A little more than two months ago I got my first dose of Shingrex vaccine. The instructions they sent me home with said the second dose should be somewhere between two and six months later. After eight weeks I went back to the pharmacy where I got the initial shot to ask if they had any in stock. The pharmacist brusquely told me they would contact me when it was available.
Okey Dokey.
I wanted to be able to cross the task off of my to-do list, though, so I once again proactively stopped into the pharmacies around my house to ask if they had any of the vaccine available. It only took a few tries before I found one who did. Thursday afternoon I held out my arm and got injected.
Last time I had some side effects from the vaccine. Teri told me that it would be helpful if the next time I started taking an anti inflammatory the day before, and then continue it for several days after. Since I obviously didn't know when I was going to come upon the shot it was impossible to pre-dose myself with medicine, but as soon as I got home I popped some acetaminophen. For a few hours I felt great, but by bedtime my arm started to hurt. Friday I felt tired, achy, had chills, and an intermittent headache. It was hard to concentrate on the work I had to do, and I suspect the report I turned in was filled with grammar and punctuation mistakes.
This morning another symptom appeared...a rash on my torso-front and back, from neck to bottom-which alternated between itching and stinging. I spent the day doing as little as possible, mainly laying around and feeling sorry for myself. By the middle of the afternoon I could tell the rash would not be gone, so I cancelled my evening plans to get together with some friends.
For most people, the symptoms from the vaccine only last two or three days, so even though I'm part of the 10% who have a significant reaction, things should be coming to an end soon. At least my issues have been annoying, not life threatening, and from what I've heard having an actual case of shingles is WAY worse.
Five years ago today: First Mass Of Thanksgiving
It's interesting that so many people have had different reactions to Shingrix. The first one left us lethargic for a couple of days. But that's all. The second one had no symptoms at all. On the other hand I met a woman waiting with her husband (who was getting the 2nd shot) at the immunization clinic who told me she had a bad flu like reaction for quite a few days. I guess everybody is different, but I've seen what happened with my mom when she got shingles and I really don't want that to happen to me.
ReplyDeleteIt IS interesting how different the side effects of the vaccine can be.
DeleteThank you for sharing this information. I had not heard of it before. It's good that your issues were annoying and not life threatening. Praying that the next dose goes even better.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, I'm done now. NO third dose needed (thank goodness)!
DeleteKathy keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteWhen I woke up this morning everything was back to normal.
DeleteIt did you worse than me, that's for sure. The pharmacist mostly just told me it would hurt because it is such a big, thick injection, and that part was absolutely true. I am so glad it's over and shingles are mostly not in my life, now.
ReplyDeleteSo you've had shingles before?
DeleteI'm just glad you're feeling easier ... and I hope you recover - shingles can be really nasty though ... so worthwhile having the injection. All the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks for your concern. I agree that the temporary issues are worth it.
DeletePraying for you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you.
DeleteI received the shots and then got shingles!
ReplyDeleteNo kidding! Poor you!
DeleteMe again, just stopping back by to check on you. I hope you're better now. Will keep the prayers going up.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful week!
Thanks! Woke up yesterday morning symptom-free :-)
DeleteYou had chicken pox as a kid, is that why you got the shots?
ReplyDeleteYes. The way I understand it after you have chicken pox the virus doesn't leave your body. Instead, it goes dormant and comes back years later as shingles.
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