Shingles Vaccination (Herpes Zoster Vaccination)

[Babette]

I am 47 and have had the herpes zoster outbreak on my left forehead area around 5 times. It always starts with a sore, tingling pimple that grows quickly into a very painful oozing outbreak. It usually has occurred at moments of extreme stress when my body's resistance is down. Now that I know how it feels in the very first stages, I call my doctor and get a prescription for Acylovir. I take it as soon as I can and it really does nip it in the bud. It's good to know there is a vaccine out there and I will definitely ask my doctor about it.

Colette, keep us posted on whether you get it or not. I'm reading on various websites that it's not approved for those under 60, and I'm wondering if that means NO ONE under 60 gets it. Or if maybe YOU would be the exception because of your medical history with it.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!!
Barbara

[nate fry]

Thats chicken pox, right.

[Ms Piggy]

I had shingles not long ago, just had two red spots on my face - high on the left cheek near the hairline, a bit later a red spot appeared on the end of my nose, no pain, no tingling.
I asked a Dr., pre nose spot, and found it was shingles. I learned later from an ophthalmologist that one should report it immediately if you get shingles on your nose as it is a dangerous sign regarding your eye sight.

[wasColette]

What I've been told is that if you've had chicken pox you can get herpes zoster. It is in the same family as chicken pox. That virus can lay dormant for years and then under certain conditions when your immune system is down you can have an outbreak. It is also the same virus family as genital herpes and mouth sores and shingles.

It is true that if you get the outbreak on your face you must be careful to be sure it doesn't get in your eyes. Once mine did spread very close to my eye and caused my eye to swell badly. I went to an opthamologist who made sure it was not going into the eye. That was a time when I tried to self remedy the "natural" way. Never again. I get the Acyclovir(sp?) right away now.

[roster]

I got my vaccination on March 6, four days after I started this thread.

The shot did not hurt one bit and there were zero after effects, not even a red mark where the needle went in.

Never one to be satisfied, I expected some redness, soreness and swelling as an indicator that my body was building antibodies. I wonder if it was a placebo.

Gripe if it hurts, gripe if it doesn't.

[NightMonkey]

I got both of my parents to go for vaccinations shortly after this was posted.

Hate to see CPAPers on here suffering with shingles. Go do it!

[nanwilson]

I had it when I was a wee child (1 1/2). I almost died, had it on the diaper region and around my waist. Doc told my mom that if it had spread one more inch around my waist I would have not made it. It is related to chicken pox, but I didn't get chicken pox until I was 6 or 7, so it was not related in my case. In those days (ya I'm old) there wasn't the level of antibiotics that there is today. Mom said they gave her some cream to put on it and to keep me diaper free until it cleared up. Can you imagine yeewwwww. I had skin problems and itchiness on my butt for about ten years afterward. Do get the inoculation friends, an ounce of prevention no matter the cost is most definitely worth it.
Nan

[freshair]

yes I got my shot at walgreens last year,age 66, and it was $200---------if they was to charge $500 I would still would have been vaccinated---my neighbor went through hell with hers--FA

[gpap]

I had the shingles along the 9th nerve root. Think just above the navel. Pain was horrible. Started by feeling like I had been impaled, then spread between the two spots.

As I understand, once you have had an outbreak, you can't have the vaccine.

[roster]

As I understand, once you have had an outbreak, you can't have the vaccine.

-->Not true.

Even if you have had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific time that you must wait after having shingles before receiving the shingles vaccine. The decision on when to get vaccinated should be made with your health care provider. Generally, a person should make sure that the shingles rash has disappeared before getting vaccinated.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shi ... d-know.htm

Go get it!

[msla]

After seeing the pain and misery my father-in-law went through the last 3 years of his life, getting the shot is vital and the cost would be reasonable if it was hundreds more. I basically costs the same as the Acyclovir for a week. You have to gert the antiviral within 3 days of the onset of the shingles to have a chance to arrest the virus.

[Mr Bill]

I know a retired fellow who had it and told me in no uncertain terms to get it. I asked at my pharmacy last month. They told me what most of you have learned. Insurance will not pay for it till I hit 60 and they won't give it before 60 unless I get a doctors RX for it. However, if my doctor gives an RX, they would be happy to give it to me. So, its available here.

[jimnsc]

Cannot wait for these painful things to clear up so I can get it!!!!!!! Had them since Wednesday and can't tolerate the medicine. MIne will just have to run their course. By all means - GO GET THE SHOT!

[Slinky]

Just letting shingles run their course CAN greatly increase your risk of developing PHN (post-herpatic neuralgia) which can be a long, lingering or even permanent nasty side effect you do NOT want to encounter!!! IF you really can't tolerate the antivirals for it be sure to use every other method at your doctor's disposal to treat those shingles!!!!!

[BusyLyn]

I had a severe case of chicken pox when I was 6-1/2 years old, and 4+ years ago I had a severe allergic reaction (hypersensitivity vasculitis with necrotizing dermatitis complicated by cellulitis) that did a number on the tissues of my legs and feet. Although they are badly scarred, I'm thankful to be alive and walking around on both of my legs. The vasculitis also left me with peripheral neuropathy, controlled for the most part by Neurontin.

I know from experience that nerve pain can be excruciating. To say that I'm terrified of getting Shingles and possibly postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is putting it mildly. I did all the work necessary to get my Shingles vaccination, and I urge everyone who possibly can to get their shot, too. You DON'T want to put yourself through the pain to save a few bucks.

Lyn