First nurse call of the day. SIL had reaction to shingles vax.
#onceanurse
#alwaysanurse
Didn’t know there is a treatment for reaction. Let us know
@LnzyHou
You are definitely in the lone camp on this one. Most of my patients did have at least a small reaction. Plenty had a good one to the second.
My dtr just got shingles for the second time under her eye. It came on quick this time. Scary.
Matt, my CVS pharmacist was amazed. He gives me all my vaccines. None to latest Covid, flu or RSV either.
Hope your daughter recovers quickly-without spread
@LnzyHou
Thanks Linds. Glad you did, and are doing well.
Can confirm.
For those of you out there waffling cuz you've heard of the side effects...STOP.
Get the shot.
@LnzyHou @CinnamonGirlE Same. Zero reactions from both shots. And not one time have I heard anybody say “Shingles? Oh, it’s not so bad.” All I’ve heard are horror stories about the pain and discomfort.
@FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou @CinnamonGirlE
This is weird timing. I go in to get my second shingles shot this afternoon.
The first shot is the only vaccine that ever gave me a reaction beyond "sore arm."
The injection site swelled up crazy huge, 3 or 4 inches in diameter, about two inches high, and was hot to the touch. Took a week for it to settle down.
I wasn't running a fever, oddly, and had no other symptoms.
Even if that happens again, it's still better than getting shingles.
@Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
My second vaccine was a lot like the flu. But I don't regret it a second. A few days of feeling badly amcant compare to the misery and possible long lasting effects of shingles. Hydrate. And self care should take care of any issues.
From what I hear about the searing pain of Shingles (a friend thought she was literally dying when she got em) sounds like the shot is about a million times more preferable. I’ve also learned that shingles can cause long term paralysis if they break out near eyes.
IANAD but I wonder if such an intense responds means the virus was reawakening in your body and you were more at risk for getting them and dodged a non-lethal bullet (or a hundred).
@TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
My daughter just finished a visit with ophthalmology after the second outbreak near her eye. He suggests the vax and prophylactic antivirals for her. She will have to return to her PCP and see if she can get it. She is still not old enough. Has had shingles at least two dozen times at this point.
OMG I am so sorry for what she’s gone through, but I thought the shingles double shots could be given much earlier than most people need em??
@TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
She first had them at 18. Hasn't been able to convince them to vaccinate her since. So not currently, but trying again since Opthalmology recommended it today after second outbreak near her eye.
@CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV
Two dozen times? OMG
@CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Oh, holy crap! Your poor daughter! 😮 💔
@CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Cinny — I forgot there was an age limit. What is it? Was explained to me by NP that Boomers & X were most likely to get shingles cuz chickenpox, whereas every group after had the vax. Does this comport with current med advice?
@InUnfunky @CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Older Millennials as well. My children are in their 30s now but both had chicken pox before age ten. The vaccine didn't exist yet.
@Tarnagh @InUnfunky @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Exactly. The age of my daughter. An older millennial. No vaccine. But she had chicken pox.
@CinnamonGirlE @Tarnagh @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Here -- 24, 23, and 14 have all had the vax. Cuz available.
@InUnfunky @Tarnagh @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
So they all had Shingrix? Or the varicella vax for kids?
@CinnamonGirlE @Tarnagh @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Sorry, ma'am -- but ah do apologize for muh lack of claritee...😉
Yes, they had the chikvax whenever their docs said they could. 👍
@InUnfunky @Tarnagh @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
All good. Glad they got the varicella vax.
@CinnamonGirlE @Tarnagh @TheAbbotTrithemius @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Me too! 🤓
I OTOH had Shingrix AFTER having shingles in '19, which sucked but what, a roid and Valtrex? killed it. Occasionally will have postherp but VERY MINOR.
Yes, Shingrix number 2 is a doozy but BETTER THAN SHINGLES.
@InUnfunky
50 for most people. In cases of immunodeficiency 18. My dtr isn't immunodeficient that we know of. Healthy otherwise.
I would say that's true. Most older people weren't vaccinated. Most had chicken pox and carry the virus.
@CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Sorry to pester you in your professional capacity. 😆
@InUnfunky @CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou I believe the current advice is that "over 50" should get it. That could be stale advice and I don't know anything about what other factors come into play, if any.
@CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
That is heartbreaking pain for her. I'm so sorry.
@MerakiLife @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Thank you. Glad you are on the other end of it.
@CinnamonGirlE @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
OMG I've had it once and that was enough - I can't imagine the hell she must be going through.
@NorthernInvader @TheAbbotTrithemius @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
She is currently better but had her ophthalmology referral for the recent outbreak. Thank you though!
@Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
My stepmom got shingles in her hair, face. She says the pain was worse than birthing 5 kids.
Former doc told me about patient who went blind from shingles. Another died. He insisted I take vaccine back when it was one injection.
@LnzyHou @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
Since we're talking about this, it may also be good to remind people that you may need a booster somewhere between 7 - 10 years later, and (probably) definitely after ten years.
"Immunity stays strong for at least the first 7 years after vaccination."
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
"New data show Shingrix can provide at least 10 years of protection against shingles in adults aged 50 years and over"
@Tarnagh @LnzyHou @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
Shingles created such intense pain that I couldn't think. I broke out on the radiation table during the last day of treatment! Fortunately a heavy anti-viral medication was waiting for me at pharmacy the second I arrived home - an hours drive later.
Get the vaccine friends.
@MerakiLife
OMG that sounds horrid! Plus I am really jumpy about stuff that happens on radiation tables, because I am on one of those every damn day.
@publickovacs @Tarnagh @LnzyHou @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
During radiation was my second Shingles attack. Immediate treatment made a huge difference that time.
I was planning on getting the newer vaccination when I discovered the breast cancer and all vax was stopped then.
@MerakiLife
I understand the need to stop things during cancer - I just wish my stupid left eyeball did, too. Will need major surgery on it, but would like to finish radiation first.
@publickovacs @LnzyHou @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
Be as easy on yourself as possible Mel. One step at a time. Control your anxiety as best you can. I believe our nervous systems impacts the Facia, Lymphatic, Circulatory systems. We need these to be working as well as possible to promote healing.
I have lymphatic problems(even though no nodes were removed- they certainly were damaged by radiation bouncing through my small frame).
Body flossing technique has removed tons of pain.
@MerakiLife
Thank you so much 🧡✨
@Tarnagh @LnzyHou @FabulousLVNV
Thanks for posting.
@LnzyHou @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
The 1st time I had shingles it erupted on my face during the night. I had been to the dentist that day. During sleep I dug at my face where the pain med was injected. Shingles path went up the side of my nose, under my eye and into all my hair on one side of my head. I didn't have insurance or a dr back then. I couldn't even get up by myself! For years they said vax won't protect you if you'd already experienced it. Seven weeks of hell. Get vax!
@MerakiLife @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
Unimaginably painful. I’m sorry this happened to you.
@LnzyHou @Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
Thanks for your kindness Lindsay. When people say birthing a child is less painful than Shingles- believe them.
It's almost all in the rear view mirror now for me and that's huge.
@Tarnagh @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou @CinnamonGirlE
It was only injection site issues for me, but the first Shingrix was the most such pain I've ever experienced from a shot. The 2nd shot was within the norm. Hope that proves true for you, as well!
@Ellico2020bis @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou @CinnamonGirlE
So I got to the pharmacy to get my shot, after being unable to get it yesterday since they needed my updated insurance card which I of course didn't have on me. Got home, found it, rescheduled the appt for today.
Got there today and ... they're out of the vaccine. So I still haven't gotten it. 😂
At this point at least all the insurance foolishness is fixed.
@Tarnagh @Ellico2020bis @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Way to see the silver lining. Hope they get it in soon.
Pain that can last 4-6 months.
@LnzyHou @FabulousLVNV
Or longer with post herpetic neuralgia.
@FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou @CinnamonGirlE it's BAD. My husband was of those unlucky people to get shingles young, and he still has nerve pain in his arm where the shingles virus damaged it.
@Halcyon @FabulousLVNV @LnzyHou
Sorry to hear this. I have never personally experienced it, but have seen my daughter go through it for decades as well as scores of patients. Got my vax this year and am glad.
@Halcyon @FabulousLVNV @CinnamonGirlE
Wasn’t aware of permanent damage.
@LnzyHou I had no reaction either.
@LnzyHou @CinnamonGirlE The only "reaction" I had to the shot was a slightly sore spot at the injection site. Gone the next day, and most likely not from the vaccine itself.
@CinnamonGirlE @LnzyHou My shingles episode was odd as it attacked my back before any side pain or rash appeared.
The worst part of it all is I had fur bud who liked to show you love by getting next to you and giving you a body slam. Had to be quick with the arm block.
@Keysalagain @LnzyHou
Wow. Unusual presentation, but I have seen it before. Those fur babies; they have their own agendas, lol.
@CinnamonGirlE @LnzyHou ...and opioid painkillers didn't do anything to help. Had to take Gabapentin. It sucked.
@Keysalagain @LnzyHou
True. Opioids aren't really that successful for shingles.
@CinnamonGirlE @LnzyHou I was pissed. I had this prescription that makes everyone afraid it will get abused and it didn't do squat. Then my GP explained that the Shingles virus is limited to the nerves so the Gaba is a better route. It didnt do much but it at least did something.
@Keysalagain @LnzyHou
Yes, it works in different receptors. There aren't a lot of successful treatments.
Everybody should get the vax. If they possibly can.
@CinnamonGirlE
I had zero reactions from Shingrix. My pharmacist was amazed as most folks have some sort of reaction.
Agree ANY reaction better than shingles.