Shingles vacine

[Dizzy938]

I have been offered a Shingles vacine and am Hypothyroid taking 75 m of Levo daily. Does anyone know if there are side effects because of the auto-immune disorder?

[jimh111]

They are completely different disorders so I don't see why there should be any link. If there were then vaccination would be even more important. Shingles is pretty nasty, I've had my vaccination. I don't have autoimmune thyroiditis but I do get cold sores (similar virus) and have allergy to dust mite.

[Ballroomdiva]

Hi Dizzy , i was going to ask my practice about a shingles vaccine, I had shingles in January and I was lucky it was mild in comparison to some I’ve seen.. I also have Fybromyalgia

I’m only in my fifties so ordinarily I wouldn’t be eligible.. 🥴

[mischa]

I've had the shingles vaccination and I'm auto immune hypo. Happy to say I've not had any problems whatsoever.

[Dizzy938 in reply to mischa]

I think it was the live vaccine I was more worried about but they have said no to the non live one.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Shingles itself can be very nasty.

You might find this worth a read:

Engaging Multistakeholder Perspectives to Identify Patient‐Centered Research Priorities Regarding Vaccine Uptake Among Adults With Autoimmune Conditions

europepmc.org/article/MED/3...

[Dizzy938 in reply to helvella]

I rang my doctor’s surgery this afternoon. The receptionist said she would speak to the Doctor. The doctor said my autoimmune condition wasn’t amongst the priority group to get the Shingrix Vacine (the non live version) and the one that they were going to use was the zostavax which was the live vaccine, so I have decided not to have it at the moment until I get more information.

Thank you all for replies.

[Dogholly]

I am hypothyroid, 150mcg levothyroxine for past 23 years. I am not the right age yet for shingles vaccine. But when offered I will take this in a heartbeat. I have had shingles in my back about 6 years ago, the pain is unbearable and treatment regime heavy for a week of so. But with other conditions to cope with, as we age age, anything to prevent shingles is Ok with me. But respect its individual choice.

[Miffie]

I had shingles vaccination as son as I was offered it. I had chicken pox as a child and shingles in my 30s. I never wanted that again. Absolutely no side effects at all.

[Ellie-Louise]

I’m hypo and had the shingles vaccination last year, had no problems at all.

[Brightness14]

If you know for certain that you haven't had chickenpox you cannot therefore get shingles. I am lucky in that I never had it as a child even though I played with plenty of others with it.

[Dizzy938 in reply to Brightness14]

That’s reassuring thank you

[arTistapple]

Question for anyone really looking at Dizzy938 post. Can you get shingles more than once? If not it would rule out worrying about getting the vaccine.

[bantam12 in reply to arTistapple]

I’ve had shingles twice.

[arTistapple in reply to bantam12]

Any idea how common that is? I do know people who have experienced shingles but never twice. Just wondering.

I know it’s possible to get chicken pox more than once but that is rare. It’s never a good sign getting so-called children’s diseases twice (or more) as apparently that does give a signal that all is not well in the immune system. Not the same as shingles but I understand younger people are experiencing it now. It’s no longer associated with getting on a bit, although that’s who the vaccination is aimed at.

Plus another source said that keeping in touch with young people (young and having chicken pox) protected against shingles; not as was previously believed that contact with someone suffering chicken pox brought on shingles. This info could be out of date, it was some time ago I read it.

[bantam12 in reply to arTistapple]

Lots online about it, apparently once you have the virus it can flare up again and again, people with chronic conditions and autoimmune diseases are more likely to have a problem. A friend of mine frequently gets shingles and badly.

[arTistapple in reply to bantam12]

Sounds awful. I will check internet because I have no doubt I will be offered the vaccine before too long. Thank you.

[bantam12 in reply to arTistapple]

I don’t think I want the vaccine, side effects sound worse than getting shingles !

[arTistapple in reply to bantam12]

Oh dear. However not exactly a surprise. It sounds like a gamble because not everyone gets shingles.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to bantam12]

Coming up to two years of post-herpetic neuralgia - I wish had had the opportunity to have a shingles vaccine.

[Salslowthyroid in reply to arTistapple]

I have a friend who has had it several times.