Shingles Vaccine

[CAROL-R]

I have just been offered the Shingles Vaccine and have concerns about having it as it's alive vaccine as I understand people with APS should avoid live vaccines. Has anyone had this vaccine and was there any side effects .

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

I have SLE, lymphoma & mild APS. I was advised to get the shingles vaccine before starting Rituximab. I had no side effects.

You need to consult with your specialist. Each case is different.

With good wises,

Ros

[Mermaidatheart]

I had both doses of the shingles shot. Sore arm, but did just fine. My doctor advised me to get the shot.

[Ozchick]

I had the shingles vax in January '19 and as far as I can remember no side effects.

[Raw57]

If you ever had shingles you would jump at the chance for the vaccine. I had very mild arm soreness but it is well worth it. The shingles are awful.

[GinaD]

I had the newer, more effective shingles shot 2years ago. No after effects, EXCEPT-- no longer terrified of getting shingles. You see, when I was 4 I had this bad summer: Measles, mumps, German measles all on top of each other. Last of all -with scarcely a break -came chicken pox. And chicken pox nearly killed me! So, I know that there are tons of those viruses waiting for their chance to escape my immune system's jails, and go on the rampage again. Hopefully, that shingles shot will keep the bars down!

[kiminabmw in reply to GinaD]

I had a horrendous case of chicken pox as a child, and then broke out with the Shingles rash at 55 years old. As awful as the chicken pox was, Shingles were so much worse for me. Over 4 weeks of those painful blisters that started at my spine and wrapped to my belly button. Shingles were more painful then some surgeries I've had. That was 7 years ago, and at the time they weren't offering the Shingles vaccine to people in their 50's.

[GinaD]

So sorry you went through that. Glad you're on the other side!

[Ranababy]

I have Hughes Syndrome and had both Shingles Shots with no reaction.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi if you are emailing your specialist about your own individual situation, do copy your gp into the email. MaryF

[Davideccroft]

Well. I had shingles a couple years ago. My gp said when I went to see him with the rash best not to take anything as too late for vaccine due to APS. I’d not recommend getting shingles - uncomfortable and painful. I had it to one side on my lower back. I didn’t get infections or itching as my gp diagnosed it quickly and luckily I didn’t scratch once - mainly as hard to reach. Took 3 months to go away which I was told was unlucky. If I’d been offered the vaccine, with hindsight I’d have taken it but didn’t know it existed until too late. I got it after a crazy busy time at work and while my wife was in hospital very sick - so lack of sleep juggling school runs, work, hospital visits etc and probably not looking after myself well sleep, exercise and food wise a few weeks allowing it to surface while I was temporarily run down. The gp didn’t give me normal shingles meds due to APs and warferin. So I drank a lot of water, took some vitamin supplements, got some sleep and was happy when it subsided, and the wife recovered. I kept the vitamin D going into the covid times…and since. No idea if the APS made the shingles worse or not - no reference point.

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Hello Carol,

As far as I know, ( please double check with your own specialist as I don’t know your situation) as long as you are not on immunosuppressants, you should be able to have a live vaccine.

I am on rituximab, soI cannot have them…I can’t even go into a veterinary clinic as live vaccines are given to our furry companions…

[Klutzy in reply to KellyInTexas]

Tough you can’t go to the vet clinic. Do you know Is it immunosuppressants specific to your APS you cannot have a live vaccine or just anyone with an autoimmune condition on them?

While I’m waiting to see next wk if I have anything autoimmune, your response makes me think I get should get shingles vaccine soon then.

I had chicken pox twice, which is rare. I had it as a 1 year old, but only found out through my social service records. And I had it at 10, which I remember. That and being over 50, I’m more susceptible to shingles.