For those over 60, feedback please on Shingles virus
NWCountryGal
Posts: 1,992 Member
There isn't a place to post "general health" chit chat so I picked here. I saw online this a.m. another person talking about Shingles and the vaccine for it. I am just wondering what other my age are thinking or doing about this? Do you think it is wise to get the vaccine or do you feel it is another unnecessary panic and way for someone to make money off us?
I am not 60 yet but I would really like to know what the people here think because mfp has the most health conscious people of any other place I know of on the net.
denise:drinker: :bigsmile:
PS anyone under 60 is welcome to reply as well, especially if they have some first or second-hand info on shingles;) Well, that doesn't sound right on an open forum, ALL are welcome, :laugh:
I am not 60 yet but I would really like to know what the people here think because mfp has the most health conscious people of any other place I know of on the net.
denise:drinker: :bigsmile:
PS anyone under 60 is welcome to reply as well, especially if they have some first or second-hand info on shingles;) Well, that doesn't sound right on an open forum, ALL are welcome, :laugh:
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Replies
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I'm 60 and my doctor just offered me the vaccine but I declined for now. I may reconsider later.0
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I'm always highly suspicious of these vaccines, the cynic in me maybe. But it has always been my understanding that if you have ever had chicken pox, you already have the latent shingles virus lying dormant in your body, so I'm not sure how you can vaccinate against something you already have?
I've had shingles a couple of times, it can be uncomfortable, but unless it gets on your face or close to your eyes, it's pretty manageable. I'd probably give the vaccine a pass...0 -
I'm always highly suspicious of these vaccines, the cynic in me maybe. But it has always been my understanding that if you have ever had chicken pox, you already have the latent shingles virus lying dormant in your body, so I'm not sure how you can vaccinate against something you already have?
I've had shingles a couple of times, it can be uncomfortable, but unless it gets on your face or close to your eyes, it's pretty manageable. I'd probably give the vaccine a pass...
I agree, I've had shingles and I remember my grandfather getting shingles. They are manageable. They say you usually get them on your trunk area, but mine were on the outside of my arm. I don't agree with all the vaccines, I think your body works through things pretty good if you eat right, exercise etc. I'm usually better off with out medicines.0 -
I'm always highly suspicious of these vaccines, the cynic in me maybe. But it has always been my understanding that if you have ever had chicken pox, you already have the latent shingles virus lying dormant in your body, so I'm not sure how you can vaccinate against something you already have?
I've had shingles a couple of times, it can be uncomfortable, but unless it gets on your face or close to your eyes, it's pretty manageable. I'd probably give the vaccine a pass...
i believe the chicken pox virus lays dormant in the base of your spin so i agree seems little point in a vaccine0 -
PLEASE get the shot. I had shingles a year ago, and believe me , I would not wish it on my worst enemy! There is no pain I've ever had that compares to it. I've had both knees and both hips replaced and have given birth, - there is nothing like what I felt with shingles. Mine was just about shoulder blade level, but down enough I couldn't reach. I had hubby put pain cream on it, I took advil, motrin, etc, used a heating pad and was in tears most of the time. The pain came and went. Of course it was the strongest over a weekend, but finally had hubby take me to the ER. Would you believe they had no idea what it was. Gave me a pain shot, some pain pills and sent me home with orders to see my primary dr. When i saw him, I told him that I couldn't even have a sheet touching my arm at night. He told me he knew right then what it was - he'd had it. Shingles. - I was lucky not to have had a rash. So, please, Like I said I wouldn't wish it on anybody. Get the shot if you can. It attacks the nerves which is why it hurts. Manageable - I have a high pain threshold according to my surgical dr, and this was pain I do not want again. Maybe if I had broken out with the rash it would have been less painful, but I didn't.0
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I'm not over 60, but would recommend the vaccine. I've had a few family members suffer terribly with shingles in the pre-vaccine days and you do NOT want to go through that.
My mom is over 60 and gets the vaccine. Still hasn't gotten shingles.0 -
It's recommended for the elderly or immunocomprised people. It can reduce the risk of getting shingles, the severity of symptoms and prevent post herpatic neuralgia (nerve damage).
At one time I was immunocomprised due to stroke and had shingles 3 times in 3 years. My dr. recommends the shot for me now. I wouldn't worry about getting it if I'd never had shingles.0 -
I'm 43 but I've had shingles three times in my life. Once in my early 20s, again in my late 20s and the last time in my mid-30s. I actually plan to ask my doctor if I am at all eligible for this vaccine. I've had it in my back, running along the nerves into my chest. I've had it along my stomach and the last time I had it in my finger. The first two times there was nothing to relieve it except Tylenol 4s and I was in so much pain even with the medication. The last time I caught it really early, saw the doc and learned there was a new med you can take which will lessen the pain and the length of the episode. It was much more manageable but it was still very painful and it was painful for months as I would get residual shooting pain through the nerves in my hand.
The vaccine is FOR those who have had chicken pox because it stops the virus (which stays dormant in your system) from becoming shingles. Not everyone will have it turn into shingles but as you age, the chance is greater.
My grandmother had it in her eye and my dad has had it three or four times, the most painful in his chest and on his face.
I guess it all depends on how you feel about vaccines and the possibility of getting shingles as you get older.0 -
I had shingles last year, at about age 57.5. I guess there's shingles and then SHINGLES, and I must've had the first kind ... unpleasant, but no big deal, really. I, too, am a little skeptical of the automatic get-a-vaccination response to everything (t seems like).
Just one person's reaction. Maybe if I'd had a more severe set of shingles, I'd say differently -- but I didn't.0 -
I am over 60 and did get the vaccine. My MIL had shingles. It was very painful, she almost lost her sight, and the medicine the doctor gave her for it had serious and permanent side effects. The downside is that the site where I got the injection hurt for a week and it was expensive and not covered by our medical insurance. I know people younger than I am who've gotten shingles and I think now they let people in their 50s get the vaccine. We also had to get on a waiting list because there was (is?) a shortage.0
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My husband had shingles this summer and let me tell you, you do not want to get them ever. They are horrible. If you suspect you have them , get to a doc immediately. They can prescribe an antiviral but it should be taken as early in the course as possible.
I am going to ask my doc if I can get the vaccine at my next appointment.0 -
I've had it twice. First time nasty and second time mild but I knew what it was very early and got on some meds. II just asked my Doctor 2 days ago about the vaccine and he doesn't reccommend it and says its very ineffective based on his experience with his patients.0
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I give the Shingles vaccine here at work. (Zostavax). I will be getting it when I am due. It is supposed to greatly lower the nerve pain associated with Shingles if you do get Shingles. Worth it IMO.0
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if you can afford it...take it. the problem is shingles come at the worst time in your life. when a love one is taken, or very ill or when you are very ill. all this happens in a blink of an eye. for me I got them when my husband had cancer surgery. I had to work anyway. no fun! even if money is not an issue, you don't want to suffer with them while trying to be strong for someone you love or when you are taken ill or in a car accident. we just never know and why not prevent it if you can.0
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I'm not 60 but I got the shingles while I was pregnant, just above my left breast and left armpit. It was really annoying but cleared up in 10 days. Unlike another poster i would not say that it hurts more than giving birth. I gave birth 2 weeks after having the shingles and the shingles was nowhere near as painful as giving birth.0
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PLEASE get the shot. I had shingles a year ago, and believe me , I would not wish it on my worst enemy! There is no pain I've ever had that compares to it. I've had both knees and both hips replaced and have given birth, - there is nothing like what I felt with shingles. Mine was just about shoulder blade level, but down enough I couldn't reach. I had hubby put pain cream on it, I took advil, motrin, etc, used a heating pad and was in tears most of the time. The pain came and went. Of course it was the strongest over a weekend, but finally had hubby take me to the ER. Would you believe they had no idea what it was. Gave me a pain shot, some pain pills and sent me home with orders to see my primary dr. When i saw him, I told him that I couldn't even have a sheet touching my arm at night. He told me he knew right then what it was - he'd had it. Shingles. - I was lucky not to have had a rash. So, please, Like I said I wouldn't wish it on anybody. Get the shot if you can. It attacks the nerves which is why it hurts. Manageable - I have a high pain threshold according to my surgical dr, and this was pain I do not want again. Maybe if I had broken out with the rash it would have been less painful, but I didn't.
Did the affected area feel like it was on fire?0 -
The vaccine contains live virus. Not only could it make you sick, but it could also shed and make others around you sick soon after your injection. The injection can also compromise your immune system, making you susceptible to catching other things while you recover from the shot. It is possible that you could still end up with singles even after receiving the shot.
You're better off staying as healthy as possible, so that your body can fight off anything that comes at it. We are so careful about what we eat, but then we inject ourselves with toxic things in the name of health.
From the package insert:
What are the ingredients of ZOSTAVAX?
Active Ingredient: a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus.
Inactive Ingredients: sucrose, hydrolyzed porcine gelatin (gelatin made from pigs), sodium chloride, monosodium L-glutamate,
sodium phosphate dibasic, potassium phosphate monobasic, potassium chloride.
Of course, you should make the decision about what is best for you and decide which set of risks you are most comfortable with.0 -
I had shingles when I was five, you can get it at any age. The reason people around 60 are singled out for the vaccine is they are less likely to be around children and reminded of their immunity to Chicken Pox. If you have complete immunity and your body is reminded it is immune, your risk of shingles is low.0
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Wow, I am overwhelmed with all the responses, and so grateful to every, one of you!
Based on what I've read, I tend to agree with staying as fit and healthy as I can to build my immune system. I felt as many of you do when I heard about the vaccine, just another drug or toxic substance. I would rather take my chances with medicine "if" I ever get shingles. I don't blame any of you that choose to get the vaccine either it's just that I felt right away I would not go for it when I saw the cost. Not just the financial but I really thank the person that had the info on what is in the vaccine,
Denise0 -
I don't know if I would describe it as fire, but I knew the sheet on my arm at night "stung" so maybe you could say it did. The least bit of pressure would sting.
Those of you who opt NOT to get the vaccine? I hope you never get shingles. I know each case is different. The ads on tv are real. I had a slight case of chickenpox and was told I could probably get it again. I didn't. Think of the polio shots, and what is in them, do you still get the shot? Of course. What do you think are in vaccines? And being healthy and fit? It doesn't stop you from getting a cold, does it? Healthy and fit is not 100% guarantee you will never get sick - quit fooling yourselves.0 -
Thank you. It just seems so many on here are skeptical about the vaccine, but, we KNOW how it feels.. I suppose there are slight cases, and there are severe cases. I just know that I couldn't lay on my back, had to lie on my right side, nothing could touch my left arm. I went several nights spending most of it in my computer chair so nothing touched my back or arm. I could sit and have such stabbing pains in my back that I would get up and push against a door jam to squeeze the area. Guess I was pushing against the nerves which were inflamed. As I said, I didn't have the rash, which may have made the ER diagnosis hard, but when I saw my family dr, and mentioned the sheet on the arm bit, he knew. He'd had shingles. He gave me meds and it began to ease up. I will not take the chance of getting it again if I can help it.0
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Have to ask - do you still get colds?0
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Hi all, last year at 60 yrs. old I got shingles, it was the first time. I felt pretty crummy for about a week until I decided to go to the Doctor and he said yeap I had shingles. He gave me anti-viral meds, pain medication and suggested I get a ointment to rub on the rash which I would not recommend anyone doing that. When I put the ointment on my skin it was very painful, so I started using baby powder it that soothed the rash. I think all together I had the shingles for about 2 months. After I was well my Doctor gave me the vaccine. I did not have a reaction to the vaccine and I am glad I will not be getting shingles again since I have had the vaccine. My Doctor told me that insurance will not pay for the vaccine until you are 60. I do suggest if you can to get the vaccine, it will be worth if you can escape from getting the shingles.
Lynn0 -
I'm 48 and never had chickenpox, so I can't get shingles unless i get chickenpox, right? I'm wondering if I should look into the chickenpox vaccine.0
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My DH is over 60 and planning on getting the vaccine. I know 2 people that have gotten shingles and developed Bell's Palsy due to it. One never recovered and the side of his face affected by it was paralyzed for over three years.0
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I am 54 and got the Shingle shot last year. the shot didn't bother me at all. I paid for it myself. It seams to me that it is cheaper to get the shot than pay for Dr appointments and meds for a case of the shingles,not to say anything about the suffering from the shingles. Especially if you get the shingles more than once!0
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I had a severe case of shingles 6 years ago, when I was 50. Mine was unbearable, and I have a fairly high pain tolerance. :sad: It started out with a slight discomfort under my bra along my ribs. Within a few days, I developed a blistery rash and I couldn't bear for anything to touch it. I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about shingles and thought "that's what I've got!" My doctor put me on Valtrex and a couple pain killers and basically quaratined me until the rash was gone. I think it was about 3 months before I felt normal again. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I'll get the vaccine when I turn 60.0
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I am 60. My grandmother, aunt and uncle (all on my mother's side) had shingles and all had it in their face/head. It wasn't pleasant for any of them. I am thinking of getting the shingles vaccine, but have held off for now. To me, the vaccine makes sense because I know how unpleasant shingles can be.0
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I can't get the vaccine because asthma is a contraindicator for it. But I've had shingles and if there is any way to prevent them, do it. I didn't realize what it was until I was in the emergency in such extreme pain that I was afraid I was going to start screaming and frighten the neighbors. It was months before the episodes of transient pain finally subsided.
If you don't get the vaccine (or get shingles younger, like I did), the earlier you realize it and get treatment, the better.
First I felt a shimmering under the skin, like wind through wheat.
Then I felt like ants wearing ice skates were skating across the inside of my skin.
Then my skin erupted in what looked (and felt) like 3rd degree burns.
finally the entry point of the nerve into my spine began to hurt so badly that the desire to scream started.
Never thought I'd welcome Demerol. But that was only for the first night. And I was way to far along for antivirals. So it was pain meds and then just living with it.
Your insurance plan may well pay for your vaccine, and many pharmacies offer the vaccine to seniors. Not very expensive.0
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