I got my first shingles vaccination yesterday.

[piddyprints]

I've been wanting it for several months, but my doc wanted my immune system to settle down after all the Covid vaccinations. Then I had houseguests and she said to wait until they're gone.

Monday afternoon, I got a text from Walmart telling me that I should get one. Nice reminder! So I scheduled and got it yesterday morning. Wahoo! The nurse was so nice and talked me through my anxiety, kept an eye on my pulse, eyes, and color, and let me sit behind the screen until I was sure all was well. And it cost me nothing... I guess because I'm on Medicare?

My arm is a little sore, but really nothing to write home about. I'm a little fatigued today, which could just as well be because of the poor air quality and not being able to go outside to do normal things. Still, not bad.

I've heard the second one is much worse, but I've set a date on my calendar to remind me. One down, one to go!

[RKP5637]

1. Excellent decision!!!

[piddyprints]

4. Thanks.

I've known too many people who've had shingles. I can't do multiple vaccinations at once, so I just had to wait it out. I feel much less vulnerable now.

[RKP5637]

10. I had shingles when young and in school. It was a horrible experience. I never want to go through

that again.

[piddyprints]

11. I didn't know young people could get it until yesterday,

when I found out my friend's daughter had gotten it at age 17. Yikes! I'm sorry you had to go through that.

And I didn't know you could get it more than once. That is one scary disease that I'm really thankful there's a vaccine for.

[RKP5637]

14. That's how old I was and away my first year at the university. All they had then was painting

Last edited Thu Jun 29, 2023, 02:10 PM - Edit history (1)

it with tincture of iodine, which really did nothing for the pain. I had to get the vaccine twice. Back about 13 years ago I got the vaccine when it was first available, but that vaccine turned out not to last that long. So several years ago I got the one you just got. I don't recall any reactions I was just so happy there was a vaccine.

[piddyprints]

16. I'm so sorry that happened.

I wonder what they'd do if it was in your eyes or a place they couldn't get to.

It's good that you were able to get vaccinated, even if had to be redone. I'm trying to get all my friends to get it, but somehow it's a hard sell.

I was glad my husband was with me yesterday because the nurse talked to him about getting his 2nd one. He thought he'd have to start over and get 2, so he didn't bother at all. She suggested he come with me and we get our 2nd one together, since it's never really too late, and he was more agreeable to that. Still, he had no reaction to the first one, so I can't understand why he doesn't just do it, however many it takes.

[brewens]

2. I just had a sore arm from both. Good going. n/t

[piddyprints]

5. Yay!

I've heard that some people really get knocked out of service for a few days. I'm ready for that if it's what it takes.

[JenniferJuniper]

3. Second was the same as the first for me,

Both were worse than any of my Covid shots, but still better than dealing with a 1 in 3 chance of ending up with shingles without them.

[piddyprints]

6. Like Covid,

my attitude is that however bad the vaccinations are, the disease is worse.

[Historic NY]

7. Interesting I wasn't toold of a second shot.

could this be for all versions of the vaccine.

[piddyprints]

8. Um, I don't know.

I got Shingrix and it requires two, 2-3 months apart. My husband had his first one over a year ago, and they said it's still not too late to get the 2nd one. You might want to ask your doc or pharmacist.

[JenniferJuniper]

17. Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine available now and

it's a double dose, two to six months apart from each other.

The old vaccine, Zostavax, was a single shot I believe, and is no longer in use due to being much less effective than Shingrix.

[Historic NY]

19. Ok thanks I'll ck with the RX.

[Scrivener7]

9. I get a bad reaction to all these shots, and shingles was no exception. But who cares?

Shingles is much worse. If it's any consolation, my second reaction was no worse than my first.

But totally worth it.

Good on you!

[piddyprints]

12. That's no fun.

Still, like you said, totally worth it. I never knew that damage shingles can do, depending on where it hits. No thank you!

I have had a bad time with flu shots, to the point where my doc said not to get them. But she will want me to get the pneumonia vaccination this fall, after my next (#6) Covid shot.

If the second shot is no worse than this, I'm good with it. If it is worse than this, it's still better than getting shingles. And I love having the peace of mind.

I've heard that some people really get knocked on their butts after the 2nd shot.

Anyway, good on you too! It can be intimidating to get the shots when you know you'll probably have a bad reaction.

[Scrivener7]

13. Yeah. I stock up on a few days' video ideas before every Covid shot, knowing I'll be aching and

feverish.

[piddyprints]

15. Gives you a good excuse to veg.

I like the idea of planning ahead. I always have a hard time deciding when I'm aching and feverish.

My neighbor, who is 20+ years my junior, got very, very sick after her 2nd or 3rd Covid shot. She could barely stand up for several days. She had Pfizer, the same as what I had. Everyone is different in how they react.

[LucasD]

18. The first one

put me on the couch for a day feeling very fatigued.

I got my second one last Friday afternoon. I woke up feeling OK on Saturday morning, so I mowed the lawn, and did
a couple of other minor things outside. When I walked back into the house, it hit me HARD.

I ended up back on the couch for the rest of the day with muscle aches and a fever. Basically a 24 hour flu.

So, yeah, the second one was much worse for me, but I'll take 24 hours of being miserable over the symptoms of Shingles.

[piddyprints]

21. All things considered,

that doesn't sound TOO bad. I'd even take 48 hours of being miserable over getting Shingles. It's nice to be protected.

[Lunabell]

20. Good for you! A Shingles outbreak can be horrible.

I got mine. The first one: no problems at all. The second: a sore arm with a knot the size of a ping pong ball. But, that's it. The knot went away after a few days. It's worth it to not have a shingles outbreak.

[piddyprints]

22. So I've heard and read.

I was almost in a panic because I couldn't get one when I wanted to. People are getting it in some places I didn't know was possible.

Good for you too! We are so fortunate to have these vaccines! I'm glad you did well with them.

I don't have a knot, but my arm feels a little bruised if I touch it. Otherwise, I wouldn't know. I'm feeling very lazy today, but there might be other factors.