Update: COVID and shingles vaccinations are in! Ache levels are okay so far, but I did take ibuprofen as soon as I walked through the door back at home. We're staying home for Valentine's Day in any event so it's all good.
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i've tried to get the shingles vax a couple times now as i've known 3 people that got actual shingles in their 40s and they 10000% do not recommend it. but every time they are adamant it is only 50+.
now i'm worried it won't even exist by the time i am 50+.
Why won’t it work for you? That’s what the Shingles vaccine is designed for. If you had chicken pox as a child (as did I), the virus stays in your body. The vaccine will greatly lessen your chances of getting shingles.
I had chicken pox as a kid, shingles 5 years ago, and I got the vaccine last year. Don’t ever want that experience again, especially since I learned that you can get it in your EYES! Any vax reax is a piffling thing compared to having shingles.
wishing you luck tomorrow. seriously. when I had both at the same time, next day is when it hit me.
But glad you are taking care of yourselves!
btw, was this the 1st shingles shot or the 2nd? if you don't mine my asking...
The day trump stole the election, I signed up for the max number of vaccines the pharmacy would give me at once (3). I've done 2 more rounds so far, and that's gotten me caught up on pretty much everything you can imagine. Gotta prepare for RFK, the coming wars, and god know what else.
Exercise, if one is interested or able, can minimize aches, snd other unpleasant vaccine reactions. It's a trick I was involuntarily taught in bootcamp. Enough exercise can actually improve antibody production, but staving off aches is enough for me. It even staved off the anthrax golf ball.
Should not have done those two at same time! The Shingles site is gonna HURT!!!Big needle- big
hole - big hurt! Did it and regretted it the next day and I was warned by person giving the shots.
The shingles vaccine is no joke. I generally have no problems other than a sore arm from flu/covid vaccines, but the shingles shots kicked my rear end. However, I’ll take a few days of feeling cruddy over having the shingles virus activate and make my life miserable for months
We started in October and got Covid and Flu. Then we got the RSV followed by the Tdap and our first Shingles Vaccine in November and we finished up in January with our second Shingles Vaccine. We had the Pneumonia in 2022 and 2023 a two shot deal one year apart.
It’s nice to know I’ll likely never have to worry about shingles, a truly frightening disease if you’ve ever known anyone who had it you will know.
Got my covid and flu shots too. And I’m still alive!
I’ve had decades of vaccinations and I’m still alive!
Glad you got them done! Hopefully, the ibuprofen keeps any soreness in check. A cozy Valentine's Day at home sounds like a great plan—take it easy and rest up! I’ve got my second shingles shot tomorrow—fingers crossed I won’t be as itchy as last time.
The second shingles shot I had a few weeks ago left me sweaty and shaking all night, bundled in blankets. But my wife got shingles a year ago, and it was painful and horrid, so that few hours of shivers (or even x10) is well worth me never getting shingles.
The second Shingles vaccine kicked my ass, but it was so worth it. I developed a small patch of shingles about 8 months after and it was excruciating. I can't imagine a full blown infection. I have a neighbor who lost his eye sight after shingles attacked his optic nerve. #VaccinesSaveLives
Glad to see it. I spent over a year catching on everything. You're a too young for it, I think, but keep RSV and pneumonia in mind. And don't forget to check on your tetanus vaccine (T-dap) status.
Got my shots NYE: They discovered an electric disconnect in my heart, got a pacemaker on 1/2. Good news, they saved my life. Bad news, deductible had to be paid for TWO YEARS. No more NYE appointments... Lesson learned the hard way...
At least for the Covid shot, move your arm more than usual throughout the day. That'll reduce the soreness later today and tomorrow. Because the shot is intramuscular, movement helps reduce the soreness. A quick search says the Shingles vaccine is intramuscular, too. So move that arm. 🙂
When i got 1st shingles shot, it was suggested i wait for COVID. Glad i did as shingles made arm SO FREAKIN SORE. COVID 2 weeks later. Bravo for updating shots!🪻🌷👍
I got Shingle booster, Flu, and COVID vaccines on the same day.
My doctor rolls in, sees this, and goes "Wow, you're sure brave!" Which was not what I wanted to hear.
By that evening I felt like I'd been run over by a truck hauling shingles.
As a nurse, I gotta say: thanks to everyone in this comment section. I can’t tell you how disenheartening all of the anti-vax stuff has been for health care workers over the past few years. Glad there’s still reasonable people out there!
I got my first dose of the shingles vax along with a flu shot… and got my ass kicked. Took about 12 hours to jump me, but I was a puddle of pudding for about 24 hours… totally wiped me out. Second dose I got along with a Covid shot. A bit tender at the injection site but totally fine, otherwise.
Happy ❤️ Day! We're always up-to-date on vax, but got shingles before I was offered the vaccination. Had a mild case with quick diagnosis (via Zoom) & anti-virals (via local chemist) in 2022 (Yay ScotNHS!), but it was still quite painful! Highly recommend everyone has the vaccination when possible. 🙏
In the UK got my Covid and Flu jabs in December. Got my first Shingles shot last week.
Absolutely no problem with it.
Go back in 6 months to get the second jab.
Oy! I currently am suffering with a horrible bout of Shingles. Once I’ve been done with Shingles for six weeks, I’ll get the Vaccine, if it’s still available now that RFK jr. is in charge.
The day after my 2nd shingles I was downright sick. Felt horrible all day, and just dozed on the couch. Day after that was a little better but still below snuff. Hit me much worse than Covid shots ever did.
I'm just hoping you don't pick up the flu instead. I got it ~two weeks ago and it was worse than the last time I had COVID (it also sent my 75yo mother to the hospital). Never had flu that bad before. Apparently it has been a particularly horrendous flu season this year.
Recently got Covid, Flu, and Shingles at the same time. No problems at all. Just go get it done- the alternative could be a lot worse - and there is no guarantee If they will continue to be available.
It has been my experience that good chocolate and cat snuggles and a compelling book go a long ways to improving/removing any yucky reactions to the vaccinations I've received.
The first one knocked me on my ass for days; the second gave me just a mildly sore arm. Others I know have had it the other way around, or two miserable shots, or two negligible ones… You roll the dice. But it’s a few days’ nuisance, nothing more, and you get to complain about it loudly.
My recommendation for anything like this involving the body is to drink plenty of just plain water both before & after the shot. I have also heard that it’s important to keep moving the arm you got a shot in rather than babying it. And gently massaging around the injection site couldn’t hurt either.
I got the Shingrix vaccines last year & the injection site was really painful and I got flu like symptoms (weak, headache, mild fever, fatigue, dizzy, blah). I’ve never had a reaction to any COVID or flu vaccination, but the shingles vaccine took me out for a day each time. The first shot was worse.
Shingles was the worst vaccine I ever had, and I usually don't have much of a reaction. Plan for 24 hours down would be my suggestion. Maybe you'll be lucky.
I did the Covid and Shingles part 2 at the same time. I did get slammed a little, but it wasn’t too bad. I had a trip coming, and wanted to get both in before.
I did Covid, RSV, Flu, and Shingles (part 2) all at the same time. Just moderately a bit more sore than doing 2 of them. All I took for discomfort was a cat on my lap.
I got the vacx, it sucked. But when I got shingles a year later, it was a mild case that didn't even erupt. Just be sure to get the antiviral pill right away if you suspect shingles. It really stopped it dead in its tracks in just a couple hours.
Yes, I got a mild case of shingles on my torso after a COVID shot (I was kind of run down so that contributed). I recognized it and managed to get antivirals immediately so it was no big deal. Now one shingrix shot done so hopefully on my way to not getting it again.
That is good news, I recognized it immediately too, and caught it quickly but it did spread. I’ll be getting the vaccination as soon as I can, I have to wait a year now after they appeared.
My then 30yo nephew caught shingles. He didnt know what it was but he had a swipe across his chest that looked like he fought Wolverine. Then his temp shot up to 102°, he was in such pain that his employer called an ambulance & my sister.
At the hospital they gave him fentanyl for the extreme pain.
The Shingles part 1 of 2 vaccine hit me hard. High temp, nausea, painful joints and muscles. But I had been warned my my bro and my cousins that it hits hard especially if you had Chickenpox.
Its basically hunting down that dormant chickenpox virus in your CNS and going to war with it.
The vax won
Please keep us posted on how you're doing. I need some encouragement to get off my butt and get the shingles vac. I keep saying I'll do it when I feel like I can take a couple days off, which seems like never.
I’ll give you some encouragement. I’ve had both shots and nothing but a sore arm. I scheduled 3 days of couch sitting for the second and nothing. I wasn’t even exhausted or a fever. Nothing.
Yep, shingles is a rough one. Plan a lazy weekend with a good book. My mother had it, and seeing what she went through, I got it as soon as I was eligible.
I got Covid and Flu the same day and the next day was unpleasant. I avoid taking antiinflammatories for 2 days after a vaccination to avoid tempering the immune response.
I never get two vaccines at one time. My very old body (80) needs to focus on creating adequate antibodies. Some say that is not true but my doctor agrees with me.
One thing I found helped a bit was chugging a lot of Gatorade (getting lots of fluids and electrolytes) as well as making sure you eat a good portion of protein (for the Covid mRNA to have raw materials to work with).
I just scheduled a bloody measles vaccination. Why? Because there is an outbreak here. I was vaccinated as a child but after decades who knows the effectivenes. I do not want this at my age. Vaccines are easy
I had to get a new measles shot right before the pandemic. I was in that group that the protection dropped off, and it kicked my butt! I was in the ER with dehydration and had a 103+ fever for 4 days. Got the measles rash and everything!Dr. advised titer testing rather than a second vaccine.
I had all my childhood immunizations but the chickenpox vaccine didnt exist then. I did not catch chickenpox until I was 18. It was sheer hell.
As I recovered my hometown and home county in SoCal had an outbreak of measle set into action by Yuppie moms. Since 18 I get boosters every 5 to 10 yrs.
chickenpox as an adult is life-threatening isn't it?! that's why pre-vaccine it was 'good' to get it as a child. (but then now you can get shingles...)
I had a titer done several years ago because I was vaccinated in the 1960s and really couldn’t recall my second vaccine even though my mom was on top of everything, my doctor suggested the titer.
When I recently did that (add in the flu vaccine), 18 hours later it hit me like a ton of bricks. The worst lasted for about 6 hours and then I felt exhausted for about a day and a half.
Glad you got vaccinated Just went thru Shingles. Sucked big time. Had a nasty case of chickenpox 50 years ago, so always meant to get the shot.
The blister were like fireant bites. Itch, pain, and then the "screw it all, I need to scratch". Which then spreads the infection. Spread the word.
Nah... when I did that, it was on the theory of 'only one arm hurts' - since I am a side-sleeper, that is crucial!
(Yes, it ached like mad, but I was still able to sleep!)
I appreciate the heads up, was planning to get pneumococcal and work a 13 hour shift the next day. I’ll still get it but I’ll schedule more carefully! I think I slept like 18 hours after the shingles jab….
I don’t remember what time of day I got it, but I woke up shivering, in a sweaty, achy ball in the middle of the night. I dragged myself out of bed in the morning thinking I would work a couple of hours, then go back to bed. By Go-Back-To-Bed O’clock, I was actually feeling pretty O.K.
YMMV
You may be fine. I had both shots on schedule and just had a sore arm both times. No other issues. I scheduled couch sitting for 3 days and didn’t need it. I didn’t go crazy, but I did get out. I also got the pneumonia shot at 50 after seeing the Mary Lou Retton interview on her pneumonia.
The flu and COVID vaccines together are a lot. My first dose of shingrix wasn't bad (though I planned for two days off anyway). I've read it's the second dose of shingrix that usually kicks your ass more.
Yeah, I'm planning to stagger the remaining vaccines I want to get (mpox, pneumonia). I have an autoimmune disorder so I try not to throw too much at my immune system at once.
Glad to hear the vaccinations are done. Hopefully the ibuprofen will keep any discomfort at bay. I know you enjoyed your quiet Valentine's Day at home and took care of yourself.
I, maybe not wisely, went to a concert after I got my Shingles vax and about halfway through, my wife looked at me and immediately took me home because I was a ghastly shade of gray.
I got both doses of the Shingles vaccine about two years ago. Because I have known people who underwent intense agony because of Shingles, I wasn’t going to take that chance.
My next COVID booster is due in 2-3 months. No side effects except for the most recent booster. I have also had RSV and Flu.
Hope your shingrix experience was better than mine! 5 days out…swelling, red, hot to the touch, body and joint pain, muscle underneath the injection site is a hard lump, & itching horribly, BUT still better than a shingles outbreak.
Comments
now i'm worried it won't even exist by the time i am 50+.
But glad you are taking care of yourselves!
btw, was this the 1st shingles shot or the 2nd? if you don't mine my asking...
Both my wife and I have family members who have been bedridden from shingles.
It's not something I'm looking forward to.
due to absolute zero energy.
hole - big hurt! Did it and regretted it the next day and I was warned by person giving the shots.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/routine-vaccinations-linked-with-lower-alzheimers-risk
When I did that I woke up at 3 AM feeling like someone took a bat to my arm.
Still way way better than being unvaccinated.
Got my covid and flu shots too. And I’m still alive!
I’ve had decades of vaccinations and I’m still alive!
And, it did..
Won’t have vaccines for Covid, shingles etc but will happily have jabs to go on holiday!!
Stupid ppl
Worth it tho. Shingles is horrible
My doctor rolls in, sees this, and goes "Wow, you're sure brave!" Which was not what I wanted to hear.
By that evening I felt like I'd been run over by a truck hauling shingles.
Absolutely no problem with it.
Go back in 6 months to get the second jab.
Strictly American conditions.
Still worth it, of course. But ouch!
Hope you fare better than me, and have a lovely day/weekend!
I had the new shingles shot a while back & no issues for me at all.
Other than original covid shots all my reactions have mostly been sore arms & hives/rashes. So ok.
The one I had in 2012, however, caused me to sleep for about 12 hours.
Its trying to hunt down and kill the dormant varicella that hiding in the CNS. The whole thing is very fascinating.
The intended effects of the Vax were far better than getting Shingles.
At the hospital they gave him fentanyl for the extreme pain.
Its basically hunting down that dormant chickenpox virus in your CNS and going to war with it.
The vax won
Hopefully you get off easier!
Certainly beats the hell out of getting shingles, regardless!
But man, the Shingles hit me HARD. Good luck!
As I recovered my hometown and home county in SoCal had an outbreak of measle set into action by Yuppie moms. Since 18 I get boosters every 5 to 10 yrs.
I just finished my Pokemon version of Vaccinations and TDAP was the final one I had tonight.
Gotta collect them all!
The blister were like fireant bites. Itch, pain, and then the "screw it all, I need to scratch". Which then spreads the infection. Spread the word.
(Yes, it ached like mad, but I was still able to sleep!)
Pneumococcal , tho, was by far the worst I’ve felt after a jab … but, it *has* to be better than a hospital stay!
YMMV
Recommend taking an antihistamine to temper the immune response a bit.
You need two more at timed intervals
To start with.
Thank you for the update
1 shot then 2 to 6 months for the next..I had mine through kaiser Permanente.
Now my wife needs hers before this government outlaws all medications to keep us alive and safe.
My doctor told me to get shingles shots. I put it off a bit and then got it.
Shingles sincerely sucks. Thankfully I didn’t have it on my face. Just my waist. But yikes.
there's a cat in the background .
Shingles vax was the worst of all my vax reactions...but well worth it to prevent shingles!
My next COVID booster is due in 2-3 months. No side effects except for the most recent booster. I have also had RSV and Flu.