GET THE SHOT!!!

[GrampaJim]

I’m not talking about the COVID shot, that’s a different subject.

If you are older than 50, your doctor has told you about the shingles shot. Maybe your like me and thought I’m healthy I don’t need that, or maybe it was I get around to it someday.

I was diagnosed with shingles the second week of November. As it went through its stages, I felt worse by the day. I think I have a pretty high pain threshold. I have had major surgery to remove my prostate, 3 operations on my left eye, and several broken bones (not all this at the same time).

The shingles decided to hit one side of my face and concentrate around my eye, with the blistering and burning all the way into the hairline. I cannot describe the pain. It never stopped. You know your in trouble when you overhear the doctor saying he feels sorry for you. They tried Hydrocodone for a while, but there were times I was still curled up and literally crying like a 3 year old, I was next on something stronger for the next month.

They say with the shot a few people still get it, but if anything reduces the odds do it!

GET THE SHOT!

[amazingkevin]

Amazing what the body can put up with!!!

[dgman]

I feel for you Jim! I’ve been there. It’s been over five years for me, and I still have pain over my left eye and forehead. In the beginning, once or twice a day I would get these intense attacks that would last about thirty seconds. It would feel like someone plugged me into an electric socket. It would hurt so bad, I could hear myself screaming, but I could not control it. Other times it would feel like someone was turning a screw into my forehead. Eventually, the attacks lessened, but I still get pain pain above my eye. I agree wholeheartedly, get the shot!!! If you had chickenpox as a child, GET THE SHOT!!!

[puzzleman]

1 hour ago, GrampaJim said:

I’m not talking about the COVID shot, that’s a different subject.

If you are older than 50, your doctor has told you about the shingles shot. Maybe your like me and thought I’m healthy I don’t need that, or maybe it was I get around to it someday.

I was diagnosed with shingles the second week of November. As it went through its stages, I felt worse by the day. I think I have a pretty high pain threshold. I have had major surgery to remove my prostate, 3 operations on my left eye, and several broken bones (not all this at the same time).

The shingles decided to hit one side of my face and concentrate around my eye, with the blistering and burning all the way into the hairline. I cannot describe the pain. It never stopped. You know your in trouble when you overhear the doctor saying he feels sorry for you. They tried Hydrocodone for a while, but there were times I was still curled up and literally crying like a 3 year old, I was next on something stronger for the next month.

They say with the shot a few people still get it, but if anything reduces the odds do it!

GET THE SHOT!

I feel your pain - the same pain and itching on face/eye/hairline. Out of commission for a month. This was 13 years ago before the shot! Yes, indeed: GET THE SHOT - now a two shot deal.

bb

[jollyred]

My wife and I will get the second shot this next week.  I have heard enough tales that I don't want to get this.  I feel for you.

Tom

[wombatie]

I have had Shingles twice unfortunately, very uncommon but not unheard of.  I did have chicken pox but I only had one spot and then I gave it to my mum, who was in bed very sick for two weeks.  First time I had Shingles it was in my right ear, extremely painful and every few minutes I looked as if I had a tick..................Then last year I had it on my scalp going down onto my forehead.   Really hope there is not a third time.   I agree GET THE SHOT, you do not want the pain.

Marg

[Dan]

Thank you Jim for starting this thread, and everyone else who contributed input. I don't remember having chicken pox or the immunization, so I'll be doing my research and talking to my doctor. More than likely I'll GET THE SHOT!

[Bill WIlson]

Wife & I both got ours last year.  It took a long time before shots became available in our area, for some reason.  The wife was on a waiting list for well over a year.  It was just under a year for me.  She had had a mild case of it several years ago, but fortunately, she was working for a dermatologist at the time.  He recognized it immediately and put her on meds that cleared it up before it became a problem.  I've never had it, but know a few people who had pretty bad cases of it.  You don't want to mess with this.  GET THE SHOT.

[WayneMahler]

Sorry to hear you or anyone had to go through this. My wife had a very mild case a few years back. Our Dr. sad we should get the shot. When we looked into it, they said our insurance wouldn't cover it. They informed us that our cost would be somewhere around $650 each. That's a tough pill to swallow when your on limited income and have other medical bills tp pay. I wonder how many other people are in the same boat. I agree with "get the shot" but think it is a shame when the insurance companies dictate what you can and can not do. But that's a subject all on it's own. 

[Bill WIlson]

That's a good point Wayne.  Our insurance covered it, but they had an age stipulation.  I believe it is recommended for folks over 50, but our insurance didn't cover until we turned 60.  

[danny]

Is there any Side Effects from getting the Shingle Shot? 

I know .... ask Mr Google, but I prefer real life words....  Thanks  Danny  :+}

[puzzleman]

18 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said:

That's a good point Wayne.  Our insurance covered it, but they had an age stipulation.  I believe it is recommended for folks over 50, but our insurance didn't cover until we turned 60.  

Even if you have to pay for the shot it is well worth it! The shot was not available when I got shingles 13 years ago and having witnessed the pain and agony for a month I would have paid big $$$$. Please don't let insurance enter into the equation. You do NOT want shingles! When the first shot became available I got it through the local health dept and when the 2 shot became available I got it (on recommendation of my doc) at CVS. The 2-shot vaccine is more effective than the old one shot deal. I just researched the cost and it is $150-$300. Well worth it even if you have to pay the full cost.

[GrampaJim]

1 hour ago, WayneMahler said:

Sorry to hear you or anyone had to go through this. My wife had a very mild case a few years back. Our Dr. sad we should get the shot. When we looked into it, they said our insurance wouldn't cover it. They informed us that our cost would be somewhere around $650 each. That's a tough pill to swallow when your on limited income and have other medical bills tp pay. I wonder how many other people are in the same boat. I agree with "get the shot" but think it is a shame when the insurance companies dictate what you can and can not do. But that's a subject all on it's own. 

I know that can be a tough one.  When I was in the worst of it, my sister called and we talked about it.  Her issue was the cost for her and her husband.  I could only tell her that knowing what I was feeling at the moment, if I could go back in time and spend $1000 for the shot, I would do it. 

To make matters worse, about 1 in 5 with shingles develop what is called Postherpetic Neuralgia.  The best way to explain it is its shingles without the rash.  It can last for a couple of weeks, months, or years.  And yes, I now have that but the pain is less for me.

I have never been a big promoter of shots, and yes I know this one is not a 100% sure think that you will never get shingles, but is will reduce you chances by a lot.  And I realize that not everyone who gets shingles gets it this bad - but even mild cases can be really wicked.

[meflick]

Add me to the GET THE SHOT group. I watched my mother deal with it on her head and around her eye. We had to take her weekly to eye doctor to make sure it wasn’t getting more in the eye. She had terrible pain and problems long after the rash subsided. My sister had it on her trunk and her leg at the same time (unusual but can occur.) then had again another time. I had it on my trunk several years ago now. Had issues of what I called “phantom pain” for a bit before it broke out. As soon as rash appeared, I was pretty sure what it was so called Dr. and got the meds so on the whole, mine was a mild case but still hurt.  My husband got it when he was in high school (uncommon but again happens) his was on his back trunk area and was  dry painful and left scars and no feeling where the scars are. Even though I’d had it once, it can indeed strike again so my Dr recommended the shot. I got the first one, then got the newer two shot one when it came out again because the Dr recommended it (he was not giving the shots, went to pharmacy to get them.)

Edited January 12, 2021 by meflick

[Bill WIlson]

3 hours ago, danny said:

Is there any Side Effects from getting the Shingle Shot? 

I know .... ask Mr Google, but I prefer real life words....  Thanks  Danny  :+}

Can't think of too many medications/vaccines that don't have side effects.  In most cases, they will vary widely from person to person.  I had some mild soreness, in my shoulder for a few days.  My wife had more severe pain and also fatigue and a slight fever.  Nothing to get excited about, but I think those are the most common.  However, like most things, the laundry list of potential side effects is long, with some being pretty severe, though rare.  Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.  Don't rely on anecdotal information from an internet forum.

[rjweb]

I can remember back in the 50,s when I was a kid, we all got polio shots, RJ 

[spirithorse]

@GrampaJim    I would recommend that you have your eyes checked specifically for infection from the shingles.

@meflick  touched upon the subject of eye problems and it is more common and more problematic than I could have
imagined.  I had a severe case of shingles from the top of my head down to the waist and still have scarring on my
forehead and around my right eye. I was told it only affects one side of the body at a time.
My doctor was quick to get me on meds for the shingles and immediately filled out forms that frequent eye exams
were needed to try to get the insurance company to cover some of the cost. The optometrist said I was lucky my eye
did not get infected but, now, probably close to a year later, I can tell a huge difference in vision loss in my right eye
as compared to my left eye. I realize that occasionally I have to have a new prescription for my glasses but, this is
a pronounced change in vision in the right eye. 
I am on a fixed income and have other health issues but, my wife and I were just discussing that I need new glasses and
have to get my eyes examined soon. I don't like night driving and I want her to know she is safe when I am driving.

Prayers sent your way and thanks for starting this thread.
God Bless! Spirithorse

 

[GrampaJim]

I have had three eye exams so far and more to follow, but thanks for the thought.   I am 8 weeks in from the start and so far the eye itself is fine - the eyebrow and that area, not so much.  Nasty stuff shingles.