Shingrix for Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis User Reviews (Page 3)

• Rea...
• March 10, 2020

"8/27/19 I took the 2nd Shingrix vaccine. 6 days later, an extreme reaction persisted until today. For 7 months, I have not been able to work and don’t have stamina for simple activities. Prior to the vaccine, I was strong and active. Six days after the vaccine, in one-on-one exercise class, my muscles collapsed, and I was unable to support my body. My trainer assisted me, but I threw out my knee and was unable to walk. In the next few months, muscle aches and weakness traveled all over my body. My spine was thrown out of alignment. An MRI revealed a new herniated disk causing excruciating pain in my legs and an inability to walk more than 100 feet. Even after washing dishes, I had to rest for an hour. My body gets cold when I do minimal exercise instead of warming up. My hearing has suffered. I saw 8 doctors and took 50 blood tests and a heart test. Based on the above, I am perfectly healthy. The doctors have no idea what can be done. I contacted Glaxo, the maker of the vaccine, and the CDC for help. Glaxo did not contact me, but my doctors."

• CLa...
• August 9, 2020

"Took first (and last) vaccination on Friday 8/8/20 at around 1:30. All was fine until Saturday morning ~2 a.m. Woke up chilling, shaking with fever. Suffered through the night, and all day Saturday felt like death. Body aches, fever, fatigue. Had a diet of extra strength Tylenol and ibuprofen. By the way, the ibuprofen seemed to work best for me. Woke up some time early morning Sunday, aches gone, fever gone, still pretty fatigued. Arm feels like it’s been run over by a truck. Just know that you could be out for a couple of days after this vaccine. I have a friend who, except for a sore arm, was unaffected. God bless!"

• Kon...
• February 20, 2020

"Oct. 7 - 1st dose. I got ALL the side effects! They started within 6 hours: headache and stomachache. By bedtime, I had chills, shivering, fever, and aches - lasted 3 whole days. Injection site pain a week. Feb. 17 - 2nd dose. Contacted Shingrix pharmacist who said the 2nd dose reaction is worse than the 1st and emailed me a copy of their drug studies info. 2nd dose reaction is tremendously better. I strongly believe it is because I stayed ahead of the side effects. 1½ hours after getting the shot, I took 400mg of Advil as a preventative measure. I took it EVERY 6 hours around the clock to stay ahead of any headache, chills, fever, etc. I did not miss taking Advil or go past 6 hours. In 4 hours, my eyes were tired and very slight headache. 1st night mild chills a little before it was time to take Advil. Next day very tired and my head felt wonky. No fever, shivering, or stomachache. The injection site hurts A LOT! I hope this info helps. Good luck!"

• SIG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2019

"My husband and I both had the first Shingrix vaccine on 8/21/19. He had some arm pain; I could not move my arm after a few hours, and it lasted several weeks. I developed a giant red welt. Only dealt with pain the first time. We had the second injection yesterday around 5:00 pm. By 8:00, I could barely move my arm. By 11:00, I started getting the chills and fever of 102.4. I took ibuprofen, and it knocked the fever down enough so my teeth stopped chattering, and I could attempt sleep. Woke up today with a raging headache; every joint in my body hurts; my stomach is upset, and the fever is still here at 101.5. I’d say I had the flu, but the timing is far too coincidental. Hubby, again, is only feeling arm pain. As awful as this is, it does not hold a candle to shingles! I watched my mother suffer for MONTHS with shingles. She was so miserable in pain, no clothing could touch her legs. I don’t wish that on my worst enemy (well...)."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 3, 2021

"I had both Shingrix vaccinations in 2018 following a shingles outbreak around my right eye. Localized muscle soreness and flu-like symptoms for 3 days following the second jab. I'm currently 64 years old and just received my first COVID jab. Four days later, I developed shingles around my right eye and face for a second time. This time was much worse than the first. I thought the Shingrix vaccine was supposed to prevent or at least help minimize this."

• Ann...
• July 30, 2020

"After getting the second Shingrix shot, I developed a swollen tongue, sores in my mouth and lips. A burning sensation on my tongue lingered for days. Episodes of swelling were on and off for no reason. Took Shingrix 4/14/20. Two weeks later, I developed the above symptoms that still occur. Went to 3 MDs, and all are puzzled. Also, BP lower than usual and now off of BP meds. Periods of lightheadedness and chills have diminished, but burning is still present. After looking up severe side effects from Shingrix, I find I have had these problems. Question: What is the duration of this condition?"

• Bro...
• January 10, 2020

"I’ve had mild psoriasis for 35 years that’s been static and isolated to my lower legs. At 62, I got my 1st Shingrix injection on 7/3/19. My arm was sore, but no big deal. The injection site was fine. The following week, I noticed a rash on my right thigh that looked like shingles. I went to my PCP and was given a prescription for Triamcinolone Acetonide. I received my 2nd injection on 9/11/19. I broke out in a chickenpox-like rash all over my body. Fluid-filled blisters that itched worse than poison ivy. I went to urgent care and was given Prednisone. As soon as I tapered off the Pred, the rash returned worse than before. I went to a dermatologist and was told the rash was psoriasis. I was given more Pred. Now, 4 months later, I still have horrible open sores and skin peeling off my hands and body. I have learned Shingrix has an adjuvant that kicks up your immune system (not good if you have lupus, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, i.e., an overactive immune system). Further, the adjuvant has never been used in humans before this vaccine."

• Tat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2020

"First dose of Shingrix in early July was fine. Sore arm at injection site, but nothing more. Yesterday, I had the second dose, and within two hours, I felt like I was hit by a truck - chills, body aches, diarrhea. Low-grade temp. Today is day two - splitting headache. Body aches. Hope it passes by tomorrow. I took this because, as a child, I had chickenpox, and the doctor recommended it as I am more at risk."

• Jop...
• September 3, 2020

"Took the shingles vaccine two days ago and the night shivering the first night was wicked. I felt like I was hit by a truck. I still have a deep headache and night chills. I couldn’t lift my arm for about 24 hours. My arm is still very sore, though now I can use it. My whole body felt like I had severe allergies. I did not have a fever."

• Daw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

"If my doctor or pharmacist had told me about the side effects, I would never have taken this vaccine. It has been 24 hours of nightmare problems, and still getting worse. My arm feels paralyzed. My body is hot all over, and the pain in my joints and muscles is progressing. I cannot sleep more than 20 minutes at a time. There are shooting-like pins and needles pain going through my fingers and toes, and my skin is sore to the touch. I cannot stand up for more than five minutes at a time. When I called my pharmacy, they brushed it off as being normal. I am trying to get an honest answer as to what's in this vaccine. It's hard to believe that we are being led by our healthcare system to take something so harmful and debilitating. Think twice before taking this-who knows what the long-term effects are? I will definitely NOT be taking the second vaccine they recommend."

• Ren...
• September 30, 2020

"First injection resulted in arm soreness, 10 hours later a fever started around 101 degrees, which lasted a day. Not much fun. Second follow-up injection resulted in the same thing. The fever is reminiscent of a flu symptom, not fun at all, but if it prevents a shingles episode, this would have been worth it."

• Hik...
• September 5, 2020

"I am a 57-year-old female, 111 lbs. Had the first shot at my doctor's office from my nurse, of Shingrix on Wed, Sept 2. The first day was very hard: extreme pain in the arm, red rash, exhaustion, malaise, confusion. Second day medium hard, today not as bad. Took pain reliever and used ice packs for 72 hours. It’s unlikely that I will do the second shot."

• Lak...
• August 30, 2020

"I got my 1st shot on a Thursday, got fever, chills, aching of my entire body, headache, sore arm, and felt awful. My fever went to 102.5, and I alternated ibuprofen and Tylenol. I couldn't sleep and basically felt I had a case of really bad flu. It is Sunday, and I am still running a fever. I am wondering when or if I will feel better. Not anxious to get the 2nd dose in 2 months."

• nes...
• February 16, 2020

"Had the 2nd Shingrix shot on 9/9/2019, a bit over 2 months after the 1st. Developed a rash on feet, top and bottom, which is extremely painful, the bottom of my toes split open at the joints. The rash gradually spread up my legs, arms, back, and stomach. Went to a dermatologist in November who told me she wasn't going to 'let' me blame 'it' on the Shingrix shot and gave me triamcinolone acetonide cream, which did nothing. Another dermatologist on 1/21/2020 thought it might be eczema, prescribed fluocinonide cream, which helps, but I still have the rash and am concerned if it will EVER go away, at least the shingles goes away after a few weeks. Other than a mild case of shingles, I've never had a problem like this. The rash is strange, some areas are pin dots of dark red that don't itch, some start as white under the skin welts and turn into red bumps that itch terribly, and some are dry, itchy patches that clump together. I strongly suspect the Shingrix shot caused this, which I consider chronic and life-altering."

• Zuz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2019

"Had injection Sept 19, 2018, at a pharmacy. This is Jan 20, I'm still having severe side effects. The side effects are ringing ears, itchy rashes, hives, joint pain, skin on top of fingers peeling off, tingling sensation in face, leg, and arms. The worst side effect has been the blisters coming on my arms, hands, and legs. I have been to my general doctor, who sent me to an allergist, who sent me to a rheumatologist. I've been on Prednisone 3 different times. I was a healthy, active 66-year-old woman. I feel like I have been robbed of my good health."

• Sue...
• September 22, 2020

"I'm a healthy 53-year-old. Received my first Shingrix dose 3 months ago. A bit achy and uncomfortable for a day. Had 2nd dose yesterday and had severe joint pain and overall body aches. Miserable night. Still feel rough today. Mainly both arms and hands are very sore. Not much of an appetite."

• DrN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2019

"I had Zostavax years ago with no problem. Oct 9th '18, I had the 1st Shingrix. It was a painful injection. The next day, my arm was so sore I could hardly move it. I was scheduled to attend a conference that day. I checked into the hotel and went straight to bed. I had fever, chills, and body aches for the next 2 1/2 days. My arm throbbed terribly. The fever, chills, and aches went away, but my arm was sore for 6 weeks. I am a nurse practitioner and believe strongly in the benefits of vaccines, but honestly I am afraid to get the second injection."

• Mme...
• February 13, 2020

"I have the photos that show what a horrible rash I had caused by this vaccination. I have gone to my primary physician about this. In addition to the severe pain and discomfort that I have experienced, my doctor told me that the shingles, as they were so severe, would probably leave scars. That is the least of my worries. My main concern is that I get over this burning pain that I have had consistently for the last 38 days. It has interfered with my life."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

"No way on God's green Earth I am getting another injection of this. I have been awake all night. Headache, sweaty, shaky on my feet, tender throat and chest cavity, chills, and none of those side effects are tapering after 15 excruciating hours. Terrible! makes COVID-19 vaccination side effects seem like a day at the beach in comparison. Take this toxic profiteering substance off the market! FDA approval or whatever. Good God!"

• dab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

"I had my first shot in Sept. Second shot in November right before Thanksgiving, and all things went wrong. Not sure if it is the vaccine or not, but have been trying to find out what is wrong with me since November, and they can't appear to pinpoint anything yet. Had 3 neurologist tests and a 4th next week. I have burning pain in my whole body that wakes me up, nausea, panic attacks. I have double vision also, so don't know if I have another disease or a result of the vaccine. I feel weak, off balance, and the burning pain now even starts when I'm awake and sitting down. Like I said, don't know if it's the vaccine but too many things happened at once. Feels like something in my stomach is eating away my insides. Feel like I'm losing my mind, as the panic attacks are on a daily basis, and as each day goes by, I get weaker."

• Sid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2023

"Got vaccinated 5 days ago. My husband got shingles and my family doctor recommended getting the vaccine (I am 53 years old, a healthy and active female). The pharmacist said that I would get a sore arm and potentially some rash in the area that was injected. Oh boy, nothing like that. The following day I felt like I had been hit by a truck - muscle pain, shivers, upset stomach, headache. It honestly felt like I had gotten a bad flu. That was on Friday. I woke up Saturday feeling much better and remained like that on Sunday and Monday. I went to work on Monday, and when I got home, I was not feeling well, and all the symptoms from the second day had returned worse. I am now in bed, and I was trying to look for info on whether this is normal. I still need to get the second dose in a few months, but if it is worse than the first one, as people say, it might send me to my grave. I wish I would have been given more info on this vaccine. Even if my decision would have been the same, I prefer knowing beforehand."

• fev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

"Healthy woman in mid-50s. I have completed the series of both Shingrix shots. I had a very strong immune response both times. Symptoms started about 8 hours after the shot. They included chills, headache, night sweats, weird stabbing pain at different points in the body, and fever up to almost 102 degrees. These symptoms lasted for about 48 hours, and then I felt weak and tired for another day before being back to normal. I spent two days in bed after each shot and generally felt terrible, lying in bed moaning from discomfort. After going through all this, I better not ever get shingles..."

• Sur...
• November 12, 2019

"I'm an extremely healthy 59-year-old. I had shingles at age 29. I got the Shingrix yesterday at 9 AM. The nurse warned me the shot would burn going in-nope, didn't really even feel it. Went to lunch with a friend, and walking for about 90 minutes. After my hour drive home, I could barely get out of the car. Within a couple of hours, headache, severe nausea had me tossing and turning all night, muscle pain worse than any flu I've had! Even my buttocks hurt-very strange. My feet hurt so bad! Severe chills and shaking, fever 102.2 at 5:30 AM. Wasn't able to take Tylenol till this morning because of nausea. This is worse than the shingles I had! I was NOT expecting any of this! Despite this, I will get the second injection-shingles is more severe the older we get. I hope my symptoms don't last as long as others have said. My injection site is sore, red, hard, and swollen, but I expected that and don't consider it a big deal; just moving my arm a lot."

• Jus...
• March 9, 2020

"I’m a 61-year-old man and was finally able to get the first vaccine. I’ve been trying for months to get it after I had to cancel my trip across the country when she came down with shingles, despite the fact that she had received the earlier vaccine. I just happened to walk into a large store yesterday - I seldom shop there and didn’t know they had a pharmacy. I was delivering when I learned they had the vaccine - I immediately got it. Without question, it was a painful injection (not sure why), and my arm has hurt ever since. In addition, my arm is swollen, I feel a bit tired, and have a mild headache. I am, however, very happy that I got it. I’m not looking forward to the second injection (I’m also severely needle-phobic). I have other health conditions - especially heart issues (quadruple bypass) - but come on, people, even if you don’t feel well for a few days. In the long run, it’s a lot better than getting shingles and risking so much if you get it."

• Not...
• July 27, 2020

"Took the first Shingrix shot and will not take the second. 65 years old. Arm was swollen, red, and painful. Felt terrible. I’ve never had a reaction to a vaccine. Headache, joint pain, fever, just way off. Couldn’t sleep. That night, both feet were ice cold and couldn’t get them warm. Ended up with a heating pad on them both. Felt bad, bad, so low for about 2 days."