Based on this thread, we asked H’s new pulmonologist about Shingrex. H has a history of Sarcoid and the cardiac arrests/lung and kidney failure in July. He has had the previous vaccine at age 50 (now 59), based on a hearty recommendation by his excellent, recently retired lung dr.
Um…well she actually spent 15 minutes Googling with us in the room. WTH? She deals with a population of sick, weak, elderly, people who (I think) should especially avoid shingles…and she doesn’t even know the name of Shingrix and can’t recall the name of the previous vaccine. She wouldn’t comment what he should do, and instead deferred to a chart she finally found saying Zostavax was fine and he didn’t need to worry about a different shot.
Count me in the camp of trusting cc>this doctor. No warm fuzzies for when his Sarcoid relapses and flares
I had my second Shingrix shot this past Wednesday, and I took one dose of ibuprofen a few hours after the shot. On Thursday I felt pretty wiped out, had a very sore arm and a fever of 99.8 that night. I puttered around doing errands, but if I had a job I probably would have needed a sick day. On Friday I felt completely fine, arm pain gone with just some scattered coin-sized blotches on my arm about an inch below the injection site.
I didn’t pre-treat and had no issues. Some others are split about what they did before hand and whether they had a reaction and how bad said reaction was. Maybe your doc might have a recommendation?
I didn’t pre-treat. My nurse said to only take something if I really needed to. I got mine on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend when I had no plans, and although I napped some and didn’t feel terrific on Saturday, I got along without it.
H went back to CVS for his 2nd shot the other day, but they were out of stock. They put him on a list to be called when more comes in.
We did try calling several other local pharmacies but they were out of stock, too.
Our pharmacy isn’t doing any Shingrix first dose vaccines now. They’re getting only small supplies and are calling people for their second dose in the order in which they got their first. I’m within the window for the second dose, but the pharmacy tech said it will be at least four to six weeks before they get to my name. I have not persuaded dh to check elsewhere for his first injection.
I had a bit of a reaction both times, but not too bad – slight fever, chills, sore arm. Lasted for a few days. The only bad part is that I took the first one right before I was heading up to visit D at school for Family Weekend.
In either case, I’d rather have a few days’ discomfort than a case of shingles!
Had my second shingrix shot and my flu shot today. Took a dose of Ibuprofen before. I felt very clammy and sweaty about an hour later. So far no temperature (had with #1). I did get a crushing headache this evening which I had forgotten I had with #1. As far as the flu shot I usually feel “off” and a bit nauseated --which I did this evening. Done! and glad I did it on a Friday!
@CTmom2018, if you are in CT, I found that a number of Big Y pharmacies had the vaccine when I was up there about 2 weeks ago. Both my husband and I had our second dose last week. We took 200 mg of advil prior to the injection. For both the first and second doses, we both had sore arms later in the evening and the full next day, but they were the only symptoms we experienced, (luckily). Glad we were able to get the second dose about 3 weeks prior to the 6 month timeline.
The CDC recommends that the 2nd vaccine be within 2-6 months after the 2nd. Our CVS wouldn’t even offer it before the 2 month time period. It seems best to follow the CDC recommendation.
Oh, within a month of your flu shot should be no problem. Some folks have even had the flu and shingles shots if different arms on same day (my brother groaned it may not have been a great idea).
H spent July in the ICU for cardiac arrest, lung, and kidney failure. Dr. didn't know anything about Shingrix, but wrote the script. H had the Zostavax 10 years ago. Can no longer take Motrin.
Krogers was almost out of Shingrix, so he got it and flu vaccine same day. Had no ill affects.
I always feel yucky after flu shot; I'm not getting them together! Asked my ob/gyn about Shingrix. Said she knew nothing about Shingrix, did not know it was 90% effective vs 50% for Zostavax, and thought Z was fine, even if we had it 5-10 years ago. Sigh....about to give up on asking doctors about Shingrix. Got my script though :)
