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

• 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!!"

• USA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "56 y.o. male, 30 years in the military, so I'm used to being a human pin cushion/lab rat. Both my wife (57) and I got chicken pox in high school, so we figured we were very high risk for shingles. Once my brother got shingles in his FACE after surgery, getting vaccinated was a no-brainer. Shot #1, standard fever, chills, sore arm for me; my wife couldn't move her arm for days and had a fever of 104. For me, it was essentially the same as the typhoid vax--I felt like I had the flu for a couple of days with a really sore arm. Dreaded getting shot #2, but it was better than the first for both of us; basically down for just one day. In any case, plan for 48-72 hours of misery. I highly recommend getting it Friday afternoon, on the side you don't sleep on. Still way better than getting shingles, folks. Get to it."

• Dot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2021

"I had my second injection on Saturday. Today is Monday. Both times the injection was more painful than most, and my arm is sore. However, this time the injection site is bright red, warm, the size of a donut, and has a hard center. I feel slightly nauseous and have a slight headache. I'm also very sleepy. I too watched relatives suffer with shingles, and I'm more than happy to put up with these side effects. Now I'm ready for the COVID vaccine when it's my turn."

• Vel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First injection wasn't too bad. Had a very sore arm for a week and had some minor chills the first night, but no biggie. Second injection 5 months later, holy cow. Had full-on flu symptoms for two days (huge headache, chills, cramps, body aches, fatigue) plus the very sore and red arm. A week later the flu symptoms are gone, but I'm still really fatigued and can barely keep my eyes open by afternoon. Not sure if the second injection is 'stronger' or I just had a different reaction. GOOD LUCK TO YOU :)"

• Pat...
• February 8, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "53-year-old teacher. I missed 40 days of work from Labor Day through November because of shingles. I had my first dose of Shingrix shortly after returning to work in November. My arm was extremely sore for about a week, and I ended up missing two more workdays due to flu-like symptoms after the injection. I had a fever (about 101) even though I took Advil, and flu-like symptoms that woke me up the first night. Bad shivers, body aches, headache...... I just had my second shot yesterday. I was hoping for a less severe reaction, but was prepared this time and did it on a Friday in case I needed the weekend to recover. I'm glad I did. Last night was rough, and my symptoms are the same as the first time. Plan ahead if you are considering this. If it turns out to be less of a problem for you, great! If it is bad, however, you will need downtime for recuperation."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First shot in August. Very sore arm for several days. Second shot yesterday. Okay for a few hours, then the arm became so sore I can barely use it. Twelve hours after the shot, around midnight, got a low fever, a little over a hundred, and cold shakes any time I got out of bed. Then my heart was racing at about 120 beats per minute all night long. Also had to keep getting up to urinate. Barely slept. Today at 8 a.m., the arm is still very sore. Heartbeat is at around 110 now, so that’s a plus. I understand the theoretical benefits of this medication, but it’s hard to believe this is the best they can do with the side effects."

• MPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2020

"Got my 1st Shingrix shot at 3 p.m. yesterday. Pharmacist warned of headache and shoulder pain, but this thing has taken me down. Woke this morning with a fever of 99.9, body aches, chills, and overall flat on my back. Cannot rally to get out of bed. Praying this is as bad as it gets. Arm is mildly sore. I am going to drink lots of water."

• Den...
• September 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got the vaccine at the urging of my doctor, as I am 60 and have had shingles twice. The pharmacist at CVS said I may have a sore arm for a few days. My arm was so sore I couldn’t lift it for 2 days. I am also experiencing fever, chills, night sweats, and severe body and joint aches. Today is day 5, and I am still having this! I will absolutely not get the 2nd shot!"

• kaa...
• December 17, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 52-year-old nurse. I have had RA (controlled with Enbrel) since I turned 30. I had shingles when I was 50. It was the most miserable experience of my life. I couldn't get this vaccine fast enough. After the 1st dose, I experienced mild symptoms: sore arm, mild headache. The 2nd dose was a whole lot different. My arm was sore after a couple of hours, but after about 12 hours, I became very fatigued. Severe body chills/shivers and a headache. I took Tylenol, which helped with the headache. When the chills subsided, I developed a fever and was sweating like crazy. It has been 24 hours since my injection, and I continue with fatigue, headache, and low-grade fever."

• Deb...
• October 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 65-year-old woman and had the Shingrix vaccine Tuesday. I had the Zoster vaccine in Dec. 2015 and had no side effects. My arm was very sore. A bit further down my arm was a big welt, looked like a big mosquito bite and started itching. Then further down my arm was another spot that was big and red. I kept itching, so I took some Benadryl. Then I woke in the middle of the night with a headache, so I took 2 Extra Strength Tylenol and went back to sleep exhausted. Had to take more Benadryl all day. I felt very flu-like, achy, joints hurt. Exhausted. Then the 3rd day, I woke in the middle of the night with throbbing hip pain, had to put some Biofreeze gel on, and when I woke, the pain was gone but came back early in the day and was very sore all day. Then by afternoon, diarrhea started, lasted all day, I’m exhausted, very flu-like. I am not sure if I’ll get the 2nd dose. I have Fibromyalgia and have enough pain in my joints. If I had it to do over again, I would not get it."

• Jrf...
• September 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first shot in April 2019. Sore arm, but other than that, I do not recall any other problems. A week later, the right breast areola starts to itch internally. Benadryl and topical cortisone did not help. In July, I developed an upper body skin rash with itching while working outside in my yard. I was fully clothed with a full-brim hat. If I would have read this forum earlier, I would not have done the vaccination. I am worried about the long-term side effects, not the short term. This vaccination is not made of the shingles virus, it is made up of proteins. It causes the immune system to flare up. I would not have done the vaccine if I would have done more research."

• Tam...
• March 31, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Next day after the shot, I had a terrible sore arm, muscle was twisted up as big as a baseball, hot and burning up. Felt very sick, fever, shakes, couldn't think straight, sweating and cold, worse than the flu. The third day, I woke up drenched, but much worse, my left hand with my 3 fingers was totally numb and prickly feeling, scary!! Since last week, it has not changed. I am so upset and need to see a doctor. I will never get the 2nd shot. This shot is not for everyone."

• Wel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

"Wow. Had the first shot, and other than about an hour of feeling yucky and an incredibly sore arm that lasted for at least a week (think: flu shot on steroids), it wasn’t bad. Today I had the second shot this morning. Felt fine all day, except for a headache about 4 hours in. I even went to Zumba class tonight. Then tonight - about 12 hours after the shot - I suddenly felt like a Mack truck hit me from one minute to the next. I cannot stop convulsively shivering. I took the hottest shower I’ve ever taken - and I was shivering so much that my teeth were chattering. Now I’m bundled up in 4 huge layers and a furry blanket - in summer - and I can’t stop shivering. My neck is sore, my head is aching, my muscles are sore, even my butt hurts! I didn’t think this vaccine would hit me badly, because it didn’t the first time. I still think this is better than getting shingles, because there’s an end in sight. I will keep popping Tylenols with codeine and wait out this storm. Yikes!"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got dose #1 Shingrix Monday afternoon; very sore arm. But that night woke up absolutely freezing, so cold I couldn’t stand up to put on more clothes to get back into bed. Severe nerve pain in the opposite shoulder, fever by morning of 100.7, and throughout the day and evening. Took 600 mg of ibuprofen and 1000 mg of acetaminophen last night and slept hard. Today (Wed) no fever, feel wrung out but okay."

• Mox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Very sore arm and limbs ached within 4 hours of the shot. As the day progressed, I experienced shaking chills, exhaustion, and fever. At about the 16th hour mark, my fever went up to 103.7. My body aches. I’ve taken two cold showers, 2 Ibuprofen, and have ice packs on my head. Do not get this vaccine unless you have 2-3 days to recover."

• Yaq...
• January 26, 2020

"Had my 2nd dose of Shingrix on 1/15/20. Sore arm, not much else. Then today (1/25/20) developed an itchy rash/welts on the opposite side of the injection. Rash is affecting my upper arm, armpit, down to my waist area. Right side of the body only. No fever, no pain... just very itchy! Nothing helps. Tried Benadryl with no relief. Not sure if I am having side effects 10 days after injection (?)."

• 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."

• Inn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had had the previous Zostavax with no issues. I got the first Shingrix shot about five months ago and have determined I am NOT going to get the second shot. I am 66 years old and in good health. I was fine for the first day after the shot but quickly got a fever and flu symptoms, dizzy, body aches, etc. everything everyone else has described. Also, my arm was very sore. The flu symptoms and fever lasted about two or three days. My arm was fine after five days. However, I have lasting and annoying nerve pain in both arms, worse in the arm where I got the shot. My arms are aching and feel weak, as others have described. I know shingles is very painful, but in my opinion, there is more to be learned about this vaccine. I hope I get better."

• Son...
• March 21, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "51-year-old healthy female. I got this because I had a really bad experience with chickenpox as an older child and also had Bell's Palsy, which might be related to herpes zoster. My 78-year-old aunt just was hospitalized with shingles, so I decided to have the vaccine. It kicked my butt, not gonna lie. The first shot felt like rubbish for 36 hours, basically stayed in bed like I had the flu, and my arm was sore for several days. The second dose was after six months due to shortages. This was a bit worse. In bed for 3 days feeling terrible, my arm is sore again. However, I’d much rather have this than shingles. Also, not sure how many other shots people have had, but I have lived all over the world in developing countries since I was a small girl, and some of those old immunizations that saved me from hideous diseases (cholera and the TAB shot come to mind) were worse in terms of side effects, so we may just be used to milder things for more routine immunizations in the developed modern world. No regrets for me."

• 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."

• Den...
• October 9, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had a sore arm for days. Definitely flu-like symptoms. Now, 2 weeks later, having random prickly sensations all over! Very irritating! Trying to find anyone else having this symptom. If so, how long does it last?"

• Pox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got Shingrix Friday at noon. It is now Monday at around noon. Side effects were horrible. Every symptom listed, chills, other flu-like symptoms were very bad. Still not feeling good and arm still sore. I see why people skip the second dose. Didn’t they see this in the trials?"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."