I woke up with a body rash today. I’m going to the doctor in a couple of hours. Has anyone used the cream in addition to the anti virals?
I have been trying for months to get the vaccine.
I think it’s sickening (no pun intended) that this isn’t covered fully like a lot of other vaccines…by all insurers…
Mine is covered, but the limitation is where they will pay for. Got to go to the clinic (the one that dropped the ball on ordering it for two months, and still don’t have it… X( )
Yay, I scored my first dose today! I had emailed my doctor asking for help after trying unsuccessfully for months (I’m with Kaiser HMO). She replied that all doses are being held for people who need their second dose, no first timers, and to try again in a few months. The best part was she told me not to worry, that the Zostavax I’d already had is doing a ‘wonderful job’ of protecting me. She obviously forgot my ‘wonderful’ bout of shingles a couple years ago, AFTER receiving Zostavax.
I put my name on the wait list at CVS and Safeway, and three days later Safeway called me in. So far so good, just a slightly sore arm. I paid $190 out of pocket, but it’s worth it.
I had to wait about 6 mos to get it out here in CA. My insurance thru work covers it 100% as preventative (Cigna HDHP), or so they said when I called. I guess I’ll see if I get a bill.
I just got it this week and had a sore arm for 2 days, mostly the first day, but it wasn’t too bad.
I’ve checked around here again…and shingrix is still not available anywhere. Places aren’t even making waiting lists. Three different pharmacies, and target.
My doctor doesn’t get it…
Called the Walgreen’s pharmacy at the hospital where I had the first dose to check on availability and was told they have plenty! I asked if they would have next week as I can’t get till then and they said it would not be a problem. So perhaps ya’ll should check with your hospital’s pharmacy.
I got the second shot yesterday. I have all sorts of side effects which are being sorta held at bay by Excedrin. I feel like Chris Pine’s James Kirk in Star Trek in the numb tongue scene. My armpit hurts. I’m freezing. I’m getting intermittent numbness in my arm. The whole side of my body where I got the shot is sore.
DH and I had our second shots on Monday afternoon. 18 hours after I felt like I had been hit by the flu, which is just like after the first shot. I felt cruddy for about 24 hours, then started to feel better. Today, my arm barely hurts. I have had issues sleeping on the side with the shot.
What I found interesting is the DH had the same reaction that I had. He only had a sore arm after the first shot. I am so glad that we are finished with them.
I had the second shot 10 days ago and my arm hurt for about a week. Plus it itched for 3 days. Glad it’s over.
Strange. I just checked with my pharmacy this afternoon, and they STILL have not received more doses of this vaccine. I will start calling around to as many other pharmacies in my area as possible. I was given the first dose of the Shingrix vaccine in August of last year. I wonder if waiting so long between injections will significantly impact the vaccine’s efficacy.
@poetheart, you’re supposed to get the second shot two to six months after the first one.
Is it a tough decision for some as to what age to get the vaccine? It seems Shingrex is most effective for the first 4 years, and then is somewhat effective for 4 more years. Since you are more likely to get Shingles the older you are, would you want to save the vaccine for your older years? Or maybe there will be a booster coming? I was hoping Shingrex would offer a lifetime immunity but I am not sure it does.
I decided to get it at age 56, because I want protection NOW (my husband got it at 40, so I know it could strike anytime). If future studies indicate a booster is needed, I will get one.
I’ve been on various waiting lists for shot #1 for months and finally got the call from my local Pharmaca. Thanks to all I’ve learned on this thread, I plan to get the shot on Friday morning and use the weekend for recovery if needed. Never thought I’d so anticipate getting vaccinated!
IIRC, they have increased the time between shots one and two of shingrix.
It’s totally unavailable here…totally.
I’m way past the 8 month mark for first shot, but 2nd not available. When the harmacy gets a batch, it sells out quickly. No waiting list. The pharmacist said the first one is 90% effective. I highly doubt that.
I’m on a waitlist my MD put me on at a local pharmacy. Still waiting. DH’s MD (not the same as mine) just laughed when he asked him about the vaccine.
My H and I got both shots. We are on Kaiser Permanente plan and they maintain a waiting list.
H said reaction to the second shot was mild comparing to the first. I just got mine today so I will find out soon enough.
Call around for a different pharmacy? I ended up being on at least a half a dozen WL’s. Once I received the second shot, I called the others back to let them know.