Shingrix and Pain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• bon...
• October 14, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I wasn’t surprised to be sore with side effects after the first shot. The second shot gave me a fever and flu-like symptoms for a week. It kicked off asthma, and now, 6 weeks later, I feel weak and achy, my arms and legs exhaust instantly. Chest pressure/pain and exhaustion. I’m a 53-year-old healthy woman, regular exercise, work full-time, mom. It took me until I went to my doctor to connect that everything started with the vaccine, but nothing online lists more than 2-3 days. I just heard about a husband and wife who had a month like me after it."

• Uni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The second dose of Shingrix was worse than the first for me. My arm hurt really bad the first time, I couldn't lift it. I felt feverish in bed one night. After the second shot a few months later, I felt fine for 10 hours, and then I suddenly started shivering with uncontrollable teeth chattering. Two hours of that, then I got hot, back and forth for another 10 hours. The fever went down over the next day, but the joint pain increased, especially in my upper back and neck. I couldn't get comfortable. I was in tears after a hot shower last night... discovered ice cold felt better. I had to double up on Motrin and Tylenol to numb the pain enough to get some sleep."

• sho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Husband and I had Shingrix shots on Tuesday. My arm and neck are extra achy and sore, but I am okay. My husband threw up that night, which is unusual for him, and got a fever of 103.4. I called the doctor, he said not to worry. Today is Friday, and my husband still has a fever despite Tylenol of 101.4. He can't do anything but lay in bed. Face all red, no appetite. This shot is not good!"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 51-year-old. I got my second dose of Shingrix yesterday. I had a slight cold, but the doctor said it wouldn't matter. I had a hard time with the first shot, but this was worse. Extremely painful arm and flu-like symptoms started about two hours after. Had to leave work and come home and go to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night freezing and drenched in sweat like I never have been before. I had muscle and joint pain all over. Today I feel better but am so dizzy I am afraid to walk around. Feel like I am going to faint, and I have never been dizzy before in my life. I'm sure this is better than shingles, but I would have liked to have been prepared by my doctor, who assured me there were no side effects except for a sore arm."

• Muf...
• January 11, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first Shingrix about 5.5 months ago. It felt like my arm was going to fall off for 4 days. Had the first of 2 Prevnar 13 shots in the other arm at the same time. Usual discomfort. This past Wednesday, I had the 2nd of both shots, last night (Thursday) bad night sweats. This morning, I woke up and I have a very large lump by my clavicle. It's red and squishy. My doctor is out of town, no covering person, and the pharmacist said that is not a side effect! But the lump came overnight, 2 days after the shot. Anyone else with this type of lump?? Oh, and my arm is swollen, painful, tiny dots/rash, but that's nothing compared to the lump by the clavicle!!"

• Lib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "69 yr-old woman, had 1st Shingrix July 2019. Arm was very achy for a few days. 2nd shot yesterday, extreme achiness in arm immediately. Not so bad, I thought. Then I woke from a kind of strangling nightmare early this morning. I ache everywhere, including my fingernails, have a headache, chills, extreme fatigue. My arm is still very painful, but it’s the flu-like symptoms that kept me in bed all day. So glad I read all about side effects because the pharmacist didn’t say a word. No regrets, though. I’ve seen shingles in action. My 90 yr-old mother got it and was in severe pain. She will rarely even take a Tylenol, but she had to take Vicodin for several days. I never ever want shingles. These side effects will go away eventually, but shingles can go on for weeks; it also often recurs. I’m thrilled this highly effective vaccine is available."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Given all the negative reviews, I wanted to share my significantly more positive experience. I received my first Shingrix dose 4 days ago, and except for some pain and soreness at the injection site, I experienced no other side effects."

• Reb...
• December 31, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 61 (closer to 62) year old female LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). I had the first dose of Shingrix 2 months ago. I had more pain at the injection site than from any other immunization I have ever had. For 3 days, I used a heat pad on the muscle area and took a combination of 600 mg Ibuprofen and one 500 mg Extra Strength Acetaminophen. I experienced some general 'blah' feelings that went on for about 3 days as well. Getting the second dose yesterday was hard, knowing how painful the first one was. No one wants to do something they know is going to make them hurt or feel bad! Having arm pain as before. This morning, I had chills and a bit more 'flu-like' aches, headache, and low energy. Not much appetite. My resting heart rate has been slightly elevated. Normally 70 bpm but running 90-93 bpm today. I feel increased fatigue with slight activity. So, though definitely not pleasant, these side effects, if the effectiveness is as high as stated, it's worth it."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "54 y.o. female. Received initial injection of Shingrix. That evening, arm began to hurt at the injection site. Experiencing redness and swelling at the site. Each day after, the inflammation continued to worsen. By day 4, it was well over 4 inches in diameter. Itching at the site also. After the second day, began feeling tired and achy. Migraines began. Lasted a few days. Two weeks later, and redness is completely gone but left with itchy tingling at the site of injection. Random nerve zaps and sensitivity in other areas of the body. Not sure about the second injection. Wouldn’t want to experience worse side effects."

• Nor...
• July 28, 2019

"I have my first vaccination on Wednesday night. I asked the pharmacist if there were side effects. She explained pain and swelling at the injection site. Well... The next morning, I had the worst headache EVER! Chills, my back felt like I had been beaten, and a little nausea. Today is Saturday, still chills, but less, head still hurting, my back still sore, and my foot and hip joints hurt? The arm is still sore and a slight fever. Hoping tomorrow will be better than this. Next dose I will DEFINITELY be off work a couple of days. I've never had the flu, and if this is what it's like, it is AWFUL."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Took my initial injection several weeks ago. I am in my seventies. My deltoid was extremely sore the first day. As if I had been hit very hard. The second day, it dissipated to only being fairly sore when moving the muscle. It took four days to go away. Took my second one February 7, 2018. It is very sore to the touch and very red for a couple of inches from the injection site. I have never had a reaction to any medication until this injection. My wife took her initial injection a few weeks ago. Her side effects were stomach upset and diarrhea for a couple of days. She needs to wait a few more days for her second one."

• Hog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I took the Shingrix vaccine on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The first day was okay, with some arm, shoulder, and collarbone pain later that evening. On day 2, I had extremely severe joint and body pain, extreme chills, and a low-grade fever. My body was screaming. A rash appeared on my right ankle all around and on my lower right leg. That night was misery, with some of the worst chills I have ever known. Day 3, the chills broke, followed by moderate sweating. I felt better, but my lower right leg and ankle began to swell, with the rash increasing in size and severity. This led me to my doctor, who diagnosed cellulitis and who also said, 'the vaccine is completely safe and could not have caused the problems that I have.' I was placed on an antibiotic. Day 4, the sweats, rash, swelling, and now a stinging sensation are still here, and I am unsure what day 5 might hold. At this point in time, I am not sure which is worse: the pound of problem or the pound of cure."

• Hog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I took the Shingrix vaccine on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The first day was okay, with some arm, shoulder, and collarbone pain later that evening. On day 2, I had extremely severe joint and body pain, extreme chills, and a low-grade fever. My body was screaming. A rash appeared on my right ankle all around and on my lower right leg. That night was misery, with some of the worst chills I have ever known. Day 3, the chills broke, followed by moderate sweating. I felt better, but my lower right leg and ankle began to swell, with the rash increasing in size and severity. This led me to my doctor, who diagnosed cellulitis and who also said, 'the vaccine is completely safe and could not have caused the problems that I have.' I was placed on an antibiotic. Day 4, the sweats, rash, swelling, and now a stinging sensation are still here, and I am unsure what day 5 might hold. At this point in time, I am not sure which is worse: the pound of problem or the pound of cure."

• Hog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I took the Shingrix vaccine on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The first day was okay, with some arm, shoulder, and collarbone pain later that evening. On day 2, I had extremely severe joint and body pain, extreme chills, and a low-grade fever. My body was screaming. A rash appeared on my right ankle all around and on my lower right leg. That night was misery, with some of the worst chills I have ever known. Day 3, the chills broke, followed by moderate sweating. I felt better, but my lower right leg and ankle began to swell, with the rash increasing in size and severity. This led me to my doctor, who diagnosed cellulitis and who also said, 'the vaccine is completely safe and could not have caused the problems that I have.' I was placed on an antibiotic. Day 4, the sweats, rash, swelling, and now a stinging sensation are still here, and I am unsure what day 5 might hold. At this point in time, I am not sure which is worse: the pound of problem or the pound of cure."

• 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."

• Jax...
• January 22, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I’m a 52-year-old female. I had the first injection 7 weeks ago. The injection was very painful as the medicine was being administered. I felt fine during the first 12 hours, then BAM... started shaking uncontrollably like I was having a panic attack, dizzy, cold, hot, sweating, and my arm was aching! Within an hour, my temperature spiked to 102 and would only come down slightly with ibuprofen. Worst night of my life! It’s been several weeks, and I am extremely dizzy and can barely function because of lethargy. I’m only 52 and was recommended to have this vaccine because I’m starting on a biological medicine for my Ankylosing Spondylitis. I will see my doctor to determine if I should have the second dose. If I had done my proper research, I think I would have decided against having this vaccine!"

• 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."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my first shot 4 days ago in my right shoulder. As far as side effects go, I have never had a major reaction to vaccination before, and I received many vaccines in the Army. The gastrointestinal side effects came on full-blown from the beginning to the end of day 2. I have had swelling, pain, and heat at the injection site from the minute I received it until now. My pharmacy has me using ice packs for the heat and taking Tylenol, but it doesn’t seem to work. Not certain about the next shot, but I read that someone had a better result by getting the injection in the hip. I’m going to think about that while they try and figure out what’s gone wrong. I’ve had shingles twice already - the first episode at age 35. I’m hoping this will work as advertised."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first shot yesterday, and a few hours later the arm I got the shot became very sore, to the point that moving or lifting it was excruciating. I was not expecting that! I had a hard time sleeping last night due to the arm pain. Now on day 2, and I still have the arm pain, but it has lessened a bit, but I’m now also fatigued and have a feeling of general malaise. I’ve never had a reaction to a vaccine like this before, and I’m dreading the second shot."

• PBa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had shingles shot Oct. 2018. Arm damage ever since. Pain, pain, pain!! Had shingles before, and nothing like side effects from this injection! Had another test today, and now have a type of carpal tunnel in my elbow area. Can't remember. I'll have to look it up. All I know is that for nine months NOTHING has helped!!!! When I called the pharmacy where I got the shot, they had their district manager call me (several times). I did NOT take the second dose!"

• sch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "To make a long story short, this is not for everyone because I had my injection 3 1/2 months ago, and I still only have 50% use of my right arm. I cannot lean on it or drive with it, and a lot of other things. Of course, I had the usual initial symptoms, but the two main ones were heart palpitations and arm pain. I was recommended by the doctor to not have the second one."

• Apa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Not nearly as painful as I'd heard. ---- more details ---- After reading all the horror stories on this forum about Shingrix, I waited a long time and did a lot of additional research. Yesterday, I decided to finally get my first Shingrix shot. It was surprisingly not very painful at all. It's now 24 hours later, and my arm was only mildly sore. On a 1-10 scale, pain at worst was 2. Male, age 54."