Zoster vaccine, recombinant and Body Aches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first dose of Shingrix in November. After about 12 hours, I felt like a truck had hit me. I was in bad shape for a day. I had the second dose on 1/31/2020. By the next morning, the headache had started. By early afternoon, I felt terrible; severe body aches and a headache that ibuprofen wouldn't touch; rash over my entire body; nausea. By the next day, just as bad, but I could keep food down. The third and fourth day, still a slight headache, and now I have stabbing itchy pain in my skin. I have very high autoimmune antibodies and maybe should not have received the vaccine."

• sor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "This is a powerful vaccine. I had the second dose yesterday. Today, I've had fatigue, body aches, chills, fever, and a racing heartbeat of 110 to 120 beats. The pharmacists did warn me that I'd be sick for two days, so I have another day of this ahead of me."

• bon...
• October 14, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I wasn’t surprised to be sore with side effects after the first shot. The second shot gave me a fever and flu-like symptoms for a week. It kicked off asthma, and now, 6 weeks later, I feel weak and achy, my arms and legs exhaust instantly. Chest pressure/pain and exhaustion. I’m a 53-year-old healthy woman, regular exercise, work full-time, mom. It took me until I went to my doctor to connect that everything started with the vaccine, but nothing online lists more than 2-3 days. I just heard about a husband and wife who had a month like me after it."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Write specifics, please, so those that are paranoid during COVID can be at peace - upper thigh muscle severe random pain - severe joint aches everywhere - injection site arm muscle pain - headache - low-grade fever 101°F - foggy malaise feeling. Hard to concentrate. What really helped was sunshine (although I suddenly felt I hated sun) and fresh air and acetaminophen. Long daytime walk with dog. I got too achy to walk at night."

• sho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Husband and I had Shingrix shots on Tuesday. My arm and neck are extra achy and sore, but I am okay. My husband threw up that night, which is unusual for him, and got a fever of 103.4. I called the doctor, he said not to worry. Today is Friday, and my husband still has a fever despite Tylenol of 101.4. He can't do anything but lay in bed. Face all red, no appetite. This shot is not good!"

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Only took the first. Fever of 103 deg F. Overall body aches, nausea, headache, very sore arm. Spent the day after in bed. By the second day, mild fever and head/body aches. Resumed normal activities. Four months later - got the first cold sore I have ever had. Related? I'm a runner, and one knee feels like it has a fever. I've never experienced quite this type of pain. Related? I will skip the second shot. I talked to my doctor, who agreed with me to skip. Sometimes I wonder if all of this hype is for companies to make money selling vaccines. I have never had any kind of side effect from any medication or vaccine before."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My wife and I got the first injection of two on the same day. I had a sore arm and slight body aches, which lasted a day. My wife had flu-like symptoms at night and was a bit achy the following day. Well worth the side effects we had versus getting shingles. Our friend got shingles next to her eye, and my cousin came close to leg paralysis due to shingles in his legs. Bottom line, most people that do fine with any vaccine do not post online about a positive experience, pharmaceuticals in general. This double-dose injection is a must for 50+ year-olds. Don’t risk getting shingles."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "PCP suggested since I had the old shingles vaccine, I should get the new one. I knew going on it could cause flu-like symptoms. Sure enough, the next morning I had a runny nose and persistent cough. No energy. The next day, aches and something shakes developed. Four days in and tons of sleeping, I’m starting to recover. Better than shingles, but then so is death!"

• Lib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "69 yr-old woman, had 1st Shingrix July 2019. Arm was very achy for a few days. 2nd shot yesterday, extreme achiness in arm immediately. Not so bad, I thought. Then I woke from a kind of strangling nightmare early this morning. I ache everywhere, including my fingernails, have a headache, chills, extreme fatigue. My arm is still very painful, but it’s the flu-like symptoms that kept me in bed all day. So glad I read all about side effects because the pharmacist didn’t say a word. No regrets, though. I’ve seen shingles in action. My 90 yr-old mother got it and was in severe pain. She will rarely even take a Tylenol, but she had to take Vicodin for several days. I never ever want shingles. These side effects will go away eventually, but shingles can go on for weeks; it also often recurs. I’m thrilled this highly effective vaccine is available."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "54 y.o. female. Received initial injection of Shingrix. That evening, arm began to hurt at the injection site. Experiencing redness and swelling at the site. Each day after, the inflammation continued to worsen. By day 4, it was well over 4 inches in diameter. Itching at the site also. After the second day, began feeling tired and achy. Migraines began. Lasted a few days. Two weeks later, and redness is completely gone but left with itchy tingling at the site of injection. Random nerve zaps and sensitivity in other areas of the body. Not sure about the second injection. Wouldn’t want to experience worse side effects."

• Apo...
• May 28, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first vaccine shot about 2 months ago, just arm sore a few days - nothing really. Yesterday, 2nd shot - tonight have fever 100°, body aches, and some chills. Took a shower and chills went away but still feel warm. Front of head about 98.1 and side and ears 100.1°. Hope the Good Lord this is all."

• CGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first injection on Wednesday; recommended by my doctor, I don’t usually have any vaccinations. I am 61 and not sure I will have the second injection. My arm is throbbing, it’s burning to touch, about 2 in x 5 in around the injection site. Had a fever of 102, which just broke, headache, chills, no energy, body aches. Feel totally wiped out, had to call in sick for 2 days for the first time in 6 years. I was not warned about the side effects until after being given the injection, but I should have asked, so that’s on me. I would not recommend it, and will not be having the second shot."

• Eva...
• September 4, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I experienced only pain in my arm after the first shot, however, the second shot, two months later, was a different experience. I received the shot on Saturday at noon and woke up at midnight with severe body aches, shivers, fever, and nausea, eventually throwing up. The 101 fever, pains, and fatigue continued to the next day. Otherwise, I am a very healthy individual."

• Dba...
• September 11, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my injection on Tuesday. The injection was very painful the moment the pharmacist injected the needle in my arm. I have never had a shot hurt before. The Walgreens pharmacist was very busy and running around like a chicken with her head cut off. She did not bother to warn me of any side effects. Normally, they always call for counsel on my meds when I pick up. But not this time, and they should have. My daughter was having a baby in a week, and I had no idea what was in store for me. The rest of the afternoon, I felt tired and ached. I began to have a headache, and my arm felt like it weighed 20 pounds. The next five days I still felt tired and ached. On Monday, I started to feel really, really bad at work. Went home, had chills, aches, nausea, vomiting, and I just knew I had the flu. Went to my doctor the day after, and she said the shot should not have had this lingering effect and that I had a virus. Ended up getting an IV."

• Ach...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the injection April 23. Had a sore arm for a few days, the least pain. Two months later, my body aches so bad some days I can hardly get out of bed. Glands in neck still ache. My doctor did not tell me it would be this bad. I had shingles a couple of years ago, and it was not this bad. I will not be getting the second injection!"

• Nyc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Whoa. Doc gave me no warning about side effects. Was there for something else and decided to get a shot spur of the moment, so I did no research on my own. Also, had no idea each dose was $200! Had the original shingles vaccine and I assumed it was the same. It obviously is not. Healthy 59 yo. I had 24 hours of flu-like symptoms from chills, aches, headache, right down to a seriously stuffed nose/thick mucus (gross, but wish someone told me all this). Swollen gland that is sensitive to touch. Arm is incredibly sore, but flu symptoms are the big problem. Take the shot on a Friday so you can lay low on the weekend. I took Aleve, and it helped the aches tremendously. I will do the second shot only because I have seen some terrible shingles cases that friends have suffered through (including one close to an eye, potentially devastating). Stock up on chicken soup, Aleve, “Killing Eve” on BBCA, blankets, and just buckle up."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first injection in September 2020. Within 2 days, I felt like I was hit by a truck. Temperature of 100.5, body aches, pain at the injection site, and fatigue. I never had any such symptoms from my previous vaccines. The symptoms lasted for 3 hours, then I was back to normal. I've been dreading getting the second injection due to the side effects but finally did it this past Sunday. Within 24 hours, I've had all of the above symptoms again. With a temperature of 99.7 to 101.9. In this age of COVID, you start to wonder if it's a lot more than side effects from Shingrix. My 2 rapid tests were negative though. It's almost 4 days since I took my second injection, and the symptoms still haven't subsided. I hope I'm better by tomorrow. I'm not sure if I can recommend this vaccine to anyone. It's the worst."

• Bea...
• November 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "(Female, 63) 2nd Shingrix shot yesterday. 1st one (7/19) wasn't too bad. Took several weeks to finally find. As last time, the injection was fairly painful for about 5 seconds. Came home, fixed some tea, and took Aleve. Several hours later, started feeling a little achy/queasy. Kept drinking tea, stayed on the couch with a blanket and pillows. Had a light supper, warm bath, 2 Tylenol. No issues during the night, just a sore arm. Today, headache and mild cramps (PMS-ish?!) More tea, Tylenol, pillows. Husband (69) got the 1st shot. Said injection didn't hurt. Came home and ignored the suggestion of rest and OTC pain meds. He worked out for an hour and felt fine the rest of the day. During the night, he was hit hard with chills and aches. Didn't take anything until I got up. Then took some Advil. It's now 30 hours after the shot, and he's doing okay. My advice: plan an easy schedule for a few days, take OTC meds ASAP, fluids, rest, TLC."

• Bea...
• November 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "(Female, 63) 2nd Shingrix shot yesterday. 1st one (7/19) wasn't too bad. Took several weeks to finally find. As last time, the injection was fairly painful for about 5 seconds. Came home, fixed some tea, and took Aleve. Several hours later, started feeling a little achy/queasy. Kept drinking tea, stayed on the couch with a blanket and pillows. Had a light supper, warm bath, 2 Tylenol. No issues during the night, just a sore arm. Today, headache and mild cramps (PMS-ish?!) More tea, Tylenol, pillows. Husband (69) got the 1st shot. Said injection didn't hurt. Came home and ignored the suggestion of rest and OTC pain meds. He worked out for an hour and felt fine the rest of the day. During the night, he was hit hard with chills and aches. Didn't take anything until I got up. Then took some Advil. It's now 30 hours after the shot, and he's doing okay. My advice: plan an easy schedule for a few days, take OTC meds ASAP, fluids, rest, TLC."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Pretty much the worst experience I have ever had with a vaccination. This shot is awful and left me wondering if I should just risk a shingles experience. The actual shot is extremely painful and burns your entire arm for hours. Then your entire body gets sore and achy. I woke up in the middle of the night with the most violent shivers, I thought I was having a seizure. Then came the splitting headache, fever, nausea, and fatigue. Feels like the worst case of flu. At this point, there is no way anyone can convince me to go back for the recommended second dose of this nightmare."

• bpa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had the first shot 3 days ago. Sore arm, which I expected. 2 days ago, my ear started hurting bad. Advil helps. I may have to go to the Dr. to rule out an ear infection. Something I never get. If I go, I will discuss with her about getting the 2nd shot. I haven't had the flu-like symptoms bad, just a little achy the day after the shot, but the ear pain is pretty intense."

• LAL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Came here to see how long side effects last. Now wondering which is better: vaccine or get shingles and then use antiviral. A friend in her 30s had shingles above one eye for which Valtrex antiviral helped a lot. My case: I'm 61 with minor health issues. Never reacted to other vaccines aside from a slightly sore arm for a day. This is only day 2 after the first shot, hoping it doesn't get worse as I am reading it can. Spent most of yesterday in bed with body aches, a bad headache, fatigue, and feeling 'out of it.' Temp is actually lower than normal as it is when I'm run down. Arm is very sore at the injection site and hurts to lift. Tylenol is helping better than ibuprofen. Thought the 2nd shot should go better, but reading otherwise for some makes me uncomfortable with that plan."

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My first round of shingles injection was a breeze, a little pain in the arm, but that’s about it. I received the shingles shot round two around the fourth or fifth of December 2020. I had the chills, flu-like symptoms, body aches, chills, and fever. My bottom lip became very swollen, and I had to take Benadryl because they thought it was an allergic reaction to the shot. All those symptoms went away in a few days-most of them within two days, my body aches, joint pain, and sore muscles took several days. Today is December 19, and my injection site is still painful. The pain in my arm feels like the needle went through my bone. I was and still am fatigued. When will my joints and shoulder pain subside? This was not a pleasant experience. My daughter had shingles, and I saw how miserable she was, she had it on her back. I cannot decide whether I should encourage her to get this vaccine or not."

• AKW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had my first shot on Friday, 9/16, at 3:30. By 8 PM that evening, I had a fever (100 degrees steady), headache, and the worst was the aches that prevented sleep - throbbing joints. Spent the next day on the couch and was starting to feel better about 30 hours after the shot (with ibuprofen). This is tough - sacrifice a whole weekend to feel terrible and achy. Right now, I am thinking 'no' to the second shot. I had reactions to the COVID shot, but at least that one I could sleep through. This is the worst reaction I have had to any vaccine ever."

• Liz...
• October 9, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first shot in May 2022 with only a bit of soreness in the arm and a little tired the next day. Had my second dose on Tues, Oct 4, and the pharmacist kept asking if I was okay after the first, and now I know why. About 3 hours after, the injection site felt tender and stiff, and I started feeling dizzy and heart racing. Took it easy at home, but I felt lethargic, no energy, nauseous. Went to bed for the night and felt heart racing, although I wasn’t worried or stressed. Closed my eyes, and immediately the same repetitive vivid colorful dream; although I woke up every hour, as soon as I closed my eyes, it was the same crazy dream. I felt like I was drugged. No crazy dreams the next night, but did not feel well for 4 days with body aches, headaches, dizziness in walking, nausea, stomachache, and diarrhea. I wish the pharmacist had warned me. I’ve never had such a reaction before. But I’d rather this than getting shingles."