Consider getting a shingles -

[canuguzzi]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[wrbix]

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

[wrbix]

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

[56Pan]

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.

[blackcat]

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.

[ponti_33609]

My wife and I both got it this fall.  $300 ea.  Most insurance doesn't cover until you are 60 years of age.

[wrbix]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[wrbix]

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.

[canuguzzi]

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.

[canuguzzi]

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.

[Mark West]

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.

[Texas Turnip]

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

[lucydad]

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.

[canuguzzi]

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.

[jumpmaster]

 :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.

[canuguzzi]

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.

[John Ulrich]

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!

[John Ulrich]

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).

[jlburgess]

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!

[Chuck in Indiana]

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.

[pressureangle]

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.

[Stephen]

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 -.

[redrider90]

My wife got a case of shingles after taking the flu shot!

[rodekyll]

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.   

[wrbix]

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.

[redrider90]

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.

[Higgins9875]

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.

[John Croucher]

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.