Shingles can also present itself in less painful but annoying ways, sometimes without the distinctive rash. Without the distinctive rash, it seems to be easily misdiagnosed, sometimes resulting in useless ineffective medical treatment.
In other words, that is a different kind of bad shingles outcome that is also less likely after getting the Shingrix vaccine. The Shingrix vaccine did have more sore arm and general effects than the J&J COVID-19 vaccine had for me.
A lot of people not showing up for second shots could be because they found other places to get them which were more convenient. I know several people who got the first shots and then moved (returned) to another state. People who traveled 2-3 hours were able to locate a local clinic or drive thu for the second.
This is likely true for many of these missed shots. With availability what it is now it is easy to get a same day appointment all around where I live. Three weeks ago that was not the case.
People just donât take the 2 minutes to cancel their original appointment.
My only r action to the shingles shot was a very sore arm. My husband felt a little crappy for a day, but that was it.
I agree. My sweet grandmother suffered from shingles for many years. It would flare up regularly. 
My husband was diagnosed at 40 with shingles the same day our nine-week-old son was admitted to the hospital with RSV. DH thought he was having a heart attack, the pain was so intense. He was not allowed to visit our son at the hospital since he could have infected someone with chicken pox. It was one of the hardest weeks of our lives. I would get a shingles shot every year if they told me it was necessary.
@deb922 glad youâre getting the Shingles vaccine. There are far worse things than having to spend a day in bed not feeling well!
Adding in another âwhy you should get the shingles vaccineâ story. My dad was what I will now (after COVID new terms) a âshingles long haulerâ - he had terrible, terrible pain for years. His was around his chest and he had to be shirtless often when he was home because even the lightest shirt irritated it.
Vaccines can be a wonderful thing. Even if we have to have a little discomfort along the way.
Thanks for reminding me that I need to get my shingles shot. I was going to get it last year, but I got sick & canceled the appointment. I think I had Covid at that time, although I donât know for sure. Iâve put off the shot and need to get it now. My mom had a bad case of mouth shingles, and I donât want any part of that.
Unfortunately, the shingles vaccine may not prevent all types of shingles.
Iâve suffered from shingles in my eye for many years. I have repeated asked pharmacists and doctors if getting the vaccine would prevent outbreaks, but never got a good answer. Finally, at this yearâs eye appointment a doctor said no, because it is another type of herpes. I think your motherâs oral shingles is âanotherâ type as my eye issues started with cold sores in and around my mouth, and then spread to my eye.
Good news is the medication for my eye means I rarely have lip sores any more.
I did have a reaction to my second shingles shot (every muscle in my body ached), but no reaction to my COVID shots.
Same. Like the others with my mom having shingles multiple times I would rather have the vaxes. It gave me an excuse for a couple of days off from doing much, so one can look on the bright side I suppose.
Still, I was happy to avoid the Covid side effects. H had no side effects from either, so side effects from Shingrix arenât 100%.
Both D and H had shingles, several years apart. D was about 13 and utterly miserable. Still has scars nearly 20 years later. Both she s and H needed strong Rx pain relievers to sleep.
My younger brother had constant migraines when he had his bout of shingles in his early 50s and was utterly miserable.
Thanks for all the support about the shingles vaccine. I truly appreciate it.
I was posting about how I understand why there is some reluctance to the coronavirus vaccine. And Iâm lucky because itâs on a Friday and I can rest over the weekend if needed. A lot of people donât have that same luxury when getting the coronavirus vaccine.
As much as I appreciate the warm and positive posts about the shingles vaccine, I donât want to put this thread too much off topic.
Moderatorâs Note: Obvious False Statements will be removed from this thread. People should not be publishing alternative facts about vaccines.
I had shingles about eight years ago and it was awful. It wasnât that it was sensitive on the surface, though I had a visible outbreak, but it was a deep, wrenching painâit felt like it was deep in my organs. I thought it must be some kind of cancer, it was so bad. And even though I got treatment after the first day, the pain lingered for months. Like someone was tearing up my innards.
Stupidly I havenât gotten the vaccine, because I was always trying to time it for when I wasnât working because of reaction. That seems so dumb nowâwill definitely make that happen soon.
Although the shingles vaccine eight years ago (Zostavax) was much less effective than the current Shingrix vaccine.
True. I left out that I wasnât eligible then. I think I became so about the time Shingrex came out, though Iâm not certain.
Zostavax was recommended for age 60+ (which meant that insurance was more likely to pay in this age group), but approved for use for age 50+. Shingrix is recommended and approved for age 50+.
Zostavax is no longer on the market in the US, presumably because few people want a 51% effective vaccine that does not last very long when there is a 90% effective vaccine that lasts longer.
Hey, one vax reluctant friend got the shot. I found a close by place with easy appointments.
I had a rough reaction to the Moderna 2nd shot in that it lasted for over a week, but the Shigrex was bad in a whole different way, I was so miserably uncomfortable, I scheduled my second one when DH was out of town so I could moan & groan out loud all night, even with a bit of tylenol.
But Iâd bet my Covid or Shingles would have been worse.
Makes me happy my kid is in the Navy. He got vaccinated shortly after arriving in Japan and his wife about a week later. He said nearly everyone on the base has been vaccinated.