I recently had the first shingles jab and will not be having the second. I had the usual flu like symptoms for 3 days but then had 9 days of severe diarrhea. I lost 7lbs but ended up with low potassium. Low potassium can cause arrhythmia so I felt even worse. If you are offered the shingles jab please be aware of the side effects that it may cause.
Shingles jab: I recently had the first... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Shingles jab
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Kendalghost
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Its difficult to know what to do. I have been invited for the shingles jab and had chicken pox as a child then shingles as an adult and chicken pox again, I didnt know it could be had twice. Anyway I am not intending having the shingles vaccine or any other vaccine at this point. I feel all ‘vaccined out ‘ after all the covid jabs so giving myself a break.
Its my personal choice, I would never try to persuade anyone to take or not take a vaccine.
I feel the same as meadfoot as l have not been well with all these vaccines and had awful side effects. I have always refused the shingles one as it’s a live vaccine and l always suffer side effects with any vaccine. I am having a break from them all, because if l had them all, l would never be well. With AF on top it has been hard going for me and enough is enough. It’s a personal decision for me, but not intended to influence anyone in any way. Thanks for the warning and sorry you have had a bad reaction. Hope you soon get well again.
The current shingles vaccine Shingrix is not a live vaccine. I had the first, no trouble, and booked into for next.
Thanks. Yes l have just read other’s posts. My surgery have not advised me about this. As usual from my surgery, lack of care.
Trust me having Covid, or having Shingles, is far worse than any " side effects" you think you might have from these vaccines!
Are you kidding? You are not me. so please don’t tell me how ill l am after vaccinations. For some they do more harm than good and some of us are unable to have them, although we would probably prefer to have them. You obviously haven’t had any bad side effects. How do you know that l haven’t already had Covid or the Shingles? Thank you.
‘
No need to get your knickers in a bind! I simply stated a fact. Getting Covid or Shingles is far worse than most side effects. If you must know, I have had Covid and it was not fun at all. I also have had side effects to the vaccine, but not half as bad, as the actual disease! Re shingles. The shot hurt like hell, and my arm was swollen and painful for a few days. However having known immediate family members who had shingles. I would take the side effect any time over the actual disease. Shingles if you have Afib can be very dangerous. Likewise it can blind you, and cause permanent nerve damage. So yes it is up to you. Whether you would rather risk these two maladies, or deal with the side effects. Please do not respond, I do not want to hear any more from anti-vaccers. Do not make me leave this forum. For the most part I find it useful. I also find it full of misguided individuals.
I have a right to reply to your response to me and a right to defend myself from indirect insinuations. I am definitely not one of your “misguided individuals” having taken guidance from qualified medical professionals. Your facts are probably true for the majority of people and undoubtedly vaccines have saved many lives. Many people on here have a self-righteous approach and fail to see the situation and circumstances of others who are less fortunate than themselves. This is not a debate for opposing vaccinations, but merely a discussion, and to hear others views and experiences, and to have an open mind and respect different decisions. There should be no bias. I hope you do not leave this forum as l am sure your knowledge and experience is an asset. We are all equal in that respect. Let us part as friends and l wish you well.
Alwys pass on the iformation u have which makes you decide wisely not to participate in gheir monefests. So others can reach their sensible informed conclusion. If hou know and dont speak out it is almost as bad as those who spread the lies.
Thank you Afperic for your reply and appreciate everyone will have different opinions relating to vaccines. However, this is your personal opinion and would encourage all members to make their own decision for future vaccines or medications.
Kind regards
TracyAdmin
I agree entirely. I was just talking to my neighbor yesterday and heard her tales of woe from vaccines. To each their own, but for me -- well I've made my decision.
How horrid for you. Mine was so uneventful I don't even remember there being two!
I had my first shingles jab in the spring and am due the second around Christmas. Other than a painful arm for a couple of days I had no problems. Definitely will be going for the second, there’s no way I want shingles, it’s horrible.
I had my 1st does without problems (other than a sore arm)
I had shingles last year and was told it could happen again, so I decided to play safe and have the vacination. After the first one I did feel fairly rough for 3/5 days , flu, headaches and a mighty sore arm on both sides as I had the pheumonia one at the same time ( wouldn't recommend ) . I read up and it said the second jab for shingles is less likely to have as severe affects , wrong I felt the same and it gave me an episode of AF. A chicken and egg situation really, as I don't regret having it done and immensly pleased I won't need another one!
Yes I’ve had Shingles twice, it’s really horrid. Had my first Shingles jab 2nd one next week.
I too had shingles last year mildly and I am thinking about having the vaccine. . I wondered if you had shingles antibodies in your system from shingles, do you desperately need the jab so soon ?
I was thinking the same at the time but I did say to the nurse that I had shingles recently and she said that as it was over 6 months ago it wouldn't make any difference and I still needed the vaccination.
Thank you, I'll probably go for the non live one.
Sorry to hear about the problems it caused you. I had my first shingles jab a few months ago and am due for my second in November. Like some of the others, I had no problems with it except for some soreness at the injection site for about 3 days. I saw how much a friend suffered with shingles so I'll definitely be having the second jab.
I had the Shingrix vaccination and it was the only vaccine that I wasn’t ill with but I had had flu and COVID vaccines all within 8 weeks so I know exactly what you mean when you felt vaccined out!
I had shingles again recently so like most vaccines, it doesn’t prevent you from developing the disease, just arms your immune system to fight it to prevent serious illness. 10 weeks on I am still having nerve pain down my right thigh. I have two friends who have it in their eye and are having problems with sight in the affected eye. As a matter of interest - they requested the vaccine and were denied because they were just outside the age range it was offered to, needless to say they are most upset so although the vaccine may cause some temporary discomfort - the consequences of shingles can be catastrophic.
My theory is that we are all much weaker since COVID and therefore more susceptible.
Shingles is the same virus as chickenpox and known as an opportunistic virus so once in your system it will lie dormant in your nervous system until your system is weakened when it will appear, stress can reduce the immune response so I this was the one vaccine I was happy to have.
I had to request the Shingles vaccine as I’m not yet at the age, but having had Shingles twice, I really don’t it again. I understand the vaccine is not a guarantee, like any other vaccine
Weaker since Covid or the Covid vaccines? 🤔
Both, in my experience but as I’ve had COVID 5 times 🤷♂️Certainly not having any other MRNA vaccines and am somewhat wary of the monoclonal antibody vacs/treatments.
That says a lot CDreamer, did you have covid before or after vaccines were released, anyone i know only tested positive and took covid after their release, to me that says a lot.
Regarding your friends, a 2024 study reported that the Shingrix vaccine increased odds of the recurrence of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. I have never had shingles, but my father and his only brother both had recurring cases of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. My father ended up blind in his final years and that is one of my most profound fears.
Were you given information to be abe to consent ? U dont need to answer i'm sure i already know ....as per normal a disgrace.
It seems as though you are very biased against any vaccines but not all vacs are equal and many are well researched and used over decades and have prevented and limited millions from dying and suffering.
FYI I was given a lot of information about Shingrix as it is a relatively new vaccination.
??
Hi
Never offered it at aged 65.
Now 75 I nursed my Mum with it. She said she went to her bowling club where I lady had it. Was given information after.
Hers was on her stomach.
No, not having it. Just don't get down and out. Immunity diet is best and early to bed, early to rise makes us healthy and wise.
cherio JOY. 75 (NZ)
I approach all vaccines with extreme care. If I decided I was at high risk then I would likely go ahead but only then.
Maybe a tad cynical but I wonder if most of those that choose the jab and have no side effects means their immune system was strong enough to reduce the risk to acceptable levels without the jab. As others have said a subjective decision for the individual.
I think it is normally just the opposite - a weaker immune system reacts less strongly to a vaccine.
Maybe ask yourself how ill he (and millions of others) could have been without vaccination. The vaccine is not only to prevent Covid but to reduce the severity of the illness.
But,,,, anyone i know who were supposed to have tested positive for covid were all vaccinated.
The vaccine does not prevent covid. It actually makes covid worse if you get covid right after being vaccinated which you are more likely to do as any vaccine lowers the efficacy of the immune system for a couple of weeks.
The vaccine does not prevent covid. It actually makes covid worse if you get covid right after being vaccinated which you are more likely to do as any vaccine lowers the efficacy of the immune system for a couple of weeks.
TracyAdminPartner
I am really sorry to hear about your recent experiences, how are you feeling now? I would advise making the GP aware when you next visit to ensure the reaction is added to your medical record.
Kind regards
TracyAdmin
I've had every jab offered with no ill effects apart from an occasional sore arm. I've had shingles twice, and had a shingles jab about six years ago. I can't remember having it in two parts.
No I just had one dose about 8 years ago so wonder if the single dose is still available and maybe should be made available for the likes of us if we ask for it?
Do you really believe Biden had Covid a couple of weeks ago, rather than just laying low? 😄There seems to be a common thread with your replies to other posts regarding vaccinations. I'm neither for or against them but it's for folk to decide themselves and implying they don't bother to inform themselves before deciding, is presumptuous and rude.
Wasnt implying they dont inform themselves but was hiliting without being blocked for spreading dizinformation that there are other sources of valid info but the approved narrative is the only one allowed so do some research try flccc for a start before that reference is removed.
What???
After my brother suffered a very bad case of shingles the effects of which went on for over a year, I had the shingles jab and the pneumonia jab at the same time. I suffered no ill effects at all apart from a bit of a sore arm from one of them. I would say though that mine was the one dose shingles jab not the two stage.Don’t know if that makes a difference.
I asked about the one dose jab but it is no longer available.
It's said to be an excellent and safe vaccination for older people to have given the common and sometimes long term debilitation that shingles can cause. I wouldn't want to suffer another attack of dreaded shingles. When I had it I was more ill than with any other illness I have had with a vast rash and a raging fever of 40C - I would not want that again. My doctor was shocked when he saw my side and I still have the scars. Luckily, and to my surprise, I have avoided the dreaded post-herpetic neuralgia which a friend's mother suffered from this suffering dreadfully severe pain for many years.
The side effect of diarrhoea is said to be rare, so you were most unlucky - bad luck. Of course, no individual side effects will be apparent until after having had the first jab, so I would still very much recommend people to have it and, unless the short term suffering from side effects proves to be unacceptably bad, to be sure to have the second jab which confers such excellent immunity against this chronic and potentially debilitating illness.
Steve
I would definitely have the jab ... shingles really isn't fun
Completely understand, and everyone has to make up their own mind. I was very ill (reported) after the first. Also had such terrible sickness and diarrhoea that my potassium level quickly became dangerously low, which inevitably set off an Afib episode, and I ended up in hospital on a drip. A few people (some medics) suggested I think long and hard before the second, but my feeling was I should still do it. As it happens, I had so many important events around the only time window the second dose was on offer here meant that I couldn't risk being out of action then, and didn't take it. I don't know where that leaves me (will ask sometime). I've never had chickenpox, so I've heard you can only get shingles if you've had chickenpox, but also contradictory advice you still might have been exposed to chickenpox without knowing, so still vulnerable to shingles virus. 🤦♀️ Life is so hard at times, let alone Afib.
I’m very pro vaccines and I accept all vaccines offered. I trust the science.. And I’m so grateful not to have had to run the risks of polio and TB as a child.
Hear hear -me too, it’s common sense! Sick of all these idiot conspiracy theorists. They wouldn’t /don’t hesitate occupying hospital beds when they contract the illnesses they could’ve avoided with vaccination.
I've had all the vaccines that I've been offered and that is why I had the first Shingrix jab but would rather have shingles again than suffer the side effects of having the second one.
I had the single Shingles vaccine I was offered 5 years ago. I'm so glad I did, last year I had the rash and pain around one side of my stomach but at the time I had no idea I could still get Shingles after having the vaccine. I'm still suffering with nerve pain after 12 months so I hate to think what it would be like without the jab .
I asked about the single jab but was told that it wasn't available anymore, hence why I had the first shot of the Shingrix one. I've also had shingles and would rather have it again than suffer the side effects again.
Have you seen the effects of shingles first hand in an adult? I had slightly more side effects than for most vaccinations but it's a one off jab. I would advise anyone I know to get the jab and accept there may be some side effects. You and I were in the minority, but thankfully you and I are now protected from the very unpleasant and debilitating shingles! Anti vax is a pernicious and persistent intrusion into this health forum and is wholly unbalanced, uses an evidence base of one and is invariably negative in it's message. It's not helpful and actively aims to spread anxiety and fearfulness. In my view!!!!!
I am not anti- vac but there are always two sides to the story. A discussion is to exchange ideas. A debate is an opposing argument. I think it helpful to hear everyone’s opinion and experiences in order to have an informed knowledge before making a decision. I think for many this is a necessity. This is a wonderful forum for such discussions and to find out information which otherwise would probably be unknown. There should be no cover up or bias.
This is just a reply to you as you seem to have gone off the point to make a point.
There are always two sides to a story..... The earth is flat. No, surely it's round. Discuss or debate. Experiments invariably start with a null hypothesis. It's not possible to prove a negative. (Discuss???) There are of course Beliefs, Attitudes and Values. With regard to beliefs the discussion and debate can go on almost forever, driven by values and often displaying attitudes!And more seriously, suggesting by way of a 'discussion ' (harmless) to support or encourage action to disregard evidence and accept opinion is extraordinary.
Well you could try jumping off that cliff into the water, you might be alright. It won't be the act of jumping that causes the problem, it will be how you land.
You can protect yourself from this known risk of getting seriously ill by taking this medication, it may have some side effects, and these are the rates and likelihood of side effects. This is what you will be told.
We have to trust our health practitioners who overwhelmingly are good people. When you are in the middle of having a serious stroke and the time window for thrombolysis is minutes left, are told the drug is very powerful and in 1/10 causes a life threatening bleed as an unintended side effect, there's no time for a discussion or debate! Thank goodness our practitioners have clarity of thought and I can still write this.
The suggestion of cover up or bias is offensive by the way.
Chinkoflight you are speaking of life and death circumstances, which is entirely different. I would not be here, if not for the NHS so l have nothing but praise. Sadly, there are those of us who are unable to have vaccinations, when they would do more harm than good. Cover up and bias was not meant to be offensive neither was it aimed at yourself. My point is, if there was not freedom of speech and one was not able to voice their opinion, for or against, then the full facts would not ever be known. We all have different experiences and opinions and they should be aired and respected. Take care.
I’m sorry to be awkward but ‘opinions and experiences’ are not the same as facts supported by scientific research and sensible people should not base their decisions on them. You may base your own decisions on your previous experience but advice on medications etc should have a basis of fact and known risk. The extremely risk averse people should not, of course, accept any medications or vaccines or even ‘natural remedies’ whatsoever.
I agree absolutely Buff that you do not use hearsay in making a decision and any sensible person would decide on actual scientific facts, figures etc. Hearing others experiences and opinions have helped me enormously on this forum and have taught me things l probably would never have known. Their wisdom and knowledge have seen me through many difficult times. It is so reassuring to know why, where and what and it helps, albeit it in a small way, to guide us in the right direction.
There is a difference between not being able to have vaccinations and exercising choice over whether to have them or not. The original question/statement was about a reaction perceived to be caused by the vaccine and deciding whether to proceed with the second jab. Most studies on effectiveness are population or trial based, and can never assert an individual outcome. For example, there is a very small risk for intestinal problems following the new shingles vaccine. Almost certainly, this is lower than the general risk of acquiring such a dodgy tummy., but will have taken that into consideration. Elsewhere on this thread, as with any thread on a vaccination experience, there are some very ill considered (ignorant) assertions about vaccination with conspiracy theories underpinning etc . I and probably you and hopefully most people engaged on HU can see this for what it is and maybe have a sanguine, let it be view.
But many people, especially if you track through posts, and I'm no exception, often have considerable anxiety when faced with an issue they need support, or helpful input.
They don't need quackery, or dare I say predatory behaviour, taking advantage of their vulnerability to advance guru type beliefs based on alternative false narratives.
We all need an open mind, we all need to be sensitive.
I responded to the original post with a balanced input and a positive choice message.
You responded with a point to my post.
Yes I've had shingles and would rather suffer it again than suffer the side effects that Shingrix caused me. The arrythmia , every other day was too much and that was caused by the dia issues from the jab. Not everyone will suffer the same side effects but folk with AF need to make an informed decision as to whether to have it.
I don't know when they changed to the double dose injection I had a single one and had no problems - about 8 years ago now just as starting out on my AF journey too. I have heard a few people who had problems. Best thing to do when you have the "diar horror" is to drink plenty and use rehydration drinks such as dioralyte which is meant to keep your electrolytes at a good level despite the diarrhea. I have always found they help. Personally I would still go for the shingles jabs being aware of the side effects thanks to the discussions we have had on this website. I have seen people recently really suffer with Shingles years ago my Mum was left with a partially paralysed face after she got shingles on her cheek - her mouth was left twisted and she couldn't smile. A friend of mine has been suffering since last October with it and another friend has just told me that she has it but not diagnosed early enough - despite going to GP and A&E and now too late to be given antivirals. She has it on the back of her head and neck and can't even brush her hair. I am hoping she won't suffer as much as my friend but if there is no treatment. I was lucky only had chicken pox - twice but my wife has had both chicken pox and shingles and will be having the injection when it is made available for her. she had Shingles when she was 16 and as luck would have it when she went to see her GP in excruciating pain from the rash - pain came first and then the rash for her, she was lucky enough to be given a new treatment that had been left with the GP by a rep earlier that week . So came in a tiny glass bottle and was to be painted onto the rash 4 times a day. Within a week the rash had gone but some pain continued in the area for a long time and she still complained of pain in that area when she was tired or stressed for many years afterwards.
This is not the forum for insinuations!
I've had shingles once, a few years ago, on half my face.
Even so I'll be taking my chances and keep on relying on my immune system rather than have a shingles jab.
I’ve had one now some years back with no ill effects. I wish I’d had it the first time it was offered as that way I would have avoided this heart condition and the chronic fatigue that I developed after I experienced the excruciating pain of shingles and was not able to get an appointment at our surgery for nearly two weeks by which time the pain had gone and the rash had appeared but presumably it was too late to be given an antiviral! A pain specialist told me that the slight back pain I experienced had come “as an after effect of shingles”! It must have been the mildest dose ever but that’s why I didn’t get the jab the first time it was offered and how I wish I’d had it then and could still lead an active life as I had done previously.
I had no side effects whatsoever. I think you are blaming the vaccine, for something else that just struck you. I read so many comments about "side effects" yet I have yet to have any from any vaccination!
"What like the 6 jabs Biden has had and keeps getting covid. Bet hes pleased too and Dr Fauci."
Well, that's a constructive post!
NHS Info:
There are 2 types of shingles vaccine given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:
Shingrix vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 136kb) – given as 2 doses
Zostavax vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website) – given as 1 dose
I was told that the only one available was Shingrix.
I have to remind myself that when i first came on this forum it was to learn about afib, now i realize how easy it is to be drawn into discussing , to vax or not to vax, LOL.
I raised this issue so that folk with AF are aware of the possible side effect. I had arrythmia every other day for days after the Shingrix jab.
yes, i understand your reasons Kendal, glad you mentioned it
I am sorry to hear about your experience and I can see that this has put you in a difficult position. I was offered the shingles vaccine when I turned 70 some years’ ago. It was the older Zostervax vaccine then. I refused as I generally refused all vaccinations at that time. Two years’ later, I had a really bad outbreak of shingles which started when I was abroad following a chest infection for which I had been hospitalised as it had affected my heart markers. My insurers had to repatriate me and were not happy needless to say. I am still not over the effects of the shingles nearly 6 years’ later. Not everyone is affected in this way. I think it was probably due to the stress of the whole situation and my immune system being down at the time which probably meant I didn’t have the reserves at the time to deal with it. I did subsequently get the Zostervax vaccination to hopefully prevent further outbreaks as it is definitely not true that you can only get shingles once. I wanted the Shingrix vaccine but was told it was not available in the U.K. at the time but it is now the one the NHS are using. It is supposed to be more effective. Good luck with whatever you decide.
thank you for sharing this.
I was aware of the possible side effects but decided it was worth it rather than get shingles again.I got an itchy feeling on my right temple on a Friday and decided to wait until Monday to see my GP.
Long story short, I have had two cornea transplants and can now see fairly well out of my right eye.
I consider myself lucky as I haven't had other side effects of shingles.
Everyone over 65 should get the shots.
Don't hesitate to get the shots to prevent shingles.
In response to Afperic 's replies ...
I didn't have the "luxury" of rejecting a polio vaccine when I was a child (which was before vaccine development), and so was forced to rely on my "natural immunity". I subsequently caught paralytic polio at 5-6 years old. It has had devastating life long consequences for my ability to live a full life, but even so, compared to some others who caught polio, I was lucky.
And now, amidst the devastation and unsanitary conditions in Gaza, the first cases of a renewed outbreak of polio have been announced. How much worse can it get? Oh yes, UN staff have had stop their work providing doses of polio vaccine because of new "evacuation" directions by the IDF.
Words fail me!
if you have never had shingles, I would advise the vaccine. I had shingles and the pain and suffering from shingles was so unbearable for almost a month. The side affects from the vaccine are minimal compared to the pain from shingles. I would recommend getting the vaccine!
I've had shingles and the injection was much worse than having shingles.
I have just had my second shingrix vaccine and like you it gave me diarrhoea both times. I certainly felt worse than after the covid jabs but done now. I had shingles when I was fifty and not sure I even needed it and I wasnt given a leaflet or any information about the side effects with the first one. I was told that it wasnt a live vaccine. Sorry you were so unwell.
oh I’m sorry you had a problem. I was absolutely fine with the shingles vacs and the flu jabs, but terrible with the covid boosters. Hope you’re feeling better now
I have Afib and DCM and specifically asked not to have a live vaccine, had mine in two stages. No issues at all
After being Afib free for 4 years following my abaltion March 2020, I had the shingles jab in April this year, I have been in persistent Afib every since.
sorry about your crappy side effects to the Shingles jab. That said, I came down with shingles a couple's of years ago (was 50 yo at the time) and I can honestly say that I might take 9 days of diarrhea over the excruciating pain I was in for 3+ weeks. It was wise of you to get the shot though I wish your side effects were not so severe. Hope you are all better now. Keep safe
You know your body. Some can handle them and some cant. I cant and wont after having two cousins pass suddenly after the covid vax, my step father had a stroke in the parking lot after his, got cancer and died, my boss started showing vision problems and dementia side effects and can now come to work sporadically and my brother who had to quit his job because he started showing MS-like symptoms. Its not a decision to take lightly ever. I havent had one since bootcamp which kicked off years of autoimmune issues.
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