Shingles

Had my vaccine last year too. I don't want to find out how having shingles feels, and from folks I know that have had it, they wish they had gotten the vaccine.
 
I had shingles about 20 years ago when I was in my 40s. It started with pain in my right thigh. I took over the counter pain medications and tried ice and heat on it for about four days before I finally gave in and saw my doctor. She examined me, and, of course, asked several questions. Then she said, "I think you have shingles." I laughed at her. I said, "I don't think so. For one thing, I'm not old enough." At this time she was a new doctor for me. I thought she looked about 12 years old and didn't know what she was talking about. Unlike some doctors would be, she was not offended by my attitude. She pointed to a tiny pink dot on my thigh and said "This will turn into a cluster of blisters and you'll get another one right here" (pointing to the inner side of my right knee). I still didn't want to believe her but she made me promise to get the Rx for acyclovir (this makes the virus return to dormancy) and tylenol with codeine for the pain. Well, of course she was right. Codeine was my very best friend 24 hours a day for about 2 weeks. There was an inner aching pain that the codeine knocked out pretty well. There was also a surface pain that was like a bad sunburn. Nothing seemed to help with that. Then it gradually healed. No recurrence. She has been my doctor ever since and I never doubted her again.
 
I had shingles at age 53. Had strange circles on the fronts of my thighs. Hubby knew it was shingles. Since it was a Saturday I had to go to hospital. Got a script for acyclovir. They never blistered and I was perfectly fine in a week. The spots really hurt and couldn't be touched or have clothing on them.
 
I had Shingles when I was about 40. I was driving home from work, when I had sudden and severe chest pains...I really thought I was having a heart attack. Luckily, I was just a couple of miles from home, and just a few blocks from a hospital. I drove directly to the hospital, checked in to the emergency room, and asked them to call my wife. I had every symptom of a heart attack, and they hooked me up to the machines, and gave me a nitro-glycerin pill. Luckily, the heart looked ok, and the chest pain began to subside after a couple of hours....and then the painful itching rash began to appear. It was the better part of a week before that awful rash began to subside, and I could get some sleep, and think about going back to work. If you haven't had this nasty stuff, getting a shot might very well be a good idea. Doctors I've talked to claim that once you've had a flareup, the odds of having a repeat are quite slim....as once the body heals, the immune system does as good a job as a shot would. It's been over 30 years, but I can still sympathize with people who get this painful rash.
 
I asked my doctor, but she said it was unlikely that I would have a flare up after all these years, particularly since I contracted shingles as a child, when my immune system would react appropriately.
 
My sympathies to those who have had to suffer with shingles. The commercials........and I've looked up pictures online......ick. (Didn't want to post pics)
 
Had Shingles when I was 55. My HMO doesn`t give the vaccine until you are 60 so I hadn`t had it. Like Pappy,I wouldn`t wish it on my worst enemy. It usually lasts for a month-those of you that only had it last for a week or two were really lucky. But even a week is too long to have that pain. It lasted a month for me but for some people,even though the rash goes away,the nerve pain continues on for months. I advise everyone to get the shot!
 
Mrs. Robinson said:
Had Shingles when I was 55. My HMO doesn`t give the vaccine until you are 60 so I hadn`t had it. Like Pappy,I wouldn`t wish it on my worst enemy. It usually lasts for a month-those of you that only had it last for a week or two were really lucky. But even a week is too long to have that pain. It lasted a month for me but for some people,even though the rash goes away,the nerve pain continues on for months. I advise everyone to get the shot!
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It's not covered by Medicare but I paid for it and got it. $150 is cheap if it wards off shingles. Anyone who has had chicken pox (who didn't) is a candidate for shingles.
 
It's not covered by Medicare but I paid for it and got it. $150 is cheap if it wards off shingles.
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Medicare Part D covers it.

My shingles vaccine was about $200 and most was paid by my Rx insurance plan. I had a small co-payment.
 
applecruncher said:
Medicare Part D covers it.

My shingles vaccine was about $200 and most was paid by my Rx insurance plan. I had a small co-payment.
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Part D is too expensive for me. I penciled it out and the cost of my scripts is cheaper without Pt. D. By the time I pay the fee for it and the deductible, I lose money having it. In other words my scripts per month are less the the cost and deductible of Part D.
 
Yes Applecruncher, those commercials are scary and made that way to sell vaccines. I've never had a shingles vaccine, and don't intend to get one. It's been years since I had a flu vaccine, which everyone tries to push, and haven't had the flu once. I did get it a couple of times however when I was younger and still getting flu shots.

I respect everyone's right to do what they feel is best for their bodies. Although I might have a change of heart in the future, right now I'm not a big vaccination fan. The effectiveness of vaccines are not very good compared to the risks, and the ingredients are questionable, like MSG, which I won't even eat, not going to shoot that into my body with a needle, also various DNA cells from animals, etc. Good thing about the shingles vaccine, it's one that lacks aluminum or thimerosal (mercury-based preservative). http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-shingles-vaccine-help-or-hype/
 
If you suspect you have shingles, it's crucial that you get treated asap. Don't try to "tough it out". The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of a short duration of pain. No, I had not had the vaccine prior.
 
My experience was much like Glinda and Annie's. I did get the vaccine, after it cleared up. I have seen patients suffering for years after the intitial outbreak. If you have had chicken pox and live long enough you will contract shingles. Two things I have always feared...shingles and dialysis.
 
The vaccine is free on the NHS but I believe you have to be 70. That's nearly 7 years. I've thought about checking the price here to get it before 70. If it's a better deal I might get it on a US trip.
 
Shalimar said:
I asked my doctor, but she said it was unlikely that I would have a flare up after all these years, particularly since I contracted shingles as a child, when my immune system would react appropriately.
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It is my understanding that as a child it would be chicken pox.. Which is the very same virus.. in an adult. Where was your rash. All over? OR just along a nerve root pathway as adults get it.

I remember as a kid having some sort of painful outbreak on my backside only.. turned out to be impetigo not shingles.. and lasted a few weeks. Cured with antibiotics though.

As for the duration, the rash itself may last only a few weeks, but often times people suffer from Herpetic neuropathy which can be excruciating and last for months. The nerve root and tract becomes inflamed and takes a long time to settle down after an outbreak.
 
I asked the Dr. About having the shot now that I've had the shingles and he was leaning against having it. But, I have been on the shingles forum and a lot of folks have had them several times. Who knows what to do? :confused:
 

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