Shingrix and Body Aches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "60 y/o healthy female. First injection 9/11/2019. Some soreness initially. Next day, achy and feverish. Continued normal activities during the day, exhausted by evening. Injection site red, swollen, and hot. Day 2 & 3, more of the same. Hoping to feel better soon. Still better than a case of shingles. I will plan ahead before getting the second injection."

• Dsw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Injection on Friday, no ill effects. Twenty-four hours later, Saturday, overcome with headache, stiff neck, body aches, chills, nausea, fatigue. Crashed on the couch all day, couldn’t do anything. Really unpleasant but better than shingles. I will get the second injection."

• rad...
• May 28, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got 1st shot yesterday. In 2 hours, I became so fatigued I had to take a nap. Then severe body aches the rest of the day so bad I had to take hydrocodone, which I have not needed in months. I do have RA, and it felt like a major RA flare, neck pain, and headaches. I’m hoping side effects won't last long. I doubt I will get the 2nd shot."

• cos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Sore arm, body aches, chills last night, shooting pain in finger, strange dreams, tossing and turning all night. I didn't sleep very well at all! I'm 66 years old and healthy-no meds. On the 2nd day, I feel better, but my shoulder aches. Not sure, after reading these, that I will do the 2nd dose. The guy at Costco really downplayed any side effects."

• Hyp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

"My grandfather had horrible shingles, and I had horrible chicken pox as a child, so this shot (series) was necessary for me to endure. The first shot hurt like anything... I couldn't even raise my arm or sleep the first night after the shot. Then I got a massive headache the next day, making nearly everything scheduled impossible. Then the exhaustion hit, I was wiped out for 3 days. Sluggish is not the word. I had body aches all over... not much appetite. I braved it up and got my second shot a month later... wham, hit again (like childbirth... you forget how bad the first go-round was), and I had all the same side effects above but worse in duration and intensity. You have to be one tough cookie to get through the side effects of this vaccine. All you other crumbling cookies (who didn't) can enjoy your shingles... no way, not me... glad I did it!"

• Ned...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Neither the nurse nor the doctor told me about the side effects. I have an autoimmune disease, and at first I thought I was having some kind of flare from that, but this was different because it felt like the flu. I'm on day two, which was far worse than day one, and am hoping for some relief tomorrow. The only good thing is that I didn't get any reaction at the injection site, and the pain in my arm is gone. But the nausea, diarrhea, and body aches are full-blown. I'm so grateful I don't have to work tomorrow."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my vaccination on Thursday. That evening, my arm was quite sore. Sometime in the night, I woke to find my armpit and breast were also painful. Friday morning, I was feeling tired, achy, and had a bad headache. By Friday evening, I was also having fever and chills, and my joints hurt. Tylenol didn’t help much, so I took Ibuprofen, which worked better. I went to bed early. Saturday morning, I felt better except for a dull headache and fuzzy vision. Saturday night, I developed an itchy body rash and had to take a Benadryl. Sunday morning, I woke up to find myself feeling pretty normal but a bit tired. I sure hate the idea of having to go through it all again in two months! My mother had shingles, and I definitely don’t want that, so I will get the second shot. I am 72. My 80-year-old husband has had both vaccinations and suffered nothing but the sore arm."

• Sus...
• December 20, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Healthy and very active 66-year-old. Got the Shingrix and pneumonia vax’s same day. It hurt when going in; now I’ve never had such arm pain...still unbearable 4 days later. Been running a fever of 100-101, alternating with chills, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea ever since. This is brutal. Unable to function normally still. In these days of COVID, running a fever for 4-5 days is troublesome...but I’m assuming this is a horrible reaction after reading everyone else’s story. I can’t imagine getting the second one in two months...I haven’t eaten in four days and find it hard to even drink water. Wish I had been forewarned...it’s like having the worst ever flu..."

• Paa...
• September 2, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got 2nd shot 8/30/19. Arm sore, flu-like for 3 days: 2 nights of severe sweats overnight. Tired. Slight headache. Temp up to 100.8; usually run 96. Very achy. Today is the 3rd day. Feel the most 'with it' 9/2 - so far."

• Lam...
• December 17, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "It's Friday night, and I got a flu injection and the shingles vaccine last Sunday morning. I never had a problem with the flu injection. I've been very sick all week, with side effects coming and going and coming back. I had chills and a slight fever, along with bad body aches. My stomach has hurt on and off, and I've been nauseous. I've experienced very bad anxiety and shakiness. I'm on insulin, and it feels just like a very low sugar level, but my sugars were running sky high (over 300) for days, and my correction doses of insulin were bringing it down. Starting yesterday, Thursday, I've been able to control it. I've had a very unusual cough that comes and goes, and when it starts, it's nonstop for a while. Tomorrow will be day 6, and I'm hoping for improvement. I've had two COVID vaccinations and three boosters with no side effects. This shingles vaccine has hit me very hard and has me worried."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First dose… no side effects. Second dose 6 months later… horrendous headache, body aches. Chills. Cannot go to work the day after the second injection because of feeling so poor. Hopefully, side effects gone soon!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the 1st Shingrix shot at 3 pm. Hurt and burned but only for a few minutes. Went home to bed but couldn't sleep. Dozed a few minutes here and there. At 3 am I was awoken in excruciating pain. My arm felt like concrete. Unbearable headache, nausea, and body aches. Considering hospital but thought not. The next day my arm was painful enough to need a sling. I seriously do not want to get the 2nd shot. Horrendous experience!!"

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "With the first shingles shot, the only side effect was a very sore arm for 3 days. Had the second shot and had flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, face was red, chills, aches, and pains. Not good, but still would rather have the shot than shingles."

• Sue...
• September 1, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First injection June 2019. Shot REALLY stings going in, but quickly better. Arm pretty sore within a few hours, but I kept moving it to keep it from getting stiffer. Sore for 2 days, but not severe. Felt a little unwell for 2 days and achy, but still functional. Second dose last week. Some aching of arm, and a little feeling off the second day, but generally better than the first time."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Yep, experiencing most side effects described by others. I just had the 2nd shot, and the side effects are just as bad as after the 1st shot. Definitely the worst vaccination experience I have ever had. The severe body (back) ache is the worst, as it makes me uncomfortable to do anything: sit, sleep, walk. Just trying to work my way through it, hoping the distractions of work help pass the time. After the 1st shot, I felt noticeably better on day 2, so hoping tomorrow will be better than today."

• Bar...
• March 21, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First dose of Shingrix, no side effects, just a slightly sore arm. Second dose - within four hours, started feeling really bad. Nausea, body aches, chills, exhaustion. It got worse over the next 24 hours, then started to clear. One of the worst nights in recent memory, and I just recovered from 11 days of COVID-19! (A month prior to the second vaccine.) I had really bad chickenpox as a kid, and lately, a lot of my friends have been coming out with shingles. One had it in her eye! Probably all the extra pandemic stress. Vaccinations are, by and large, the way better choice than the disease - if you have the opportunity, get the injection; just be prepared to feel a little junky. I plan to get my COVID-19 vaccine next month, allowing time between the vaccines and still before my immunity wears off. I am in good health and take vitamins and exercise and all of that. My husband, who does none of that, had no COVID-19 symptoms, although he was positive; he had no side effects from either Shingrix vaccine."

• Pla...
• February 14, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My first injection came with all of the side effects, which set in 12 hours after the injection and lasted 3-4 days. I got it at noon Friday and went back to work on Tuesday, but indigestion lasted for 1 week. I was nervous about getting my second shot and planned better. I got the second injection at 5 pm on Friday, drank a lot of fluids, took acetaminophen (bought Pedialyte), and prepared bland/simple foods (chicken, rice, soup, crackers) to help me through the weekend. Side effects kicked in at 10 am Saturday, fever and aches until Monday night. This time the side effects came in waves but worsened Monday morning, adding indigestion, dizziness, and diarrhea. I continued to stay hydrated and eat light. Monday night/Tuesday morning, I started feeling better. I will continue to eat light and stay hydrated this week. I expect side effects to repeat and be less intensive for a few more days. Gotta be better than shingles. Crossing fingers that 90% efficacy is correct."

• War...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my 1st Shingrix yesterday. My grandfather got shingles, and I witnessed the pain he went through, so it was an easy choice for me to get it. I had moderate side effects from all of my COVID vaccines, so when I started to feel a bit 'off,' I immediately started with Tylenol. I had expected some injection site pain. I had not expected to feel like I was hit by a truck with shivering cold, headache, every nerve of my body hurting, along with total fatigue (I ended up sleeping all day today). I have kept dosing with Tylenol, and it seems to keep most symptoms bearable, although I've not been able to do anything all day due to the crippling fatigue and achiness. A persistent dull headache has remained throughout. I'm hopeful that by tomorrow I'll start to feel better, or at least have more energy. Luckily, I have a week off work, or I would be calling in sick. If the second dose is supposedly worse, I will preemptively take Tylenol or Advil before I get the shot."

• AMP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my 2nd shingles injection 2 months after my first injection. Took Tylenol before getting both injections. 1st injection has sore arm, headache, not too bad. 2nd injection I had gotten a really sore arm right away and started feeling headache, sore, achy all over, and kinda dizzy and nauseous within a couple of hours. Had extremely sore joints and headaches for 3 days. I’ve had every immunization there is (from the military), and this by far was the worst one. But I would do it again if needed to avoid shingles!!!!"

• EBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I was ill for a day after the first injection, chills, fever, muscle, and joint ache. I just received the second injection, and I was not as violently ill, but I was out of commission for a day. Really weak and achy, not quite as much chills and a low-grade fever. My arm hurt much worse on the second dose. I scheduled the second dose so that I would not miss work as happened the first time - without knowing what I would feel like - so I lost a day of my weekend. I hope it is worth it. Someone noted that the manufacturer info says it is not known if it will last longer than 4 years."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The shot did not hurt much at all. I was waiting for it to hurt, and instead, it was over. Did get pretty sick the next day from the first shot. Flu-like symptoms. Lasted one day. Second shot did not hurt much either, and while I still got some aches and slight fever, not as bad as the first time. Better than shingles."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "So far it’s been a two-day disaster. It started 12 hours after the shot. Flu-like symptoms. Body aches. Fatigue. The last 24 hours have been worse. A terrible dizziness set in. Everything is lopsided. I pray it goes away."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 60-year-old male in fairly good health. I received the vaccination at approximately 10:00 a.m., and approximately 8 hours later, I had chills, body aches in all my joints. The onset of the side effects was very quick and escalated at a rapid pace. The next 10 to 12 hours during the evening, I felt like a truck had run over my body. My ears were ringing, my arm that received the vaccination was swollen and aching to the joint. I had a very difficult time sleeping as I felt I was on speed. Upon awakening the next morning, I experienced moderate to severe fatigue, my ears were still ringing, and I felt like I had the flu with all my joints aching. However, I did not register a fever, but I still had chills. I am on vaccine day two and will update my post as things develop."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 50-year-old female who got the first Shingrix vaccine 3 days ago. No problems on day one, but I woke up the next morning with a mid-level headache, my arm was sore and hot to the touch, and the injection site ached across to shoulders/upper back. Unpleasant but not unbearable. I was tired. I took 2 Tylenol and went back to bed for a few hours. By late afternoon on day 2, I was feeling pretty okay. Shoulder pain was gone. Arm pain remains on day 3, but it is localized now to the injection site. I feel fine in every other respect. Reading these reviews, I am very scared to get a second shot, but getting shingles also sounds horrible. I feel strongly that pharmacists should prepare people for side effects and never recommend doubling up any vaccine with Shingrix. For the record, I had zero reaction to the J&J vaccine and just a sore arm for a day to my Pfizer booster."

• Lad...
• May 20, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had a bad case of shingles, and I don't want it again. Yes, the vaccine has side effects. It's been 3 days, and I still feel bad: chills, fever, body aches, and diarrhea. The arm hurts, but that's the least of my concerns. If this vaccine really prevents shingles, in my opinion, what I'm going through does not compare to a bad case of shingles."