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

• EBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Received 1st Shingrix shot, and within 30 minutes the left side of my face, arm/hand felt numb and painful to touch at the same time. That night, fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, chest pains, and body aches started. 5 days later, still having all the exact same issues, feel like I have the flu x2 (this is way worse than the flu pain). New issue started day 5, very painful red raised patches started on my left side (arm, waist). Went to my doctor on day 5, and she told me it looked like the start of shingles, she gave me some meds to see if it would help (starting those today, day 5). My doctor told me to let the pharmacist who gave it to me know I had a reaction so they could report it, but I was only met with rudeness at the pharmacy, saying it was impossible to get those symptoms from the vaccine... so I reported it to vaers.hhs.gov. NOT getting the 2nd shot."

• Kat...
• November 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "1st dose of Shingrix: had flu and shingles vaccine at the same time. I do not recommend since I could not roll over that night in bed for sore arms! I had chills, dizziness, fever, nausea, terrible headache, sore neck on the side of the shingles shot, and it lasted 3 full days! Wish I had been informed this would happen. I’m scared to get the 2nd dose! Help!"

• Bla...
• October 17, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I do not recommend this bad med to anyone! Please ask all questions and do your research! This is the 2nd dose I’ve had, and let me tell you, I felt like death! All of my joints were so painful at the injection site and not at the injection site! I’ve also had nausea, body chills, shakiness, severe flu-like symptoms! NEVER will I recommend this vaccine!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first Shingrix vaccine yesterday. I immediately felt nausea and slight pain at the injection site. I am a breast cancer survivor (31 years), and many of my axillary lymph nodes were removed. I wonder if this is why I reacted so strongly? As the day progressed, I developed an intense, horribly itchy and unscratchable pain under my arm. The muscle pain also became severe, and I was cold and nauseated, and I had a severe headache, but the itching under my arm was unbearable. Because I’m still “numb” from the surgery, the itching cannot be relieved. Has anyone else experienced this reaction? I fear the second dose."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Gra...
• November 12, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got shingles vaccine 2 1/2 months ago, still feel nauseous, had very bad flu-like symptoms after 4 days, they subsided but still nauseous. Got second shot, no flu-like symptoms as yet but nauseous again. Hoping this goes away at some point!"

• Ben...
• October 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Oct 28, 2019. Received my first dose in the morning, which my husband encouraged me to get. My arm hurt, but it got a lot worse by bedtime, also, I didn’t realize, but in the afternoon, I was complaining about some muscle aches. At bedtime, the muscle aches and chills came on full force. The rest of the night was like fighting the flu: chills, muscle aches, nausea, fever. This all continued through the next day, really rethinking the second dose."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got my first Shingrix shot on a Tuesday afternoon. About 12-18 hours later, strong flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, nausea, stomach pain), I had to leave the office, go home, and I took Advil. 48 hours later, all side effect symptoms seem to be gone except a very sore arm (although no redness). I plan to take the second shot in 3-6 months and will plan accordingly."

• Old...
• August 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "After reading reviews, I was scared to get the Shingrix vaccination. But I got the shot at Walmart on Monday afternoon, came home, took an extra strength Tylenol, and napped. Took Tylenol every 8 hours or so, as directed. By the next morning, the injection area was sore but not swollen. Nausea and dizziness were minimal and disappeared with doses of Tylenol. No fever. No chills. Not any different than a flu shot for me. It’s Wednesday evening, and I seem to be over it. I thought I’d post this so people will know that not everyone has bad reactions. I’m a 72-year-old woman."

• Rob...
• August 27, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "With the first shot of Shingrix, I just had a sore arm for about 5 days. Second shot yesterday. Fever of 100, chills, arm pain at the injection site, chills, nausea. Took Advil and feeling a bit better. Probably will spend the day at home today. Hoping tomorrow is better."

• bzt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the Shingrix vaccine about 10 days ago. Arm a little sore at first, but nothing terribly noticeable. But within a few days, I noticed I was feeling tired, achy, and somewhat nauseated at times. GI not doing great. Joints hurt. I thought it might have been a GI thing, but eventually, I realized it must have been the vaccine. While not necessarily truly allergic to much, I have pronounced difficulties with almost every medication I've ever taken. After reading the responses on this site, I am quite certain that all my symptoms are related to this vaccine. However, I am so thankful that this effective vaccine is now available. I am in healthcare, and I know firsthand how awful shingles can be. Do not be put off by the side effects. Get the vaccine. You won't remember the side effects, but you would always remember the shingles."

• Deb...
• September 15, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The first Shingrix injection was fine other than a sore arm (small price to pay). I had body aches, fever, and nausea with the second injection three months later. Lasted 12 hours, then fatigue for another day. Still a small price to pay considering how awful shingles can be."

• 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."

• pha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received my first Shingrix dose yesterday morning and only felt the normal soreness at the injection site. About 11 hours later, I began feeling nauseous, slightly feverish, combined with chills. I also have a headache, which feels like someone is jabbing me in the head. Please note that I did also receive my tetanus and flu vaccines on the same day (different arm). My doctor warned me of possible side effects with Shingrix, but I didn’t realize it could be this bad. Definitely get the injection because it works, but try to get it during a time when you have a few days off, just in case you get side effects. We dispense tons of Shingrix at the clinic I work at, so now I can let patients know side effects may occur."

• Dwi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Mother of vaccines!! Side effects are horrific!!! Fever, chills, nausea...big time! Abdominal discomfort, cramps, muscle aches, zero energy. Still suffering after 6 days!!! Does anyone know when it will stop!!!"

• Too...
• July 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "52-year-old female. First shot Dec/18. No effects first day, other than a very sore, stiff arm. 24 hours later, suddenly felt very warm all over, heart racing, felt dizzy and nauseated. Thought I might pass out. Unable to work, spent the rest of the day in bed with flu-like symptoms and a bad headache. Fine on Day 3. I had the second shot five days ago. Again, very sore, stiff arm on Day 1. Day 2 started having the same reaction again. Felt woozy and faint, very warm all over, racing heartbeat, diarrhea. Very weak with flu-like symptoms and a pounding headache for the rest of Day 2. Day 3 felt fine, then out of the blue, hearing became muffled like my head was underwater. Lasted most of the day. That suddenly went away just as quickly as it started. Days 4 and 5 have been okay, just tired. Give yourself a few days to recover from the side effects of this vaccine. If it prevents me from getting shingles, it will be worth it."

• 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."

• DR ...
• April 7, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Wow. Certainly worse than any other vaccine. The side effects are really bad. Lost a day of work (which is expected if you read the fine print). Had to take some leftover painkillers to offset the outrageous headache that will wake you up the first night, chills, nausea... and I have to do the booster in 2 months? Someone has a lot of nerve approving this for the general public because I had a pretty good threshold for pain/discomfort. The sore arm is the least of the symptoms."

• Poo...
• August 6, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 58-year-old female and received the first dose of the Shingrix yesterday afternoon. Experienced soreness in the arm of injection. Went to bed and had a very restless night. Pain increased. Got up in the morning to get ready for work and just did not feel well. Went downstairs and experienced nausea and then fainted. Cold sweats after waking up and very weak. Just taking it easy today and resting. Hoping it will get better throughout the day."

• Nor...
• July 28, 2019

"I have my first vaccination on Wednesday night. I asked the pharmacist if there were side effects. She explained pain and swelling at the injection site. Well... The next morning, I had the worst headache EVER! Chills, my back felt like I had been beaten, and a little nausea. Today is Saturday, still chills, but less, head still hurting, my back still sore, and my foot and hip joints hurt? The arm is still sore and a slight fever. Hoping tomorrow will be better than this. Next dose I will DEFINITELY be off work a couple of days. I've never had the flu, and if this is what it's like, it is AWFUL."