shingles vax

[Knarllyknees]

I’ve tapered down to 5mg of prednisone over the last 8 months and so far my PMR is at acceptably low levels. I’ve been offered the shingles vaccine and wondering whether to have it. What is your advice?

[Koalajane]

I am not giving advice, simply saying that I have had the 2 Shingrix vaccinations with no problems. I wouldn’t want full blow shingles!

The Shingrix is not a live vaccination so should be okay for you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Most definitely so long as it the Shingrix one. which it should be by now... why would you not accept the invitation - shingles can be very unpleasant and painful.

[Snoopy7]

Most definitely take the Shingrix one. I have had shingles and the resulting after pain is as bad as PMR pain, even after five years

[Scallyanna]

I was diagnosed pmr in December, now on 12.5 pred, and I had mine last Friday, especially as I could be more prone to things , absolutely no problems with it apart from sore arm for couple of days. Have to have the 2 nd dose between 2 and 6 months, but I will go for the 2 months as nurse said I would not be covered until I had 2 nd dose. I was told they were no longer doing the live vaccine anymore which would not have been an option for me anyway. Good luck

[Highlandtiger]

If it helps I've just come home after having had mine half an hour ago! I had no hesitation in having the Shingrix one. I remember my father having shingles across his eye and being in a lot of pain with it.

[agingfeminist]

I had the first of two shingrix vaccines 2 months ago...second coming up. I'd recommend taking a couple of paracetomol an hour before you have the jab. I found the jab itself painful, much more so than the flu and covid vaccinations I have had over the past few months. I'd also set aside a couple of restful days after the shingrix jab. But I was told it was important to move arm around every hour or so after the injection.

Go for it....we're talking discomfort compared to a very, very unpleasant infection.

[Merryfield]

My father had shingles on his face and he had to wear like a numbing thing on his forehead that looked like Phantom of the Opera. It was excruciating. Thank goodness for Shingrix.

[Indigo2417]

I had my first Shingrix jab in November and am due for the second one in just over a week’s time. I took paracetamol before and after. Arm was a bit bruised and tender, but overall not too bad. As has been said before, take it easy afterwards. I had shingles in 2022 and it was very painful. Even now areas where I had it feel sore and a nurse said it was damage to nerve endings. I had no hesitation in going for the vaccination.

[Daffodilia]

I think everyone gets Shingrax now on nhs - 2 vaccinations needed - can be nasty effects of shingles

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Daffodilia]

They should be as old version is no longer manufactured, but there may be some loitering about in a storeroom waiting to be used up….😳

[Koalajane in reply to DorsetLady]

I had the new Shingrix and 2 days earlier my sister was given the old one which her surgery was using up. I did check but my diabetic nurse did mine at my review and clearly knew I was to have the Shingrix. This was in September so hopefully it has all been used up by now

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Koalajane]

Would hope so .. but always wise to double check…

[Koalajane in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes indeed

[AshPen9]

I'm on 5mg Knarllyknees and I've just booked in for the shingles jabs. I've had shingles and don't want it again.......