side effect. The real disease is not at all that benign.
I now look forward to and hope to see a vaccine for Hepatitis C and HIV. It will save millions of lives.
Thank you Katherine for your comments about “Flat Earthers.” I would like to add that adults who do not vaccinate their children should be charged with child abuse. 200 cases of measles now in NY State. Let’s just hope that the none of the kids die.
Alan,
Thank you for your reply… It has given me much more food for thought.
For years I avoided the flu vaccine as I was “one of those” who swore I got the flu from the shot I had received that year… Finally wised up and started getting it annually again. Old age must be making me wiser! I’ve also had both pneumonia vaccines. I’m 60, but had a lobectomy (RUL) last October to remove a suspicious tumor (it was cancer, so thankful it was successfully removed; no chemo/radiation – just surgery). I had no symptoms, I’m in relatively good shape, eat healthy, exercise, no drugs, I don’t even drink… but I’m still pretty wigged out about knowing I had a cancerous tumor. Healing and recovery takes time, but I’m not sure I want to deal with any more physical trauma right now, so a little wary of getting the Shingrix vaccination…
I’ve been reading about this vaccine and for some reason cannot convince myself to get it… even though I have known people who have had or still suffer from shingles. I already have bouts with neuropathy, so familiar with that pain. I don’t know why I’m stalling on this vaccine. If it had been available (I’ve been on a wait list) I probably would have gotten the first dose by now. I keep wondering why it has been in such short supply as well (someone else posted maybe the manufacturer has discovered problems – why there may be a shortage at present).
I just learned there is (finally) a supply of the vaccine at a local pharmacy. Surprisingly not in our larger city, but in a neighboring rural town at the chain grocery store pharmacy. I’m hoping they are skilled at intermuscular injections… I didn’t run out to get it today as I’ve been battling a head cold, low fever. Part of me is hoping they’ll run out of the vaccine before I can get there so I don’t have to make a decision on this. No, I don’t want shingles. I didn’t want lung cancer, either. I guess I’m just not convinced that this vaccine is ready for market or something like that… something my “gut” keeps telling me… absolutely silly.
I am not an anti-vaxer. I have an adult son on the autism spectrum and he has had every vaccination available since birth… even though I do question the vaccine schedules I support them wholly. I agree that the current measles outbreak is horrible and I hope my state (WA) does vote to require all children be vaccinated in order to attend school. I know that won’t affect many of those who are home schooled though…
So… Still tossing this over and over in my head as to whether to get this vaccine or not.
dear sir:
Glad you did not suffer beyond a few days.
The issue at hand are people who have long term side effects with not only the second shot, but also with the first.
I’ve also had tetanus boosters, flu shots, vaccinated as a child, but after spending over 8 days in bed after Pneumovax 23 at my dr.’s urging [ 15 years earlier had a regular pneumonia shot, no problem] I vowed “no more”.
I finally had another flu shot last year, no issues,really, except for a day or two feeling “punk”.
A month ago had Shingrex shot #1. I dealt with minor pain.
Now, a month later I am having on going flares of stiff neck with head pressure accompanied with dizziness and being off balance. Last week it was three teeth on opposite sides that became extremely sensitive. I have thigh pain and extreme fatigue. None of these issues presented before shot #1.
It is your prerogative to embrace all vaccines, but as a doctor, I am hoping you do not dismiss long term effects of people who believed that all are safe, or a good idea to take them.
What really makes me angry are the doctors who say about symptoms “it can’t be related to the shot”. I’ve yet to meet a physician who knows everything. My doc will say “I don’t know “but we’ll work on finding out, or I’ll send you to one who may know the answer.
A gal I know developed Guillain Barre after being vaccinated for a trip overseas, she went through years of treatment in hospitals and will never be the same.
I had the Shingle vaccine and everything was fine. Just thought I’d add my story to the anecdotes written by people who got sick after the vaccine and believe that was because of the vaccine.
Thanks for all the comments. I have worked with a lot of animals over the years. I have found out that a lot of rock salt dissolved in very warm water. Then soak a bath towel and wrap around the sore appendage for about 15 minutes that draws out swelling and toxins. Also take a chemical called MSM methylsulfonylmethane its a crystal that removes toxins from body tissues. It tastes bitter so put it on the front of your tongue then drink a lot of water. You can also buy pills in the vitamin store but they are more expensive and weaker. The pill form will be in the joint pain section. You must drink lots of water if you take MSM or you might get back pain caused from toxins leaving the body. MSM is a naturally occurring chemical in the body like chondoitren. I hope that helps the sufferers.
Thank you for your note. I am sorry to hear about your son and your other medical issues.
None of it can be easy.
Yes. it is possible the Zoster vaccine has flaws. Usually I waited to use or prescribe new drugs until they had been out for about a year or so. Got burned early in my career on some recalls. Time will tell about Shingrix. I did hesitate to get part 2.
You might be interested to know that some recent research on autism suggests that in some cases there might be a maternal-fetal antigen-antibody response as a cause. Not the same but similar to Rh incompatibility. I think that inking vaccines to autism has pretty much been discarded.
FYI. Both my wife and sister learned the hard way about the value of Flu vaccines. They are now believers.
3 Influenza Pediatric deaths in NY State so far this year. 20 total over the last 4 years.
I had the Shingrix vaccine and had Grand Mal seizures after both of my shots. After both shots, I became very ill with flu like symptoms the night of the shots. A few weeks after the first shot, I had my first seizure. I was unattended, but my wife was home at the time. We estimate that it lasted close to 15 minutes. After I came to, covered in blood from a severally laserated tongue, I was taken to the hospital. After that first event, I underwent a series of tests and nothing abnormal was found in my brain. I am a 54 year male and I was told that it is unusual to develope seizures at my age.
The doctor that gave my the Shingrix shot was well aware of my first seizure but went ahead and gave me the second shot. I had the same reaction, got sick the night of the shot, and I had a second 15 minute long seizure in the presence of a therapist I was seeing. She called 911 and I woke to a room full of paramedics.
When asked if the vaccine could have triggered the seizures, the doctor that gave my both shots told me that it was possible that it could have lowered my threshold, triggering both seizures. So why give me the second shot if he had the knowledge of the first?
I am now medicated and have not had a third seizure since July 15, 2018. They have been life altering for both me and my family. I think giving me the second shot was reckless without even some discussion with me. I am not a doctor and this vaccine is new to the market, so data is limited. I would ask questions before you try this or any new vaccine on the market. The damage to my tongue has left me with partial damage to my taste buds and I damage several teeth during the first seizure.
I could have been worse, I could have killed kids as I had just returned home from taking my son to school, or I could have fallen and done more damage falling. So I am thankful for that. But make no mistake, it has been hell dealing with this for the last many months. I constantly worry if I will seize behind the wheel. I worry if I will have a seziure that lasts so long that it will take my life. The only variable in my life in this vaccine and it’s may be the likely cause of my seizures. My advice to you all is ask questions and do your research.
GET your shingles vaccines, people! Yes, there is a dnger of not getting your second shot, which is why it has been explained to you that you need the second shot for full protection.
I’m sorry about the possibility that you may be sore for 3-5 days, but that is MUCH better than getting Shingles! I just got my second dose this past week, I was a little sore, achy, flu-like but it’s not that big of a deal, comparatively- I would do it over again 100 times rather than get Shingles. Also, the new Shingrix is NOT a live virus like the old shot was, if that helps. You can not get shingles from a vaccination that does not use live virus. The old one did, so maybe people could be confused by that.
I had my 2nd dose last night, sore arm after 1st dose was annoying. I woke up this morning with joint pain, severe headache, nausea, overall malaise, and a fever of 101.8 this afternoon. The worst part is that I spent the morning with my 80 year old parents and my 2 year old great niece. I hope nothing shed on them.
Initial dose of recombinant vaccine (Shingrix) was followed by bilateral joint (hip,shoulder,knee) stiffness/soreness, approximately 2-3 months later. Six months post-injection: repetitive movement provides temporary relief, but symptoms recur after periods of immobility (sitting more than 10-15 minutes, sleep, etc.).
I had Chicken Pox in 1987. Then had Shingles in 2012. I had this vaccination for Shingles on Feb 9, 2019. Next day had a fever, flu symptoms, chills and was so lethargic for next 4 days spent in bed. I continued feeling wiped out and feeling worse body aches then before. Today, Sunday Feb 24, I began feeling shocking nerve pain in my chest and shoulders, then the burning tingling sensation came on and I began itching like crazy. Yes, I have Shingles again! I’ve been ill since my vaccination and bed ridden since Feb 9, 2019. Yes I will see my doctor tomorrow and reporting the effects of this vaccine.
While picking up my meds at my local pharmacy, I was told that they just got in a shipment of the second Shingrix vaccine – without thinking, I sat down and had them administer the shot. Since I didn’t have any noticeable reaction from the first one, it didn’t occur to me that I could have problems from the second. Within a few hours, my joints (knees, hips, ankles in particular) began aching – I chalked it up to overdoing physical work. Then when I went to bed I began having severe chills (which I never had before), and when I got up in the middle of the night, every joint in my body felt like was on fire and my head in a vice. I began getting very worried that I was coming down with something serious until I remembered the vaccine. No doubt I am one of the six that has severe side effects. Took the day off work, and probably will need to take tomorrow off as well, since I still feel miserable. Now seeing that folks are contracting shingles after gettting the shot, I’m wondering if this is all worth it.
Some of the side effects may also be caused by improper administration of the vaccine:
“Several of the errors were attributable to vaccine administrators confusing the two shingles vaccines, which actually differ in significant ways. Merck’s Zostavax is a live attenuated vaccine (ZVL) that is given once as a single shallow injection, just under the skin (subcutaneous injection). GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine (RZV) that must be reconstituted prior to injection and is administered deeper into the muscle (intramuscular injection). Shingrix is given twice, with the second dose given between two and six months after the first one.
The reported errors associated with Shingrix included administration via the subcutaneous route, a mistake that usually caused significant injection site reactions including pain, severe itching (pruritis), and redness (erythema). Other errors reported were administering the vaccine to patients younger than 50, giving out the wrong vaccine information sheet (VIS), administering just the vaccine’s novel adjuvant without reconstituting it with the actual vaccine antigen, and mistakenly giving the shingles vaccine to a person who was supposed to get chickenpox (varicella zoster) vaccine.”
I’m 60 years old and my doctor recommended that I get the shingles vaccine. After reading most of these comments, I’ve decided not to get the vaccine. I ache enough from my fibromyalgia so I’m not going to take the chance of having bad side effects with the vaccine. Thanks for all the comments!
I got the older shot for Shingles and two yrs later had shingles twice. Living Hell, felt like someone stabbed me repeadly through my chest and back. So I have gotten two of the newer shots. My arm hurt where I had the shot. And that lasted 3 days but felt nothing other than that. I’m sorry for all who have suffered from reactions to the new shot. I think every body is different. Some have possible allergies to the ingredients of the shot. There is no way of knowing ahead of time, unfortunately. But I just wanted people reading this site to understand that not every one that has gotten the shot has suffered with serious reactions. I think if that were true the doctors and pharmacies would be facing litigation. After suffering from Shingles twice, I can say shingles is the worst thing I have ever suffered with and I deal with a very rare neuromuscular disease. But still Zi am sorry for all of you who have suffered from the shot.
I think the real concern of many is not just the reaction they have had but the reaction from the CDC and their doctors defending the vaccine when the truth of the matter is a catch 22 has developed particularly with this vaccine. When my husband reported his reaction he was told there were no reports of any such symptoms from the CDC and so it was not vaccine related despite coming on immediately after vaccination and so his reaction would not be validated or recorded. Since this is a very common protocol it creates a cycle where doctors are told that there are no severe reactions like this and so the doctors deem the reaction unrelated and since the doctors are not linking the reactions to vaccination the CDC continues to report no severe reactions and of course the drug company has no credibility telling patients there is no precedence for such problems when the reason there is no precedence is because there is no history for them to base such a pronouncement. Plus there is that pesky issue of them having a financial stake in denying any severe or long term difficulties with their creation.
I’m a physician writing this from my hospital bed after getting the Shingrix vaccination three days ago.
The night of the shot I was awakensed with violent shaking chills, fever of 103.7F, and body aches all over.
The next morning I went to my urgent Care center who evaluated me for flu, which was negative. Due to my history of cancer and ongoing related treatments he had me directly admitted for a workup and observation, in case this was a bacterial infection. All workups were negative (cxr, blood cx, UA). I kept saying I think this is from the vaccine, but of course, they needed to think broadly in light of the very high fever and possible neutropenia (which I was not after the CBC came back)
My left arm where I got the shot was beginning to swell, turn red and increasing painful and very tender to touch, from shoulder to elbow.
The hospitalist called an immunologist collegue, who called this Shingrix vaccine, and I quote, “nasty”. The circular redness pattern related to this vaccine is called “arcus” (circular in Latin).
So now I’m getting hooked up to hi dose IV steroids to calm down the monster inflammation raging in my body: sore arms, chest, and legs.
I wouldn’t have known about the vaccine reaction unless it were not for a couple of friends who each knew of two cases of extremely violent reactions from Shingrix, with pain, fever, and flu-like symptoms, which fit my own symptoms to a tee. The vaccine clinic gave me no information on the possibility of this not uncommon severe reaction.
BTW, I have reported my case to the CDC vaccine complication website.
I had the second Shingrix shot on Feb. 14. Within a few hours, I had pain in my left eye and couldn’t focus. My eye doctor examined me and said I had herpes zoster in that eye. I told him it was too much of a coincidence. I am still being treated for this. More than two weeks later, I still can’t focus that eye, although the pain is gone. Thank heavens I have insurance or the acyclovir med for my eye would have cost me $400. I paid $138, which is bad enough. I have to see my eye doctor again tomorrow. He told me last Monday that the eye is not healing as fast as he would like. I hope I don’t have to buy another tube of the medicine. And I hope this doesn’t prove to be permanent damage.
March 1,19 took first shot at 3pm. Became a little tired, then I got a headache. By 5pm I was having severe aching pain in my entire back, esp.coccyx area. Laid down, had chills for 2-hours, then fell asleep finally. Up at 8pm, having a hard time walking without pain in back. I was able to eat,then back to bed. Today Sunday, still can’t stand sraight up to walk, because my coccyx hurts still. My left upper back area has a constant dull ache. I’m going to talk to CDC about vaccine complications before I take #2shot. Very concerned about side effects because I am diabetic-2. Let you know what CDC says…later.
I had a bad case of shingles about 8 years ago. I was so sick for several weeks! I never had the original vaccine. When the new vaccine came out I had both shots about 5 months apart. While I had one day I didn’t feel so well after the second shot, it didn’t bother me much. I still get nerve pain in my side and left breast area, sometimes it’s so bad I feel like I am getting shingles all over again.
I got the 1st dose towards the end of 2018 september maybe. Just got the second one last Sunday the 3rd March 2019. Soreness in the area where the shot was on the arm with both shots. The second one I did get chills and shivers and was very cold like i was coming down with something.. that only lasted one day.. are is still a bit sore but other than that i have not had any problems. I am hoping it stays the way. Sorry to read about all the bad stuff people are going through.
My husband and I received the first Shingrix shot on Friday. By Saturday we were in full blown flu attack. 5 days in bed unable to move from flu symptoms, fever, pain, lost appetite, severe headaches, etc. My husband has had hiccups for two days. I’m taking him to emergency room tomorrow. Won’t be taking second dose.
Got my shot today and I’m sick fever and aches hope it goes away question if you miss your second shot what happensvthank you
I had a shingles vaccine (one dose vaccine) and since then I have had a mild case if shingles 5 times now and always in the same exact place! I wish that I had never got caught up in the advertisements for people over 50 to receive the vaccination!!
My wife had the Shingrix vaccination yesterday (3/5/2019) morning. Approx 36 hours after she began to complain about pain on her arm. 39 hours after she began to develop a red rash approx 3″x3″ around the needle scar and in addition, the area is hot. Gave her 2 Tylenol and then she went to bed around 8:30 PM. I am not too sure about these new vaccinations in the market. They get approved, not tested and KABOOM…we become rat labs. Lets hope that she’ll feel better in the morning.
I had the Shingrix vaccine along with the flu shot (different arms) on a Wednesday afternoon and by Friday evening, I had shingles. It was a relatively mild case based on what others have described. I was told by both my physician (who did not administer the shot) and GSK that there is no way the vaccine caused the shingles because it is a dead virus. I did get the 2nd vaccine 3 months later and have had no other side effects. I wondered if getting both vaccines at the same time was too much for my immune system and if, perhaps, that caused the outbreak. GSK said that, in clinical trials, they gave both vaccines and there were no ill effects. My flu shot was not the GSK product so who knows…
I had no problem getting the first vaccine at CVS 6 months ago. I waited, hoping that the health clinic would carry it – and so 6 months later had my 2nd shot yesterday. First one, very mild reaction – just slight soreness in shoulder. With the second one, it was actually quite painful during the injection. I was so happy to find an available one as our clinic still doesn’t have it, and after calling multiple pharmacies (within a 90 mile radius!) I found a pharmacy that had. Paid $170 each dose out of pocket. All the others had a wait list that would have taken at least 1 month. I wasn’t prepared for the side effects. I’m staying home from work – nasty nasty night – the pain in my arm was excruciating, throbbing headache, felt like I would vomit, achy joints and chills. I’d give it a 10 for pain. Next day just tired and achy. My husband hasn’t had it yet – not sure I want him to!
I got the 1st Shingrix shot this week on March 5th, 2019. That night I started having soreness on both arms, not just the one where I got the injection. I did not sleep good that night as I kept waking up with over all soreness. When I woke up the next morning I felt like I had the Flu, very tired and sore and achy all over. I did not even get dressed the next day, stayed in my pjs My arm where I got the shot had a hard bump on it and was very sore to the touch. I napped off and on the whole day . I had a slight fever of like 99.7-99.9. Had a headache, sore back and shoulders. Whenever I moved everything hurt. I went to sleep at 8:00 PM that night and did not wake up until 9:00 AM the next morning. The 3rd day, I started to feel better except for soreness at the injection site. This shot does have side effects that are not good. I will think about the 2nd shot, but now I know what to expect.
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I had my second shot recently on Feb. 14. The next morning I had rash on my left ear ,neck and various parts of my face.I have been dealing with this situation for several weeks as my doctor tries to eliminate the break out. Predisone, steroid shot and steroid cream has yet to eliminate the situation.It seems we eliminate some area and new ones pop up. The doctor is convinced it is my immune system reacting to the second shot. I had no reaction to the first shot go figure..
This is day 8 of recovery from the shingrix shot. I was able to eat solid food for the first time this morning. A fast way to loose weight if you need that. I had all the similar complaints-fever of 103 for 2 days, joint pain, headache etc. What sealed it for me was the hiccups. That’s right. It sounds funny but it is anything but funny. Had them for 6 days straight. They got so intense I started having trouble breathing. It took me two trips to ER to find a solution for hiccups. Now at least I can breathe and recuperate. Give this vaccine a lot of consideration before you get it.
I had the first Shingrix shot 8/24/2018 and was sick with flu like symptoms for several days as well as a sore left arm ( the injection site). Decided to get the 2nd shot and received it 12/28/2018. I did not have the flu symptoms this time but the pain in the left arm was horrific. Unfortunately, til this day 3/13/2019, I still have the pain in my left arm. I can not sleep on my left side and it seems to hurt worse when you lay down. There are times that I can’t even raise my arm to put clothes on. My husband has to help me get dressed and undressed. I was 58 when I took the shot and decided to since at age 53 I had Chicken Pox and shingles have plagued several of my family members. I have reported my issues to the CDC but have not been contacted back. I have also reported the issue to my Dr, who was very concerned and will discuss with me at my upcoming appointment in a couple weeks. I am not against vaccinations but would not recommend the Shingrix vaccine because of the severe pain that I am still experiencing.
I just got my 2nd shot yesterday and I am regretting it immensely! I remembered having a fairly bad reaction to the 1st one but apparently I blocked out just how bad it was. After the initial one the injection site became red and swollen and literally stayed that way for over 2 weeks. I mean red like an apple and raised and super hot. What I forgot was waking up less that 12 hours later with pain throughout my entire body, severe chills, achy everywhere and the worst headache of my life. Today still less that 24 hours post injection I can barely stand, I’m dizzy, I have terrible chills, every joint in my body hurts and my head is excruciating! I’ve heard and seen 1st hand what shingles can do to people and most who’ve had it say it’s by far the worst pain of their life. Some people even commit suicide because the never-ending pain can’t be dealt with. Right about now I kind of wished I would have risked it. I should say I’ve never had this type of reaction to any immunization or shot, ever. But this is a nightmare. I’m usually the 1st to push for getting vaccinated, but think long and hard about this one. Nothing in the documents on this vaccine, or the numerous doctors I’ve asked prepared me for this. It’s supposedly rare to have this bad of a reaction, but after reading through these posts I wonder if the wide number of side effects have been severely underreported.
I had the first Shingrix vaccine in June 2018 and had no problems. I had the second vaccine in August 2018 and that is when the problems started. That very night I had the flu like symptoms, chills and all over aching. Then from that point on, I started getting numbness in my feet, twitching in my calves and then nerve pain. The nerve pain started in my feet and moved up my body to both arms. I also had fatigue, racing heart and dizziness. My PCP sent me to a neurologist after all of the testing didn’t show anything. The nerve pain was like I was on fire inside and I also had just a weird body sensation. The neurologist ruled out Guillian Barre syndrome, but diagnosed sensory nerve inflammation from the vaccine. After 8 or so weeks of steroids and medication, things were not getting better. So my neurologist had me get 5 immunoglobulin infusions and it has just about cured me. So if you are having issues, don’t give up and see a neurologist.
I have shingles right now. I have had them now for 3 weeks. Symptoms don’t seem to be getting much better. I read these comments because I have had 1 doctor recommend the shingles shot after this clears up and 2 recommend against it. I have been doing my own research because I have never been all that excited about vaccinations in the first place so I want to make sure I don’t do the wrong thing and regret it. This is probably the worse pain I have ever experienced and it is keeping me from my normal daily activities. Where I don’t ever want to go through this again, after reading some of the comments I have definitely made up my mind that I WILL NOT GET THE VACCINATION!! I would rather suffer through another bout of this than have some of the ongoing symptoms some of you have had. I feel very bad for all of you and I certainly don’t want to go there. Then to be put on more meds….NO THANK YOU!!! I am going to do my best to boost my immune system as best as I can. Your immune system is the key to your health. Thank you to everyone who posted their comments.
Im concerned about the second dose. Had the first Jan9 now due for the second. Was told the soreness in arm was only side effect, HA!.. developed the flu like symptoms severe headache that I never get and was at work all day. By the time I got home I couldn’t walk well or take any steps at all because of the joint pain. Thankfully lasted just 2 days. All that I could still accept but what concerned me was my BP spiked to 183/115. I checked it because of the severe headache. (I don’t have headaches) My bp normally falls in normal catagory. Im reading the second dose is worse?? I didnt know the vaccine was limited to 4 yrs . Then what ?? Do you got thru this every 4 yrs?? I really want to know. Is they a bad effect to not getting the second dose??
Donna, thanks for your story. You’ve given me hope that there is something that can be done to “cure” this. I’m a 55 year old healthy, fit, female. My story: 1st shot July 2018, within 12 hours had flu like symptoms, body aches, chills…all of that. Went to my doctor who was shocked to see my condition. She told me we would wait the full 6 months for the 2nd dose so that maybe I would forget what I was going through. Within 1 month I started having deep throbbing pain in the arm of the injection along with joint pain. The pain gradually increased each month…I asked the doctor if it could be due to the vaccination and was told no absolutely not. Went for bloodwork, xrays and ultrasound….showed nothing. Jan 2019 went for 2nd shot and asked again….before you give this shot, could the pain in my arm possibly be caused from this vaccination. Again, the answer was no. Received 2nd dose in the other arm. Same reaction but worse….flu like symptoms and guess what….1 month later the same pain is starting in that arm. Coincidence? I highly doubt it. It’s now March 2019 and I now have severe nerve pain through both arms. Also numbness in my head and face, like dental freezing wearing off.
I can barely move in the mornings. I’m on medication to control the nerve pain but is not a solution. I’m in Canada…where yes, we have “free” health care, but have to wait MONTHS for help. I have a referral to a neurologist, still don’t have an appointment and am told the wait time is 8 to 10 months. Long story short, I am so depressed. I can’t even believe this is happening to me. I’ve reported it to GSK, pharmaceutical company and so have 2 of my doctors that I’ve been seeing. No response from GSK, shocker. Whenever I finally get to see a neurologist I will ask about Immunoglobin Infusions. Listen people…..DONT GET THIS SHOT.
Thanks everyone! After reading of all the side affects, I think I’ll save my $300 and skip this vaccine.
My first Shingrix dose was administered on Jan 21, 2019. A couple weeks later I began to suffer with nasal and chest congestion that lasted 6 weeks. This could have been coincidence. However on March 11 I had onset of redness in my right eye in the morning and at 5:00 PM sudden pain. I went to my optometrist March 12 and she saw cornea scratching and gave me Refresh. When the pain and light sensitivity did not diminish I returned to the optometrist on March 15, mentioned the Shingrix vaccination I had and that I now suspected shingles in my eye, and she diagnosed as iritis, administered drops of a dilator and a steroid and prescribed both. The dilator was not in stock at the pharmacy, so I did not receive another dose of that, however by March 18 the steroid had reduced the inflammation and redness, and eliminated the pain. I will NOT reach out for the second Shingrix vaccination, as I do not want to experience another scary episode with possible EYE DAMAGE. We all pick our poison (food, drink, meds, etc), as well as gamble with our health by the treatments we request…I do not want shingles…and I do not want to be blinded by a vaccination. I realize I won’t get out of life alive, but I feel like a dupe for buying the vaccination and injuring myself in the process. I have reported this to the VAERS.org website, and encourage all with vaccine reactions they consider out of line to do the same.
My wife had sessions of atrial fibrilation every year or so. She went for her first Shingrix vaccination and had the most severe a-fib episode she had ever had. AND for the next two weeks she was having a-fib episodes daily or more. So beware if you have a-fib. We reported this reaction to the CDC.
She is all right now, because she increased her magnesium intake from 10 percent to 200 percent daily. Extra magnesium is necessary for heart rythm because Almond (or soy) “milk” do not have the same magnesium as cow’s milk.
First of all, my thanks to everyone who has posted here. All these stories have helped me to understand that I’m not crazy — my symptoms are likely a result of the Shingrix vaccinations I had. Secondly, my commiserations to one and all. I’m so sorry that you have suffered what you have, most of you more than I.
I am posting here because I have not read here of anyone else having quite the same experience as myself. I had my first Shingrix shot at age 67 on 9/12/2018 and the second on 1/18/2019. I have had both acute and chronic problems that I attribute to these shots.
Background: My situation prior to these shots seems to be unlike any of the posts I’ve read here. I am a cancer survivor. My cancer was multiple myeloma, a blood cancer a little like leukemia, but affecting the plasma cells. As part of the treatment, I had a stem cell transplant (SCT). That is relevant to the discussion because a SCT wipes out one’s immune system completely and then restarts it. That means all the “memory” in one’s immune system is destroyed when the bone marrow cells are killed, and then the stem cells are reintroduced to repopulate the bone marrow and restart the immune system. As a result, after a SCT, the patient has an immune system very much like a new-born child. As a result, after allowing two years for the new immune system to build strength, the patient then receives all the childhood immunizations over again — which I did.
So I am not opposed to vaccinations in general. I went through all of them, including the “old” shingles vaccination, Zostavax, without any problems. Then it was suggested that I also get the “new” shingles vaccination Shingrix, because it would give my weakened immune system more protection. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Up until the first Shingrix vaccination I had been getting better and stronger as I recovered from my fight with cancer. It was a very difficult struggle to restore my health after reaching complete remission, so I was very, very happy to be feeling well again. Looking back, I now recognize many of the “flu-like” symptoms that began after the first shot, notably muscle pains that have continued for six months now. For me it’s felt like a game of “whack-a-mole” in that pain in one muscle group would start to get better and then pain in another muscle group would begin.
So the muscle pain has been my chronic problem, as has been reported here by many people. But the thing that first made me suspect the Shingrix vaccination was a more acute problem and not mentioned by anyone else (I think). A couple of weeks after the second shot I got a large cut on my finger when a glass I was washing broke. To protect the cut, which was long, I used a large adhesive bandage that wrapped around pretty much all of my finger. After five days the cut was healing nicely, but I noticed a rash everywhere the adhesive made contact with the uninjured skin of the finger. The rash turned into “tapioca” blisters which grew larger and merged into bigger blisters. It started looking very angry and I went to see a dermatologist who agreed with me that it was looking just like shingles! The dermatologist lanced a large blister and sent a sample of the fluid off to the lab to be cultured. The result was no bacteria, no virus and no fungus, so it was categorized as a severe allergic contact dermatitis. But it sure looked and felt like what some of you have called a minor case of shingles. And it is strange that in 68 years I’ve never before had any contact dermatitis. So why now? What could have caused an overreaction by my immune to the adhesive? And why should it look just like shingles?
There is one other reaction I’ll include here more for any immunologists in the audience. One of the markers for multiple myeloma is a large increase in light chains, either lambda or kappa. After reaching remission, my light chain counts have been completely normal for two years prior to getting the Shingrix vaccination. I get them checked every three months, and suddenly my lambda light chain count has been increasing again, which has my oncologist worried that I might be experiencing a multiple myeloma relapse. I want to believe that the light chain increase is yet another strange reaction to the adjuvant in the Shingrix vaccination and not an indication of relapse. As I understand it, the Shingrix vaccination includes the AS01-B adjuvant with two immunostimulants, 3-O-desacyl-4-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and the saponin QS-21. The purpose of the adjuvant is to enhance the specific immune response to the antigen in Shingrix. I am wondering what other effects it might have on the immune system and I wonder if any studies have been made on how the AS01 adjuvant system might create unintended immune system problems. Could the many problems people have experienced be a result of over stimulated immune system responses?
Next month I will meet again with my oncologist and will review a new set of blood tests, including my light chain numbers. The light chain number increased on both of my last two visits, which were coincidentally right after my two Shingrix shots. I am hoping that after three months have passed since the second shot, the light chain number will be headed back down toward normal levels again which would indicate my immune system settling back down after having been hyper-stimulated by the adjuvant portion of the vaccinations. I am also expecting that this will give me a quantifiable measurement of how long lasting the hyper-stimulation effect will persist.
Does anyone have any information on generalized effects of adjuvants used in vaccinations?
glad you posted.
I have a similar issue, but will not get shot#2.
I am due to have my blood checked in late october for my apt.
Will let my doc know I had shot#1.
I am 83 and had a second Shingrix vaccine shot a month ago. My arm at the injection site is still painful and sore. If I massage it or rub it, it bleeds.
I have never had a reaction to a vaccine before.
Problems after the shot..next day very sore arm and feeling sick to stomach..burning up all over..fever and terrible headaches..sweating and shaking. Was no fun..Even told my husband that I may die tonight, and mean’t it!..Lasted 4 long days and nights..not worth the cost. Will not get the 2nd dose. Something is wrong with all of this. The public will walk away after the 1st dose
I got my first shingrix shot and 6 weeks later had an outbreak of shingles. Not sure I will get the second shot. I am 70 and my immune system is probably not strong enough to fight off the virus. I will talk to the health professionals to get their opinion but holding off on shot number two for the time being.
Today I got my 1st Shingrix shot, I am 69 yrs old. Have a Great Immune System. Never have I had any problems after a shot.
Well today, sorry to say I spoke too soon.
The short area is fine, little itchy. `it too sorry but right this moment I feel like crap. Got a slight headache, off and on I’ve felt like I could faint, I’m feeling cold, felt like my heart was beating faster, my husband checked it and it was running a bit higher.
I use a C-PAP machine ( you know I have to wear the mask both over nose and mouth, well crazy to say I am afraid to use it tonight.
Well I wait until to see if I feel any better! I sure hope so!!p
My mother got a severe case of shingles on her face and head when she was 81. (She had not been vaccinated). Half her face resembled hamburger meat and the doctor said it was the worse case of shingles he had ever seen. She developed post hepetic neuralgia nerve pain due to shingles. She suffered for 6 years before dying at 87.
At one point I took her to renowned Bascom Eye Institute in Miami and she begged that they remove her eye but they explained it was the nerves behind the eye and the rest of the face that was causing the severe pain.
not the eye itself. Nothing relieved it. Shingles can literally ruin your life if you are elderly.
Last Friday I received Shingrix and the pneumonia vaccines both on the same day.I got home and I started feeling sick so I checked my temperature and it was 103 and I couldn’t eat I was feeling very sick.The next day all my joints hurt and I couldn’t walk.The next day I go to my DRs. office checks me out and want to give me Tamiflu I tell her I don’t have flu symptoms,so I spent 3days in the hospital on antibiotics getting all kinds of tests only to tell me that it could be a reaction to the two shots on same day.I was discharged after the third day still with high temps .
I have shingles right now on my left leg, below the knee. It’s not a big deal. I don’t really feel anything. It itched a little. There was a little pain for a couple of minutes. I really feel nothing.
I work out the same. Sleep the same. Everything is the same. It’s not a big deal at all. It just looks weird. I put New Zealand Honey on it at night and I take oil of oregano. The honey made the blisters disappear in one night. Now it’s just red and bumpy. I’d rather have shingles than a vaccine. I’m 45 by the way. I came down with it after a stressful event. I didn’t even know what it was, I thought it started out as very dry skin and then boom, shingles. It’s nothing. Don’t get the vaccine. A cold or flu is worse than this. It’s just nothing. I am very healthy though so keep your immune system up.
Hi,i will give you a little background on me. I have had shingles many times in my life. Small outbreaks,not the norm. Of course Doctors don’t believe this because it is not the typical shingles virus that they studied. Last time I had shingles it was on my head and such pain,I never wanted it again,so I decided to get the Shingrix vaccine! I received my second shot April 2018, and in August I noticed little things that started to happen to me and in Sept I woke up with upper left sided back pain every day constantly . I couldn’t sleep and it was depressing me and ruining my life. Like a constant headache. It even went through to my chest and affects my breathing at times. I have had all tests done with no explanation but I know it was caused from the Shingrix shot and I told my Doctor I will never have another one . It is 8 months later and I still have the pain but it has eased up ,I can actually sleep now! But I am afraid that I may be plagued with this pain for the rest of my life. I know it caused a shingles outbreK on my back and worse then any shingles outbreaks I ever had in the past. So sorry for getting this shot!
I received my first dose of Shingrix in mid-January. Other than some pain at the injection site for a few days it didn’t seem to affect me. Several weeks later we had a death in the family and a number of other stressful events impacting my immune system. In late February I went to my dentist for a routine exam and he immediately got concerned about a swollen lymph node under my chin, thinking it might be cancer. We agreed to wait 2 weeks for a recheck. Almost immediately after that I started feeling lousy with fever, chills and body aches but it wasn’t a typical respiratory infection cycle and didn’t resolve itself quickly. Finally got into my regular PCP with a pox-like rash on one side of my neck (the same side as the swollen node) and some scattered on my trunk. Now taking antivirals to clear this up. PCP of course blamed the symptoms on a regular virus and the rash (which may or may not be shingles) on a secondary infection, but I’d never had such a thing in over 55 years since I had the chicken pox and I never had a virus that hung on for so long like this. Needless to say I could have lived without the stress created for weeks waiting for the swollen nodes to resolve themselves and all the other symptoms that came along for the ride. I really am questioning why I would want the second dose which to add insult to injury is in such short supply here that pharmacy offices laugh when you ask to be put on the waiting list. All I can say is, be careful what you wish for. I certainly don’t want full-blown shingles, but the timing of what happened to me is very suspicious and I don’t think there has been much communication on the part of GSK about longer-term effects – there should be!
jeanne: I hope you don’t return for 2nd dose!
I had flu vaccine together with TDAP vaccine in Sept 2018. I had 1st Shingrix in Sept 2018 (in conjunction with Pneumovax 23) – seemed to tolerate well. I had 1st Hep A vaccine in Jan 2019. (Won’t be going back for 2nd scheduled for July 2019)
I then had 2nd Shingrix in Feb 2019 – & had a VERY swollen/sore upper arm – which gradually decr over 10 days.
However, in Feb/March 2019 I developed ankle soreness/swelling. Ultrasound was negative for broken bones or DVT. Prednisone along with incr Lasix “initially” seemed helpful; then swelling/soreness/redness increased in ankles & lower leg. This was treated with 2 different antibiotics; NO HELP! Swelling & redness became worse. Although labs were “normal” – I was DX with CELLULITIS & hospitalized on IV-antibiotics for 3 days. I was then told this was NOT cellulitis – but “venous insufficiency” and SUMMARILY DISCHARGED with instr to follow-up with PCP. More ultrasound venous doppler tests & labs were “negative.”
NEXT STOP: Vascular specialist – more examination, HX taking, abdominal ultrasound, etc. DIAGNOSIS: LYMPHEDEMA – which can be “treated” but not “cured.” I now have leg-wrapping. This is TIGHT & itches where I can’t get at it! I will return for 3 more wks of leg-wrapping & THEN WHAT? I’ve heard of lymphedema massage – that might be an option but just now leg is too inflamed & painful to have anybody touch it!
I DEFINITELY believe there is a “connection” between the vaccinations I had (in a relatively short period of time – 6 mos) & the Lymphedema DX that has now curtailed my activities & overtaken my life! I am/was a rather active widowed Grandma that managed pretty much ALL duties & activities of my own choosing; i.e., home care & updates, driving, shopping, cooking, gardening, finances, family & social activities, travelling, etc.
I am now dealing with leg(s) [left worse than right] that itch, burn, tingle/buzz/zap & have occasional “chills” going up & down. Because of leg-wrap I can’t take a shower (unless I can devise some kind of “super plastic wrap.” Regular chores are a challenge; social life is non-existent; pain makes it difficult to keep focus, or get a decent night’s sleep! Even nighttime is painful & trying to elevate my legs above my heart for 1 hr 3xDay is a challenge. The term “fall risk” has taken on new meaning….
I’m tired of trying to explain this DX & med info to family/friends over & over. I have one friend who is a cancer survivor & knows ALL TOO WELL the ramifications of LIFE WITH LYMPHEDEMA! I guess she & I will now be “speaking the same language!”
My DR (really nice guy) has “assured” me he can make me 50% better – GREAT! What happens with the other 50% of me & my life?? Pretty dismal outlook just now – but I’ll run with it. Perhaps “time will tell.” My left calf if twice as big as my right & I know I’ll be wearing comp hose for the rest of my life – I can deal with that. I’ve been wearing them for the past 2 mos & have accumulated a myriad of colors – red/white/blue, stars/stripes, cats… Just hoping I don’t incur a real CELLULITIS (or like infection) or DVT along the journey. That would be really UGLY!
Hope my “story” is informative & helpful & that you consider opting-out of any more vaccines – until we have more definitive info. I’ve been trying for months to “connect the dots” – & I believe I have; however, I’ll never get any dr to verify my reasoning & “self-diagnosis.” Wish I could go back to 6 months ago – and JUST SAY NO (except to the flu vaccine of which I am a proponent.) Best Wishes on your JOURNEY!
I got the shot, red hot baseball size cycles on my arm..
Its a hell of a shot to get no doubt about it. I will get the second one.
When its time.
Im paying cash 175.00 each
Can’t aford the high healthcare (Obamacare ).
I think its important to get the shot, i know people that had shingles so bad there hair fell out, and swelling in mouth, so the shot is worth it
I had an average to light case of shingles when I was 58, I am now 62. Although my case was not extremely severe, I definitely did not want a reoccurrence. At 60, I received the current vaccine at that time. In November 2018 I received the first dose of Shingrix and had a two day extreme reaction of aches and pain, actually stayed in bed for an entire day. Approximately 75-days later I had the second dose with the same reaction. My concern now is that I am experiencing continual numbness in the area of where I had my shingles.
I had Shingrex vaccine #1 and will not get #2. I had Shingles years ago and admittedly it was hell. However Shingrex vaccine is a virtual nightmare. Was never so sick. My bones ached from my marrow! Redness, swelling, itching at site, fever, chills. Sweats, nausea, severe fatigue, and unable to return to work for 5 days (I’m a doctor). Hopefully I will have enough immunity from the first vaccine, but I will not risk a second. No way!!
I am 59 and very healthy. I had a severe allergic reaction to first Shingrix shot and will not be getting the second dose.
I had fever of 102, severe body aches for 2 days and everyday since the vaccine at the injection site I had redness (beet red) and intense itching on my left arm which would double in size every morning. On Third Day was diagnosed with cellulitis by my PCP and started Keflex but the following day it had doubled in size again and now was from my shoulder down to my elbow and all around. I went to ER and had to get two different types of infused antibiotics and told to stay on Benadryl for a few days. It been 10 days and redness had shrunk and faded yet still not totally gone.
My advice is if you are generally sensitive to medications or have bad allergies think long and hard before agreeing to get this vaccine.
I had the shingles three years ago, it was misdiagnosed by my internist, next day in the ER, and the third day misdiagnosed by an Orthopedic doctor. In desperation on the fifth day it was properly diagnosed in a different ER and I was told it was to late for the proper treatment to work, it was tried anyway. Have you heard the stories of how horrible the pain is? It can real havoc and if it’s in your eye it may even cause blindness. I am a statistic with horrific pain and limited mobility three years after the attack. I have waited one year in fear of another episode. I finally receive part one of two of the new vaccine. I experienced severe side effects that fortunately resolved with time. Every day is difficult with the permanent damage and I can’t wait for the second injection. The chances of permanent damage from shingles is slim believe me, it’s worth the chance to try to prevent it from happening to you. Stay healthy trust your doctor, shingles pain is unbearable. Nothing has stopped my residual pain and limitations not even a narcotic. Trust the process get inoculated.
I’m 65 and shot #1 was easy. Some injection site pain but nothing else. However…shot #2 was something else.
Within 8 hours I had the already well documented flu symptoms: aches, fever, shivering and so forth. I managed to get over this within half a day with doses of Aleve. But the weirdest thing was four chicken pox type blisters that appeared within 24 hours of the injection on my INNER THIGH! Don’t ask me why they appeared there. Not even my doctor or my brother (a doctor!) could explain that one. The blisters were only slightly sensitive and over the course of almost two months two blisters disappeared while two of them opened and then crusted over. I can only say they looked exactly like the chicken pox sores I had as a 12 year old. No clue what triggered such a reaction. My doctor said this seemed strange since “the vaccine uses a dead virus” but after seeing the sores she instantly remarked they were definetly caused by the vaccine.
It was certainly unpleasant but I think I’d risk it again to avoid the real deal. I’d like to avoid shingles at just about any cost after watching my father suffer from an outbreak late in his life.
However, I think the vaccine is certainly in need of an upgrade!
Just got the 1st shot on Wednesday, that night I noticed a red welt about an inch below the injection spot and about the size of a penny. By the next day the welt had tripled in size and I had chills. I went back to the doctor and he prescribed an antibiotic and to use benadryl cream on the welt and also use ice packs and OTC pain relievers. My fever got as high as 101 and my blood pressure also spiked. It’s now Saturday and the welt has doubled since Thursday, and it’s warm to the touch and raised. I feel fine otherwise, just concerned that the size is growing and not reducing.
I had a shingrix shot on November 19, 2018. I have been sick ever since. I have diarrhoea every day, I have severe headaches a few a week, my bowel flora is destroyed, I’m now lactose intolerant, and I’m very tired. I called the pharmacy to ask about feeling so sick several days after the shot and was told the pharmacist had also had a shot and was not feeling good himself. I saw my doctor (I have a nurse practitioner) who wasn’t sure what was going on but didn’t know what to do other than diarrhoea medications which didn’t work. By Christmas my weight was down 15 pounds to 100 pounds and hasn’t recovered. I have another doctor now and I’ve been on antibiotics three times which help at first but the problem returns when the dose is finished. I’m now taking Inulin and I’m on a very restrictive diet: no sugar, no dairy, no flours because they ferment in the gut, no potatoes, rice or heavy carbs, no fruit, no raw veggies, and no salads. And I’m not getting better. It’s been 4 months and I’ve had to change my life. I’ve given up teaching exercise class because I don’t know when my problem will hit. Plus I’m very tired although on a farm I still manage chores for my ponies..
Has there ever been talk of a class action suit? I’m in Canada in the Ottawa area. Something should be done to let others know what can happen from this shot!
I had COPD for 9 years. My first symptoms were dry cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath. My first chest x-ray only showed bronchitis. Finally I went to a pulmonologist and was diagnosed with COPD.i have used all the medication yet they don’t work, last year December I was told by a formal emphysema patient to use totalcureherbsfoundation.com herbal treatment which I really did,i was surprise the herbal products effectively get rid of my COPD totally. When you get where you cannot breathe it may be too late. Good luck to each and every one that will be trying their herbal treatment .
I’ve never had a reaction to a vaccine before, let alone a severe one. i think the Shingrix shot kicked my butt, though. I don’t think it’s going to kill me, and if it actually prevents shingles it’s worth it, but I sure hope I start feeling better pretty soon. It’s been three days.
I had my first Shingrix vaccine in October 2018 and had virtually no negative reaction. I received my second shot 5 days ago and I still have flu-like symptoms and stomach issues.
The day following my first shingles vaccination my eyes burned uncontrollably along with the other flu-like symptoms. Since then I have constant headaches and have developed a tic in my left eye. So far no other vision problems but would be interested to know if anyone has had similar type reaction. Thinking of passing on the second shot.
husband 71 year old healthy had 1st shot no problem 2nd shot lost felt achy and feverish then completely lost voice 3 days after vaccination. That was February. Voice never came back. Vocal cord paralyzed. Anyone heard of this?
I recently spent 4 days in the hospital as a result of this Shingrix vaccine. I received the first shot in December with the “typical” reaction. Several days of flu-like symptoms, arm was so sore I couldn’t lift it higher than my shoulder, and a red, swollen area that itched at the injection site. I went back to the CVS where I got the shot 8 days later and showed it to them. They said they would report it. Well that turned out to be nothing compared to the second shot.
On March 6 I went for my semi-annual check-up, had lots of bloodwork done and every test was normal. I am a 68 year old, pretty healthy woman, have been eating healthy and exercising for the last year and Dr. said I should cut my blood pressure medicine in half and could stop taking lipid medicine. So I had something to compare with after I got the Shingrix second shot the next day on March 7. I had the typical flu-like symptoms and felt generally bad. But by the 4th day I started running a high fever – 101.8 and 102 – was shivering and shaking and felt horrible! A spent an entire week just drinking soup and sleeping and stayed in pajamas. I did speak to my dr. and she told me that if I didn’t have any pain or headaches just to give it another day or two. Well, the next week I still had a temp and a rash broke out across the top of my chest and it itched like crazy. I spread calomine lotion over it to help dry it up. My husband kept insisting that I go to Urgent Care but I felt so weak I couldn’t bring myself to get dressed and ride the half hour there.
On the 16th day when I was still running a temp (lower now) my husband insisted on taking me to Urgent Care. The doctor examined me and did blood work and saw I had acute renal failure. I asked if I could go home to get some things but was told no – I had to go to the hospital immediately. For anyone who is interested in that kind of thing both my BUN and creatinine were elevated and GFR very low. I stayed in the hospital on IV’s and antibiotics for a UTI for 4 days. They checked my blood and urine every 12 hours and sent me home feeling very weak on March 26. I am still not back to totally normal, take naps in the afternoon, but grateful to be up and walking around. I hope this is the end of it and have no long term effects. My diagnosis on admission to hospital was “severe allergic reaction” and on discharge was “acute renal failure.” Everything I read on-line parrots the same opinion – the side effects of this vaccine are not nearly as bad as a case of shingles. I’m not sure that I agree. I did have the “single” shingles shot about 9 years ago with the live vaccine, my doctor thinks that may have something to do with it.
I received my second Shingrix shingles vaccine November, 2018. My left arm hasn’t been the same since. The soreness never went away and now I’m having trouble lifting my arm higher than my shoulder.. Last month, when I complained to my doctor that it was still sore, he thought it might be nerve damage. Now, with this latest development, I will have to see a specialist. I have friends that have experienced some of the above temporary reactions and many have had none other than the initial soreness.
My wife and I got the first injection this past week. The following day we both had sore arms and achy joints. Nothing debilitating. It’s now day 3 and we still have slightly sore arms and a small skin rash near the injection site. We will be getting the second dose in 2 monthS—No question. 1 in 3 non-vaccinated Americans will get shingles. I don’t want to be one of them. I’ve seen what it’s done to friends firsthand. It’s not pretty.
I got the second shot on a Monday. Upon arising on Tuesday, I had a bit of a headache and a queasy stomach….very odd for me. I did not eat anything and went off to my volunteer job at a rescue ranch. Told everyone, I just didn’t feel right —very tired. I ate lunch and then my heart started skipping beats. I decided I better leave. Came home and got the chills. Laid down and was sound asleep at 4:30 in the afternoon. This morning, Wednesday, I was still very tired. My arm hurts and the red has spread into a very large and hot shape that almost encircles my arm. I had no idea of all the side effects of this vaccine. I know I don’t want shingles but this is scary.
I had the first shot in February and had absolutely no side effects, not even a sore arm. Am waiting for the second shot as soon as it is back in stock.
In my view, thevaccinereaction.org does a great job of covering subject matter of this kind! Even if often deliberately polemic, the material posted is generally well researched and challenging.
I count HUNDREDS of really bad reactions to the Shingrix vaccine on here. This site runs so slowly because it is obviously being throttled by agents of the vaccine profiteers that run the hoax of the vaccination paradigm. I have copied pasted and kept all of these 326 comments I count so far, because the powers that be running the vaccine agenda will likely begin to disappear them all, as they disappeared the CDC’s announcing that it inoculated 98 million of us with a live cancer virus in polio vaccine — SMV 40 — which is still being found in some children’s brain tumors, apparently passed even from parents to their children. Vaccination is a ticking time bomb that has killed MILLIONS of people with soft tissue cancer. Soft tissue cancer exploded in direct proportion with vaccination “compliance” — Look it up : prostate, breast, lung, kidney, bladder — which is exactly what the CDC secretly predicted would happen after those geniuses discovered they had accidentally used monkey kidneys infected with live cancer viruses to develop the polio vaccine. You WISH this were conspiracy, Ron, Ken, and all you other trolls.
In October 2019 I took the shingles vaccine. Afterwards I was told I would have to take a second shot in three months.
On January.10th 2019 I took the second shot. unlike the first shot, this shot caused pain at the injection site and later down my arm for a few days.
Exactly 76 hours after the shot I walked into my place of work and was asked if I had been to the dentist. I replied, “no, why do you ask?” I was handed a mirror and saw that my face was swollen and mouth twisted toward my right ear as if I had a stroke. The left side of my face was frozen.
I went to GOOGLE UNIVERSITY and typed in What are the side effects of the 2nd shingles shot?… BELLS PALSY…. Side effects appears 76 hours after the shot
I went to the VA emergency room and it was confirmed that I had Bells Palsy.
I was given steroids to take for 5 days and an antiviral drug to take until all were used up.
Today is May 26,2019 and for the first time in 4 plus months I am able to blink my left eyelid.and notice that my mouth is moving toward the center of my face.
The left side of my face is swollen up to my left eye.
Visited the eye clinic last week and was told that my left cornea was very dry and I have to put eye drops in every hour and ointment 2 times a day. I cannot see clearly out of the left eye.
I once again visited GOOGLE UNIVERSITY to see if a class action suite had been filed for Shingrix vaccine and found that yes there is a class action against the vaccine.
I then called the VA and reported what had happened to me. I called the FDA and the Law office of Sadaka Law Firm in New Jersey 1-800-810-3437 who is handling the class action suite for the vaccine.
I feel very lucky after reading what some other people suffered after taking the shot.
I pray that my face will return to its normal very soon
I was never warned of the side effects of the shingle shot before or after I took it.
Had I known, I would not have taken it.
I had the second round of the shingle shot on Saturday and 3 to 4 days later my vocal cord was paralyzed. Has anyone else had this problem?
I agree Holly, and its true. Doctors learn how to treat symptoms and other medical problems. They do not know any more about drugs than you or I could learn by reading the research. Pharma reps don’t know anything either. They just learn through training what the drug is supposed to do, its side effects, study all the details about the drug and other research and then sell it to the doctors. It’s about selling and making money, and hopefully helping people and not about is this drug dangerous. They are doing their job. I’m sure a lot of the pharma reps truly want to help people, as are doctors, so don’t kill the deliverer of the drug, or their suggestion to take it. I’m sure if your doctor is mindful about your health, he or she would not suggest taking a drug or shot that is harmful, unless they are just careless and lazy about researching the drug. I’m sure as with many professions, there are bad doctors. Sad but true.
Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of pharmaceutical companies and the FDA, who may very well have some in higher positions as cohorts, and thus we either can trust the reports and findings, or take our chances and not take any medications we don’t think are good for us. **If you pay attention to commercials, they always disclose side-effects, and many have even said the drug could cause death! How’s that for risks?
With all that said, we all have a choice to make. Either take FDA approved drugs and chance you don’t get any of the side effects, or get the worst outcome that is possible. There’s a risk with every drug. I took penicillin when I was a very young child and had a reaction. Thank God it wasn’t life threatening, but it was unpleasant.
In the end, let’s be thankful we have medicine that can heal and cure many ailments. Just think about Marie Curio and the polio vaccine. What about cancer drugs. Most cancer treatments kick people’s butt when taking it, but it can, and has, saved many lives. So, do your homework and make a decision based on it and what your doctor says, or just take your doctors word for it. But, don’t blame the doctor if you have an adverse reaction, unless he/she told you don’t worry about it and you won’t have any problems. I doubt any doctor will take that chance and say something definitive. With that said, I am still not sure I want to take the shingles vaccine based on what I’ve read so far.
I noticed the comments by Carol on February 22, 2019. My Dr. recommended the Shingrix shot, too. Within a week, my left ear felt plugged and my left middle ear was affected badly. That was one year ago, today. I wish that I had never received this shot. I feel that it was not tested enough so all these reactions would not have occurred.
To ALL the over educated or even the self educated – vaccines particularly the new ones can and do have random & devastating effects particularly in elderly patients. Meds & supplements that I took routinely at 50 predawn right dangerous @ 76. Unfortunately the one size fits all, or as my doctor recently stated – “we now treat globally” meaning that an individual type of treatment or review is MIA with health care now. Fortunately there are sites like this one with posts from “real” people and enough side effect info online that we all can take the precautions that we (who don’t think globally or one size fits all) can turn to for information. There is NOT a single chance that I will subject my old reasonably healthy system to either vaccine. I occasionally get an out break of shingles and it is never fun but, I do know what to expect and how to manage the event.
had the shingles , dr. stated I could get it again , got the shot had a lump on my arm and soreness ,dr. said I need booster shot to prevent getting shingles again , now I have a rash and arm pain after 6 days . I will never ever get a flu shot
Unbelievable. I got the SHINGRIX shot #1 in mid-December and immediately contacted chicken pox – even though I already had chicken pox as a child. I went to the VA who gave me the shot. They called it “bedbugs” – what MORONS! Then after I assured them that is wasn’t bedbugs as it doesn’t even look like bedbugs plus my spouse sleeps in the same bed and has zero symptoms, they (the same MD, get that) said it “had to be contact dermatitis.” Wasn’t that either because any idiot can Google it and see that. So they/VA were totally lost. After having six months of open sores, nonstop oozing, never-ending itching, and scars that make me look like I was shot multiple times in a war, I was sent to the BEST allergist in this city of over 2 million – who also could not figure it out! Had to now go to an oncologist to try to determine what is in my blood and causing. Any half-wit knows that it is the vaccine and nothing else. But the brain-dead VA just can’t admit it. GRRRR!
Sharing this in case it helps someone else. I had the first dose of Shingrix vaccine on 2/27/19. Fever, chills, body aches, arm pain and rash followed for two days, then a week of feeling terrible. After that, terrible lower back pain radiating around to my hips joints where I almost couldn’t tolerate sitting. That passed, but I still have aching, stiff, uncomfortable lower back pain and hip pain. It’s not like when I’ve pulled something in my back before, it’s like I have chronic inflammation. Have had an MRI of lower back, nothing out of the ordinary for my age (56). Been to an Internist. Trying a round of Valtrex that they prescribe for shingles to see if it helps. My theory is my immune system is in overdrive as a response to this vaccine. The sad thing is I never rush out and get or try anything new medically. I’m usually a wait and see on drugs, etc, I’m healthy and don’t take any meds. I don’t know why I did this. Really regretting it. Do your research before you get it.
I had my first dose in March and my second in May. The first one set off my fibromyalgia symptoms….aching head to toe, muscle, bones, joints and I was extremely fatigued. This started almost immediately after the shot and lasted for 2 days. My arm hurt for a full week. With the second shot I had some fatigue but not as bad as the first dose. My arm turned red for one day and pain went away after about 4 days. I had chills during the first night but took Tylenol and was ok. So far I am doing ok. I was worried about the shots and did not know how I would react. I hope I will be protected from the shingles.
While I was working in kindergarten in 2016, I contracted Chickenpox virus and had skin blisters on my trunk right away. The skin rash went away very quickly without any treatment. After that, I never have had any skin rash until now. However in recent months, I started to observe some weird tingling sensations in my left face and also some pain and tinnitus in my ear. I assumed these later symptoms might have something to do with the Chickenpox virus. Hence after doing some research on the internet, I thought getting the latest Shingrix vaccine might give my natural immunity the ability to better recognize and fight off this virus. I looked for this vaccine in the country where I live, Finland, and to no avail. Next, I contacted a private company in London and they said they could offer me this vaccine. While I was about to arrange my trip to London to get this vaccine, I don’t know why but my instinct told me to just check and hear other people’s testimonials about this vaccine before I embark my trip. A couple of days ago, I stumbled upon this page and I felt really shocked after reading all the testimonials. I think I was about to make and regret the worst decision of my life. There is no way I will get this vaccine now, never! To all the wonderful people out there who shared their personal experiences on this vaccine, I THANK YOU VERY MUCH, and I really really hope you guys are all in a better health and shape by now. God bless!
I had my first shingrix vaccination two days ago, and the following evening, I was in the ER with a-fib. I can’t come up with a cause for the a-fib, other than the shot. I was in the ER for about 5 hours. They first tried drugs to get me to to convert… no luck. They tried shocking me twice (which I guess normally brings you back to sinus rhythm)… again no luck. Finally, they put me on an IV, and thankfully… eventually, I finally came out of it. The doctor was just shaking his head in disbelief. I have to chat with my cardiologist about whether I’m going to subject myself to the second shot.
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Had mild modified case of shingles about 18 yrs ago, meds for 1 week took care of it. Now at age 77, had my first shingrix shot 4 weeks ago…by pharmacist at Costco. Almost immediately had a headache, with left arm extremely sore. Next morning headache continued, left arm very sore, most joints sore. This went on for 4-5 days. Went golfing, left arm continued to be sore, to the point that was unable to continue. Then noticed that arm was swollen, with a fairly large black and blue bruise. Seen my doctor, he diagnosed ‘Hematoma’, and indicated there was nothing he could do, that the body would take care of it. Three weeks later, tried golfing again, arm still not normal. Four days ago, noticed red swells on left leg, went my doctor again, was diagnosed with mild/modified shingles. On meds for another week. After reading numerous severe issues related to shingrix, doubt I will have 2nd shot.
I am 69, had chicken pox as a kid and shingles about 8 years ago. I had the Zostavax vaccine about a year after the Shingles. Last Saturday I received the first Shingrix vaccine, administered in the muscle of my left arm. The muscle was sore the next day but did not inhibit me from going to the pool with the grandkids and horsing around with the 7 year old a bit. Today is Tuesday, and the only time I have even noticed my arm was after I woke up when it had been still for long period.
I think the key is to keep moving. I have not needed to take any pain meds. For me the soreness from the Shingrix was quite tolerable and certainly preferable to the discomfort I suffered from Shingles, and the inconvenience of having to stay away from work and from family members who’d not had chickenpox or vaccine.
As a follow up to my June 12th post, I finished the course of Valtrex treatment for shingles and seemed to feel a little better, but now feeling more uncomfortable again with lower back pain and hip joints/abdomen aching. Doing more research, I found a disease called Transverse myelitis disease which fits all of my symptoms. Causes can be viral and other infections, ms, neuromyeltits optica, autoimmune disorders and VACCINATIONS. It has been associated with vaccines, but is rare. I have an appointment with my internist next week to discuss. Wondering if a round of steroids and a maintenance dose of Valtrex ongoing for a few months would calm the inflammation – immune response down. Not sure if I should see a neurologist at this point, or an immunologist. Will see what the internist recommends.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/transverse-myelitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354730
It’s been almost 5 days and I still have soreness, redness, and itching. I read if this persists after 7 days to see the doctor.
My husband and I had the first round 9 days ago. We both had fevers, chills, sore arms, headaches and overall malaise for a few days. About 2-3 days after getting the immunization, I started to develop very itchy, red bumps…randomly they would pop up on my torso, legs and arms. I thought they might be hives as they are super itchy and last about one day and then another one will surface. I believe they are a reaction to this vaccine. My husband’s muscles still ache…we will not be getting the second round!
I just received my second dose of Shingrix yesterday (June 27, ’19). My first was administered in February ’19. I am 59 yrs old and consider myself to be in excellent health. After the first dose, I experienced such pain at the injection site, that radiated into my shoulder, that it woke me up in the middle of the night. I took some ibuprofen and was able to get back to sleep. For the next couple of days I was headachy, had the chills, and also had a stomach ache. My pharmacist told me of the possible side effects but I poo-pooed them (in my head) because I’ve never had a negative reaction to any flu shot or DPT or MMR booster. However, I was humbled by my reaction to the Shingrix vaccine. Even so, I returned yesterday for my second dose. Yes, my arm hurts but not as badly as the first time and I slept through the night. I have not taken any ibuprofen. I am sitting on the couch now with occasional chills but I have a blanket over my lap and it’s okay. I don’t have a headache nor the stomach upset like the first time. I am willing to go through these temporary side effects because I have seen people I love suffer horribly with shingles. I have a significant amount of stress in my life that has been thought to reduce a person’s immune response and make them vulnerable to a shingles outbreak. For me, I decided it was worth the temporary discomfort and I felt getting the Shingrix vaccine was the right choice.
Hi Myrna!
Wow, you returned for your second dose only a couple of days after your June 27th vaccine? The date of your entry is June 28th and you note you returned “yesterday” … maybe there is some kind of time lag with the system here so I’m thinking your second vaccination was just a couple of days later when I was told to get the second vaccination at least 2 months after the first. Is that right, or did I hear wrong?
Carpe Diem!
Winfred
three weeks after the first dose of Shingrix, i developed a red patch over my eye lid that went over to me temple. Two months later and 5 different doctor appt. later, this red itchy patch remains and is now taking over the left side of my face as well. It is hard to say what triggers it. If i scratch one area, it will appear there down the road. Needless to say i will not be getting the 2nd dose, disappointed and completely uncomfortable right now. Pushing all the Rx ointments aside this morning I am trying Colloidal Silver on my rash, the itching has subsided a tiny bit. I do have other immune system diseases, so it this vaccine upped my immune response if i start doing other dietary changes to up my immune system-will my skin response get worse? Confusing any advice is appreciated. This sure makes your life step back for hopefully a temporary time instead of this slow progression of the symptoms getting worse.
i am not convinced the it was only the Shingrix shot that affected my face, because thankfully I can say my skin has cleared up. I think it was due to getting allergy shots for trees within the same time period. Perhaps a facial product combined as well. But still do not want to reenact all the doctor appts all over again by risking the 2nd half of the vaccination.
It is my 1 year anniversary of my first shingrix vaccination….. I am still on meds to help control the nerve pain in both of my arms. Enough said. Thanks GSK. Thanks for ruining the last year of my life.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS :DO NOT TAKE SHINGRIX until they come up with a test to assess one’s potetial reaction to its side effects.
I have had both shots, The first one put me out of commission (fever, pain, fatigue, headaches) for 2 days and felt better after 4 days. I figured that I would react less on the 2nd shot since I would have some immunity from the first shot. I was completely wrong
The second shot was worse; to the point it has been 5 days since the shot and I am barely getting over the worst and my arm still aches.
I did get shingles 3 years ago and that is why I went ahead and got the vaccine.
I first had Zostavax with very minor adverse reaction (pain and redness on site of injection)
Then I read that Zostavax loses efficacy after a coupe of years and since I don’t like shots I decide to go for Shingrix – and here I am advising against it.
I think it is better to get Zostavax shot every 2 years and side step these horrible side effect of Shingrix.
Maybe you are in the group 9 of 10 that has minor reaction. It is your gamble.
I had both shingles shots about 6 mos apart. “Level 3” severe reactions to both. I was fine for about 8 hrs each time except for severe arm pain and burning at injection site, then full blown flu symptoms, fever, chills, headache, body aches, nausea, and severe fatigue. It flattened me for most of the week both times. I sure hope it was worth it! I have never, ever reacted to any shot before that.