Shingrix for Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis User Reviews (Page 4)

• jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2020

"I am a 70-year-old male in good health. I have not taken a sick day from work in 10 years. I got my flu shot 2 months before. Later, I got the Shingrix first dose. After several days, I came down with severe chills and was confined to bed for 36 hours. Flu-like symptoms like chest congestion and coughing. Took a week to fully recover. (negative COVID test). A connection between Shingrix and the flu-like symptoms was not made then. After the required two-month wait, I got the second Shingrix shot. The same flu-like reaction happened, but more severe this time. It is now three weeks on, and my chest is still full of fluids, and I cough up mucus all day long. A cheek rash also occurred. (two negative COVID tests) The repeat sickness and internet research makes me feel it is due to Shingrix."

• DCH...
• March 5, 2023

"I had the most awful reaction from the first Shingrix shot. My doctor explained that I had a systemic reaction. The worst part was the stomach pain and the intense heartburn for over a month. I was put on Protonix and had to take Pepcid and anti-gas medication for that month. This led to a bacterial infection that I am now battling with antibiotics. I’m convinced my injured gut allowed this bacteria to take hold. I will not be taking the second shot and regret the first one with every fiber of my body."

• Ra_...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2023

"I’m 35, and I have rheumatoid arthritis. The doctor recommended I get a vaccine before starting a new biologic. I’ve had shingles twice in the past. Only adverse reactions to the pertussis vaccine as a kid. Received Shingrix on 4/17/23. 12 hours later, woke with a high fever, felt delirious, and was on the verge of fainting for three hours. Took ibuprofen and Tylenol, which eventually broke the fever. High pulse 147. Then the throat tightness and itching began. Went to urgent care two days in a row, diagnosed with an adverse immune reaction. Placed on prednisone taper after the second visit, the doctor noted throat irritation and both of my arms swelled with a rash. Extremely fatigued, no appetite, high pulse. Throat tightness persisted with itching. Extremely anxiety provoking. As a result, it’s been two weeks since the vaccine, and throat episodes clearing slowly with less frequency and intensity with each passing day. Prescribed EpiPen in case. Living off antihistamines still."

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

"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."

• jah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2020

"Had my first Shingrix shot on 2/5/2020. Experienced a very sore arm for over three days. Felt like I had the flu. It has not been three weeks, and I still have pain in my arm when I lift it level or over my shoulder where the injection was. I also have swollen neck glands and feel extremely exhausted. Going for a full blood workup, but am wondering if anyone else has had this type of reaction."

• apo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

"Update on side effects. (I am 53 yrs old) Was administered vaccine on 5/26/2020 - Wednesday midday feeling chills and later had mild fever - about 100.3 or so. Took a hot shower, felt a little better. Before going to bed, took 2 Tylenol and some ZzzQuil to sleep. This morning woke up soaking with sweat like I had been working out, fever all gone and no chills. Emailed my doctor and he said the 2nd shot is a little more bothersome since you already have the antibodies in your system. It is 4:22 p.m. now and feeling much better - there is still pain in the injection site and it is red, but I don't care about the slight pain - all the other symptoms were a bit worrisome - let's hope to the good Lord all goes well by tomorrow."

• Boo...
• February 11, 2020

"I got the first dose in June 2019. I was in so much pain that I could not walk or sleep for 24 hours. No joke. It felt like the worst nerve pain ever. Did not get the second dose. In Oct. 2019, I developed strange rashes on my arms, chest, and neck after eating. It’s Feb. 2020, and my immune system is still out of whack, and I have daily rashes. Hubby believes this vaccine caused all of my rashy skin problems. I hope it goes away soon. Best wishes!"

• HJa...
• January 8, 2020

"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

"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."

• gui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2020

"I was at the doctor's office for internal bleeding, and they popped up, giving me the shingles vaccine out of the blue. My father had shingles, and it was very painful for him, so I said okay without research. I've never had a reaction to a vaccine. It left the shot area very painful for days. It's been 3 weeks now, and I'm still having problems with my left arm becoming very painful out of the blue and fatigue out of the blue. I'm wondering how long this will last, and I'm not sure I will take the second shot. Beware!"

• KMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2021

"Had my first dose yesterday, 3/26/21. My provider said nothing to me about how horrible I would feel within hours. I specifically asked questions regarding side effects and was told, 'There may be some pain at the injection site.' I really hope this exhaustion, pain in my shoulder, lack of appetite, and dizziness go away. Why not be honest with their patients?"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"Six days after the 2nd shot, my right knee swelled, and I couldn't walk on it. Then, 10 days later, my left knee did the same thing. It has been a year since this all started, and no one can tell me what's happened. All tests come back normal, yet I still have no strength or stability walking. I was out of work for the last year. I never had any knee issues before the Shingrix shot. Trying to find others with severe reactions like mine."

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2021

"I’m a healthy, active 69-year-old female who eats well and walks or lifts weights. I got the shingles injection (second dose). I’m miserable, ache all over, shivering, feel like a bad flu. I have had COVID-19 in early October, so we know it’s not that. I just guess I’ll have to ride it out."

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

"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."

• MBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2020

"56-year-old female and relatively healthy, other than HBP (high blood pressure). Received first Shingrix shot yesterday, 7/23/20. Low-grade fever started this afternoon (12 hours later), 99.5-99.8. Arm is sore but not terribly so. I feel sluggish but not overly fatigued. The sudden fever gave me pause because of COVID, but then I remembered the side effects listed for the vaccine. Hopefully, this will pass in a day or so. I had shingles when I was 48, and I do not want to experience that again-complete misery for 3 weeks."

• del...
• May 24, 2023

"I had the first Shingrix vaccine. A week later, my arms, hands, legs, and feet all went numb at the same time. I started experiencing pins and needles, as well as searing hot pain on the bottom of my feet. Anytime air touches me, I feel freezing, and it's painful itching. Sometimes, the itching is so intense that I can't stand it. I definitely don't think I'm getting the second vaccine after going through this."

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

"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."

• Nan...
• October 21, 2019

"Female, 65, mild case of MS. After the first dose in June, had 3 days of flu symptoms, fatigue, nausea, muscle pain. Tylenol, sleep, soak in bath salts, stretching helped, ate lightly and fell into deep sleeps. Mid-Oct, reluctantly went for the second shot, figuring shingles prevention for the rest of my life was worth it. An older sister had a bad case a few years ago - something to avoid! Scheduled my life this time for 3 days to recover. Side effects this time only half as bad. Worth it to me. This site attracts the worst stories. My pharmacist said most of her people reported 1-3 days feeling bad, like me. Manageable. Some had very little reaction. None extreme or longer than 3 days. For the second shot, I went in late afternoon for an early bedtime. Had a swimming workout beforehand, light lunch, felt good with body charged up. Perhaps that helped. Stayed on Tylenol, drank Coca-Cola, green tea, had much less nausea. Slept deeply. Discomfort worth it for protection from much, much worse, I think. Good luck!"

• Sil...
• January 28, 2021

"I’m an active 70-year-old healthy female with no medical conditions. Had shingles 25 years ago, so decided to get the new vaccine. My first injection in this second round was no problem at all. Got my second injection yesterday morning. In the afternoon and evening, I felt achy and chilled. Last night I slept as if I’d been hit by a truck and couldn’t move. My body was a dead weight. This morning I felt better and got up to make coffee. But when I got downstairs, I felt clammy and thought I was going to pass out. A wave of nausea hit me like a ton of bricks, and I had to lie down on the floor. I stretched out on the floor for a few minutes and then crawled to the bathroom with an urgency to sit on the toilet. Then dry heaves released everything that was in my stomach onto the floor, which thankfully wasn’t much. Then it seemed to pass. After reading others’ experiences, hoping to fast forward the rest of this day and the next one."

• Vri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2018

"I had the first injection in the left arm on Feb. 18. Sore arm like I was punched. Second injection was in June. Not only can I barely use my left arm, but I am stiff in both legs/joints and have difficulty walking. I’m like a stiff old lady. I’m just 58! I had no problems like this until I took this vaccine. I regularly walk a couple of miles 3-4 times a week. Now, I struggle to get to the toilet in the mornings or any time I get up after sitting. I’m afraid this is going to be permanent! I wish I had never taken this vaccine!"

• Kes...
• November 29, 2020

"Had my first Shingrix shot in August 2020, no reaction other than mild soreness in my arm. Had my second shot in November. I am a 63, very active woman. I go to the gym daily, and now I am almost crippled in pain in all my joints and muscles. It has been 3 weeks. My doctor put me on a high dose of Naproxen twice a day, I take lots of salt baths, and the extreme pain continues. This morning, my jaw joints started to hurt also. Not one part of my body that doesn't. This has been debilitating, and I'm not sure when or if it will go away. If I had known this, I would not have taken it at all."

• Gma...
• March 1, 2021

"I'm 59, hubby had shingles - miserable for months, so decided to get vaccinated. 1st injection I breezed through, 2nd injection caused severe muscle pain. It has been over 8 weeks & still have a dull ache. Times when it's actually painful to lift my arm. Especially painful at night when waking from deep sleep. Nothing seemed different from the way the 1st injection was given, but 2nd injection issues have lasted so long I'm concerned."

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

"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."

• Fre...
• October 10, 2020

"I got my 1st Shingrix in August. Arm was very sore, and the injection was painful, and I ran a fever for a day. Got the 2nd injection yesterday, and the shot was not painful at all, but I ran a fever all night and got nauseous and am still running a fever at present, but better than getting shingles for sure... watched my mom go through them."

• Fra...
• February 28, 2020

"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."