I've had three back operations over the years due to disc problems and occasionally I still get flareups that cause severe lower back pains and numbness. For the last week, I've had more problems including numbness in my lower right back and an increase in pain. Today I saw my orthopedic doctor and, after looking at x-rays he examined my lower back. He said he was going to send me for physical therapy but also to go back to my GP and get something for the shingles. Yep, not only has my back flared up but today I broke out in a rash so I have shingles right on top it! So much for the shingles vaccine I got last December.

CW

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Like my mom used to say "I've had everything but white mice". Shingles can be very painful, my wife had an outbreak about 7 years ago and put her down hard. Hope you get to feeling better fast.

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

I asked my doc for the shingles vaccine and he talked me out of it. It's expensive, fails frequently, as the OP found out and doesn't last very long.
The best recommendation is to be on the lookout for the symptoms and get treatment fast. If you catch it early you can minimize the suffering.

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Back to back World War Champs.

when you see your gp, also ask for some good pain meds. when I had shingles it was quite painful and the itch drove me crazier.

Feel better soon. Hope this isn't one of those stuff happens in threes.

Had shingles, a mercifully comparatively light case, on my face and head the first of this year. Two lesions inside my left ear were real beasts. Couldn't find a way to sleep with any comfort at all.

A recurrence would be approximately number 783 on my bucket list. Got the vaccine at the same time I got my flu shot last week. I devoutly hope it works.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I got my vaccination last December. Obviously didn't work.

CW

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My dad would get shingles around his waist, itchy and painful. Felt sorry for him, he would just ride them out.

Hope you get yours under control.

How long is the vaccine supposed to work or last?

And in what percentage of cases does it fail? I was all set to find a way to afford the shot when I read here that it may not be worth it.

My late father had shingles and I don't want to get it.

I would consult your own doctor, what I wrote was my experience and don't want to persuade anyone from doing what they feel is best.

The shingles vaccine: Why hasn’t it caught on?

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Back to back World War Champs.

Personally, if I knew then what I know now, I would have given $1,000.00 for the shot.

Just on the off chance it would lessen the severity of the shingles.

Mine went from my butt to wherever a man should never have shingles.

This make for a much harder decision on if the shot is worth taking?