Shingrix reaction

[Circledancer]

Hi all,I had my Shingrix vaccination on Thursday and the nurse did say to expect a bit of redness and swelling round the injection site. I didn't expect this though and it's grown in size each day!

Has anyone else experienced this reaction?

I also felt awful the night of and following day, headache, joint and muscle pain, and extreme tiredness, but that's mostly passed now.

My arm is still really sore and I'm not sure whether to try a cortisone cream on it or perhaps calamine cream?

I take an anti histamine daily.

[Bethany02]

Try an ice pack it sometimes calms inflammation

[Feank]

I did too! Exactly as you described! After the 4th day I went to the pharmacist in local chemist and she said its very normal. She drew a line underneath the redness and said if it goes any further to go back to her. She said to report to gp the symptoms I had experienced. I emailed and it went on my records. By the 5th day redness and swelling was reduced. Good luck with the 2nd jab too. Have a nice weekend.

[vonniesims]

Mine was like that. Took a few days to settle. Filled out a ' yellow ' card at the surgery to report it

[Sunset54]

my brother had a terrible reaction to it. Covered his whole upper torso in itchy blotches and pain. Lasted 2 months. He was very poorly

[Sunset54]

it has put me off having mine

[Bookworm55 in reply to Sunset54]

Seems to be very variable. I had no reaction at all to either of my shingles jabs apart from a slightly sore arm.

[Sunset54 in reply to Bookworm55]

Yes you are right. We all have different reactions to all medication and vaccines.

[Leics]

That’s just the reaction I have with the flu jab every time and it usually puts me in bed for a week with the mother of all flares. I find an ice pack does help it a little but only takes the heat out of it for a while. I hope the reaction you’ve had clears quickly but yes it needs reporting to your GP and keep an eye on it and draw a line around it too. In my opinion it’s the additive that causes the reaction.

[Rusticgarden]

Normal ,I had huge red lump

[Connie49]

I had a similar, though even worse reaction that lasted for over a week. I took a daily antihistamine and iced the area regularly. After chatting it over with my GP, I elected not to have the second jab in case the reaction was even more severe!

[medway-lady]

Yes awful injection but I promise not as bad as Shingles. I’ve got a matching one as had Covid and flu yesterday. I’d not worry too much but if really concerned get onto GP tomorrow morning. I had same and it lasted for a week.

[Mall]

yes I reacted like you. It lasted 2 weeks. Not looking forward to my next one. Also missed a dose of methotrexate after the jab and I went into a bit of a flare, which I haven’t done when missing a dose after the covid vaccine.

[LillyBeagle]

I had my shingles vac a fortnight ago and my arm came up exactly the same as yours. Never had a reaction like that before with any injection but I didn't feel other effects.

[Circledancer]

Thanks for all your replies. It makes me feel less uneasy that the same thing has happened to others, although so sorry that it has.I haven't reacted to any other vaccination, and what was really worrying me was that it was very hot and felt really hard to the touch until this morning, so I was concerned re cellulitus or something.

It is now less hot, and I think the outer areas of it are a bit less red, so hopefully it is starting to recede.

I think I'll phone the GP's in the morning for advice and, as recommended, to report it.

Must say, I am now rather concerned about having the 2nd one🥴.

[Braecoon in reply to Circledancer]

My first injection site exactly like your one, second injection just sore arm but no redness and swelling , thank goodness. I think my immune system adapted and adjusted after having the first hit. At least you know your immune system is having a good response!!!!

[MadBunny in reply to Circledancer]

I had a similar reaction but without the huge area of redness and swelling. Felt achey, shivery and tired for a couple of days. I stayed in bed for most of the day after the jab. It lasted a couple of days I mentioned it to the nurse at the surgery and she said it was my immune system reacting to something different. She said the 2nd one would probably be ok as it was now in my system . And she was right. I decided that I'd rather put up with this than risk a bad attack of shingles. Of course, we are all different.

However - I had my flu jab on Friday and this is what I got yesterday.Along with aches, shivering. tiredness . I took some paracetamol and rested for most of the day .

I've never had a reaction to a flu jab before and I've been having them for as long as I can remember.

I hope you get some relief soon

Flu jab

[Green230461]

I would go and see your GP

[Wobbies]

I had a similar reaction to you with the first one. Hope it is some comfort that I had no reaction to the second.

[Circledancer in reply to Wobbies]

That's good to know, thanks 😊

[Scootergirl1]

My second jab was like that. I put ice on it and it started to improve after a few days.

[Runrig01]

I had both shingrix vaccines with no issues.,