Shingrix and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• Kes...
• November 29, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "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."

• Pet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The doctors that I worked with - my primary and ER room didn't relate my side effects to the vaccination. They all thought it might be something else. I think this vaccine needs to be recalled for further research. Did my shot 27 Aug 19. The first week was manageable. Had: pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site the first week. Started from second week: 05 Sep 19 - 18 Sep 19 - one week after the shot: strong muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, high fever, no appetite, flu-like symptoms, difficulty in the chest when inhaling, abdominal and chest pain. On Advil 3-4 times a day. Went to emergency - left with a diagnosis: fever of unknown origin. Not good bloodwork. Fever during 16 days 101.3. Now temp is okay during the day but in the evening 98.96 with some chills. Again have to take Advil as I can’t sleep with fever. Sweating each night a lot. Out of the office for two weeks. Lost 10 pounds. It seems I would need 2 more weeks to recover. Not doing a second shot as 4 weeks of being sick is too much."

• NJE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "68-year-old lean, fit woman. Got Shingrix injection #1 at CVS on Thursday, 9/10/2020. The inoculation site developed a rash, was red, sore, and very warm to the touch for maybe three days. Then the site was tender for two more days. Now it feels normal. After listening to what the pharmacist told me and reading what others have experienced, I consider myself extremely fortunate. I plan to get injection #2 in November - basically, at the beginning of the two-to-six-month window."

• Geo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Shot is painful. Next day arm is about useless. Swollen, red, hot, and hurts. I have seen people with shingles, and this pain is minor comparatively. I hate shots, but this is the worst shot I have had!"

• Geo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Shot is painful. Next day arm is about useless. Swollen, red, hot, and hurts. I have seen people with shingles, and this pain is minor comparatively. I hate shots, but this is the worst shot I have had!"

• Joa...
• March 1, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the Shingrix shot 12/2019. The pharmacist explained it had to be injected into the muscle. It was a painful shot. My arm was very sore for 3 days, then I was back to normal. I’m due for my second shot in March 2020 and not looking forward to it, but I never want to get shingles, so I will bite the bullet."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2023

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Don’t get the vaccine, I have had three cases of shingles with long-term nerve damage. But I have never gone through the living hell that the second vaccination put me through. I had horrible COVID, had my orbital bone shattered, swine flu, you name it. That vaccine and its side effects hit me around 9 pm, I received it at 3. I was so fatigued I couldn’t even get up to pee. The next day, and I’m 72 hours out, I roll around in my bed in excruciating pain in every joint in my body. My head feels like I’m about to stroke out. It hurts so bad, my stomach hurts so much I don’t know if I want to vomit or sit on the toilet. I’m in a daze, in too much pain to even talk to anyone. I would rather have shingles again! Don’t take this stuff. Seventy-two hours and still the same, even my hands are in pain, I can’t pick anything up!!!!"

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The second most annoying aspect of this vaccine is that so many nurses will tell the patient, “Oh, the side effects will probably be pain and a mild rash at the injection site. DON’T BELIEVE IT! The most annoying part of Shingrix is the side effects. It was like the flu for me but without the visible manifestation. For two days, my headache was migraine level. The stomach pain was terrible! Felt like I had swallowed a rat that was trying to claw its way out for 36 hours. Seriously. And nothing would relieve it. It’s a hard pass for me on dose #2. Maybe I’ll choose something more enjoyable like a 24-hour root canal sans anesthetic, or hemorrhoid removal using power tools and BenGay. Seems almost relaxing after Shingrix."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The first shot was a breeze. The second shot, which I received three days ago, was a total nightmare. I’ve had the flu many times, and never was I as sick as I was with this medication. I really should have gone to the hospital. Worse than any flu symptoms or the flu I have ever known. The chills, to me, were not just chills, I was never so cold in all my life. I was hot, I was dizzy, I was lightheaded, I was sick to my stomach, I was in horrible pain, and not just at the shot site. I had a very high fever, and my heart was beating fast."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2024

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Has caused large red, itchy, painful swelling at injection site, still symptomatic 12 days later. Have also felt very tired and slept more. Unsure about having 2nd dose now, as doesn't report this lasting so long in any of the literature."

• den...
• October 17, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 72-year-old female. In May 2019, I had the first Shingrix vaccination. The next day, I had mild flu-like symptoms and arm pain, which dissipated over the next 2 days. I had the second vaccination at the end of September. The next day, I had such severe vertigo I could barely walk. It is now 3 weeks later. I am still suffering from vertigo, which ranges from mild to severe, cognitive fog, and fatigue. My doctor sent me for an MRI yesterday. I have contacted my pharmacist 3 times to keep them updated. They tell me to see my doctor, and I have contacted GlaxoSmithKline, who is planning to follow up with my doctor. I am hoping I do not have to live with this for the rest of my life."

• 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."

• Cha...
• November 10, 2019

"I received the first Shingrix injection in July 2019 and experienced arm pain for about 3 days. I took pain relievers. Arm pain was bad for one or two days but got flu-like symptoms that lasted about a day after. The symptoms began 18 hours after the shot and lasted for 12 hours. I received my second Shingrix injection on November 8. Significant symptoms kicked in about 18 hours after the time of the shot. Symptoms worsened throughout the day and included significant joint and muscle pain. It was just like getting the onset of a significant flu. Last night, I tossed and turned, and in fact, my sheets were wrapped around my head in the morning. This is the second day now after the shot, and I'm feeling perhaps 50% recovered. Joints still ache and energy level is abnormally low. I strongly recommend that if you are still working, you get the shot on a Friday so you have the weekend to at least mainly recover. I am 70 and in excellent health."

• Dr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I was in so much pain, even with ibuprofen, that I could not raise my arm at all for over 30 hours. All I could do was lay in bed in misery, and I HATE laying in bed. I will not get the second dose. My wife refuses to get the vaccine after seeing how it affected me."

• 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."

• 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."

• Gar...
• November 10, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my 2nd Shingrix injection on 11-8-19. Late that evening, probable 2 hours. I began to start feeling pain and soreness in my right arm, also nausea, feeling weak. Now, two days later, I cannot move my right arm unless I pick it up and move it. Also, I have been unable to sleep because of pain. I have been taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen, but it's not helping. The pharmacy says I should be fine in 3 days. I have had shingles twice and have felt worse since I had the injection. Is there anything else for me to do?"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I’m a 59-year-old male. I took the Shingrix vaccine around June 23, 2021. A couple of hours later, I started getting lower back pain, then flu symptoms after that. I had bad flu symptoms for a full 2 days. The worst part was the back pain! It got so bad I couldn’t put my socks on. I had to do special positions to do it. I had the worst back pain of my whole life. It took several weeks to improve, and then it got worse again for a while. After nearly 2 months, it is feeling better than it did, but still not back to normal. I was/am afraid the pain and discomfort are permanent! Nobody told me there could be this bad side effects! I had a flu shot with no effects. I had the COVID-19 vaccine with some flu-type effects. This one slammed me! I had shingles over 30 years ago, and it was painful! But this was worse. I’m not getting the second shot. I’m worried that the effects could be worse or permanent damage could result."

• 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!!"

• EBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Received 1st Shingrix shot, and within 30 minutes the left side of my face, arm/hand felt numb and painful to touch at the same time. That night, fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, chest pains, and body aches started. 5 days later, still having all the exact same issues, feel like I have the flu x2 (this is way worse than the flu pain). New issue started day 5, very painful red raised patches started on my left side (arm, waist). Went to my doctor on day 5, and she told me it looked like the start of shingles, she gave me some meds to see if it would help (starting those today, day 5). My doctor told me to let the pharmacist who gave it to me know I had a reaction so they could report it, but I was only met with rudeness at the pharmacy, saying it was impossible to get those symptoms from the vaccine... so I reported it to vaers.hhs.gov. NOT getting the 2nd shot."

• CTS...
• August 3, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got the 1st shot at a Costco in May. Stupidly got it in the arm with my dominant hand. First 12 hours not too bad, but by the end of day 1, my whole arm hurt like anything. The next day, I had a large red area on my arm and began to have flu-like symptoms. By the end of day 2, I was feverish, cold, achy, and tired. Reminiscent of going through chemo from cancer. No energy; spent the night in bed. Took Advil, which helped the pain a little, but I woke up several times that night with aches, sweats, and chills. By the next morning, I felt slightly better. Felt feverish and achy again by the end of day 3, and my arm got more painful. A 4” red area around the injection site 3 days after; hard and hot to the touch. By day 4, side effects began to subside. I think it’s worth it if it prevents me from getting shingles; just wish I had known about the side effects before I got the injection. I’m concerned for anyone who is elderly or has a compromised immune system. The fever and pain may be too much for them."

• 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."