Shingles - to vacc or not to vacc

[Wolfie_at_the_door]

Morning wonderful hive mind.

Wonder if I can pick your brains...

I've received my first invite for a shingles vacc and while I'm "delighted' I'm on the map with local medical network I'm daunted and unsure as to whether I book one.

Came on here and had a look-see in the posts regarding shingles and am still befuddled.

I know we're all different but I'd appreciate knowing how those with SLE have found the experience. My reluctance comes from the effects I have felt after my covid vaccs, boosters and the illness itself. The illness was only different to the vacc's by way of longer lasting dead to the bone fatigue and zombie brain lasting longer (6 weeks+), after initial impact wore off.

Latest covid booster was early Sept 23 - new side effects, on top of the usual, right leg looked 'filled', knee pain, still here, and thumping pulse. Saw GP - who said there would be no connection with the vacc and took bloods - results still not seen by me as surgery line engaged each time I call in. I'm hoping that if there is cause for concern they would have tracked me down - they usually do.

Partner had shingles and it was vile & have worked with shingles sufferers, again, I'd prefer to avoid it but at what cost?

So... how was it for you?! 😉

[Prunes]

I have SLE and had my first Shingrix jab done three weeks ago. Apart from sore arm no side effects. Second jab will be done in December.

[Wolfie_at_the_door in reply to Prunes]

Thanks Prunes 💪🏽. Did you need to request it being done in 'two's '?

[DorsetLady in reply to Wolfie_at_the_door]

The Shringrix one is given in 2 doses… second one anytime between 2-6 months after first.

Do make sure it is the Shringrix ‘non-live] one and they don’t palm you off with old stocks of Zostavax.

[Wolfie_at_the_door in reply to DorsetLady]

Good to know, thank you. Whole new "diagnosed" world to me. Can you expand on the Zostavax?

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Wolfie_at_the_door]

Zostavax is a live vaccine which those of us with a compromised immune system can't have so we have to have the non live shringrix vaccine.i have my on the 16th Nov. Kind regards SML x

[Wolfie_at_the_door in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thanks.

[DorsetLady in reply to Wolfie_at_the_door]

Been explained by Spanielmadlady -was out gardening … 😊

[Prunes in reply to Wolfie_at_the_door]

As the others have said I didn't request it that way - that's just how it is done.

[Lupiknits]

I went to get the flu jab, was asked at reception if I’d like the covid jab at the same time, said yes please, then was getting ready when the nurse asked if I’d like the shingles jab. It’s extremely difficult for me to get out to my GP’s so I was quite content to get the lot done at once.

I did ask them to check that the shingles jab was not the live one because I’m on mycophenolate. It wasn’t, and we went ahead. I felt weary the next couple of days and had the usual sore arm, but that was all.

I’m happy to have had the shingles jab. On mycophenolate you are warned particularly about coming into contact with chicken pox or shingles. I’ve had shingles myself: on a romantic long weekend in Rome! It was in my ear and, while painful, didn’t last long. I have friends who have suffered badly, and for a long time, with shingles. I’m glad that I’m going to be far less likely to have that problem.

Everyone reacts very differently to any jabs though: I’ve been fine, others not at all.

[Wolfie_at_the_door in reply to Lupiknits]

Thanks for this. V kind of you to reply.

[AgedCrone]

You should ask your rheumy team if they advise you to have any vaccination . You will probably be advised to ask for Shingrix the non live vaccine..but we cannot advise on individual cases…your GP will probably not be up to speed …so get on to your rheumy nurse & get personal advice.

[Wolfie_at_the_door in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks - I was emailing her when your reply came through. We shall see! 🤞🏻

[nottypical]

I had the shingles vaccination, but a special "dead" one as I'm immune suppressed. Your GP/ surgery should advise you. I had the shingles, 'flu & covid all at the same time (can't remember which arm had two) with no significant side effects (always tires anyway!)

[Minnie2000]

Had my first vaccine in September with no side effects. Had my 2nd vaccine this week and felt awful - fatigue, headache, awful lower back pain and all my joints flared up. Also had big red circle around the injection site. Spent day in bed 48 hours after having it done. Hopefully it'll be worth it if it stops me getting shingles. Good luck. (They should now which vaccination to give - shingrix is used for over 50s who are immunocompromised).

[Wolfie_at_the_door in reply to Minnie2000]

Thank you. Sorry to hear it was grim 2nd time around.

[Euphori in reply to Minnie2000]

Hiya I had my 2nd jab of shingles last Tuesday. I'd been fine with the first back in Sep so didn't really think much about 2nd one. Wednesday about 5pm I started to feel really ill, hot/then shivers, then aching all over headache and neuralgia in my teeth. Next day I'd had a night of my arms and legs really aching and I could hardly stand on my legs. I spent Thurs and Fri stuck in bed just sleeping and taking paracetamol every 4 hrs as my legs and arms hurt so much. Thank goodness on Saturday I was feeling better enough to get up and have a shower. I'm sort of getting there but my arm is still very sore where the needle went in. I can't believe how ill I felt . Hope your ok now

[BaltimoreMDgal]

I had the Shingrix vax. First dose: I had a sore arm for several days, but otherwise okay.

Second dose: No issue. Arm wasn't sore beyond first day.

NOTE: I got a Flu vax a couple of weeks before the first Shingrix vax. I'm glad I waited in between (at the advice of the pharmacist)! No need to overtax my body!

(I was 64 y o at the time. I've had Lupus for 2.5 years, and take Hydroxycholoroquine.)

[Wolfie_at_the_door]

Wise pharmacist - overloading is a real issue.