Shingles
- Thread starter Doug627
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ron_c
US Veteran
My doctor told me the singles shot is about $200, however, the VA gives these out for nothing if your a vet. I was told that the shot does not prevent singles, it greatly reduces the chance of getting them.
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Seems to me my doc said that the shot won't prevent you from catching shingles, but it will make it a whole lot less painful if you do...
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There's a medical textbook out there with a picture of me the last time I had Shingle (Herpes Varicella Zoster). Apparently I literally had a textbook perfect case.
So when I was in College I did a term paper on Herpes Zoster. There are a couple of misconceptions in this thread I'd like to clear up.
Shingles does not ever encircle the body. It occurs along a single dermatome and only affects on side of the body.
Depending on where you get it shingle absolutely can blind you. If it gets into your eyes it can damage your sight for life it it gets into your auditory nerves it can make you deaf.
Shingles normally resolves in 3 to 5 weeks BUT if you're older (65+) you can develop a condition called postherpatic neuralgia that can last for an indefinite period of time.
Bottom line if you can get the vaccine you should
So when I was in College I did a term paper on Herpes Zoster. There are a couple of misconceptions in this thread I'd like to clear up.
Shingles does not ever encircle the body. It occurs along a single dermatome and only affects on side of the body.
Depending on where you get it shingle absolutely can blind you. If it gets into your eyes it can damage your sight for life it it gets into your auditory nerves it can make you deaf.
Shingles normally resolves in 3 to 5 weeks BUT if you're older (65+) you can develop a condition called postherpatic neuralgia that can last for an indefinite period of time.
Bottom line if you can get the vaccine you should
OLDSTER
Member
I enjoyed a bout with shingles 4 years ago
Mine was on my right side. Get your butt to the DR. immediately !!
Mine was on my right side. Get your butt to the DR. immediately !!
My wife had a relatively light case several years back, which prompted me to get the vaccine. When I found out it was only 50% effective, I asked if I could get another shot to cover the other 50%. 
ol777gunnerz
Member
One of the youngest shingles cases
I had the shingles back in 1955-56 when I was 4-5 yrs. old, not something I will ever forget. The only thing they had back then for them was Calamine lotion, within a day it would start peeling off so my mother would have me lay in bathtub so it would finish peeling off, leaving her a mess in the tub. Many times the scabs on my back would be stuck to my shirt. Luckily my Dad had built a bathroom onto our house shortly before I got them, just had outhouse up until then. I have had several doctors & other medical professionals who did not believe I had them, I still have the scars on my left side of torso, especially on my back that are still visible, made believers of them.
I had the shingles back in 1955-56 when I was 4-5 yrs. old, not something I will ever forget. The only thing they had back then for them was Calamine lotion, within a day it would start peeling off so my mother would have me lay in bathtub so it would finish peeling off, leaving her a mess in the tub. Many times the scabs on my back would be stuck to my shirt. Luckily my Dad had built a bathroom onto our house shortly before I got them, just had outhouse up until then. I have had several doctors & other medical professionals who did not believe I had them, I still have the scars on my left side of torso, especially on my back that are still visible, made believers of them.
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Shingles will get you attention. I had it a few years ago and I like to describe the experience as "it feels like your skin is on fire and they use a ice pick to put it out! Mine was over my chest area. I had it a couple days before I (the tough guy) got smart enough to see my doctor.
My doctor gave me Tylenol 3s. I only took them at bed time so I could get some sleep and toughed it out through the day hours. (that was the only way I could get some sleep)
Then found out about the shingles shots but at that time they said if you already had shingles they would not pay for the shot. They they changed that and I was given a shot.
If you have not had shingles and are offered the shot through insurance get it. If your insurance will not pay for it pay for it yourself, you get attacked by shingles you will understand what I said.
I have also been luck enough to get hit by Gout, but there are drugs that seem to work well and I have not been hit again. The reason I mention Gout is its a toss up to which one hurts the worse Gout or shingles.
Like I said above get the Shingles shot wither or not insurance pays for it, its money well spent!
My doctor gave me Tylenol 3s. I only took them at bed time so I could get some sleep and toughed it out through the day hours. (that was the only way I could get some sleep)
Then found out about the shingles shots but at that time they said if you already had shingles they would not pay for the shot. They they changed that and I was given a shot.
If you have not had shingles and are offered the shot through insurance get it. If your insurance will not pay for it pay for it yourself, you get attacked by shingles you will understand what I said.
I have also been luck enough to get hit by Gout, but there are drugs that seem to work well and I have not been hit again. The reason I mention Gout is its a toss up to which one hurts the worse Gout or shingles.
Like I said above get the Shingles shot wither or not insurance pays for it, its money well spent!
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I have a friend that got shingles on the side of his face. It got into his eye. He has been in agony for about 3 months.. He's in assisted living now..
That stuff ain't no joke.. GET THE SHOT!!
I got the shot and having dealt with it with my Dad, I recognized the little blisters when I got it. Called the Dr for an appt. She said "No appointment, Get in here now!!" She gave me a cream to put on the sores and they went away in two days.
GET THE SHOT!!
That stuff ain't no joke.. GET THE SHOT!!
I got the shot and having dealt with it with my Dad, I recognized the little blisters when I got it. Called the Dr for an appt. She said "No appointment, Get in here now!!" She gave me a cream to put on the sores and they went away in two days.
GET THE SHOT!!
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Doug627,
Hope you have a quick recovery! Both my parents had the Shingles (years ago) but I remembered how badly they suffered. Two of my friends also had them last winter - one a mild case, the other a devastating case that affected his eye (not permanently thankfully).
My wife and I both got the Shingles vaccine but they told me at best it only works 50% of the time. I hope I'm in the lucky 50%!
Hope you have a quick recovery! Both my parents had the Shingles (years ago) but I remembered how badly they suffered. Two of my friends also had them last winter - one a mild case, the other a devastating case that affected his eye (not permanently thankfully).
My wife and I both got the Shingles vaccine but they told me at best it only works 50% of the time. I hope I'm in the lucky 50%!
Capt Steve
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Get the shot!
X10
My severe bout with shingles about 6 years ago just about as bad as it gets. No amount of pain meds {including large doses of opioids}, could even take the edge off.
I developed postherpatic neuralgia in the bottom of my right foot {my Shingles had started there and progressed up my right side, back of the knee and hip}. Ever since and for the rest of my life I will have severe pain with every step I take. Feels like sharp gravel in my shoe 24/7. Not many get this complication, sort of a parting gift from the Shingles but it illustrates just how critically important it is to get the vaccine and hopefully prevent the Shingles altogether.
Much like a flu shot the shingles vaccine does not absolutely prevent the disease but if you do get Shingles likely it will be mitigated by having had the shot. Get the shot!
X10
My severe bout with shingles about 6 years ago just about as bad as it gets. No amount of pain meds {including large doses of opioids}, could even take the edge off.
I developed postherpatic neuralgia in the bottom of my right foot {my Shingles had started there and progressed up my right side, back of the knee and hip}. Ever since and for the rest of my life I will have severe pain with every step I take. Feels like sharp gravel in my shoe 24/7. Not many get this complication, sort of a parting gift from the Shingles but it illustrates just how critically important it is to get the vaccine and hopefully prevent the Shingles altogether.
Much like a flu shot the shingles vaccine does not absolutely prevent the disease but if you do get Shingles likely it will be mitigated by having had the shot. Get the shot!
wingriderz
Member
The doc yesterday was going to give me the shot with the tenanuts and phnemoina but was out of it going back in two weeks will try and get then
Hawker800
Member
It's important to get treatment early. I waited a couple of days too long. How could I possible get shingles at age 54? Well I did, on my left side neck and face. A couple of years later I got the vaccination even though it's not a guarantee. I think it also affected my left side hearing. [emoji57]
straightshooter1
US Veteran
I was blessed with the shingles a couple of years before I retired. It was on my left side and started with an itch in my left eye. I thought it was a stye. But, of course it wasn't and I was off work for two weeks (never, ever took that much time off work until the shingles) and the pain lasted for about 6 weeks.
One of the meds, and I can't recall which one, made me nauseous and I was driving down the street, on my way to the doc as I recall, when I had to stop and puke. People sure look at you funny when you are puking on the side of the road.
I was very fortunate that my eye was not damaged and I got the shot at the VA later.
Don't want no more of that stuff ever again.
Bob
One of the meds, and I can't recall which one, made me nauseous and I was driving down the street, on my way to the doc as I recall, when I had to stop and puke. People sure look at you funny when you are puking on the side of the road.
I was very fortunate that my eye was not damaged and I got the shot at the VA later.
Don't want no more of that stuff ever again.
Bob
Got the shot. Didn't help the roof shingles when the big hail came. As we sit here I'm getting a new roof. Sounds like a war going on.
bjrjar
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When i had it the best thing I found for me was Gold Bond Ant-itch cream. It will take time, an anti-viral medication might help, antibiotics are useless. I got the shot, after I recovered but too late by then. Just hoping not to get it sgsin, it cost me $200 and the Safeway pharmacist sdministered it. Medicare might help...
Bob
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OP
The E.R. Doctor told me not to be around anyone pregnant. This is very dangerous for the fetus. Pass this on so pregnant women are not exposed. The E.R. Doctor was pregnant and would not come within three feet of me. I told her to leave and send someone else to treat me.
Doug, a while back, I asked my PCP about the shingles vaccine and whether I should get it. He said "do you remember the pain of the 2nd degree radiation burns to your face, neck and throat"?
"Yes."
"You would rather have that."
I got the shot.
"Yes."
"You would rather have that."
I got the shot.
Ogandydancer
Member
Mrs. Ogandydancer has had the shingles lots of times. Several years ago Walgreens was giving the shots she had to show her Ins. card but it was basically free. It has helped curb hers but with some people they will recur. She is on Acylover all the time.
For the OP I hope when yours it over it will not recur.
susieqz
Absent Comrade
after the last shingles thread, i ran to my doc n got the shot.
mild flu symptoms for a couple days, but a small price to pay.
i like avoiding pain.
mild flu symptoms for a couple days, but a small price to pay.
i like avoiding pain.
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