Shingrix for Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis User Reviews (Page 5)

• Fra...
• 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 second 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."

• Rub...
• 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 an 82-year-old male, have Parkinson's, so things were not ideal to start with, but I was engaged in exercising, art, and mechanics. 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."

• Jen...
• February 23, 2019

"Had the first shot in early Oct. felt like rubbish for a couple of days. I am a 72-year-old woman. Had the second shot Feb 22nd. Arm is quite sore, and I spiked a fever of 102.5 overnight. My mom had post-herpetic pain for 15 years, so even had I known I was going to have a strong reaction, I would get it again to never have to end my life in chronic pain."

• RPh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2020

"So I’m 50 years old and just got my second dose of Shingrix this past Friday, 07/24/20, at 9:15 a.m. The first dose prevented me from going back to work the next day, but I feel like the symptoms got better quickly. This second dose, I started having side effects later in the evening. Fever, body aches so bad that I couldn’t sleep well, nor could I do my normal activities. Thank goodness I got this shot on a Friday. On Saturday, still had body aches real bad and I switched from Advil to Tylenol. The Tylenol seemed to help better with the body aches. But I pretty much just laid around and watched TV. I checked my temperature and it showed 100.1°F. Sunday, I am feeling a little better, but still having body aches, but I think I might be able to get some work done on the computer today, hopefully."

• Pet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2019

"The doctors that I worked with - my primary and ER room didn't relate my side effects to the vaccination. They all thought it might be something else. I think this vaccine needs to be recalled for further research. Did my shot 27 Aug 19. The first week was manageable. Had: pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site the first week. Started from second week: 05 Sep 19 - 18 Sep 19 - one week after the shot: strong muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, high fever, no appetite, flu-like symptoms, difficulty in the chest when inhaling, abdominal and chest pain. On Advil 3-4 times a day. Went to emergency - left with a diagnosis: fever of unknown origin. Not good bloodwork. Fever during 16 days 101.3. Now temp is okay during the day but in the evening 98.96 with some chills. Again have to take Advil as I can’t sleep with fever. Sweating each night a lot. Out of the office for two weeks. Lost 10 pounds. It seems I would need 2 more weeks to recover. Not doing a second shot as 4 weeks of being sick is too much."

• Nee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2019

"I had most symptoms listed, like flu, then ended up in the hospital. Heart rate out of control, blood pressure, and they did blood work, saying some virus is attacking my immune system and my immune system is fighting back hard. I had been feeling really good up until this shot, and about 6 hours later, the Shingrix side effects started - flu symptoms, dizziness, and 4 days later ended up in the E.R. feeling really ill. I never had a reaction from a vaccine before. Never thought to look it up prior to getting the dose. I will not be getting the second shot. Doc said he was concerned I could have a stroke."

• oal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2019

"50 y/o female, 3 days out from the vaccination. Side effects started 5 hours after the injection. 2nd day was absolutely horrible, today is slightly better. 101 fever, joint/muscle pain, severe headache, injection site pain, fatigue, diarrhea. Get the vaccination when you know you have some recovery time. Be prepared to not accomplish anything or go anywhere for those days. Stock up on easy, soothing foods/beverages as you will have zero energy to drive/shop/cook and may very well have an upset stomach. Do NOT get it at the same time as your spouse. One of you needs to be able to fully function/drive/take care of the other. You can trade places in a couple of weeks. :) Think about which side you want it on. I chose my left since I am right-handed, but that came back to bite me since I prefer to sleep on my left side. I gave it a low 'star' rating simply because of the harsh side effects, but I'll deal with this over getting shingles any day of the week."

• Sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

"I received 1st shot 7/17/2019. It is now 9/7/2019 and I still have severe side effects which started the next day. Started out with mild fever, flu-like symptoms, and severe joint aches. Shoulders, neck, hips. My fever is gone, however, joint aches in the AM especially are so severe they have me on prednisone 40 mg, which helps a little. I can’t do much, getting out of a chair is very hard to do or lift my arms. This shot awakened a nightmare in my body. I would like to know how long this will go on. Is there anyone else that feels like a Mac truck hit them? I am a 73-year-old and hate to think I have to live the rest of my life like this."

• NJE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2020

"68-year-old lean, fit woman. Got Shingrix injection #1 at CVS on Thursday, 9/10/2020. The inoculation site developed a rash, was red, sore, and very warm to the touch for maybe three days. Then the site was tender for two more days. Now it feels normal. After listening to what the pharmacist told me and reading what others have experienced, I consider myself extremely fortunate. I plan to get injection #2 in November - basically, at the beginning of the two-to-six-month window."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2020

"Got the 1st Shingrix shot in Oct 2019. Within about 6 hours, developed flu-like symptoms and increased blood pressure, as well as a racing heart and lethargy. This lasted about 2-3 days and eased a little each day. I dreaded getting the 2nd but just got it in May 2020 and got the same flu-like symptoms, dry cough, and stuffy nose when sleeping. The next day, also got some mild stomach issues/diarrhea. Plan to do the vaccine on a Friday, so you have the weekend to recover."

• Geo...
• 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!"

• Joa...
• March 1, 2020

"I received the Shingrix shot 12/2019. The pharmacist explained it had to be injected into the muscle. It was a painful shot. My arm was very sore for 3 days, then I was back to normal. I’m due for my second shot in March 2020 and not looking forward to it, but I never want to get shingles, so I will bite the bullet."

• Fri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2020

"40-year-old female who is active and is in good general health. Having a history of seasonal allergies is what caused me to develop a weakened immune system. I developed shingles in July 2020. 1st Shingrix vaccine received on 10/11/20. I had no side effects other than a sore arm and fatigue for 1-2 days. 2nd Shingrix vaccine received on 12/11/20. Within 12 hours after receiving this injection, I developed severe chills... I had to sleep with my winter coat on while my comforter was over me... that is how cold I got. Once the chills ended, the fever began, and I had fever all night of 102 degrees... my comforter was now soaked from sweat. I took Tylenol and the fever was reduced. The side effects of the vaccine are strong but temporary. Shingles is a painful virus to have, and so the vaccine side effects are not that bad. I'm glad I took the vaccine... it was definitely worth it for me."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2022

"My 62-year-old husband dutifully had this series of vaccines in December 2019. Three months later, he developed a tremor in his left finger. Shortly after that, he began shuffling, slurring his speech, having trouble chewing and swallowing. Because this began during COVID, we had to wait for him to be examined until 2021. The diagnosis was Parkinson's. He was completely healthy and active before these shots. He just did as he was told by our doctor. Thankfully, I did not, so that I can take care of him! Buyer beware. This could literally be life-changing, and not in a good way. Every day I see him slipping away."

• DMa...
• August 19, 2020

"Took the first Shingrix shot in February 2020, prior to Covid. No side effects, but soreness at the injection site. 2nd dose in mid-August 2020, this time a small fever and a nagging headache. But, due to Covid, I will have to stay home until the fever goes away since we're scanned at work every morning. Worth it, I think, since I've seen my parents and grandparents suffer horribly with shingles in their golden years. I'll probably take it again in another 5 years since protection wears off."

• She...
• November 29, 2019

"54-year-old female. I received the first injection two months ago, and my arm was quite tender for a week. On Tuesday, about 8:30 a.m., I received the second injection. Throughout the day, I became more stiff and sore in my muscles and joints. I attributed it to overexertion from the weekend. Approximately 8:30 p.m., I was overcome with severe chills, exhaustion, and sweats even under four blankets. By exhaustion, I mean I literally could not get out of bed. My clothing was drenched, but I could not summon the energy to get up and change my clothing until late the next morning, about 7 a.m. I went back to bed until 2 p.m. The next afternoon, I was still taking a pain reliever for my headache. The fatigue completely shocked me. I had no idea about the potential side effects. Kind of bummed no medical staff informed me of such. I will be reporting my side effects to my doctor. Plan ahead if you are receiving this vaccine. It may take you out of commission for a few days."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2023

"Don’t get the vaccine, I have had three cases of shingles with long-term nerve damage. But I have never gone through the living hell that the second vaccination put me through. I had horrible COVID, had my orbital bone shattered, swine flu, you name it. That vaccine and its side effects hit me around 9 PM, I 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. Seventy-two hours and still the same, even my hands are in pain, I can’t pick anything up!!!!"

• RJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

"Have had both Shingrix doses 6 months apart. 70 yr old male. First injection sore arm for several days and the injection itself hurt. Second one this past week I had sore arm for one day only and different person gave me the shot. I barely felt it. No other side effects at all, thankfully."

• Leo...
• September 6, 2018

"I'm a healthy 52-year-old female. Took the 1st Shingrix vaccine in April 2018. Had a very sore arm and mild flu-like symptoms for 2-3 days. Then the itching started inside both arms. This lasted about 3 weeks and subsided. Got the 2nd Shingrix vaccine in August 2018. Had mild flu-like symptoms and a sore arm again for 2-3 days... then the severe itching started on my neck, chin, and arm. It is so bad I have literally scratched the blood out, and nothing helps. I visited my doctor last week and was told that the vaccine boosts the immune system so strongly that it can cause eczema-type irritations that can last up to 3 months. I'm in my 5th week of miserable, sleep-disturbing itching. I honestly wish I'd never taken this vaccine. I'm so miserable. None of the warnings mention itching being a long-term side effect. I understand the mild flu-like symptoms, but this itching has me very worried. Never experienced anything like this before."

• lyd...
• February 6, 2019

"Received the first shot 5-1-18. Typical flu-like symptoms for 2 days. Received the 2nd shot 11-1-18 and so sorry I did. Started with pain on the outside rim of my left ear. Then ringing and whooshing sounds followed. Primary doc sent me to ENT. I was told nothing is wrong with my ear. Sent to audiologist. 4% hearing loss in left ear. All this in the month of November. December same ear issues. Put on prednisone. No relief. 1-1-19...to the ER. Numbness on the right side of face and pain in the right outer ear. Nothing found wrong. Back to my doc 1-4-19. Tells me I have shingles. No rash. Started Valtrex a couple of days later, odd red bumps appear on both earlobes and neck. Today is 2-6-19. Odd red bumps/rash gone. Pain on the outer rim of left ear still here. Ringing and whooshing noise remains. I can only relate this to the Shingrix vaccine. Never had these issues prior to the vaccine. I hope this disappears soon."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

"I’m a healthy, active 51-year-old woman. Had my 1st Shingrix vaccine in August. Only had a sore arm and maybe a little tiredness from it. Had the 2nd several days ago, and within 10 hours, extreme fatigue hit, my arm was so sore I could barely move it, I was in bed shivering uncontrollably, had a terrible headache and nausea. Had a fever up to 102 for the next 24 hours. I felt horrible!! Could barely move the next day as every joint hurt. It has been 3 days, my arm feels much better, but am still tired, achy, and have a headache. I hope the vaccine was worth it."

• Cat...
• July 28, 2019

"Before taking this vaccine, I'd had three episodes of shingles, each one slightly milder than the previous one. I would say that the side effects of the first injection of Shingrix were definitely worse than the mildest case of shingles I had. This was scary-101 degree fever, chattering teeth, and irregular heartbeat. The heartbeat issue began almost immediately, and it seems like it is just beginning to get better now, nine months later. I wish I'd read the literature first-the research design and number of confounding variables is suspicious. I am not giving medical advice, not an anti-vaxxer or a doctor, but I am a health care professional and have completed postgraduate-level study on research and statistics. Nothing could persuade me to take the second injection."

• ama...
• October 17, 2019

"I will not get the 2nd vaccine (especially after reading other reviews). I do not believe a vaccine should make anyone so sick. They need to go back to the lab and figure out what can be done to reduce side effects. I am a healthy 60-year-old runner, very healthy. This vaccine has had me in bed for two days with fever, muscle pain, headache, and severe chills. Something is wrong with this vaccine. It scares me to hear about some people feeling ill for a long time. It scares me to think of what I put in my body."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2021

"The second most annoying aspect of this vaccine is that so many nurses will tell the patient, “Oh, the side effects will probably be pain and a mild rash at the injection site. DON’T BELIEVE IT! The most annoying part of Shingrix is the side effects. It was like the flu for me but without the visible manifestation. For two days, my headache was migraine level. The stomach pain was terrible! Felt like I had swallowed a rat that was trying to claw its way out for 36 hours. Seriously. And nothing would relieve it. It’s a hard pass for me on dose #2. Maybe I’ll choose something more enjoyable like a 24-hour root canal sans anesthetic, or hemorrhoid removal using power tools and BenGay. Seems almost relaxing after Shingrix."

• Unh...
• February 21, 2019

"I received my shot 3 weeks ago. Typical arm symptoms like everyone for about a week. Not too bad. Week 2 started all the muscle aches, tingling feeling all over. Feeling weakness in legs. Week 3 I'm now experiencing thirst and left side face issues. Twitching of eye all day and a feeling like my left side of lip is numb. Doctor put me on steroids. Praying it helps. Not going for the second shot. This has been awful for a healthy 55-year-old woman."