Shingrix and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• ssa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had horrible side effects. The first injection I had chills-not too bad. The second one, severe chills, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and headache. Hopefully, it will go away tomorrow, it has started to lessen now, 24 hours later. They should be more clear before you make an appointment that this could happen, so you can plan accordingly."

• fhw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The first dose was given three days ago. It took 8 hours for the side effects to start, mild soreness at the injection site, and slightly tired. A few hours later, 103.3°F, sweating, overall aches, headache, nausea, chills, and sweating through the night. The next day, fever was down to 102.0, zero appetite, entire upper arm red and painful, and fitful sleep. The fever broke about 60 hours post-vaccination, lethargy continues but is mild, and appetite is better. The arm is still red and incredibly itchy. I had hoped I would not have only mild side effects like 'most' people, but the past three days have been miserable. I hope the intensely itchy arm goes away and does not evolve into a rash or worse. I doubt I will get the 2nd dose and hope my robust response protects me somewhat."

• can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had shot #1 on 8/1/19. Recommended by GP. No noticeable injection site reaction or soreness, but within about 6 hours, was prostrate with intense nausea. Could not eat or drink anything for about 48 hrs; could not really stand upright. Lost 5 lbs. Was worried about severe dehydration and dry retching up saliva. I am supposed to get a second dose this month, but am dreading what might happen."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had a small outbreak of shingles on my right arm in 2021. No red rash, just the blisters. Lasted about 4 weeks. Decided to go to the local pharmacy where I had gotten my COVID shots and get the Shingrix vaccine and booster. The first vaccine was on 1-31-2022, which was what was listed in the information section of all the websites that I looked at. My second vaccine (5/9/2022) was the worst. My resting heart rate was around 105 for 3 days, my brain felt like it was shivering, and I developed ringing in my ears that has not gone away. It is loud and constant (24/7). I also felt what felt like a shingles outbreak under the skin in the muscle. It throbbed and burned, beginning on the right side of my spine, traveled along the bra line, and to the front of my stomach like someone was punching me in the gut. This lasted about 4 weeks. Sometimes, so bad and rapid that it made me throw up. Not sure whether the side effects are worth the vaccine and not sure that I would recommend it to others."

• Eva...
• September 4, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I experienced only pain in my arm after the first shot, however, the second shot, two months later, was a different experience. I received the shot on Saturday at noon and woke up at midnight with severe body aches, shivers, fever, and nausea, eventually throwing up. The 101 fever, pains, and fatigue continued to the next day. Otherwise, I am a very healthy individual."

• Dba...
• September 11, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my injection on Tuesday. The injection was very painful the moment the pharmacist injected the needle in my arm. I have never had a shot hurt before. The Walgreens pharmacist was very busy and running around like a chicken with her head cut off. She did not bother to warn me of any side effects. Normally, they always call for counsel on my meds when I pick up. But not this time, and they should have. My daughter was having a baby in a week, and I had no idea what was in store for me. The rest of the afternoon, I felt tired and ached. I began to have a headache, and my arm felt like it weighed 20 pounds. The next five days I still felt tired and ached. On Monday, I started to feel really, really bad at work. Went home, had chills, aches, nausea, vomiting, and I just knew I had the flu. Went to my doctor the day after, and she said the shot should not have had this lingering effect and that I had a virus. Ended up getting an IV."

• F B...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The doctor talked me into this shot. I didn't think much of it. About 3 hours later, my arm began to hurt pretty badly. The rest of the night at work was not fun. Then it was tough to sleep because my arm hurt so badly, every time I moved, it felt like a deep bruise. I woke up feeling terrible. I had a headache and felt like I should throw up. 32 hours later, my joints ache, and the arm is a bit better but still painful. I will not be getting the second dose. I wish I never got the first. Doctors should really tell patients how this shot is going to make them feel. Not worth it if you ask me."

• Bea...
• November 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "(Female, 63) 2nd Shingrix shot yesterday. 1st one (7/19) wasn't too bad. Took several weeks to finally find. As last time, the injection was fairly painful for about 5 seconds. Came home, fixed some tea, and took Aleve. Several hours later, started feeling a little achy/queasy. Kept drinking tea, stayed on the couch with a blanket and pillows. Had a light supper, warm bath, 2 Tylenol. No issues during the night, just a sore arm. Today, headache and mild cramps (PMS-ish?!) More tea, Tylenol, pillows. Husband (69) got the 1st shot. Said injection didn't hurt. Came home and ignored the suggestion of rest and OTC pain meds. He worked out for an hour and felt fine the rest of the day. During the night, he was hit hard with chills and aches. Didn't take anything until I got up. Then took some Advil. It's now 30 hours after the shot, and he's doing okay. My advice: plan an easy schedule for a few days, take OTC meds ASAP, fluids, rest, TLC."

• Hou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first of 2 shots yesterday. More of a sting than most - but I’ve had worse. I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced a shot with a more painful morning-after injection site. Worse, though, is the headache. The pharmacist told me to anticipate the vaccine might re-trigger a concussion migraine that has been resolving - and he was right about that. And nausea. No vomiting; broth at lunch stayed down. I’m in bed today, probably tomorrow too. Wondering what to expect from Shingrix shot #2. Any suggestions on timing? 6 weeks from yesterday, we are set to depart on a road trip. I don’t want the risk of another experience like this one ruining that. Then Dec/Jan eye surgery. My 6-month window will be up around Valentine's Day. From other comments, it seems impossible to guess - based on first-shot side effects - whether Shot 2 side effects will be better or worse. Would be glad of any further insights or observations."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Pretty much the worst experience I have ever had with a vaccination. This shot is awful and left me wondering if I should just risk a shingles experience. The actual shot is extremely painful and burns your entire arm for hours. Then your entire body gets sore and achy. I woke up in the middle of the night with the most violent shivers, I thought I was having a seizure. Then came the splitting headache, fever, nausea, and fatigue. Feels like the worst case of flu. At this point, there is no way anyone can convince me to go back for the recommended second dose of this nightmare."

• DeD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The second Shingrix shot was given July 1, 2019. About 12 hours later, I had chills, was nauseated, had pain all over my body, and felt very cold. Then, suddenly, my whole body shook violently for one hour. I NEVER had anything like that. Uncontrollable all-over body flopping like a fish out of water. 102 fever. Could not do anything for 24 hours after that. Then, a severe headache... and I very rarely have a headache. Nausea stayed with me... even now, July 4th. Then came diarrhea. STILL feverish and 'cold' and no energy. Hope it all passes soon."

• mab...
• February 13, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the 1st dose of Shingrix in March 2019 at age 65. A few hours later, awful symptoms began - chills, fever, diarrhea, terrible joint and bone aches, skin hurt all over (even to keep lying down and turn over), heavy coughing, terrible headache, eye pain, nausea - it was miserable. It started out full bore that first evening and just got worse and worse until by the 2nd night, I thought it was the end of me and almost let my roommate take me to the ER. But I stuck it out, stayed in bed, and tried to sleep through it. I started to feel a little better on the 4th day but was confined to bed until the 6th day. The doctor said it was an extreme reaction to the injection and I was advised I should not take the 2nd dose."

• So ...
• February 10, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got the first injection 4.5 months ago and felt just awful for a few days. Looked online and saw that many decided not to get the second dose because of such wretched side effects. Not sure why I thought it was brave for me to put myself through this again, but got the second dose yesterday and am feeling so sick today. Splitting headache, fever, chills, nauseous. Hoping the protection lasts a lifetime because I don’t think I would ever do this again."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "About eight hours after the injection, my arm got really sore. I woke up in the middle of the night several times, very uncomfortable with aches and pains. The next morning, a hot shower did seem to help, but I was pretty sick the whole day. I had a fever, aches and pains, and a bad headache, with a little nausea. At 3 PM, I fell asleep and woke up at 5 PM. My headache was mostly gone, and I was feeling a lot better. So the bad effects lasted 30 hours for me. I definitely could not have gone to work or done anything else the day after the shot. It’s been three days now, and my arm is still a bit sore, but that’s the least of it. The headache was the worst. I was taking Tylenol every four hours. I’m really not sure if the shot is worth it. Since I got the first shot, I probably will get the second one after the memory fades."

• Ky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My husband and I are in different stages of our Shingrix vaccinations. I am 58, and he is 59 with no health issues. I had shingles about 12 years ago and received the shingles vaccine in place about a year after that experience. Now for Shingrix: I took shot 2, and he took shot 1 four days ago. For my shot 1, I guess I was lucky as I had no side effects other than feeling blah. My second shot and my husband’s first shot created an extreme headache, nausea, exhaustion, and muscle pain that started about 8 hours after the shot and lasted for 36 hours. On day 4 after the shot, I still have redness, slight swelling, and pain upon light touch at the injection site. Not sure if that long is normal or not."

• Liz...
• October 9, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first shot in May 2022 with only a bit of soreness in the arm and a little tired the next day. Had my second dose on Tues, Oct 4, and the pharmacist kept asking if I was okay after the first, and now I know why. About 3 hours after, the injection site felt tender and stiff, and I started feeling dizzy and heart racing. Took it easy at home, but I felt lethargic, no energy, nauseous. Went to bed for the night and felt heart racing, although I wasn’t worried or stressed. Closed my eyes, and immediately the same repetitive vivid colorful dream; although I woke up every hour, as soon as I closed my eyes, it was the same crazy dream. I felt like I was drugged. No crazy dreams the next night, but did not feel well for 4 days with body aches, headaches, dizziness in walking, nausea, stomachache, and diarrhea. I wish the pharmacist had warned me. I’ve never had such a reaction before. But I’d rather this than getting shingles."

• Luc...
• September 21, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 61-year-old female. My sister advised me to get the shingles shot, the new one that is called Shingrix. Our father had shingles. Since I needed to get a flu shot, I decided to get the flu shot. I went to my Giant Pharmacy. The Shingrix arm was very sore right at the start, but I wasn’t concerned since all shots are a bit sore to the touch. I went to bed that night at 8:30 pm, and at 10:30 pm, I had the chills with shakes so bad that my husband woke up and got me a few blankets because I was shivering. The shivering lasted a few hours, my stomach felt nauseous, and I had a splitting headache. I noticed my hands and skin felt clammy to me, the best I could do was stay in a fetal position. I took 2 Tylenol tablets and drank some water. It was a miserable night! This morning, I feel very weak and feel like I am achy all over, plus my head is throbbing. My day will be spent lying down because I feel so weak."

• Zoe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "On the plus side, I lost 5 lbs. I can't judge the efficacy of this shot, since I may never have gotten shingles anyway. I had the shot on Mon and was fine Mon/Tues. It stings going in, and I had a lot of redness and swelling at the injection site and muscle pain bad enough that I couldn't sleep on that side. But that's minor! I am a 54-year-old healthy woman, and this knocked me out! On Wed-Fri night, I had a 99.7 fever with extreme sweating and chills, severe fatigue, and difficulty with the smallest of movements – walking across the room was a huge undertaking. Followed by: major GI issues, diarrhea, constipation, level 10 intestinal cramping, nausea, regurgitation, acid reflux, total loss of appetite, and I vomited four times. It's Saturday, and I'm not back to normal yet. I don't know if I'll get the booster. My handout says that side effects are worse for younger people and that for 1 in 6, they may keep you from normal activity. In my opinion, it doesn't give a true indication of how severe they may be."

• 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."

• Dav...
• April 22, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I was injected with the first dose as recommended by a large chain pharmacist. Before taking the dose, I asked specifically about side effects. The pharmacist said I may experience some soreness at the injection site and 'flu-like' symptoms similar to a flu shot. The pharmacist should have been more forthcoming with the side effects. I could barely lift my arm immediately after the injection. I am now on day 5 and still cannot lift my arm. On day two, I spent the night hugging the toilet. I was nauseated on day three and four, having a hard time keeping my food down. Also, on day three and four, I had 101+ fever, causing me to miss work. I called the pharmacy and talked with a different pharmacist. He said those side effects are common and if my fever lasts another day, I should contact my doctor or go to the emergency room. Of course, I should not have fallen for the pharmacy's sales tactics. Talk to your doctor first before getting this vaccine."

• Suz...
• July 7, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my second Shingrix vaccination yesterday at Walgreens around 5 pm. I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had bizarre, colorful, repetitive dreams that went on and on and on all night long. I felt weak and a bit shaky today and couldn't focus or accomplish anything, probably because I had no sleep! Then around 3 pm today, I thought I was going to projectile vomit. I was in the middle of a conversation with someone, and I literally had to excuse myself because I was so nauseated that I was worried I had food poisoning. Thank goodness I found this website and was able to discover that I am not the only person having interrupted sleep, bad dreams, and terrible nausea from the Shingrix vaccination. I didn't have any reaction to the first injection."

• She...
• December 13, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 55-year-old woman. I had the shingles shot on a Tuesday evening, the next day I had a fever and chills. All I wanted to do was sleep. My arm was sore. I felt nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, headache, severe stomach cramps, and diarrhea, which lasted a couple of days. Although this has been the worst I have felt in my life, I think it will be worth it. I hope the second shot will not be as bad, but it seems from what I have read that it might be."

• 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."

• Ell...
• December 27, 2020

"Had a mammogram at 9 A.M. Had Shingrix at 11 A.M. Next day my arm was swollen and red hot. For 3 days I used an ice pack to get through the nights. Stomach was upset, nauseated, and felt really off. After 4 days I started to get 'shingles' pain in my left breast, the side I had the shot on. Shooting pain, catch your breath, close your eyes, and pray for the pain to stop, pain. It lasts 30 to 40 seconds. I went to my doctor and he prescribed a shingles medication, valacyclovir, to stop shingles. I have no rash, no fever, only shooting pain. I took the medication, nothing is better. I called the Shingrix hotline and no one has heard of this pain in the breast. 4 weeks later and I am still gasping in pain, and no one can help me. I had shingles 20 years ago but caught it with strong medication before I had this kind of nerve pain. If anyone can help me or if you've had anything like this, please let me know. Helpless."

• 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..."