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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nic in Western NYS on November 08, 2015, 06:57:35 AM
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All you folks over 50, consider getting a shingles -. Shingles (herpes zoster) is a nasty infection that happens when the virus that caused your chickenpox gets loose from where it was hiding deep in your nervous system and decides to go on a raid. Whichever main nerve system it hits is where the nasty rash and pain will be.
I am writing this down and sharing it here because reading this list has been one of my habits and pleasures over the last 6 weeks and because I think the writing of my tale will be helpful for me personally. I am in the process of kicking the lily white ass of this virus and should be close to fine within a few months.
Let's just say that I lost this lottery and the bugger virus decided to play havoc with my trigeminal nerve on the right side of my head. Turns out that trigeminal nerve system covers everything from the ear to the top of the head right to the tip of the nose (give or take).
To help make my case that my riding brothers and sisters should get this -, I will give a short list of the most entertaining symptoms I have had in the past 6 weeks. I'll work backwards from today - 7 weeks from the infection.
Today is the first day I am considering riding since this herpes zoster virus said hello. Life is good. Constant headache down to 4 out of 10 pain.
For the last 3 weeks - constant 24/7 right side headache behind the temple (5/10 pain), does not respond to medication. Continued loss of sensation of right side of nose. Shooting, cringing (7/10) pain in the eye, about 10 times a day. Episodes of tearing in right eye, 4-6 hours a day. Right side of head has the sensation of the worst sunburn I have experienced (5/10 pain). Feeling much, much better and hopeful for continued progress. I wake up in the middle of the night from the pain, especially if I forget in my sleep to avoid turning my head so that the right side touches the pillow. Sinus pain if I do not blow my nose every 10-15 minutes.
Up until 5 days ago - Nystagmus (double vision), constant right eye tearing, constant right sinus draining, no sensation on nose so you understand what that looks like. Stronger headaches (about 7/10). No longer need eye patch on right eye.
10 days ago - Had the last episode (I hope) of seizure-like electrical discharge episodes caused when very damaged nerves near eyebrow were touched. Resulted in 1 minute episodes causing loss of muscle control and 10/10 pain which I described as simultaneously having the right side of my head be on fire and rototilled. This last of 6 of these episodes was made more entertaining since it probably included a side effect of the medication I was trying to tolerate at a higher does - gabapentin. This drug gabapentin has been great, I think it is what stopped these seizure-like episodes, but it does have a side effect of suicidality. I have never been suicidal and continue not to be suicidal. Here's what happened 10 nights ago - I had a dream that I would purposely run my finger along my brow, purposely setting off an episode and I did it. This touching of the areas with the damaged nerve caused the pain/seizure episode which was very intense. I could have one even by lightly brushing a damaged nerve area, I think in my dream I actually rubbed my brow with my hand, setting off a bad episode. So, as had happened before, I woke up in a pain episode but this time I was in a mixed dream/reality state and thought I was being held by ISIS in the basement of a ruined ancient building in Syria. They were going to execute me but I was alone for a short time. My brain was being destroyed from the inside out and I could see the black areas of my brain which had already been destroyed. I was (truly) in excruciating pain. I don't know what I would have done if there had been a gun or knife near my bed. My wife was (actually) in the next room with our baby and couldn't help orient me. This episode lasted for about 5 minutes before I became oriented.
One of life's very simple pleasures is the ability literally to scratch an itch. So this evil condition caused extreme itchiness, but if I touched where it itched, it would prompt that seizure-like event. I learned that I could very very lightly brush a tissue over an itchy area and it wouldn't prompt an event or I could touch a single hair but not the skin below. All very precise. Of course I lost this precision while I was sleeping and had a bad event prompted by scratching an itch while sleeping. Learned to go to bed with hands wrapped in tissues and holding tissues in hand. No more sleep events except for the ISIS one which seemed to be an intentional self-destructive event caused by ramping up the meds. (I couldn't handle even half of the maximum dose and continue at about 1/3 maximum dose. Perhaps my body's naivety towards all drugs/medications did not work in my favor here. Perhaps someone who had receptors dulled by meds or ETOH wouldn't have had these neurological responses.)
2 weeks ago - Acute glaucoma caused by the virus damaging the drainage path for the eyeball now got under control, eye pressure back to normal after being very high and not responding to front line medicine. No more risk of loss of sight in right eye. 7 visits to the ophthamologist in 4 weeks. High dose steroid drops and other glaucoma meds effective. One medical assistant when I told her please not to touch the area around my eyebrow or I might have an 'event' said "this is outside the scope of my practice" and had the physician prep me. A nice bunch at the eye doc office, lots of good fun and careful treatment.
3 weeks ago - Right eye not functional due to nystagmus and constant tearing. Wearing eyepatch or closing eye while awake. Pain spreads to teeth roots.
4 weeks ago - Blistering rash on scalp, nose, inside of mouth starting to calm down. Scabs fall of at embarrassing times (like in a negotiation session at work).
5 weeks ago - Those seizure-like things happen. Very distressing. One happened while walking down a hallway at work - fell into a wall and cut my damn hand on a metal box covering a thermostat. Embarrassing.
6 weeks ago - In a negotiating session with a physician group and am seen cringing from pain to the right side of my head. Escorted to the clinic and diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. Shingles diagnosis is not made until the rash spreads to my mouth a couple of days later.
7 weeks ago - Wondered why I had acne on my scalp. Didn't worry about it. Wasn't itchy and didn't look serious. Should have gotten diagnosed then and started taking antiviral medications then rather than a week later but it wasn't serious enough to get checked out and was atypical for a shingles rash so wouldn't have been diagnosed anyway. Last ride on the ST4s.
15 weeks ago - Relocated family from MA to NC.
17 weeks ago - Took a great position as CEO of a start-up. Much more complicated, stressful work circumstances than anticipated.
4 years ago - Did not get shingles - when eligible. Minimum age for getting - changed from 60 to 50 in 2011.
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Well you've convinced me. I'll be 47 in January so apparently still a few years before the recommended age for the -. Chickenpox hit me with a double-whammy at age 10, while recovering after a week of it, it flared up again for another week of childhood hell. Shingles, I can't imagine...
I'm glad for you that the light at the end of your tunnel is brightening. All the best...
Steve.
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And, while the - is expensive (mine was $262), your insurance will/should cover the entire amount. After reading the OP history everyone should be convinced!
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I will add my recommendation to the pile. Shingles hit me in 2012; took about three months to dry up with treatment. About two months later I got the shot. Since then on a couple occasions I have felt the onset of a breakout but it has not resulted in the full deal; just the under skin tension for a couple days. I was warned the shot is only 70% effective in prevention but lessens the severity of an outbreak in nearly everyone. GET THE SHOT!!!!!!! $200 at Walgreens and medicare did not cover it!!
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My older brother got hit relatively hard by it. Was upset that his doctor never mentioned it.
I got a - shortly after the onset of his painful symptoms. I think he was at it several months; left scars.
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I had it on my face two years ago. Ice pick headaches, belle palsy for a week. I still get "tingles" at the nerve endings in my cheek. Living hell for 8 weeks. :sad:
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I had my Shingles - shot after I turned 60, that was maybe 12 years ago. I wonder if it is a one time shot or will I need a booster shot at some point in time?
Bob
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Left side of the head a few years ago for me. Ice pick headache is a good description. I hardly had any surface indication because it started under my beard. I thought I had a cold sore. I should probably get vaccinated again.
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Was upset that his doctor never mentioned it.
Time for a new doctor! My beautiful young Dorctor Linda suggested the - and I followed her advice. I can't remember if insurance paid or I paid out of pocket. Looking back now it's of no concern who's money it was, the protection is worth it.
wonder if it is a one time shot or will I need a booster shot at some point in time?
My understanding is one jab is all that's necessary.
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My unlucky friend had shingles when he was 22. :shocked:
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I got the shot a couple of years ago after a mild breakout of about a month in duration. I had several spots about the size of a quarter on my left side, felt like a perpetual bee sting. I had heard of shingles but did not know much about the ailment and showed the spots to my pharmacist when I went in to pick up some items for a trip I had planned to New York. He told me I had a mild case and there was really nothing that could be done and to come back when it healed and he would administer the shot. I made the trip on my Triumph Scrambler with no problem just the discomfort of the stinging. He did tell me there is a small chance of another episode but it is greatly reduced. I never consulted my doc, maybe I should have.
My insurance covered the cost of the shot but I would not hesitate to pay the full amount for the protection.
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I got hammered with that dread ailment back when I was 16-17. It only affected my back though my entire back - also, through its presentation, my back felt to be the size of the Great Plains for nearly two weeks.
Having nothing to compare it to at the time - the pain was astounding.
Later; having been shot... a couple times, had bones busted... a couple times, thrown from bikes... many a time, bounced down the side of a C-130 and then drug through brambles in Massachusetts (only once, that!) and having had my heart run through a veg-O-matic by a couple-three harpies: I can kinda say I'll take any half of those again rather than shingles.
As to the doctor recommendations for - - many only begin to stress the - on towards about 60 years old rather than 50.
Price? The big corner "Drug Store" around here run very lucrative "out of pocket" specials each year so watch for those if you're insurance challenged.
Todd.
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I had my Shingles - shot after I turned 60, that was maybe 12 years ago. I wonder if it is a one time shot or will I need a booster shot at some point in time?
Bob
While protection does clearly wane over the years, revaccination is not currently recommended.....
.....but would suggest re-checking your records - the shingles - was only FDA approved in 2006. Could it have been something else you received 12 years ago?
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I got the injection last month as a precaution and they said the - gives you 50% protection. Still better than nothing.
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While protection does clearly wane over the years, revaccination is not currently recommended.....
.....but would suggest re-checking your records - the shingles - was only FDA approved in 2006. Could it have been something else you received 12 years ago?
That is very possible that is why I said maybe 12 years ago,I am not sitting here with my medical records in front of me;-) but do know I got vaccinated for Shingle at some point in time. ;-)
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Got it, recognized the symptoms and went in, got a prescription. If you feel sensitivity on your skin, get it checked out. Because of early detection, what is a long miserable road for many was a small bump in the road. Rarely do you wake up with shingles all over, you feel some strange sensation on your skin and perhaps a small bump or start of rash.
What got rid of it? Chinese medicine. They've dealt with this stuff for centuries. Immediate elimination of the pain and the symptoms ended up being very mild. It is a drink. The pain goes away within minutes.
Horrible stuff to drink. I mean horrible. It worked.
Didn't take the prescription. Diagnosis was confirmed.
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Don't remember if I ever got chickenpox or not and @ 72 have never had this condition. Guess I'm lucky. :undecided:
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Nic, glad you are recovering - it sounds horrific.
I'm early 50s and my doctor said I am very low probability for shingles (probability increases with age), that insurance typically doesn't cover the cost until you are 60, that the - is only about 60% effective and that its effectiveness wanes with time. He also said that shingles - is an area of active research and it is likely that a more effective - will be available by the time I am 60. His feeling was that, statistically, my best chances for effective protection is to wait.
Because of your experience I will ask the Doc again. Or just go to the pharmacy!
Thanks for the info!
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Nic, glad you are recovering - it sounds horrific.
I'm early 50s and my doctor said I am very low probability for shingles (probability increases with age), that insurance typically doesn't cover the cost until you are 60, that the - is only about 60% effective and that its effectiveness wanes with time. He also said that shingles - is an area of active research and it is likely that a more effective - will be available by the time I am 60. His feeling was that, statistically, my best chances for effective protection is to wait.
Because of your experience I will ask the Doc again. Or just go to the pharmacy!
Thanks for the info!
Well informed physician! GSK has a new formulation - just ready for FDA approval, close to 90% effective.....at your gentle age would suggest waiting.
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Well informed physician! GSK has a new formulation - just ready for FDA approval, close to 90% effective.....at your gentle age would suggest waiting.
Thanks Bill, Great info!
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Got it, recognized the symptoms and went in, got a prescription. If you feel sensitivity on your skin, get it checked out. Because of early detection, what is a long miserable road for many was a small bump in the road. Rarely do you wake up with shingles all over, you feel some strange sensation on your skin and perhaps a small bump or start of rash.
What got rid of it? Chinese medicine. They've dealt with this stuff for centuries. Immediate elimination of the pain and the symptoms ended up being very mild. It is a drink. The pain goes away within minutes.
Horrible stuff to drink. I mean horrible. It worked.
Didn't take the prescription. Diagnosis was confirmed.
Do you recall what the "horrible stuff" was called?
We fiind ourselves often at the Chinese Cultural Center here in Phoenix. On one of our properties, we have a Chinese restaurant and our gal there scribbles cryptic notes for us to take to the market there for what ails us, from time to time.
Todd.
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Time for a new doctor!
Or get a doctor, period. Anybody old enough to be reading this and worried about shingles should be getting a yearly physical anyway, and taking their doctor's recommendation about what inoculations to get.
It just amazes me that people that would never consider running their bike 70,000 miles without changing the oil or checking the valves will blithely bumble along for year after year without seeing a doctor or getting his advice, and don't even think about it until "they read it on the internet"......
Lannis
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imagine patches of extreme sunburn , being stung by bees
that is what you are missing if you don't get this -
I don't go to doctors, haven't seen one in 8 years, despite breaking ribs in a moto crash & a couple random illnesses.... BUT I CANNOT STRESS STRONGLY ENOUGH
.. if there is any medical procedure you want... it IS getting a shingles shot
it is incredibly bad. you do not want it. you would have to be a fool to skip it
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I had shingles on my head. Thought it was a reaction due to brushing agaiinst a tree branch. No pain at all until i got a sore eye. Turned out it scarred the cornea and affected my sight . I could still see but reading was hard out of my left eye. Had to take eye drops for ages as the eye kept flaring up. Drops had steriods and as a result 5-6 years latefr I got a cataract
Due to the wonderful NHS i had a cataract op a few weeks ago. Good thing is even though the scarring is still there the new lens enables me to read without glasses. Colours are amazingly rich. Its like getting a HD tv for the eye!
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Thanks for jogging my memory, Nic. A couple of family friends have had this thing and I did not realise that there was a - :thumb:
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Do you recall what the "horrible stuff" was called?
We fiind ourselves often at the Chinese Cultural Center here in Phoenix. On one of our properties, we have a Chinese restaurant and our gal there scribbles cryptic notes for us to take to the market there for what ails us, from time to time.
Todd.
I'll get the name. It was like drinking the last oil change from the Norge but damn if it didn't work. Supposedly you can take this stuff even if it has hit you and your symptoms are full blown ugly.
The Chinese have had centuries to do with natural stuff what we try to do with a lot of modern treatments that do a semi good job. Use of other stuff for headaches, rub it on, ten minutes later no headache. Wife puts it in for me.
I never believed in such things but am becoming a believer.
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Get the shot! I remember, as a kid, my poor old grandmother going through an initial attack of shingles ..... it wasn't pretty. As soon as I heard there was a - to prevent or reduce the effects of a shingles attack, I was on it like a pit bull on a pork chop.
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Thanks for jogging my memory, Nic. A couple of family friends have had this thing and I did not realise that there was a - :thumb:
You got it man!
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An attendee at a rally heard about my ordeal and said he was getting one. I saw him this year and he procrastinated getting the shot ............ he got shingles!
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Gabapentin. My doc prescribed that one for a pinched nerve in my spine. Didn't help even a little. I think the YMCA workouts helped the most. Anyhow, I looked up the side effects and you're right about the suicidal bit, Nic. Won't be taking that stuff ever again after reading your post about it. Anyhow, someone mentioned that Medicare wouldn't pay for the shingles -. Do any of you guys know if the VA will cover it? I'd never even heard of this shingles business until this thread.
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Re: The Chinese medicine, a Chinese doctor will know as it is made up when they know the exact symptoms you have, there is no name. Shingles affects people differently and in different places so the medicine is made to order and targets the specifics.
The - isn't an sure thing.
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I never believed in such things but am becoming a believer.
The way the body and mind are linked, sometimes all you have to do is believe, and then it works!
Lannis
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Re: The Chinese medicine, a Chinese doctor will know as it is made up when they know the exact symptoms you have, there is no name. Shingles affects people differently and in different places so the medicine is made to order and targets the specifics.
The - isn't an sure thing.
Say to myself:
- don't go there,
- don't go there,
- do NOT go there, this can lead to no good
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Gabapentin. My doc prescribed that one for a pinched nerve in my spine. Didn't help even a little. I think the YMCA workouts helped the most. Anyhow, I looked up the side effects and you're right about the suicidal bit, Nic. Won't be taking that stuff ever again after reading your post about it. Anyhow, someone mentioned that Medicare wouldn't pay for the shingles -. Do any of you guys know if the VA will cover it? I'd never even heard of this shingles business until this thread.
Yes, as a matter of fact, based on its research and data the VA system has approved the - for individuals down to the age of 50 - where most health plans approve at 60.
http://www.vmrf.org/newsletters/newsletter_5-9-11.html
Medicare PART D plans generally should cover vaccines: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/shingles--.html
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Yes, as a matter of fact, based on its research and data the VA system has approved the - for individuals down to the age of 50 - where most health plans approve at 60.
http://www.vmrf.org/newsletters/newsletter_5-9-11.html
Medicare PART D plans generally should cover vaccines: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/shingles--.html
Thanks Bill. I'll see to this.
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My doctor told me to get the shot from one of the local Walgreens,etc. as he said it was cheaper than what he would charge. Evidently the shot is time sensitive, so if they are advertising for the shot then the price is lower due to its use time.
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My wife and I both got it this fall. $300 ea. Most insurance doesn't cover until you are 60 years of age.
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Thanks Bill. I'll see to this.
I may have misspoke - VA Health system research defines benefit age 50 and up, but can't find a definite statement that they'll give it/cover cost at that age.
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An attendee at a rally heard about my ordeal and said he was getting one. I saw him this year and he procrastinated getting the shot ............ he got shingles!
Hardest thing for me to believe is that someone will waffle on taking care of themselves, and risking the torture of shingles, a colostomy bag, or a missing foot because they can't get someone else to pay $300 for the preventative?
People here pay $1500 for a upgrade alloy wheel or $600 for their 14th pistol, but won't pay for a shot to prevent getting gravely ill?
Lannis
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Hardest thing for me to believe is that someone will waffle on taking care of themselves, and risking the torture of shingles, a colostomy bag, or a missing foot because they can't get someone else to pay $300 for the preventative?
People here pay $1500 for a upgrade alloy wheel or $600 for their 14th pistol, but won't pay for a shot to prevent getting gravely ill?
Lannis
Believe it.
It's called misplaced priorities in this immediate gratification society. My parent's generation, having experienced the Great Depression, where more attune to short term sacrifice for the long term security/satisfaction.
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Hardest thing for me to believe is that someone will waffle on taking care of themselves, and risking the torture of shingles, a colostomy bag, or a missing foot because they can't get someone else to pay $300 for the preventative?
People here pay $1500 for a upgrade alloy wheel or $600 for their 14th pistol, but won't pay for a shot to prevent getting gravely ill?
Lannis
Well, we do have the ones that will wring the last amp and volt out of a battery, get stranded but scour the earth for 10-60 oil and then top it off with crappy gas.
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The way the body and mind are linked, sometimes all you have to do is believe, and then it works!
Lannis
For quite a few things. For some reason, anything not sold by a pharmaceutical company is often discounted as something that can't work. Yet day by day we get heavier, are told to eat this but not that and then next year told the opposite. And we believe that too.
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My Mom got them and her Brother as well. When my younger sister got them, I decided to get the shot even if I had to pay full price. I had heard most insurance companies won't pay unless your XX age. I think I was 54 at the time. As it turned out, my insurance covered most of the cost.
My Dentist got them in his early 40's. Such a bad case that he was off work for 6 months and still has issues years later with face muscles. He has some of the same problems that stroke victims have. Quite scary.
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Here in the poor piney woods of East Texas the shingles shot was $100 cash to my local doc. Front pocket money.
My mom had reoccurring bouts of shingles. She had to wait for a period of 6 months without shingles before she could get the shot. That was three years ago and no shingles outbreak since.
Tex
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My new female doctor looked over all my vaccinations and said: update tetanus and add the shingles. That was about 2 years ago.
Good move, yep shingles are nasty bugs.
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If your body is under stress and not properly taken care of, Shingles can rear its ugly head. Like a lot of things, stress can do it if your immune system is weak.
We often think we're in good shape, eating well but don't watch the stress. It doesn't cause it, stress helps it break out if the box your body keeps it in.
If you had the shingles, chances are good you won't get them again unless - see above.
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:1: from me on all the above!
1. My understanding is that 1out of 3 who has had chickenpox WILL get shingles.
2.. It is rare but not unknown for someone to get shingles.w/o having had chickenpox. Maybe they are getting both concurrently???
3. If you note symptoms of numbness/weakness/paralysis, especially on one side only & localized, suspect shingles & get it checked quickly. Waiting until sores appear is too late for current meds to help much. I woke up with half my face paralyzed, after noting the "funny skin sensation" the day before, but like a dummy I did not go to the Dr. Until after the sores got bad -- the result was about double the recovery period, some scars on my neck, & occasional minor facial muscle spasms even 12 years after my episode.
4. My wife is Chinese & I would never dismiss people who report success with herbal meds, but I'd strongly recommend seeking "western" medical tx along with the herbal tx. Shingles can, along with permanently damaging eyes, result in pain &/or weakness in the affected areas for months or even years.
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In the early stages when there is oozing from the blisters, shingles is contagious by touch.
It can erupt anywhere but if it is localized to your side you can spread it to other parts of your body through touch, be careful. If you touch active blisters and touch your face, it can rapidly spread there.
If you get it, sleeping in bed with another person should be a no no until you are no longer contagious.
If you get a prescription for the symptoms check it as the common type if also used for mental health problems, always look into possible side effects. That is what prompted me to try an alternative but that means squat, worked for me doesn't mean it would work for you. Get to the doc when you feel any unusual sensation on your skin, better safe than sorry.
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If your body is under stress and not properly taken care of, Shingles can rear its ugly head.
That's what got me...... I fretted & lost sleep over a large frivolous purchase for weeks!
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Here in the poor piney woods of East Texas the shingles shot was $100 cash to my local doc.
Costco up here is $200, you don't need to be a member for it. Over 8 weeks insurance claims were $3,500 for emergency room (1), urgent care (3) & doctor visits (2).
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Thanks to OP for the warning! I just got the first of the two doses today for $175 at Ralph's. I had some money left in my FSA and remembered about this post. I'm 51 so too young for insurance to pay in my case but I'll end up only paying $80 out of pocket. A small price to pay. Hope you are well now!
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There is a *new* shingles - out, now.. I talked to Dave the Doc, and he said, "Yeah.. I'd recommend getting it." I'll do that. Just sayin.
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I was ordered to get a 'Chicken Pox' shot in 2010 before deploying to Afghanistan. I thought it was silly, having had CP as a kid. I thought it was done. The doctor, though, at my comments of ridiculousness informed me that antibodies that don't get used go away eventually. He did a blood test, and I was below the risk level of antibodies. Needless to say, I was glad I got informed and got the shot- my Grandmother had precisely the same attacks you've had, and I have no desire to know what that feels like first-hand.
Stay tough, it's a bitch.
Cut all sugar and as much simple carb out of your life as you can.
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I got visited last October, center of my back waist area 4 inch swath wrapping around to my belly button.
Still have itching, electrical shooting pain.
Get the -.
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My wife got a case of shingles after taking the flu shot!
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My sister got shingles 4 or so years ago that caused a staph infection in her scalp, which resulted in permanent ulcers on her head and hair loss. It still looks so gross I make her wear a hat in public. My son got a case all over his torso (and got over it) that he said was the worst experience of his life.
All of that got me in the mood for the -, which was offered in a pre-op prep session along with a flu shot, tetanus, and a battery of other stuff related to the surgery. Before I say that the combined reactions almost killed me, I'll mention that I take immune suppressant drugs, which probably made it worse. I had a guzzisti friend drive me to the appointment. We drove back to his house, had lunch, and then I couldn't be moved for three days as I battled with extreme symptoms of everything I'd just been inoculated against (except shingles). My sister had to get a ride to come drive the car (Grand Cherokee) home. I was lying in the back for the ride and was still puking, fevered, talking to people who weren't there, and had severe body aches and random rashes after three days. It was another three or so days at home before I could eat real food again instead of crackers and Ensure. So my advice would be to not get all the shots in one sitting. Spread them out. Enjoy them. :tongue:
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Recently received the new polyvalent Pneumococcal - and first of the two Shingrix (having had the Zostrex - a few years ago) and was laid pretty low with chills, myalgias, headache, and nausea for about 36 hrs. Still worth the advantage of protection....no doubt.
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Someone mentioned "stress can do it if your immune system is weak".
If you have issues with you immune system that can be a contraindication to getting the -. Consult a good doc if you have an immune disorder.
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Just get it. The new one - Shingrix. two injections with 95% effectiveness I think. The old one which I got years ago is only 51% effective. I am 63 and will get it next week. Shingles sucks and the older you are the worse the long term effects.
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Just do it. And while you are at it, get all your vaccines up to date. Along with the hepatitis series. We live in a very transient world, we get food from around the world and are exposed to many opportunities to contract viruses, bacteria's and parasites.
I have been treating myself for a year for parasites. It has been a long process filled with a lot of ignorance in the medical field. An illness that is misdiagnosed, under diagnosed and per the CDC and NIH is an epidemic in the U.S. and the leading cause of illness related deaths in the U.S. The U.S. is the only Nation on the planet that does not practice anti parasite medicine as a regular preventative or treatment protocol. Around the World parasites are treat like the U.S. treats flu season. Medicine is given out bi-annually in many Nations at no cost. A little preventative medicine would have save a lot of money and a long drawn out period of being sick.
Not highjacking the comments. The $300-$400 cost of the shot will be money well spent.
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Shingrix is quickly emerging as the standard of care. Thanks for reviving this thread. Shingles is nasty. I still have some residual symptoms from my 2015 case of ocular/trigeminal shingles.
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Until you're 60, insurance generally won't pay for. Then, it is covered 100% by the Affordable Care Act.
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Have just had Typhoid and Hep A jabs (along with my flu shot) prior to heading to Vietnam. Out here, us Golden Oldies get the shingles shot for free. Wanted to add it to the list but my Dr's nurse has said i have to wait a fortnight after getting those three. After reading this I will waiting at her door!
My wife has decided not to get it. I have just been reading some of the horror stories from this thread. :thewife: Perhaps she will reconsider.
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Went and got my - at the VA yesterday. Best part of the deal, it didn't cost me a dime. Called in to work this morning as I'm having trouble raising my arm. I do heavy lifting and operate a piece of power machinery. Should be good to go by tomorrow, but figured why take a chance today. Was told to return in 2-6 months to get it in the other arm. After reading postings on here, and hearing from friends who have had shingles, a little discomfort for a day or two is a small price to pay.
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Until you're 60, insurance generally won't pay for. Then, it is covered 100% by the Affordable Care Act.
Just a note of clarification - It's not covered by the ACA; it's required by the ACA to be covered by your private or ACA Marketplace insurance plan (no out-of-pocket expense) IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT. When the monthly premium for our "ACA Marketplace" bronze (lowest coverage) plan went over $2000/month, we dropped it.
Life is much easier (and doctor's fees much lower) if you just pay for that sort of thing yourself, at least in our case.
Lannis
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Just got the first of two shots this am. Not covered by our insurance. 200 per shot. Cheap insurance, I say.
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Oddly enough, I'm getting a "Shingles - Dangers" add at the top of the page.
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I asked my Doc at the vets hospital when I was there yesterday. they knew about the new - but didn't have it. my record says I've had two vaccinations previously but said when they got the new one I should get it. I will, that's something I sure don't want after hearing how nasty it is.
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Hardest thing for me to believe is that someone will waffle on taking care of themselves, and risking the torture of shingles, a colostomy bag, or a missing foot because they can't get someone else to pay $300 for the preventative?
People here pay $1500 for a upgrade alloy wheel or $600 for their 14th pistol, but won't pay for a shot to prevent getting gravely ill?
Lannis
Well being three score and 4 years old I've usually lost something when I "did what was medically suggested". All in all, I have done much better because I don't let the Surgeons cut on me multiple times.
As they say "your results may vary".
Still, I don't fit the mold. I've never paid for alloy wheels and I only have 8 handguns four of which I use in Competition and I've learned not to trust the Medical-Industrial Complex.
Money just comes to hard for me. I'd rather spend it on fishing or helping the kids.
Mark
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Out of pocket costs were over $3,500 when I got it. Emergency room visits, clinic visits etc, etc. It took about 2+ years for the nerve endings on the left side of my face to quit tingling.
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I got my shot on a Thursday and became dead tired Friday afternoon. A long nap plus an 13 hour snoozefest was required before I felt better. I wouldn't recommed getting the - early in the work week. :shocked:
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I have never had Mumps or Chickenpox so my doc just gave me a MMR -.
GliderJohn
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Due to lingering effects of Lyme (bartonella) disease my doc will not let me get the -.
My brother just got it and had a big fever and swollen and high heart rate. It wiped him out.
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Out of pocket costs were over $3,500 when I got it. Emergency room visits, clinic visits etc, etc. It took about 2+ years for the nerve endings on the left side of my face to quit tingling.
Yes, but look at the money you saved by not getting the shot!! :sad: Did you eventually get the shot? I think you have to wait 6 months after the shingles before you get the shot.
Tex
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Yes, but look at the money you saved by not getting the shot!! :sad: Did you eventually get the shot? I think you have to wait 6 months after the shingles before you get the shot.
Tex
At 6 months I went to Costco (no membership needed for drugs or shots) and dropped $201.50 on the counter (1.50 hot dog and pop). We'll be doing it again when we get back home for the new 2 shot treatment. Yup, I have a better change of getting struck by lightning then getting ill from a shot! :popcorn:
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One thing not mentioned here is that there are treatments for shingles IF you start it immediately upon 1st symptoms in 24 hours. Valtrex is one of them and I believe there are 2 other anti-virals used. So if you find yourself with an early outbreak run to the doc in the box and get started. The studies show that these drugs can reduce not only the length of the outbreak but the severity of it including reducing long term side effects.
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I'm glad this subject came up, I've been meaning to get the shingles shot too but kept forgetting; it's hell getting old!
But, I went to the pharmacy a few hours ago, where I usually get my annual flu shots, and my very cute and single pharmacist (again, too old :tongue:) said she could give me the shot, no problem. She also said the older -, which was 50% effective, had been replaced beginning last January with a new serum that's 98% effective, if I came back in 4-6 months for a followup 2nd injection. She ran my insurance card thru as a dry run and it came back with -0- copay due, so I went ahead and had her shoot me up. I even got a $5.00 coupon to use the next time I'm in the store!
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I'm glad this subject came up, I've been meaning to get the shingles shot too but kept forgetting; it's hell getting old!
But, I went to the pharmacy a few hours ago, where I usually get my annual flu shots, and my very cute and single pharmacist (again, too old :tongue:) said she could give me the shot, no problem. She also said the older -, which was 50% effective, had been replaced beginning last January with a new serum that's 98% effective, if I came back in 4-6 months for a followup 2nd injection. She ran my insurance card thru as a dry run and it came back with -0- copay due, so I went ahead and had her shoot me up. I even got a $5.00 coupon to use the next time I'm in the store!
Way to go NC Steve! (ps you're never too old)
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Way to go NC Steve! (ps you're never too old)
Oh, I know I'm not too old, I just doubt that she'd agree with me! :evil: