Shingrix Side Effects

[Katie-LMHC-Artist]

I just had my second vaccine. Day two my side effects included: muscle pain where the injection went in, migraine, and nauseous. I didn’t have those symptoms after the first vaccine with the exception of the muscle pain. Today is day three. I’m only experiencing a sore muscle where the injection went in. I thought I would share this for others that end up with these side effects. Thx!

[esn1967]

Good morning, Katie. Yes, the 2nd Shingrex shot is known to be a doozy. I had mine in May and ran a fever on and off for three days. Hope you feel better soon.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to esn1967]

Thanks. I’m not alone with this reaction!!! It’s day 3 and I’m starting to feel better except for sore arm. Thx!

[fapumpkin]

Hello Katie, I had a raised temp, was exhausted and site of injection hurt for a couple of days after my first injection, still waiting for the minimum gap before the next and am now not looking forward to another loss of a week but it is better than having shingles. I am being treated with Ibrutinib.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to fapumpkin]

Thx for your reply! I wasn’t sure if this was an unusual reaction.

[Newdawn Administrator]

I had my first Shingrix vaccination 6 days ago and touchwood, no severe ill effects so far apart from the usual soreness at the site. Not looking forward to the second if it’s more severe but fingers crossed.

Incidentally, because people have been asking this, reading the U.K. Green Book yesterday, there seemed to be advice suggesting the Shingrex/Shingles vaccine shouldn’t be given at the same time as the flu vax. A week apart is recommended.

Newdawn

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to Newdawn]

Make sure you have nothing scheduled the day after! Thanks for your feedback!

[Pekingese]

My first shinrex I had a sore arm, my second shot floored me. Hope you feel better soon.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to Pekingese]

Thanks for your feedback! I appreciate it!😊

[Katie-LMHC-Artist]

I had shingles at 50. It was uncomfortable and I survived. As I get older, like yourself, I will do what it takes to protect myself. Thanks!

[steve_canada]

I had my 2nd Shingrex shot on Monday and going into the third day - my arm is still sore. Besides that, I didn’t experience any other symptoms.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to steve_canada]

Good to hear! We all react differently to things. Take care!

[Maya2007]

Thankyou very much Katie for making us aware of potential unpleasant side effects esp from shingrex booster.I have booked my appt for 28 Nov.Will def go ahead with vaccine esp as it will hopefully protect me from nasty n potentially very serious outcomes from actual shingles infection further down the line.Take care.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to Maya2007]

We are react differently. I hope for the best for you! If I need more vaccines I will make sure I have the day off the day after. I wish you the best!😊

[Maya2007 in reply to Katie-LMHC-Artist]

Thankyou v much. Good advice.🥰👍

[Sunshineatleast]

I didn’t have any side effects so was one of the lucky ones. Very expensive vaccine but worth every Penny

[Buffy-1]

Hubby and I had second shot and we were both down for 3 days. Arm not so bad, complete exhaustion, fever, vomiting, headache. First shot, not even a sore arm. Worth it if it really works.

[The-Man-with-a-Plan]

I got my first Shingrix shot back in September. Didn't feel well for 1 or two days but nothing serious. I will NOT get the 2nd shot till February 2024. I've talked to too many people (immunocompromised or not) who got hammered by the 2nd shot.

All that being said, my neighbor was just diagnosed with a case of shingles on the top of his bald pate. No pain but there is a lot of concern around the lesions spreading to his eyes.

Bottom line - I will put up with the side effects of the 2nd shot because I don't want to end up like poor Tony. Plus, I've already experienced the 'joy' of shingles back in 2011. It is an AWFUL disease.

[Gardengirl44]

oh boy! Thanks for the info. I am going to get it in a month or 2. First, flu shot today

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to Gardengirl44]

Clear out your schedule the day after when you get the second shot. You may do fine or you could feel under the weather the next day. Good luck!😊

[AussieNeil Administrator]

For balance, I would like to share the side effect lists of the nerve pain medications that are most effective (and sadly not guaranteed), in reducing the extreme pain you can get with shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, pain that can continue indefinitely.

Gabapentin (Initially prescribed by my GP, but I found it didn't work that well)

drugs.com/sfx/gabapentin-si...

Pregabalin (Worked better for me and preferred by my haematologist)

drugs.com/sfx/pregabalin-si...

These are not pleasant drugs to take. Actually I've never needed to take a drug which has had anything like the side effect profile of these drugs and can't wait to be off pregabalin. I'd far prefer going through CLL treatment again to be honest. In addition, it's common to also require other pain control medications, commonly opiods, which have their own, serious complications and doctors don't want you taking long term. I've managed to wean myself off the opiods but I'm still on pregabalin 14 months after getting shingles. In addition to several very unpleasant side effects. the pregabalin suppressed my bone marrow production, lowering my platelet and neutrophil counts, so that I my CLL specialist increased the frequency of my blood testing.

Neil

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to AussieNeil]

I just read your experience with shingles again. I have heard that some people have a terrible reaction. I’m sorry that you have gone through that amount of pain. I hope that you eventually start to heal from it and feel better. I think sharing your experience with others is helpful so they can make the best decision for themself and understand how important it is for people who are immunocompromised to take precautions and follow through with vaccines when needed. Thank you!

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to Katie-LMHC-Artist]

Thanks Katie,

I should have added this very important information to help people assess their risk of complication from shingles. Sadly with CLL it's fairly likely.

Per cdc.gov/shingles/about/inde... with my emphasis;

About 1 in every 3 people in the United States will have shingles in their lifetime.

About 10% to 18% of people who have shingles develop nerve pain that lasts for months or years after the rash goes away. This nerve pain is called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN. PHN is the most common complication of shingles.

Shingles can lead to serious complications involving the eye, including vision loss.

Very rarely, shingles can also lead to:

- Infection of the lung (pneumonia)

- Hearing problems

- Brain inflammation (encephalitis)

- Death

So on this basis, at best about 1 in 30 of us can expect PHN lasting months or years. At worst about 1 in 15. I don't have off hand the figures for CLL, but it's not going to be any better.

We have over 4,000 active members, so around 150 to 300 of us can expect to experience long lasting PHN. Vaccination and antivirals are hence very attractive ways to reduce that risk.

Neil

[Katie-LMHC-Artist]

Thanks for sharing!