New non live Shingles vaccine

[Loubprv]

There’s a new non live shingles vaccine called Shingrix - as opposed to old Vostavax used at the moment. It’s supposed to be 80/90% effective as opposed to current one which is 50%. However, it’s hard to access and costs around £300 - I think. Worth every penny if you can get hold of it. Louise x

[WileyFrench]

Yes, it is worth it. We've had it in Canada (approved by Health Canada) for about a year, and the docs say it's more effective than the old one, plus it's not a live vaccine, so people like us can have it. It is a two-shot (first one and then the next a few weeks later) system.

[Loubprv Volunteer in reply to WileyFrench]

Aha! Any idea where it might be available here ?

[WileyFrench in reply to Loubprv]

Unfortunately no - as I'm in Canada. I'm sure your doctor would know if it's available in the UK yet. I know it's also available in the US, too.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Loubprv]

Hi Louise, ask Tim he will know. Maz x

[DH65]

Does it help prevent reoccurrence if you’ve already had shingles?

[Loubprv Volunteer in reply to DH65]

I sorry I have no idea! Try asking your consultant? x

[Hydrox]

Very good to know, will try and obtain from my gp, thanks for the info.

[Loubprv Volunteer]

Thanks Maz I will! xx

[Anag]

Dear Loubprv,

I don’t know anyone who’s ever gotten a shingles vaccine. I live in Austria. From the hundreds of older adults I’ve known, only two have had shingles and it was gone in a couple of months. My 82 year old dad was one of them. Why jab ourselves over and over again with vaccines? It’s better to keep our bodies as clean as possible. Buying Organic and no processed foods or refined carbs and not drinking soda pop and drinking good water will be be much cheaper than the jab and our immune systems stay stronger and our illness will be slowed. Some vaccines are really necessary, most are not. 😁 it’s good to have a choice.

[Loubprv Volunteer]

Hi Anag,

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply.

Gosh, how I agree with you re organic food, no alcohol, no caffeine, loads of water, no processed rubbish, good exercise regime and having a really positive outlook. In fact anyone who knows me of old ( I was diagnosed with PV ten years ago aged 55) knows that I bore the pants off everyone re all the above and I have indeed spoken at 4 mpn forums on this very subject of diet and lifestyle, in which I wholeheartedly believe. I live in the beautiful Lake District which couldn’t be a healthier environment either.

However. I also know 5 folk in their sixties and seventies who have had shingles ( my mother also got it 40 years ago in her fifties) - two in their heads. One managed to shake it off in 12 months and the other still has it, albeit rarely, two years later. The others had it between 2 weeks ( after drug treatment) and 10 months.

I had severe peripheral neuropathy in both legs and both arms for 5 years and believe me, I never, ever, want to risk any type of nerve pain at all ever again.

I have a high pain threshold and gave birth to a 10 pounder with no pain relief, but by gum, that neuropathy kicked any sort of pain that I’ve ever experienced into touch.

So, if I can find a dose of Shingrix I shall be a knockin at the door of whoever can offer it, at whatever cost. I refuse the flu jab every year, but there is no way I’d refuse a shingles vaccine!

We all have choices Anag and that will be mine.

Here’s to us all, avoiding shingles, in whatever way is their preferred method. Enjoy beautiful Austria, we’ve visited many times to hike the mountains, a stunning country.

Louise

x

[Hidden in reply to Loubprv]

Yes I would have it if a safe version available to us. My 40 year old son (no MPN or obviously eligible for vaccine) recently had it on his forehead. He didn't know what it was and unfortunately worked on despite considerable pain. Finally went to GP but too late for anti viral medication. However she was so worried it had reached his eyes that he was sent as emergency to local eye hospital. Thankfully it hadn't but understand if had, damage would have been permanent. Friends have had it on their torso and reported horrid and lengthy pain and also having had neuropathy in my feet I certainly don't feel brave enough to risk it if UK gets the new vaccine.

[piggie50]

You are so good with your diet Louise. I think I need to live with you for a month 😂 x

[Loubprv Volunteer]

I do lapse sometimes Judy!😂😂

[mhos61]

My 93 year old Mum has just got over the shingles. From start to finish, she had it for approximately 3 weeks. No after effects - but the rash was real nasty.

I was ‘on the ball’ and got the Nurse Practitioner to visit the same day. If you’re quick with the diagnosis, they can prescribe anti viral medication, which helps enormously. I wonder if that would work as efficiently for us MPNers?

[Glagirl]

Both my grandparent had it in their 70’s. One had to have morphine for the pain ( and this was coming through a triple bypass easily) and the other lost the sight in his eye.

It’s very common in the elderly, especially males.

This whole anti vaccine talk is nonsense and the reason why countries are losing things like their measles free status. Deaths and disabilities were the whole reason vaccines were developed. Doctors didn’t just decide to research and produce them for the hell of it.

Healthy living may improve our quality of life but most of the time only science and medicine can heal lives.

[Loubprv Volunteer]

Absolutely. I take 1000mgs HU a day along with healthy lifestyle. I’d probably have had a serious stroke by now if I didn’t. I trust my specialist implicitly and it’s imporant to be able to do that. Yes the drug companies are money making machines we all know that, but the world would be in a dickier state without them.

We had a friend who was a Christian scientist and died at 72 from a heart condition. If he’d been to a doctor he’d still be alive.

Madness.

x

[Borage]

I asked the random haematology consultant who took the satellite clinic about the non-live shingles vaccine for people with compromised immunity.

That is was available now in Europe and Canada and would he be trying to obtain it for his patients.

Relevant and important stuff to people on hydroxy.

He knew nothing about it and wasn’t interested.

He was more interested in telling me I had gained weight.

Perhaps he was just an Auditor.