Zoster vaccine, recombinant and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Gra...
• August 12, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Received the first of two Shingrix vaccines on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, about 10:30 a.m. Hurt more than most vaccines because it goes in the muscle. By that evening, my left arm hurt quite a bit, was red and hot to touch. When I woke the next day, my arm was really sore, still red and hot to touch. Had flu-like symptoms, headache, and severe joint pain. Could barely move - stayed in bed most of the day. I have severe osteoarthritis, which may be why my joint pain was so bad. Had to take my grandson to football practice. Driving the car was really difficult and couldn't get comfortable at all waiting for him. That night developed a fever and sleep was restless. Third day was more of the same. Fourth day less pain in the morning, but joint pain back in the evening. Fifth day arm less sore, some joints less sore, but my right side hurts a lot. I have to have my right shoulder and right knee replaced, and joint pain in both is severe right now. Sixth day, same as fifth."

• Mel...
• February 19, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had my first Shingrix vaccine in Nov. 2019. Very sore arm for a few days & felt a little off the 1st night. Nothing else. 2nd dose yesterday, Feb. 18, 2020, & the pharmacist warned me of flu-like symptoms. My parents had their 2nd shot last week and no side effects except a sore arm. I hoped for the same. No such luck. I'm home from work today as I woke up with major body aches & headache. It's now 2 pm & the Tylenol is wearing off. Still feel the same. Hopefully will be better in a day or two. A friend got shingles on her face, so close to her eye. If this avoids that, it's worth the inconvenience. Suggest doing the vaccines when you have a couple of days off."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "1st vaccine was awful, but thought 2nd dose might be easier if I took Advil ahead of time. 2nd was so much worse. Had severe pain all over, twitching in my eyelids, blurred vision, nausea, severe headache, ringing in ears, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and great difficulty sleeping. Also had chills and an itchy red rash. Now dealing with a UTI, which has me feeling sick all the time."

• roc...
• May 17, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Just had the 2nd dose of Shingrix along with my wife. We are both in our late 60s and neither was very interested in having shingles. The 1st go-round went OK, with the common soreness in the shot location, general fatigue, and a slight headache for approximately a day afterward. This 2nd dose affected my wife much worse, however, as she felt like she had been hit by a train. Then, when bedtime arrived, she had to cover herself with several blankets, having uncontrolled shivering. My only side effect that I didn't recall having the first time was frequent urination-about 4x more than normal-without a noticeable intake increase of liquids. We are both glad we are done with this!"

• MJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my first Shingrix vaccine two weeks ago. About 6 hours later, my fever was 101. I was exhausted, had chills, nausea, severe headache, and ached all over. The pain in my arm was ridiculous. This went on for about a week. I was perfectly healthy before getting the vaccine. Can’t wait to have the second dose!"

• KCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Yesterday, I had my first injection of the Shingrix vaccination. My arm was sore within 3 hours, but I expected that because the pharmacist at CVS gave me a heads-up. What I didn’t expect was what I experienced last night: no sleep due to a severe headache, achy muscles, mild stomach issues, chills with a mild fever. Today, I am pale, weak, I have achy muscles, and I am wiped out. The injection site is hot, with redness, swelling, and pain. I just want to feel like I did before my visit to CVS. And now I’m reading that the second injection may be even worse. Ugh."

• Kit...
• October 1, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 54-year-old woman. I had the first Shingrix shot and had arm soreness, but nothing horrible. On 9/24/19, I had the second shot. I had the second one in the hip. Today is 8 days later, and I still have a large, raised red rash around the injection site with pain. The evening after I had the second shot, I had a 102.5 fever, chills, nausea, no appetite, extreme fatigue, and headache. In the morning, I had hives on my face and back and a patchy red rash on my arms and chest. I was exhausted and had a low fever for the next two days. Benadryl and Tylenol helped the hives and fever, but did not get rid of them. Friday after I received the shot, I felt better, but I was still achy and still had a headache. Last night, the backs of my calves started to feel achy and sore. They have bright red rashes on them, and I have tiny red spots on my feet and ankles. I still have a splotchy red rash on my arms and chest. The headache is now gone, and the hives are gone."

• Scu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "51 y/o female, with 2 autoimmune conditions. Not using any immunosuppressants or biologics. Received 2nd dose of vaccine 08/19/19 5 pm. Expected only minor reactions (injection site pain for a few days, slight body achiness the following day) as with the first shot 2 months earlier. At the second shot, I began feeling localized soreness at the injection site with increasing pain over the course of the evening. By the following morning, full body pain, headache, and fever. It felt like a really, really bad flu. Symptoms continued all day. The next day, body pain reduced somewhat, but headache remained. The following day, headache abated, but got a shingles outbreak! Started taking Valacyclovir to stop it. I hope that will be the last one!"

• Bob...
• February 18, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first Shingrix shot in October 2019. Some mild arm soreness and some fatigue. I just had the second shot on February 15, 2020, and this time I was knocked out like many have reported. Severe body pain, extreme fatigue, terrible headaches, fever, and muscle ache. This lasted over a day, so I'm lucky unlike people who went through this for 3 or more days. If the adjuvant is the cause, the medical researchers need to find a better one and as quickly as possible."

• Ran...
• February 10, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I’m a 57-year-old female; received the vaccine 3 days ago. About 18 hours post-vaccination, I was overcome with chills, severe fatigue, muscle aches, and headache. Each day, I wake feeling rested only to find myself back in bed in the afternoon due to being overcome by fatigue. Like others, I am not in any hurry to sign up for the second shot. Curious why some of us struggle more than others."

• Cur...
• December 15, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Male, age 68. 1st dose, the shot itself (in tricep) was very painful, much like the sting of mud wasps (aka 'ground bees'). Reaction was just like to a sting too: inflamed, reddened welt, egg-shaped, several inches long, painful for 4-5 days, then bruise-like and itchy for another week. 2nd dose, reaction was completely different. Still painful at the injection site, but no redness or swelling. But by evening felt arthritis-like back pain and joint pain just about everywhere: knees, hips, wrists, ankles. Pain in muscles as well, and skin was sensitive all over, like a mild sunburn, and a slight headache to boot. No fever. Still achy all over the next morning and most of day 2. A little better by the end of the day. Morning of day 3 it was mostly just a mild headache and by the end of the day mostly gone. Very unpleasant, but would I do it again? You bet. My mother and my mother-in-law both had shingles. Compared to that, the pain of the shot is nothing."

• Soo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had my first vaccination for Shingrix in April. Had tenderness at the injection site, and a mild dull headache the following day. I just had my booster 3 days ago. Very painful arm, throbbing and hot red around the injection location, the redness was about 1/3 the size of my upper arm. The second night, headache, chills, upset tummy, and fever. This is day three, and I am overwhelmed with exhaustion, and I feel very emotional. One minute sad, next cranky. Very, very sore arm. I found this site and thought I would share my experience. My husband says, “No way he is getting his inoculation. Hope I feel better soon. I just feel out of sorts."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received my first Shingrix in September and had a very sore arm for 4 days. I received my second dose this past Monday and have been sick ever since. It’s been 5 days now. The first 2 days were bad with fever, shivers, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and sore arm. Most of the symptoms subsided in 3 days except for the nausea and diarrhea. Hoping that goes away soon. I’ve never gotten sick from a vaccination before. If this required a 3rd dose, I would decline it! I’ve lost 6 pounds this week from being so sick."

• 50c...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I have only had the first of the two Shingrix vaccines this week, and the doctor didn't even warn me about potential side effects. The vaccine was 2 days ago, and my arm is very sore (can hardly move it), swollen, and red. I had a fever on and off all day yesterday (101-102) and chills and shakes last night. Horrible headache yesterday and even worse today, plus dizziness, lightheadedness, muscle aches (everywhere), and nausea. I've tried Tylenol, Advil, and neither has helped."

• Ton...
• December 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the new shingles vaccine December 19, 2019. On the 20th, my hands really ached. I could not put up the tree and just fell asleep. The next day, my right wrist was really sore and swollen. On December 23, I laid on the couch sobbing because my whole body ached. The following day, I had no appetite and was very tired. December 26, I had the worst headache ever. Today, the 27, I ache all over, but the headache is gone. This has been a bit of a nightmare. My father had shingles, that is why I got the shot, but not sure I will get the second dose."

• Rja...
• July 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the first shot Tuesday evening, 7-16-19, around 7 pm at my pharmacy. The shot barely hurt. Two hours later, I noticed pain in my arm and that my eyes were burning. I decided to take ibuprofen and go to bed. I woke up during the night feeling feverish and ill. I did not feel well enough to go to work. Around noon, my fever spiked to 102, and chills started. Nauseous and a bad headache. I took more ibuprofen and Motrin, but the fever would not come down for about four hours. I considered going to the ER as my symptoms were so bad. Then the fever slowly came down to 99. Diarrhea and feeling very ill and exhausted. Today is Thursday, and my fever is 99. Muscle aches so bad I can hardly walk. A huge, red, hot knot three inches at the injection site. I am better than yesterday, but I feel like this is going to take some time to recover from this vaccine. My husband contracted shingles a few weeks ago, that is why I got the vaccine as a preventative. I wish I had not, as this has been terrible."

• Log...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Just received my second shot of Shingrix on 7/19/19. My arm is quite sore and is warm and hard at the injection site. Experiencing body aches and some stomach cramps. Also, a headache and tiredness. The first shot was worse. I ran a fever of 101 and felt like I had been hit by a bus. Side effects lasted several days, so I would recommend getting the vaccine when you have a couple of days off afterward. It's hard for me to rate the effectiveness - I guess if I don't get shingles, it will have been worth it. I wouldn't make any plans for the first 2 or 3 days after each vaccine."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am 83 and received the first dose of Shingrix on December 18, 2018. Several weeks later, I began having serious blurred vision in my left eye, which resulted in an optometrist visit, a drastic change of eyeglass lens, and a prescription of Valacyclovir. I also began having right-side-only headaches, which persist to this day. An MRI was negative. On May 8, 2019, I received the second dose of Shingrix. Had I been informed of the side effects, I would not have taken this drug, and I encourage my friends to beware."

• Ouc...
• December 17, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Seems as though we are all saying pretty much the same thing. I’m a 57 yo female in great shape who never gets sick! First injection in Sept. no big deal. Arm was a little sore, no other side effects. Injection #2 was yesterday (12/16/20) - WOW! Felt like I got punched HARD in the deltoid. Within 12 hours of the injection, I was shivering in bed, put on winter pajamas in Florida (75 degrees in the house), and fell asleep. I also had some upper back pain, generalized in location. Woke up at 0400 with a throbbing headache - took Tylenol, went back to sleep. Was dragging this morning, felt a bit feverish, so I took another Tylenol. All side effects seem to have gone away except for the arm pain. I’d get this injection again, knowing that I won’t be suffering from a shingles attack."

• Sic...
• October 24, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first shot in August and had a sore arm for about 2 weeks. Felt a little achy for a couple of days. That was a walk through the park compared to my second that I received 7 days ago. Burnt like fire going in, and a few hours later my arm is very, very sore and still is, no bruise or swelling though. Along with the sore arm, which I can deal with, I have been knocked down with severe joint pain from head to toe, fever, horrible headache, and overall exhausted even after sleeping. When is it going to stop!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the shot about 12 pm on 12/1/22. The shot hurt a lot and continued to hurt all day. Thursday evening, I was in a lot of pain in my neck and back, with a headache and swollen sinuses. The pain was so bad I had to take an extra 1/2 of my narcotic pain med that evening and at bedtime. I got very little sleep due to night sweats and pain all over, especially my neck and back. The redness near my shot continues to grow, and all side effects, with a low-grade fever to boot, are still in full swing today, Monday 12/5/22. I have swelling, heat, and itching moving down my arm. It has disrupted my whole weekend with no end in sight. Going to the doctor today. I am 57 with 5 horses and 4 dogs who usually are outside working, but not since my shot. Just feel terrible, and I'm no sissy."

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 65-year-old woman. I received the Shingrix vaccine yesterday at my pharmacy. When I asked the pharmacist about possible side effects, he said maybe some redness and soreness at the injection site. I woke up in the night with chills, sweating, and a major headache. I have been laid low today with flu-like symptoms and the continued headache. I never take a sick day, but I may have to tomorrow. I wish that I had been alerted to all of the possible side effects. Not sure if I will do the second injection."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Monday, Sept 30th, had my first shingle shot. Had a headache for the 3 days. Day 4, headache became much worse, chills, ache all over, dizzy... Day 5, stayed in bed most of the day. Is this common on days 4-5? Hope this goes away! Feel awful! I’m very concerned about getting the next shot. Do not think I’ll be getting it."

• Sic...
• September 23, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Very sick with the first dose. Terrible headache, fever, joint pain. Lasted 5 days. Felt sick to my stomach & barely ate anything. Second dose. Headache not as bad. Very sore joints. Stomach upset. No appetite. I know shingles can be bad, but the side effects for me were incapacitating. Missed work as well. One tells you the vaccine is lifetime, another tells you 4 years. I HOPE they have something better, if not, lifetime is the case."

• Lam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Trials indicated the vaccine is very effective. Having had post-herpetic neuralgia in the past, I definitely wanted to get the vaccine to avoid the shingles nightmare. It's a horrible disease. First dose, no problem. Second dose - kicked. My. Butt. Fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, headache, large painful local reaction. I basically stayed in bed for 3 days. In other words, a robust immune response. I did read the data on adverse events, and this kind of response is not uncommon, so I was not concerned, but I was very surprised to have such a severe reaction. Husband had no reaction whatsoever, barely a sore arm. We are both in our early 60s in good health. I felt much better on the 4th day and was back to normal activity on the 5th day. Vaccine was free under my ACA insurance. Yay."