Should J get a shingles jab?

[Rockfly]

The doctors has asked her to have a shingles inoculation. I know that any jabs like this can sometimes make people feel unwell and with J that could mean knocking her for six. Any advice?

[Hidden]

Hi Rockfly

I think the advice of the doctor(s) is probably sound, however one has to weigh the pros with the cons. Shingles (especially in older people) is very painful and can last a long time. We know with certain neurological conditions like PSP that infections can sometimes cause a faster progression of the disease (due to complex inflammatory responses in certain brain cells). Hence, preventing shingles may be indicated here.

(I possibly should not mention the following.......!!!!

There are a few very rare side effects - but most vaccinations and medications have very very rare bad side effects. One has to weigh the benefits with the possibility of the risks). Talk it over with your doctors again.

Cheers

T.

[jimandsharynp in reply to Hidden]

Strelly, Do you know if there is a possibility of getting shingles from the shot? I've thought about getting one because I'm primary caregiver and wouldn't want to be laid low as my wife needs me. Thanks for your help.

Jimbo

[Hidden in reply to jimandsharynp]

Hi Jimbo

As far as I can tell you won't develop shingles from the shot. A few people may have a small chickenpox rash around the injection site, or a bit of redness and soreness at the site (and a possible headache for a short time). However, the majority do not have even these mild side effects.

Hope you keeping well as you care for your wife......

All the best

T.

[jimandsharynp in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Strelley I appreciate the information. If you lived closer I'd sure enjoy a good visit with you. Wife isn't eating much these days as swallowing gets worse. Although tonight I was encouraged because I actually got some potatoes O'Brien and a half cheese omelet into her. I know she is frustrated with PSP. One can only imagine what thoughts must be going through the mind of a PSP patient. Take care! Jimbo

[dorothy-thompson]

Dear. Rockfly

It is a difficult call but ask yourself, how many people, young or old, well or unwell, do you know who have ever had shingles?

Dorothy T

[carolinesimmons in reply to dorothy-thompson]

Interesting, Dorothy. Two of my family members have had shingles - my mother who has since died (she was a senior citizen when she had them) and my youngest son (who was still in his 30s) Also, most of my friends know people who have had shingles, as have I. Consequently, I would take the vaccine in a heartbeat! Fortunately, both my husband and I had the vaccine when it first came out, long before he was diagnosed with PSP.

[Rockfly in reply to carolinesimmons]

Thanks Caroline, that's really interesting, I suppose its just one of those things. I will try and do a bit more research so her decision is as informed as possible.

[jimandsharynp in reply to dorothy-thompson]

Dorothy, it is more common than you think and not something a caregiver or patient or anyone would want to deal with. I personally know of at least 5 people who have had shingles.

Jimbo

[LizzieF in reply to dorothy-thompson]

Hi Dorothy. I had Opthalmic Shingles 3 times in 10 years and then in 2008 I got ordinary Shingles. Although I went to the doctors as soon as the rash appeared and took anti-viral drugs within 3 days of the symptoms starting, which the doctor told me would reduce the severity and time I would get after pain I was really poorly and had after pain for nearly 2 years!

[Rockfly]

Thank you for the advice. Strelley Im afraid talking with her doctor is not much help, they dont seem to know anything about psp and are offering everyone over the age of 65 the jab so its not for her as an individual.Your right shingles is meant to be very painful, im worried that having the jab might give her some of the symptoms. I dont think ive ever known anyone with shingles Dorothy so thinking of it that way really helps! At the end of the day its her choice but I wanted to give her the right advice. Thanks again to you both!

[dorothy-thompson]

Shingles Jab. I have just read on the NHS choices sIte that you only became eligible for this if you were aged 70 or 79 in 2013, which means if you were anywhere in between those ages in 2013, you could not get and have to wait for the next batch (apparently the NHS have run out of the vaccine and are rationing it)

Dorothy t

[arwenmark in reply to dorothy-thompson]

I am 61 and Hubby with PD is 63 and we both got the shot this past fall.

[Hidden]

with their lowered immunity pwPSP are susceptible to illnesses like shingles. Mum got shingles after getting overheated under a hairdryer; she was tall and didn't realise the hairdryer hood was touching her forehead and the shingles was triggered by a small burn there as a result. Although mum's pain threshold was very high, she did have stabbing pains in her forehead for a week or two and it was hard to find analgesia strong enough to relieve it. Apparently even sunburn can trigger it and as we know, stress. Mum already had it a few years ago after Dad had his first stroke and my mother in law also had it extremely badly twice to the point she was bedridden with the pain. At the care home mum was in there was also a great risk to other elderly people who had not had chickenpox and pregnant nurses had to move from mum's care plan. Unless you feel your GP has no understanding of PSP I would take their advice. Best wishes. x

[Rockfly]

Thank you everybody, great info and advice as always! x

[timbowPSP]

I was diagnosed PSP 30 months ago. I am 79 yrs and active, using complementary therapies. At first, a year or so ago the government advice was "Do not get jabbed if you have a neurological condition" ...... or a few other things .... such as shingles. I have PSP and also shingles twice in the past. The govt advice has now changed, and it's now said to be quite safe, tho I cannot find any reasons why this major change has occurred. So I am playing cautious, and not having the jab. Instead my partner I (both ex-therapists) are working on keeping our immune systems strong, which is a better bet in the long run. We believe that we have both had Covid and have worked through it with the aid of homeopathy. Remember that the vaccine is officially "experimental" until 2023, and only then can it's effect be better assessed. The world population is currently being used as 'human guinea pigs' .... is that with your, or my, agreement? So please just Be Aware! And PSP .... Please Stay Positive!!