Hi everyone,
I am planning to get Shingles vaccine, but afraid from the consequences.
Gleason score 9 (4+5) Radical Prostatectomy 2017 > BCR 2019 SRT 8 weeks + Firmagon 6 injections (over 6 months). G 9 recurrence is inevitable (as we all know) so I am scared to take the Shingles vaccine.
Any one above age 50 that the PCP recommend the 2 shots of this vaccine?
Thank you
Ralph
I got shingles just a few months following RRP. I suffered far worse with shingles than the surgery. I waited six months and then got Shingrix vaccine to boost my immune system. I never want shingles again.
Why do you say, "G 9 recurrence is inevitable (as we all know) "? I don't know that at all.
What has a shingles vaccine to do with a recurrence?
Hi TA. This is what the first urologist told me in 2017. He said here are the statistics of people got diagnosed with G score 9 at age of 51, and it was outdated/ old statistics. I went to USC and got the second opinion urologist who did the RRP (was more optimistic but still said at some point I will need hormonal therapy if the surgery and then the SRT (fails).
Doctors sometimes just say stupid shit. Although, maybe that was true in 2017.
TA is so right, some doctors say stupid shit! I was Gleason 9 - Stage 3a, PN1 after RP - recurrence about 3 years following, on Hormone w/Salvage Radiation in May+June 2022. Will be pulled off Hormone therapy in about 10 months, no talk of "inevitable" recurrence. All consultations have said they see me "cured" in context.
Of course I will continue to be monitored, but no inevitability of recurrence.
Shingles vaccine is of no consequence to the cancer when I asked and all doctors have said yes, get the vaccination. Shingles is not anything you want.
My neighbor really suffered with shingles. I had the two shot series last summer. I didnt think twice.
Get. The. Vaccine.
Seriously, shingles is awful. No reason I know of for PCa patients to not get any and all vaccines available.
healio.com/news/hematology-...
Got it and thank you so mush: So [[The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults aged older than 50 years; however, Zostax, a live-virus vaccine, may not be suitable for patients with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, including those with cancer.]]
And [[The recently approved as of 2018 Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant protein and can be given to patients with cancer even if they are receiving or have recently received radiation or chemotherapy. Patients with lymphoma or leukemia also are eligible for the recombinant vaccine.]]
Had shingles vaccine few years back. Doctor thought it was a good idea. Also G9, was on Lupron at the time. No after effects.
You don't want shingles, period. Take it from one who suffered considerably with a very mild case. There's no worthy data to support avoiding Shingrix. It's a far better mousetrap.
This from a recent Kishan presentation......why do you say BCR is inevitable???
While much higher than for Gleason 3+3 and Gleason 3+4, far from inevitable ...though it appears you did have a BCR after surgery, since you had SRT + ADT. I don't know the guideline for proclaiming BCR after your type of salvage???
When I asked about skipping 18 months of ADT as adjuvant for RT, my RO said BCR would then be inevitable. While the graphical results above certainly indicate the benefit of adjuvant ADT with RT, note that , at least for 7 years, RT without ADT does not mean that BCR is inevitable??? I didn't think so, but HE is the expert???
I would definitely recommend getting the vaccine. I have, after seeing my wife get shingles, It can also leave you with lasting nerve damage.
I had a shingles vaccine last year that was not the live virus shot. We all suffer from a poor immune system with the meds we take for advanced Prostate Cancer. I have recently been advised that a second shot is advisable as a booster, Ill be asking for it when I have my flu jab later in the year
No issues, just get it! My MO encouraged it. Some people get flu-like symptoms after the 2nd shot but I didn't.
I asked Dr Kishan and he said Shingles vaccine was fine to get. Received one dose before beginning RT and the second 10 or so weeks later. No problems.
I got Shingrix last year after 2+ years of ADT. ... IMHO, just do it. You do not want to get shingles.
GL9, stage 4 at Diagnosis 6/2019. Uro - Dr. MacIntyre here in San Diego said basically that I needed to get affairs in order and it would come back no matter what I did. (As TA summarized it - stupid shit.) Robotic RP, then undetectable..recurrence at 10 months post-op, ADT with antagonist and 38 session Salvage RT. I was immediately undetectable with 1st course of ADT( Firmagon then Orgovyx)....and stopped ADT 18 months later. Now at 16 months post ADT....still undetectable, normal T and sexually active at 70. Head high and enjoying life....but the Doctor"s first words were a very heavy burden to live under from day 1. This forum has been able to rebuild my hope.
G10 - had the original shingles shot a number of years ago - and then the 2 shot routine just the beginning of 2023. First shot had pain in the injection site (muscular pain) took several days to go away. Second shot - nothing. No side effects.
Just do it - if you have medicare and drug plan - it's 100% covered. It used to be quite expensive.
While you're at it get your roof repaired...........
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Monday 07/03/2023 2:13 PM DST
I have received the Shingrix shingles vaccine more than a year ago. There was no apparent effect on PSA. Stimulating the immune system may be beneficial as it is well known that a vaccine for one disease may reduce the incidences of other microbial diseases. I have witnessed colleagues suffer from shingles and it is excruciating - you don't need to suffer like that when also suffering from PCa. Regards, Phil
I got my two Shingrex jabs last year. Prostate cancer wasn't a concern.
I asked my Oncologist this specific question in my appointment a month ago and was told the Shingles shot would not interfere with my treatment of Lupron, Zytiga and Steroids.
? Shingrix vaccine source of PSA bump.
Shingles and PCA
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Advice for stopping/slowing PCa progression. 
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