Zoster vaccine, recombinant and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• SIG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My husband and I both had the first Shingrix vaccine on 8/21/19. He had some arm pain; I could not move my arm after a few hours, and it lasted several weeks. I developed a giant red welt. Only dealt with pain the first time. We had the second injection yesterday around 5:00 pm. By 8:00, I could barely move my arm. By 11:00, I started getting the chills and fever of 102.4. I took ibuprofen, and it knocked the fever down enough so my teeth stopped chattering, and I could attempt sleep. Woke up today with a raging headache; every joint in my body hurts; my stomach is upset, and the fever is still here at 101.5. I’d say I had the flu, but the timing is far too coincidental. Hubby, again, is only feeling arm pain. As awful as this is, it does not hold a candle to shingles! I watched my mother suffer for MONTHS with shingles. She was so miserable in pain, no clothing could touch her legs. I don’t wish that on my worst enemy (well...)."

• Tat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First dose of Shingrix in early July was fine. Sore arm at injection site, but nothing more. Yesterday, I had the second dose, and within two hours, I felt like I was hit by a truck - chills, body aches, diarrhea. Low-grade temp. Today is day two - splitting headache. Body aches. Hope it passes by tomorrow. I took this because, as a child, I had chickenpox, and the doctor recommended it as I am more at risk."

• Jop...
• September 3, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Took the shingles vaccine two days ago and the night shivering the first night was wicked. I felt like I was hit by a truck. I still have a deep headache and night chills. I couldn’t lift my arm for about 24 hours. My arm is still very sore, though now I can use it. My whole body felt like I had severe allergies. I did not have a fever."

• Lak...
• August 30, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got my 1st shot on a Thursday, got fever, chills, aching of my entire body, headache, sore arm, and felt awful. My fever went to 102.5, and I alternated ibuprofen and Tylenol. I couldn't sleep and basically felt I had a case of really bad flu. It is Sunday, and I am still running a fever. I am wondering when or if I will feel better. Not anxious to get the 2nd dose in 2 months."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "No way on God's green Earth I am getting another injection of this. I have been awake all night. Headache, sweaty, shaky on my feet, tender throat and chest cavity, chills, and none of those side effects are tapering after 15 excruciating hours. Terrible! makes COVID-19 vaccination side effects seem like a day at the beach in comparison. Take this toxic profiteering substance off the market! FDA approval or whatever. Good God!"

• fev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Healthy woman in mid-50s. I have completed the series of both Shingrix shots. I had a very strong immune response both times. Symptoms started about 8 hours after the shot. They included chills, headache, night sweats, weird stabbing pain at different points in the body, and fever up to almost 102 degrees. These symptoms lasted for about 48 hours, and then I felt weak and tired for another day before being back to normal. I spent two days in bed after each shot and generally felt terrible, lying in bed moaning from discomfort. After going through all this, I better not ever get shingles..."

• Sur...
• November 12, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I'm an extremely healthy 59-year-old. I had shingles at age 29. I got the Shingrix yesterday at 9 am. The nurse warned me the shot would burn going in-nope, didn't really even feel it. Went to lunch with a friend, and walking for about 90 minutes. After my hour drive home, I could barely get out of the car. Within a couple of hours, headache, severe nausea had me tossing and turning all night, muscle pain worse than any flu I've had! Even my buttocks hurt-very strange. My feet hurt so bad! Severe chills and shaking, fever 102.2 at 5:30 am. Wasn't able to take Tylenol till this morning because of nausea. This is worse than the shingles I had! I was NOT expecting any of this! Despite this, I will get the second injection-shingles is more severe the older we get. I hope my symptoms don't last as long as others have said. My injection site is sore, red, hard, and swollen, but I expected that and don't consider it a big deal; just moving my arm a lot."

• Jus...
• March 9, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I’m a 61-year-old man and was finally able to get the first vaccine. I’ve been trying for months to get it after I had to cancel my trip across the country when she came down with shingles, despite the fact that she had received the earlier vaccine. I just happened to walk into a large store yesterday - I seldom shop there and didn’t know they had a pharmacy. I was delivering when I learned they had the vaccine - I immediately got it. Without question, it was a painful injection (not sure why), and my arm has hurt ever since. In addition, my arm is swollen, I feel a bit tired, and have a mild headache. I am, however, very happy that I got it. I’m not looking forward to the second injection (I’m also severely needle-phobic). I have other health conditions - especially heart issues (quadruple bypass) - but come on, people, even if you don’t feel well for a few days. In the long run, it’s a lot better than getting shingles and risking so much if you get it."

• Not...
• July 27, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Took the first Shingrix shot and will not take the second. 65 years old. Arm was swollen, red, and painful. Felt terrible. I’ve never had a reaction to a vaccine. Headache, joint pain, fever, just way off. Couldn’t sleep. That night, both feet were ice cold and couldn’t get them warm. Ended up with a heating pad on them both. Felt bad, bad, so low for about 2 days."

• MMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Female, 56. First Shingrix dose on 11/15, was having surgery on the 19th. After the vaccination, I had aches and flu-like symptoms for a day, which concerned me because of my scheduled surgery. Symptoms went away after 24 hours. Second dose was yesterday, and again I feel like I have the flu: aches, headache, fatigue. DEFINITELY get this on the day before a long weekend if you can, to let side effects abate. The pharmacist who gave me the second shot asked if I had been sick because of the first. At that point, I had forgotten the symptoms I'd had... but she said a LOT of her patients were telling her the shot made them sick. Be aware. Shingles is a horrible disease, especially as you age. My mother had it at about 76 and was in agonizing pain for weeks. This little flu-like thing is much less annoying than actual shingles."

• HJa...
• January 8, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had a bad experience. First shot was painful, and I didn't feel great - but that was the easy part. The day after the second dose, I became very ill, fever of 102, nausea, body aches, horrible headache. That was followed by sharp stabbing pains, pins and needles, itching, sciatic pain, and nerve zaps throughout my body. A week later, a rash appeared on my lower back. I went to urgent care, where I was diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia. The bottoms of my feet became very painful - nerve pain, not muscle pain. Many doctor visits later - no one wants to admit the shot was the culprit. It definitely was. Finally, a few months later, the foot and nerve pains are subsiding. Starting to feel normal again. One doctor surmised that I had an autoimmune reaction to the shot. Beware if you have any autoimmune disorders."

• Red...
• August 23, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "54-year-old woman, within hours after my first dose of Shingrix vaccine, my arm was pretty sore. Then that evening, I was having to apply ice packs directly on both my feet because of the severe burning and stabbing shooting pain in both feet, and my feet were red from where they felt like on fire. I have neuropathy in my feet from being type 2 diabetic, but I never felt such intense burning and sharp pains like I did starting that evening. The next day, after a night of discomfort, extreme fatigue kicked in, and all-over body pain with headache. Day 3, and I've begun a fever and I'm still extremely exhausted with a headache and all-over body pain. My blood sugar is up in the 170s, which is high for me. I've tried even my prescription pain medication for relief, with no results. I go for the 2nd dose in 2 months. They say side effects last about 3 days. I hope I feel better soon. It's a battle between needing sleep from extreme exhaustion."

• AAF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received my first Shingrix vaccine shot in November 2022, after which I experienced muscle aches. When I received the second shot on February 18, 2023, the pharmacy tech did not provide me with any information about what to expect, except for commenting that it 'should be easier' than the first shot. However, he was very wrong. I should have done my research beforehand. I received the second shot at 3:30 pm, and by 6:30 am the next morning, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I experienced massive and constant chills, headache, exhaustion, malaise, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, muscle aches and pains, dizziness, vertigo, sneezing, and the upper arm that had been injected was extremely sore for five consecutive days. I even developed a small rash around the vaccine injection site. These symptoms lasted for about 48 hours. Around 24 hours later, I developed a sore throat, congestion, and the sneezing returned, along with exhaustion/malaise. Even now, five days after the second Shingrix vaccine shot, I'm still not feeling well enough to resume all of my daily activities."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "This Shingrix vaccine is horrendous. I just received my 2nd dose, and within 6 hours or so, I was breaking out in a fever sweat with a terrible headache and nausea. Every joint in my body aches so badly I have difficulty even walking. I put off having the 2nd shot after having a similar reaction from the first one. I'm sorry I did, because the 2nd shot has been far worse for me. Terrible vaccine! I'm not a fan of big civil lawsuits normally, but they need to be sued."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got the shingles vaccine on June 8. The next morning, I woke up with sharp pain in my throat, as if I was having a throat viral infection. Later that day, on Friday, I started to get chills and a fever of 102.6. I took Tylenol 650 mg, and it kept my fever down to 100, but it did not go lower than this. After 6 hours, the temperature raised again. So, that is how it is going all these days in a circle: 102.6F - Tylenol 650 - 100F, and then all over again. I thought maybe on the fourth day after the injection it would be better - but it is not. My throat is killing me, I have a runny nose, a pounding headache, weakness, nausea, and fever. I have never had anything like this. I am going to contact my doctor to get help, but I am terrified reading the previous reviews. Nobody informed me that these types of things could happen. I cannot judge the effectiveness of the vaccine, but I am not going to take the second injection."

• Fra...
• February 28, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

• Car...
• September 3, 2020

"I had the first Shingrix shot along with a flu shot last week, Aug. 28, a Thursday. Started feeling unwell by Saturday and have felt bad for one week now - extreme tiredness, bad headaches, flu-like feelings, maybe a mild fever. I did not suspect the Shingrix/flu vaccines for several days. I just thought I had been overworking and needed to rest, so I did and have felt very under the weather all week. Hoping tomorrow will be better. I wish I had gotten the vaccines separately, but not sure this would have helped. Be aware that you could have symptoms afterward."

• She...
• November 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

• ama...
• October 17, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am/was a very healthy 66-year-old male. I am on the 5th day of a horrible experience after receiving the Shingrix shot. I have been getting immunizations my entire life, but nothing could have prepared me for this. 3 days in bed with a fever of 103. Cough and congestion so bad that one night I had to stay awake to tell myself to breathe. Splitting headache and aches so bad you can't imagine. 24 hr. nonstop hiccups since I got the shot. Sounds funny, but it's not. I've read (after I got the shot) that some people may not return for the follow-up. Well, count me in that group."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Female, 69 y.o. 1st shot May 2018: very sore arm for 2 weeks. Mild flu-like symptoms, 3-4 days: fatigue, fever, feverish, sore muscles/joints. Not fun, but better after 5 days. 2nd shot: really bad! Much worse flu symptoms: bad headache, fever, chills, pains in muscles/joints for over 2 weeks, extreme fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms. 3 weeks later, still fatigued. Got sinus infection and cold. Some bad reactions to Shingrix may be caused by the adjuvant added to boost immune response. Shingrix trials excluded people with lupus, psoriatic arthritis, etc. Can the adjuvant turn on autoimmune disorders? There is an article on Medpage Today 'Questions Remain about Shingrix Safety in Rheumatic Disease.' I have an autoimmune disease (celiac and hypothyroid). Got Shingrix because of CDC's strong recommendation. Shingles is very bad. But lupus/autoimmune disorders will destroy health forever!!"