Shingrix and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had shot on evening of August 28, 2019. I am a nurse. Pain in arm, but like any other immunization. Woke up in the middle of the night with fever, chills, headache, and body aches. Face flushed. Will have to cancel all plans for today. Very similar to influenza. Will report back if symptoms change. People should be informed of this so they can plan accordingly."

• Bos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "55-year-old healthy male. Side effects from the first dose of the vaccine were severe chills, mild headache, and mild nausea. Appeared about 10 hours after getting the vaccine. I was shivering so much that I could barely speak. Went to bed in a 75-degree room, wearing sweats with a down comforter and an extra blanket on top of that, and chills continued, but were less severe. Chills lasted about an hour. The next day, general lethargy and mild headache."

• eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2023

"I got the shingles vaccine, and after the first dose, I almost died. Within 3 hours of having the vaccine, I started having chills, diarrhea, vomiting, and feeling very tired. I went to bed, and I felt a horrible headache, and I felt like my brain was sucked out of my head. Every part of my body started hurting so bad, like it was being cut off with a knife. I wanted to use the bathroom, vomiting in the middle of the night, and I couldn't walk, couldn't breathe, and almost fainted. All the symptoms lasted 2 days. I saw my doctor, and he prescribed some medications. I started getting better but was still very tired and weak."

• 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."

• 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."

• she...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Just had the second dose yesterday. I remember feeling bad after the first dose, but this time it is worse. Fever, chills, achy, tired, headache - had to leave work and came home and slept for hours. I know it's a great vaccine and very effective, so glad I got it, but I think they should be more upfront with the possible severe reactions."

• 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 :)"

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2020

"I am a healthy 77-year-old lady who had shingles about 10 years ago. Friday, September 18, I had the first of the two shingles shots. My doctor said I should be sure to wait a couple of months between this shot and the flu shot, and then again 2 months before I get my second shingles shot. By the night of the 18th, my arm was quite sore and swollen at the site. The next morning, the arm is very warm, swollen, and sore. I have a headache and don’t feel like getting out of bed, but other than that, I seem to be okay."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the Shingrix shot 3 weeks ago and have been experiencing headaches, dizziness, and fatigue ever since. The vertigo is the worst! I also experienced my eyes watering profusely, which started a couple of days after the shot and is still going on. I will have to do a lot more research before I agree to a 2nd shot."

• 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."

• Est...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My wife and I both had this injection yesterday. Some 8-10 hours in, she is shivering, body aches, and has an upset stomach. My head was literally spinning as I tried to walk to the bathroom last night. I thought for sure I was going to pass out. Fatigue is horrible this morning for me. My wife still can’t move about since her head hurts and body aches. I came here looking to see if it is safe to take Ibuprofen or Advil while suffering (it is) and found the many negative reviews. I do know that everyone has different body chemistry and is affected in different ways. Just thought to add my ‘two cents’ to the conversation. She is definitely suffering more than me, but there are 40+ pounds between us, which I also believe plays a role here. We’ll have to see how this plays out over the next couple of days and decide if it’s worth the second shot. She has had shingles before, but right at this moment, she might be willing to take her chances. Only time will tell."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am an unusual case. I am 32 years old and now have had shingles twice. First in my twenties and then last year. The second time I had shingles was the worst. It went across my chest, armpit to back. I never want to have that again! Since I have had it twice, my doctor recommended the vaccine. I had done some research on it and knew ahead of time it was a rough vaccine. First day, 7 hours later, the symptoms started. Headache, body aches, very painful arm, couldn’t sleep. I am now on the second day, and ibuprofen and acetaminophen rotation is the only thing making it possible to go to work. Still extremely miserable. Despite all of this, I still highly recommend getting the vaccine. Having shingles was definitely worse and longer lasting. My only advice is planning to do nothing for a couple of days post-vaccine. I wish I had planned for misery and downtime."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am highly sensitive to vaccines. I was sick a week after the flu shot, well, the same goes with this one. I didn’t know this was a two-parter. Had headaches, chills, foggy, and dizzy for days. Finally better after a week. Needless to say, will not be taking the second, nor any vaccines in the future."

• PS ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I have already written my review about the severe reaction to this vaccine. I am on Day 8, and yesterday was the worst. Each day, some of the side effects remain the same, some leave, and I get some new ones. This morning is the first day I haven't had the severe headache, and I did not have the chills last night, but I have increased night sweats. I woke up with laryngitis this morning! A new thing! I have a question for others: I am 5.3 and weigh around 115 lbs, wondering if others with these bad side effects are also on the small side? I've lost 2 pounds this week as I had 2 days when I could not eat. Not good. I spoke to my pharmacist yesterday, who said there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to who gets the side effects and who doesn't."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "57-year-old female. No health issues. Not in the best shape. Mild flu-like symptoms kicked in approx 18 hours after the first vaccination (haven't received the second yet). I had a slight fever (no chills), slight headache, and muscle aches. Tylenol took care of it. I will say that where I received the vaccine has been so sore, all the way up into my shoulder. Enough so that when I rolled over on it in my sleep, it woke me up. However, that is subsiding 2 days after the vaccine. With all this said, it is totally worth it. I do not want to get Shingles!! I'll take the short-term flu-like symptoms over that any day!"

• 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."

• DKa...
• October 6, 2020

"Got the first Shingrix injection today, Oct. 5. I am a healthy 71-year-old female. My husband drove me to and from getting the vaccination. Good thing because I became nauseous and fainted on the drive home. I have chills, a headache, and feel very weak now. My arm is sore, but I can deal with the arm. The other reactions are severe. I won’t take the second dose. I got the injection from the pharmacist at Walmart - it HURT!!"

• Jew...
• February 9, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Horrible experience with extreme muscle pain, headache, nausea, and exhaustion. I could not move for days, just bedridden, sensitive to light, and now my eyes feel like something is in them, irritating me as they are irritating me. I pray for relief from the pain and health to return. So a horrible experience, and I cannot express how much this has hurt and damaged my belief in our medical community that this product is supposed to be endorsed by the government... be thoughtful about this choice to be injected with this..."

• bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Please read people's reactions to this drug before getting it. I talked to my doctor, who said minimal side effects are posted by the CDC, and because I’m so susceptible to shingles, I decided to do it. I got the first injection on July 27th, the most painful injection I’ve ever had. I could barely move my arm, and it was hard reaching for a box of cereal in my pantry! I had weird pin-like pricks, headaches, and itching on my scalp when I had a breakout 9-10 months ago, but let me tell you it was moderate. Now it feels like I’m being electrocuted in different parts of my body, pain inside my mouth, in my ears, my upper shoulder blades, sore throat, tiredness, and all-over achiness. It's like this shot has fired up my nerves where I’ve had shingles before. I'm not getting the second one. For those of you contemplating this shot, make sure you are absent of any post-therapeutic neuralgia pain because this shot could stimulate the pain and symptoms, and it is horrifying. I wish I would have read here first before I got this 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!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• Sti...
• September 24, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the initial shot during the summer. I went in a week ago for my second. I had no side effects other than pain at the injection site the first time around. This second one, though... pain, rash and swelling in the arm, fever, headaches, sore throat, coughing up gross phlegm. A week later, I'm still not well. I just keep telling myself that this is still better than having shingles, but sometimes it sure doesn't feel like it!"