Shingrix and Pain: What Users Say

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My first injection of Shingrix was fine, no side effects. Two months later, I received the second injection. What a nightmare. I had all the worst side effects: nausea, aching muscles, bad dizziness, chills, and fever. The next day, that turned into the worst cases of shingles. I had a week of pain to the bone in my leg. I had to have pain relievers to control the pain. After that came the burning nerve pain. I had no energy or desire to function. My shingles lasted about five weeks, and at four months, I am still suffering with PRN in my thigh. It is gradually improving, but I can't wait for this nightmare to be over. I am a very healthy 65-year-old. I wouldn't suggest this injection to anyone. It has a lot of nasty side effects, and hopefully, you don't receive the shingles like I did. This vaccine needs MORE testing. I have heard too many horror stories!"

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Received the Shingrix vaccine last night, along with the flu vaccine. Woke up this morning in excruciating pain in my left arm, barely had the ability to walk to the bathroom. I have cold chills, muscle weakness, and fatigue. I also feel like I have an earache. I am a nurse for the state and actually had to call off work. I even took 400 mg ibuprofen with no relief."

• Hel...
• August 5, 2020

"Within one hour of my Shingrix shot, fever 101.3. Fever escalated. Pain in arm and lymph nodes extreme, and couldn’t move arm for two days. 24 hours after shot, went to Emergency Urgent Care for upper respiratory reaction, low blood pressure, chills, fever, and the most severe lung pain. Given prednisone for weeklong dosage. Fatigue has been horrible. Upper respiratory symptoms still present after prednisone treatment. Lungs STILL irritated. One week later, fatigue causing 12-16 hours of sleep daily, still lung pain, inhaler, anti-inflammatory or aspirin, allergy meds. I will NOT take the second dose and am furious at the severity of my reaction. Whatever caused the reaction should be made known."

• Art...
• March 12, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first Shingrix shot on a Friday afternoon. It hurt. My whole arm hurt and felt swollen and heavy the next day. I had flu-like symptoms: lethargy, nausea, aches all over, but particularly in the injected arm. I could barely lift that arm for 3 days. Then I started feeling better on day 4, but that night I had bad intestinal cramps. I woke up with really bad nausea on day 5, diarrhea, lethargy, and a low fever. On day 6 (today), I started feeling better-less GI symptoms and just mild nausea. By noontime, I felt okay again, but tired. I’ve had shingles twice, and even though the Shingrix side effects were bad, shingles is far worse."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received my first Shingrix vaccine on 8/14. I had a pneumonia vaccine the same day. Started feeling a little under the weather the next day. A couple of days later, I started feeling extremely lightheaded and started running a fever of 100.5-101.5. It is now 9 days after my shot, and I am still running a fever. I can't say for sure that I am still having side effects from the vaccination, but my doctor said to give it 2 weeks. I had a COVID test just to rule it out. I had pretty bad arm pain for 3-4 days, but nothing that stopped me from functioning. I got no warnings from the doctor that this could happen. Good thing no vacations were planned."

• Nis...
• February 1, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 69-year-old female. I do take an immunosuppressant medication. Received the 1st Shingrix injection on a Thursday. I will add I also had my annual flu shot on the same day. By Saturday afternoon, I was experiencing pain around my right side along the ribs around to the spine. I thought I had pulled a muscle. By Tuesday, I very obviously had the shingles rash and pain and itching. The doctor confirmed it and prescribed antiviral medication. I had the rash and some pain on the right rib cage (sternum to spine) for 6-8 weeks. My doctor and pharmacist both recommended I not get the second dose. Everything I have read; a shingles breakout should not have happened with this vaccine."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Worst injection reactions ever. Shot 1 Shingrix. The area of the injection was so painful it caused a discoloration and a huge hive-like red area that grew below the injection area. Could not move the arm due to extreme pain for 4 days. The red discoloration changed to a darker color in 3 days and stayed for 1.5 weeks. Fever of 102 for 1 day, 100 for 2 days, with uncontrollable chills. Arm gave off heat but could not be touched due to pain. Shot 2 Shingrix. Received 3.5 months after the first shot. Pain was not as intense but still painful (and I have a high tolerance to pain). The day after the second shot, a huge red welt showed up that was about 2.5 inches in circumference, about 1 inch below the injection site. The welt gave off heat and was painful. Later in the day, small hives started to show up on my wrists. These welts were very itchy. I am using ice to try to ease the itchiness. This is the worst medication ever. Who knows how long this will last, but I am very mad I did this second shot."

• Pai...
• July 21, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "All I can say is beware. I'm 55 now. I received my first Shingrix shot four days ago. Luckily, I asked for it in my left non-dominant arm. The nurse never suggested that. Nearly four full days later, I still have arm pain. The first night, the pain was excruciating. I couldn't even wash my hair or raise my arm. I've taken Aleve every day since. I take it more than once a day because of the severe arm pain and also headaches and fevers. I have been sleeping ten plus hours per night and feel a bit dizzy. Thank goodness I didn't have a trip planned or work. The shot ruined my entire weekend. If you are getting this vaccine, don't plan any trip or driving for at least five days after it. I wish someone would have warned me of these side effects instead of giving me a handout after I was already vaccinated. I've had Shingles about 30 years ago, and that is awful, though so I was brave to get through this drama. I may have to rethink shot number two, though. I felt that miserable."

• DCa...
• August 28, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I will NEVER receive the second vaccination. I took the first shot on July 12, 2019. I had a painful arm that woke me for 3 nights, then a slight headache, achy & mild fatigue. Night 5, I developed chills so bad my whole body was shaking. Woke on day 6, and I could not stand up. Ears were ringing & room spinning. Nearly passed out. Crawled to the bathroom & vomited. I had blisters in my ear & inside my lips. My right arm broke out in an itchy rash. Nauseated for 3 hours. I have debilitating brain fog. At 6 weeks, the dizziness has lessened but is still there. Eyes are glassy & ears still ringing. Fatigue is beyond description. I have missed days of work. I have had an EKG, an MRI, VNG & hearing test. I am going to vestibular therapy and 4 doctors. The neurologist started me on Prednisone, which has intensified my fatigue, and my gums have broken out with blisters. I am 59 with some immune issues. I figured this would be the lesser of two evils. I am fearing I have ruined my life."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Active 69 y/o until I got the Shingrix shot a week ago. Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site for 3-4 days. I can deal with that, but I've had progressively worse joint pain ever since. Shoulder, elbow, wrists, knees, and hips! Ouch! Never had joint pain at all before. Anyone else had these symptoms? Do they ever go away? Truly debilitating side effects, and I'm truly disgusted."

• Hun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "This is so bad, it is scaring me from taking the second shot. It's been three weeks tomorrow, and I still feel horrible. I was so dizzy I almost fell in the shower the day after, and that went on for a good week. I could not sleep for two nights due to arm pain. I have also had chills and fever, pounding headaches, and nightmares. One night last week, I suddenly felt like I was suffocating. I am still so fatigued I cannot stand more than a few minutes at a time without feeling like I am going to collapse. I also get shooting pains all the way down into my wrist, back, and collarbone. I am afraid I will never feel better. I have never had a reaction to any vaccine before."

• SIG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "My husband and I both had the first Shingrix vaccine on 8/21/19. He had some arm pain; I could not move my arm after a few hours, and it lasted several weeks. I developed a giant red welt. Only dealt with pain the first time. We had the second injection yesterday around 5:00 pm. By 8:00, I could barely move my arm. By 11:00, I started getting the chills and fever of 102.4. I took ibuprofen, and it knocked the fever down enough so my teeth stopped chattering, and I could attempt sleep. Woke up today with a raging headache; every joint in my body hurts; my stomach is upset, and the fever is still here at 101.5. I’d say I had the flu, but the timing is far too coincidental. Hubby, again, is only feeling arm pain. As awful as this is, it does not hold a candle to shingles! I watched my mother suffer for MONTHS with shingles. She was so miserable in pain, no clothing could touch her legs. I don’t wish that on my worst enemy (well...)."

• Daw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "If my doctor or pharmacist had told me about the side effects, I would never have taken this vaccine. It has been 24 hours of nightmare problems, and still getting worse. My arm feels paralyzed. My body is hot all over, and the pain in my joints and muscles is progressing. I cannot sleep more than 20 minutes at a time. There are shooting-like pins and needles pain going through my fingers and toes, and my skin is sore to the touch. I cannot stand up for more than five minutes at a time. When I called my pharmacy, they brushed it off as being normal. I am trying to get an honest answer as to what's in this vaccine. It's hard to believe that we are being led by our healthcare system to take something so harmful and debilitating. Think twice before taking this-who knows what the long-term effects are? I will definitely NOT be taking the second vaccine they recommend."

• nes...
• February 16, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had the 2nd Shingrix shot on 9/9/2019, a bit over 2 months after the 1st. Developed a rash on feet, top and bottom, which is extremely painful, the bottom of my toes split open at the joints. The rash gradually spread up my legs, arms, back, and stomach. Went to a dermatologist in November who told me she wasn't going to 'let' me blame 'it' on the Shingrix shot and gave me triamcinolone acetonide cream, which did nothing. Another dermatologist on 1/21/2020 thought it might be eczema, prescribed fluocinonide cream, which helps, but I still have the rash and am concerned if it will EVER go away, at least the shingles goes away after a few weeks. Other than a mild case of shingles, I've never had a problem like this. The rash is strange, some areas are pin dots of dark red that don't itch, some start as white under the skin welts and turn into red bumps that itch terribly, and some are dry, itchy patches that clump together. I strongly suspect the Shingrix shot caused this, which I consider chronic and life-altering."

• Sue...
• September 22, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I'm a healthy 53-year-old. Received my first Shingrix dose 3 months ago. A bit achy and uncomfortable for a day. Had 2nd dose yesterday and had severe joint pain and overall body aches. Miserable night. Still feel rough today. Mainly both arms and hands are very sore. Not much of an appetite."

• Mme...
• February 13, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I have the photos that show what a horrible rash I had caused by this vaccination. I have gone to my primary physician about this. In addition to the severe pain and discomfort that I have experienced, my doctor told me that the shingles, as they were so severe, would probably leave scars. That is the least of my worries. My main concern is that I get over this burning pain that I have had consistently for the last 38 days. It has interfered with my life."

• Sur...
• November 12, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I'm an extremely healthy 59-year-old. I had shingles at age 29. I got the Shingrix yesterday at 9 am. The nurse warned me the shot would burn going in-nope, didn't really even feel it. Went to lunch with a friend, and walking for about 90 minutes. After my hour drive home, I could barely get out of the car. Within a couple of hours, headache, severe nausea had me tossing and turning all night, muscle pain worse than any flu I've had! Even my buttocks hurt-very strange. My feet hurt so bad! Severe chills and shaking, fever 102.2 at 5:30 am. Wasn't able to take Tylenol till this morning because of nausea. This is worse than the shingles I had! I was NOT expecting any of this! Despite this, I will get the second injection-shingles is more severe the older we get. I hope my symptoms don't last as long as others have said. My injection site is sore, red, hard, and swollen, but I expected that and don't consider it a big deal; just moving my arm a lot."

• Not...
• July 27, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Took the first Shingrix shot and will not take the second. 65 years old. Arm was swollen, red, and painful. Felt terrible. I’ve never had a reaction to a vaccine. Headache, joint pain, fever, just way off. Couldn’t sleep. That night, both feet were ice cold and couldn’t get them warm. Ended up with a heating pad on them both. Felt bad, bad, so low for about 2 days."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

• Boo...
• February 11, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

• HJa...
• January 8, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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?"

• del...
• May 24, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."