Shingrix for Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis User Reviews (Page 4)

• apopnj
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

"Update on side effects. (I am 53 yrs old) Was administered vaccine on 5/26/2020 - Wednesday mid day feeling chills and later had mild fever - about 100.3 or so. Took a hot shower felt a little better. Before going to bed took 2 tylenol and some z quil to sleep. Today morning woke up soaking with sweat like I had been working out, fever all gone and no chills. Emailed my dr and he said the 2nd shot is a little more bothersome since you already have the antibodies in your system. It is 4:22 p,m now and feeling much better - there is still pain in the injection site and it is red but I don't care about the slight pain - all the other symptoms were a bit worrisome - lets hope to the Good Lord all goes well by tomorrow"

• Not...
• July 27, 2020

"Took 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 heating pad on them both. Felt bad bad so low for about 2 days."

• Surpr...
• November 12, 2019

"I'm an extremely healthy 59 year old. I had shingles at age 29. I got the Shingrix yesterday 9am. The nurse warned me the shot would burn going in-nope, didn't really even feel it. Went to lunch with a friend, & 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 til 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 2nd 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."

• Ra_54
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2023

"I’m 35, and I have rheumatoid arthritis. The doctor recommended I get a vaccine before starting a new biologic. I’ve had shingles twice in the past. Only adverse reactions to the pertussis vaccine as a kid. Received shingrx on 4/17/23. 12 hours later woke with a high fever, felt delirious, and was on the verge of fainting for three hours. Took ibuprofen and Tylenol which eventually broke the fever. High pulse 147. Then the throat tightness and itching began. Went to urgent care two days in a row, diagnosed with an adverse immune reaction. Placed on prednisone taper after the second visit, the doctor noted throat irritation and both of my arms swelled with a rash. Extremely fatigued, no appetite high pulse. Throat tightness persisted with itching. Extremely anxiety provoking. As a result, it’s been two weeks since the vaccine, and throat episodes clearing slowly with less frequency and intensity with each passing. Prescribed Epipen in case. Living off antihistamines still."

• HJano
• January 8, 2020

"I had a bad experience. First shot was painful and I didn't feel great - but that was the easy part. The day after the 2nd dose I became very ill, fever of 102, nausea, body aches, horrible headache. That was followed by sharp stabbing pains, pins and needles, itching, sciatic pain and nerve zaps throughout my body. A week later a rash appeared on my lower back. Went to urgent care where I was diagnosed with Post Herpetic Neuralgia. The bottoms of my feet became very painful - nerve pain, not muscle pain. Many doctor visits later - no one wants to admit the shot was the culprit. It definitely was. Finally a few months later the foot and nerve pains are subsiding. Starting to feel normal again. One doctor surmised that I had an autoimmune reaction to the shot. Beware if you have any autoimmune disorders."

• AAFT
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

"I received my first Shingrix vaccine shot in November 2022, after which I experienced muscle aches. When I received the second shot on February 18, 2023, the pharmacy tech did not provide me with any information about what to expect, except for commenting that it 'should be easier' than the first shot. However, he was very wrong. I should have done my research beforehand. I received the second shot at 3:30 pm, and by 6:30 am the next morning, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I experienced massive and constant chills, headache, exhaustion, malaise, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, muscle aches and pains, dizziness, vertigo, sneezing, and the upper arm that had been injected was extremely sore for five consecutive days. I even developed a small rash around the vaccine injection site. These symptoms lasted for about 48 hours. Around 24 hours later, I developed a sore throat, congestion, and the sneezing returned, along with exhaustion/malaise. Even now, five days after the second Shingrix vaccine shot, I'm still not feeling well enough to resume all of my daily activities."

• KMaw
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2021

"Had my first dose yesterday, 3/26/21. My provider said nothing to me about how horrible I would feel within hours. I specifically asked questions regarding side effects and was told "There may be some pain at the injection site." I really hope this exhaustion, pain in my shoulder, lack of appetite and dizziness go away. Why not be honest with their patients?"

• Honey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2021

"I’m a healthy active 69 year old female who eats well & walk or lift weights. I got the shingles injection (second dose). I’m miserable, ache all over, shivering, feel like bad flu. I have had Covid 19, in early October, so we know it’s not that. I just guess I’ll have to ride it out."

• Boo
• February 11, 2020

"I got the first dose in June 2019. I was in so much pain that I could not walk or sleep for 24 hours. No joke. It felt like the worst nerve pain ever. Did not get the second dose. In Oct. 2019, I developed strange rashes on my arms, chest and neck after eating. It’s Feb. 2020 and my immune system is still out of whack and I have daily rashes. Hubby believes this vaccine caused all of my rashy, skin problems. I hope it goes away soon. Best wishes!"

• guinea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2020

"I was at the docs office for internal bleeding and they popped up giving me the shingles vaccine out of the blue. My father had shingles and it was very painful for him so I said ok without research. I've never had a reaction to a vaccine. It left the shot area very painful for days. It s been 3 weeks now and I'm still having problems with my left arm becoming very painful out of the blue and fatigue out of the blue. I'm wondering how long this will last and I'm not sure I will take the second shot. Beware!"

• Nana
• October 21, 2019

"Female, 65, mild case of MS. After first dose in June had 3 days of flu symptoms, fatigue, nausea, muscle pain. Tylenol, sleep, soak in bath salts, stretching helped, ate lightly and fell into deep sleeps. Mid Oct reluctantly went for second shot, figuring shingles prevention for rest of my life was worth it. An older sister had bad case a few years ago - something to avoid! Scheduled my life this time for 3 days to recover. Side effects this time only half as bad. Worth it to me. This site attracts worst stories. My pharmacist said most of her people reported 1-3 days feeling bad, like me. Manageable. Some had very little reaction. None extreme or longer than 3 days. For second shot I went in late afternoon for early bedtime. Had swimming workout beforehand, light lunch, felt good with body charged up. Perhaps that helped. Stayed on Tylenol, drank coca cola, green tea, had much less nausea. Slept deeply. Discomfort worth it for protection from much much worse, I think. Good luck!"

• jah
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2020

"Had my first shingrix shot on 2/5/2020. Experienced a very sore arm for over three days. Felt like I had the flu. It has not been three weeks and I still have pain in my arm when I lift it level or over my shoulder where the injection was. I also have swollen neck glands and feel extremely exhausted. Going for a full blood workup but am wondering if anyone else has had this type of reaction."

• Boomer
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

"This Shingrix vaccine is horrendous. I just received my 2nd dose and within 6 hours or so I was breaking out in a fever sweat with a terrible headache and Nassau. Every joint in my body aches so bad I have difficulty even walking. I put off having the 2nd shot after having a similar reaction from the first one. I'm sorry I did , because the 2nd shot has been far worse for me. Terrible vaccine! I'm not a fan of big civil lawsuits normally, but they need to be sued."

• MBano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2020

"56 year old female and relatively healthy other than HBP (high blood pressure). Received first Shingrix shot yesterday 7/23/20. Low grade fever started this afternoon (12 hours later) 99.5-99.8. Arm is sore but not terribly so. I feel sluggish but not overly fatigued. The sudden fever gave me pause because of Covid but then I remembered the side effects listed for the vaccine. Hopefully this will pass in a day or so. I had shingles when I was 48 and I do not want to experience that again - complete misery for 3 weeks."

• Red
• August 23, 2020

"54 year old woman, within hours after my first dose of shingrix vaccine my arm was pretty sore, then that evening I was having to apply ice packs directly on both my feet cause of the severe burning and stabbing shooting pain in both feet and my feet were red from were they felt like on fire. I have neuropathy in my feet from being type 2 diabetic but never felt such intense burning and sharp pains like I did starting that evening, next day after a night of discomfort, extreme fatigue kicked in, and all over body pain with headache, day 3 and I've begun a fever and still extremely exhausted with headache and all over body pain my blood sugar is up in the 170s which is high for me. I've tried even my prescription pain medication for relief with no results, I go for 2nd dose in 2 months. They say side effects last about 3 days, I hope I feel better soon. It's a battle between needing sleep from extreme exhaustion ."

• Mark
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"Six days after the 2nd shot my right and my knee swelled and I couldn't walk on it. Then 10 days later my left knee did the same thing happened. It has been a year since this all started and no one can tell me what's happened. All tests come back normal yet I still have no strength or stability walking. I was out of work for the last year. I never had any knee issues before the Shringrix shot. Trying to find others with severe reactions like mine"

• Georgia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2020

"Shot is painful. Next day arm is about useless. Swollen, red, hot, and HURTS. I have seen people with Shingles and this pain is minor comparatively. I hate shots but this is the worst shot I have had!"

• Fraid...
• February 28, 2020

"I had the first vaccine on August 28/20. It was horrible. My arm ached. I had flu like symptoms that lasted about 5 days. I was just miserable. I just had the 2nd vaccine on Feb 25/20 (6 months later). What a major difference. My arm still hurts which I'm sure is from a needle being put in the muscle of my upper arm. This time I had no flu symptoms and I haven't felt too bad at all. I was a tiny bit off yesterday but nothing like the first time. I have a headache today, but Advil has helped with that. I was afraid to do the second one but it's been great. I know it beats risking the alternative. You can't expect the same reaction as the first time as you just don't know. I'm happy my stress was for nothing."

• della...
• May 24, 2023

"I had the first Shingrix vaccine. A week later, my arms, hands, legs, and feet all went numb at the same time. I started experiencing pins and needles, as well as searing hot pain on the bottom of my feet. Anytime air touches me, I feel freezing and it's have painful itching. Sometimes, the itching is so intense that I can't stand it. I definitely don't think I'm getting the second vaccine after going through this."

• Silvia
• January 28, 2021

"I’m an active 70-year old healthy female with no medical conditions. Had shingles 25 years ago, so decided to get the new vaccine. My first injection in this second round was no problem at all. Got my second injection yesterday morning. In the afternoon and evening, I felt achy and chilled. Last night I slept as if I‘d been hit by a truck and couldn’t move. My body was a dead weight. This morning I felt better and got up to make coffee. But when I got downstairs, I felt clammy and thought I was going to pass out. A wave of nausea hit me like a ton of bricks, and I had to lie down on the floor. I stretched out on the floor for a few minutes and then crawled to the bathroom with an urgency to sit on the toilet. Then dry heaves released everything that was in my stomach onto the floor, which thankfully wasn’t much. Then it seemed to pass. After reading others’ experiences, hoping to fast forward the rest of this day and the next one."

• Vriddle
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2018

"I had the first injection in the left arm in Feb 18. Sore arm like I was punched. Second inj was in June. Not only can I barely use my left arm, but I am stiff in both legs/joints & have difficulty walking. I’m like a stiff old lady. I’m just 58! I had no problems like this until I took this vaccine. I regularly walk a couple of miles 3-4 times a week. Now, I struggle to get to the toilet in the mornings or any time I get up after sitting. I’m afraid this is going to be permanent!!!! I wish I had NEVER taken this vaccine!"

• Fre...
• October 10, 2020

"I got my 1st Shingrix in August arm was very sore and the injection was painful and I ran a fever for a day. Got 2nd injection yesterday and shot was not painful at all but I ran fever all night and got nauseous and still running fever at present but better than getting shingles for sure... watched my mom go through them"

• Ruben
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2020

"Received the vaccine on December 15, 2020. It's now December 27 and I am easily by any sane measure, in the frailest, weakest physical condition of my life. Off and on with a newfound violent hacking dry cough, I am a 82 year old male, have Parkinson's so things were not ideal to start with, but I was engaged in exercising, art, and mechanic. Not being overly melodramatic in thinking my end is now near. What do I now do, call my daughter and say this may now be the last time to talk. And all this just at the height of the COVID catastrophe."

• Gmabl...
• March 1, 2021

"I'm 59, hubby had shingles - miserable for months so decided to get vaccinated. 1st. injection I breezed through, 2nd. injection caused severe muscle pain. It has been over 8 weeks & still have a dull ache. Times when it's actually painful to lift my arm. Especially painful at night when waking from deep sleep. Nothing seemed different from the way 1st. injection was given, but 2nd injection issues have lasted so long I'm concerned."

• Billy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2023

"Don’t get the vaccine, I have had 3 cases of shingles with long-term nerve damage. But have never gone thru the living hell that 2nd vaccination put me thru. Had horrible COVID, had my orbital bone shattered, swine flu, you name it, that vaccine and its side effects hit me around 9 pm, received it at 3. I was so fatigued I couldn’t even get up to pee. The next day and I’m 72 hours out, I roll around in my bed In excruciating pain in every joint in my body. My head feels like I’m about to stroke out. It hurts so bad, my stomach hurts so much I don’t know if I want to vomit or sit on the toilet. I’m in a daze, in too much pain to even talk to anyone. I would rather have shingles again! Don’t take this stuff. 72 hours and still the same, even my hands are in pain, I can’t pick anything up!!!!"