Got my second Shingles shot - have no fear, ask me anything!

[Ali Gator]

Yesterday, I got my second Shingles shot (Shingrix), as my first was given to me the first week of October. The patient is supposed to wait at least two months between shots but no longer than six months (otherwise its ineffective), so I was right in the middle at three months. Since I turned 60 this year, and had chicken pox when I was 12, my PCP strongly recommended I get the Shingles vax.

Now I've heard so many horror stories about patients suffering from side-effects after the second dose (the pharmacist at Walgreens, where I went for both shots, explained in simple terms how the 'first vax' tries to fight off the second vax, not knowing they are working together).  

Here is a rundown of what some of the side effects are after the second shot (though not everyone suffers the same) : Nauseous, high fever, body aches, fatigue. According to the pharmacist, these usually kick in about 12 hours after you get the shot, and usually last about 12 - 24 hours. She recommended I pick up some chicken soup (enough for two days) at the Italian restaurant next door (I did) and take 2 Tylenol every eight hours over the first 24 hours, to keep the fever and aches away. Most importantly - hydrate! Drink plenty of water (I did).

Overall, I feel fine 24 hours after the shot. During the night, I got up to drink water every couple of hours (and go to the bathroom), and my lower back was a bit achy as were my legs. I got up this morning, took 2 more Tylenol and for the past few hours (sitting up watching TV, eating breakfast) the aches and pains went away.  I was never nauseous, I never had a fever - the Tylenol definitely helped. 

So if you're debating about the Shingles shot - and heard horror stories about the second shot  - I encourage you to put your fears aside and plan accordingly.  Hydrate, take plenty of Tylenol (to keep the aches and pains away), eat chicken soup and other proteins.  One thing which helped me was going for my shot this week while I was on vacation - this way I didn't need to take a sick day or personal time from my job. I recommend you plan to get it on a Friday (even before you go to work or on your lunch hour - your side effects will kick in 12 hours later), so you have Saturday to recuperate. Remember - you only need a Shingles vax once in your life - and you don't want to risk getting shingles (it's painful). 

I hope my sharing this experience helps those who have concerns. Everyone should be pro-active and get the Shingles shot if your 60 and older (some say 50 and older - ask your PCP). Feel free to ask me anything ! 

PS - Also on your list should be the annual flu shot, pneumonia (every five years) and TDAP (every 10). As for the COVID vax updates, that's up to you (my PCP has advised against it, so I have not been updating since 2021 - he believes we know have herd immunity).

[Rudynate]

I have had both shots of the shingrix vaccine and had no reaction or sides from either shot.  OTOH, I must be immune-suppressed because since I completed the two shots, I have had light cases of shingles, I think, 5 times. My PC doctor gave me a refillable script for valacyclovir.

[MikeBiDude]

Zero side effects for mine!

[samhexum]

 

[Jeeper84]

On 1/5/2024 at 7:41 PM, MikeBiDude said:

Zero side effects for mine!

Likewise.

[Luv2play]

Similar to the op I waited many years to get a shingles vax. Then on my doctors advice when I was 76 I went ahead and had the first shot in Nov and the second in Feb.

Two weeks after the second I got shingles on my lower left leg. Not a bad case but it started by itching and then painful. It lasted about two months and gradually disappeared. It could have been worse, like the cases my brother and sister had years ago. 
 

Im glad I got the vax as I avoided a serious case. 

[jeezifonly]

Shingrex No2 gave me flu-like symptoms for a few days.

A case of shingles, traveling into his right ear, left my cousin with half of his face on the floor from resulting nerve damage…

Any inconvenience from a brief period of side effects following the shot is well worth it in the big picture. 

 

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 12/29/2023 at 7:09 AM, Ali Gator said:

Feel free to ask me anything ! 

What is the fastest animal on earth? 

Should I fake my orgasms?

 

Edited August 15, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial
Added link to movie (Airplane! II)

[Rod Hagen]

Historically, When I've been too young for insurance to pay for a vaccine, I pay extra and get it.  As such, I was vaccinated for Pneumonia long ago, as well as Shingles, both well before I was 50.  Yes the second shot for Shingles is usually no walk in the park, but it's worth it given how terrible shingles can be.  I'm currently too young for insurance to cover my RSV vaccine, but I got the vaccine anyway and paid for it myself, not cheap, but RSV SUCKS!   

It's too bad that doctors etc. tell young people "you are too young for this vaccine."  Often that's not true.  You are too young to get this vaccine for free or for a very reduced rate, but you are not too young to get it.  You can get it.  You can't get the double dose of Flu Vaccine if you are too young for it, but that's for health reasons not insurance reasons.

Young people, you absolutely can get the pneumonia vaccine (especially helpful if you have breathing issues already such as asthma, you do not ever want to deal with preventable-pneumonia on top of it), you can get the shingles shots even if you are "too young", and you can get the RSV vaccine, and if you are exposing yourself quite often, why not get the RSV vaccine, despite the cost?  RSV SUCKS!!! as I said before

Edited September 28, 2024 by Rod Hagen

[+ Lucky]

I guess that I should be embarrassed to say that I had never heard of RSV and still don't know why I need a vaccine against it.

[Luv2play]

6 hours ago, Lucky said:

I guess that I should be embarrassed to say that I had never heard of RSV and still don't know why I need a vaccine against it.

I’ve heard of it but not thought of getting vaccinated. My doctor hasn’t suggested it yet but I will ask him on my next visit.

[josh282282]

 

11 hours ago, Lucky said:

I guess that I should be embarrassed to say that I had never heard of RSV and still don't know why I need a vaccine against it.

Hi Lucky & everyone else.

Physician here: I am recommending to all my patients 60 years and over to get the RSV vaccine.

There are thousands of reasons to get RSV vaccinated. 

Dont be embarrassed. Just go get your RSV vaccine if you are 60 or over. Its easy. Just one vaccine needed in your lifetime,  it's not yearly like flu vaccination.  

 

Per the CDC:

While most children who contract RSV experience mild symptoms, the CDC estimates that each year, between 58,000 and 80,000 children younger than age 5 years are hospitalized due to RSV infection.  

The CDC estimates that RSV causes approximately 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths among older adults every year.

[+ Lucky]

Today I got my flu shot and then went to the doctor, where he gave me a second installment of the pneumonia vaccine. I asked about the RSV show, and he said I got it last year, with booster due next year. I was surprised.

The best news was that for the first time in years my weight is under 200 lbs. That had ramifications on the blood sugar and the cholesterol.

[samhexum]

On 9/30/2024 at 5:02 PM, Lucky said:

Today I got my flu shot and then went to the doctor, where he gave me a second installment of the pneumonia vaccine. I asked about the RSV shot, and he said I got it last year, with booster due next year.

 

On 9/29/2024 at 10:21 PM, josh282282 said:

Just go get your RSV vaccine if you are 60 or over. Its easy. Just one vaccine needed in your lifetime

I called 2 pharmacies that verified that it's just a one-time shot, though one told me that the guidelines for that might eventually be changed (but said "for now, you're good").

[Shoedog112]

I’m just recovering from a case of shingles. I’ve had a mild case in the past, and for some reason thought I would be immune to future outbreaks. What I wasn’t prepared for was having shingles, and then impetigo on my ear at the same time. I feel like I’ve been on antibiotics forever, although each was treated with a 7 day treatment plan. Once I’m these scabs fall off the sores, am I able to get the Shingrix vaccine, or is there a waiting period? 

[SirBillybob]

On 9/29/2024 at 10:21 PM, josh282282 said:

 

Hi Lucky & everyone else.

Physician here: I am recommending to all my patients 60 years and over to get the RSV vaccine.

There are thousands of reasons to get RSV vaccinated. 

Dont be embarrassed. Just go get your RSV vaccine if you are 60 or over. Its easy. Just one vaccine needed in your lifetime,  it's not yearly like flu vaccination.  

 

Per the CDC:

While most children who contract RSV experience mild symptoms, the CDC estimates that each year, between 58,000 and 80,000 children younger than age 5 years are hospitalized due to RSV infection.  

The CDC estimates that RSV causes approximately 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths among older adults every year.

I bypassed Arexvy although my overall vaccine uptake has otherwise been thorough … in fact, a costly day trip to USA in Fall just to get a jump on CoV vaxx … and I now have moderate seemingly short-lived RSV illness but intense catarrh and hacking over two days when awake, finally settling. Also just entered northern RSV season after extended time in southern hemisphere summer. Bad stroke of luck as not much human interaction in crap frigid weather. In my 70’s must pay for it in my jurisdiction but going to test for RSV as part of a broad diagnostic panel upon illness onset cost me out of pocket over half the vaccine price. Now will pursue pneumococcal vaccine and review applicability of RSV vaccination next year. I think that covers it.

Edited February 19 by SirBillybob

[Nightowl]

Got mine and had a minor reaction (achiness and low fever) but they passed quickly.  I had shingles in the past and it was a miserable experience so getting the shots to avoid going through that again is worth it.

[Ali Gator]

Since my Shingles vax in December, 2023 I did receive my flu vax in October, 2024. I turned 61 in November, and my doctor recommended the RSV vax 'in the coming months' (meaning, 'this winter'). For some reason, he wanted me to wait about eight to ten weeks between flu vax and RSV vax. 

So in January (MLK Day, to be exact), I asked at Walgreen's to make an appointment for my RSV vax (I've been going to Walgreen's near my home for years - I have a little crush on the pharmacist who does the vaccines, even though he has the personality of a wet rag). I was told the vax was for 65 and older, and I was 'too young'.  I went to CVS across the street and they told me the same thing.

I was in a different Walgreen's the day after Valentine's Day, and went by the pharmacy to inquire again about the RSV vax, as I had read online that it was available to those over 60. The younger pharmacist told me that day I could get it, since I was '50 and over'. After the pharmacist gave me my shot, I told him I was told less than a month ago I wasn't old enough.  He then explained to me that all the drugstores (every chain) follow the guidelines by the CDC. As more cases are reported across the country, they update their information on 'ages' of patients every few weeks. There was such a major increase with 'younger people' in January, they lowered the minimum age to 50 a week earlier. I also asked if this was a 'one and done' deal, and he said, 'As far as we know now, yes. BUT it could change going forward.'  BTW, no side effects from the RSV vax. 

[rvwnsd]

@Ali Gator, I am glad you were able to get your RSV vaccine. I got mine at Safeway just after turning 60 last year.

A friend who is in good health contracted RSV a few weeks prior to the vaccine becoming available. After she collapsed and emergency services took her to the hospital she slipped into a coma. She was told that, technically, she died (I'm not a doctor and am simply relaying what someone told her) and was revived. She was on short-term disability for several weeks, but was eventually healthy enough and has recovered from the cognitive impairment enough to go back to work.

When she told me all this, I had just left Safeway after getting my shot. In her words, it isn't something to mess with and is 10 times worse than COVID.

[+ FrankR]

5 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

After the pharmacist gave me my shot, I told him I was told less than a month ago I wasn't old enough.  He then explained to me that all the drugstores (every chain) follow the guidelines by the CDC. As more cases are reported across the country, they update their information on 'ages' of patients every few weeks. There was such a major increase with 'younger people' in January, they lowered the minimum age to 50 a week earlier. I also asked if this was a 'one and done' deal, and he said, 'As far as we know now, yes. BUT it could change going forward.'  BTW, no side effects from the RSV vax. 

That is not quite true. Yes, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices does provide guidance and makes updates which the pharmacies and insurance companies follow as a matter of practice. But they only meet 3 times a year, so suggesting that they tweak guidance every few weeks is not true. They only meet more frequently during an emergency (like when the Covid vaccines were first approved). Most recent meeting was October 2024, according to my memory. 

[Ali Gator]

10 hours ago, FrankR said:

That is not quite true. Yes, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices does provide guidance and makes updates which the pharmacies and insurance companies follow as a matter of practice. But they only meet 3 times a year, so suggesting that they tweak guidance every few weeks is not true. They only meet more frequently during an emergency (like when the Covid vaccines were first approved). Most recent meeting was October 2024, according to my memory. 

I'm just repeating what he (the pharmacist) told me. Maybe he meant the RIDOH ? All I know is they get their updated data frequently and update the age restrictions as its suggested. Which is why I had to be 65+ on January 20, and 50+ on February 15 to qualify for the vax. (I should mention back in November, as I was approaching 61, I inquired and the age restriction was 60+).