Shingrix and Pain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had my first Shingrix shot in May with very little side effects. Sore around injection site. Second shot two days ago, injection site red and swollen three-inch diameter, painful and itching, and I was very tired and had a headache. I took Tylenol, which helped. Not pleasant, but I’m glad that I got it done as I suffered from one of the worst cases of shingles (as my doctor said) and had PHN for one year ago, and I never want to go through that again. As already mentioned, plan your time getting the injection, allowing a few days for recovery if needed."

• Kye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "After the first injection of Shingrix, I experienced a headache so severe I thought I might’ve been having a stroke. Apparently, it was just a side effect of the vaccine. My shoulder hurt for almost a week. The first night, I couldn’t even raise my arm over my head. I just had the second vaccine and am braced for the worst. So far, I am just really, really tired. I sure hope I don’t get the headache just as bad as the first time. What I do know is, I don’t want the shingles. A few days or a week of side effects is a little pill to take to prevent shingles."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had my first dose on 10/16/2020. I am very sensitive to anything that is put into my body (normally, this is good when it comes to over-the-counter pain relievers or cortisone injections). I am a 52-year-old physically fit woman who just had my second dose. Boy, I feel like a baby. Within hours, I couldn’t move my left arm and felt extremely tired and in a lot of pain (last injection, I was in bed for 2 days with extreme tiredness and some pain). The second dose is much more painful (I am actually crying because of it, and the over-the-counter medication isn’t helping at all). Good thing this severe pain didn’t come with my first dose, as I would have never gotten the second one... even though I had shingles years ago. I am begging the people in charge of this to do something to prevent all these really bad side effects (this is ridiculous)."

• 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."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got the second vaccine 5 days ago. I had a pinched nerve in my arm when I got the vaccine and took the vaccine in that same arm. I had been to the urgent care prior to getting the vaccine for the arm pain and informed the position giving the vaccine about this issue and was advised to go ahead with the vaccine. The urgent care gave me a shot of Toradol, and I felt okay the next day. I woke up in excruciating pain. I tried to work and ended up having to discontinue early. I called my doctor crying several times throughout the day, begging for pain medications because the pain was excruciating, mostly in my arm. I was taking pain pills and muscle relaxers at the same time as prescribed. Later, I found that they were not supposed to be taken together. My entire body was aching, I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was sleep. I was having sweats and chills. This has gone on for about 4 days. I missed work, I missed social activities, and I have to move out of my apartment this coming week."

• Mho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had the Shingrix vaccine on Wednesday, today is Friday. Wednesday night, the pain in the injection site woke me up. Thursday morning, I noticed the injection site was painful, red (about 3 inches around), and hot. Pain and redness are still present today, but much better. I feel fine otherwise, but I skipped my normal gym workout the past two days. I am a 63-year-old active female. I will definitely get the 2nd shot. My mom had shingles when she was about my age, and she was miserable for a long time."

• Cuc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I took my first installment of Shingrix in Feb. '19 and did reasonably well until June '19 when I got a shingles flare-up, which was very painful. It lasted for weeks. My pharmacist suggested I wait for one month before I take the second shot. Not sure if I should take it, having second thoughts about the Shingrix efficacy. I have yet to talk to my GP about this."

• Kev...
• February 11, 2020

"57 yr old male. Got the first shot and kept moving my arm at regular intervals through the afternoon. Arm felt fine or maybe minor pain. I did catch the chills for a day, a couple of Aleve that night allowed me to sleep, and I rested the next day. No big deal as opposed to getting shingles, which is a week of misery. Going in for the second shot this Friday and plan to rest Saturday. Really not a big deal."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I guess I’m the exception rather than the rule. I’m 58, 5’10”, #200 and relatively fit and rarely get sick. The shot was similar to a flu shot for me as I felt slight pain during the injection, and a little arm soreness for maybe 24-36 hours. First shot early December. I guess to be on the safe side I’ll wait until my schedule is free for a couple of days before I get #2. Maybe body weight plays a factor in the side effects? Out of curiosity, I’m going to ask my pharmacist when I get #2 if body weight plays a role of any kind in the after effects..."

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

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am 56 - first dose of Shingrix on 1/8/2020. The nurse told me I’d experience soreness in my upper arm and I sure did. I started taking 400 mg of Ibuprofen - helped dull it, but the pain came back and woke me up that night. The soreness decreased by day 3. Today, day 4, the site is still tender if touched. No other side effects so far. Return for booster in 60 days. My older brother had a VERY painful and protracted case of shingles 2 years ago. So, if the 2 doses of vaccine do protect me against a similar outbreak, 4 - 8 days of pain at the injection site would absolutely be worth it. But — if I end up among the 15% of patients who contract shingles despite the Shingrix vaccine, I will be upset!"

• 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."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First injection 01/12/2018 - fairly painful at the injection site for 3 days, fairly painful joint pain, starting the 3rd day, and continuing for 2 more days. Slight headache and general malaise for 1 day following the injection. Second injection 04/12/2018 - same symptoms as above, but less so. Unfortunately, on the 5th day, I developed severe pain across the front of my chest (shingles), under the right arm and continuing to the center of my back. The pain felt like it actually penetrated deep into my skin, even to the underlying muscles. The pain finally started to abate 04/22/2018 and continues to improve."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my first shot this morning, a little sore, no big deal. If you have ever had shingles, you will know what pain is. I've seen reviews of people saying they couldn’t go to work because of the pain from the shot, which seems to affect some people worse than me. A little shoulder pain is much worth it for me!! If you are having to lose work because of the pain, then all I can say is it's better than getting shingles. If this is really 90% effective, it’s a godsend! I've been getting this since I was 48, and I'm now 62. Just now found out this is paid for by insurance and am elated! Love it!!!"

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my first shot this morning, a little sore, no big deal. If you have ever had shingles, you will know what pain is. I've seen reviews of people saying they couldn’t go to work because of the pain from the shot, which seems to affect some people worse than me. A little shoulder pain is much worth it for me!! If you are having to lose work because of the pain, then all I can say is it's better than getting shingles. If this is really 90% effective, it’s a godsend! I've been getting this since I was 48, and I'm now 62. Just now found out this is paid for by insurance and am elated! Love it!!!"

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my first shot this morning, a little sore, no big deal. If you have ever had shingles, you will know what pain is. I've seen reviews of people saying they couldn’t go to work because of the pain from the shot, which seems to affect some people worse than me. A little shoulder pain is much worth it for me!! If you are having to lose work because of the pain, then all I can say is it's better than getting shingles. If this is really 90% effective, it’s a godsend! I've been getting this since I was 48, and I'm now 62. Just now found out this is paid for by insurance and am elated! Love it!!!"

• Tam...
• July 5, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the shot 7 days ago. I had a concussion 6 months ago. I told the pharmacist I was still being treated for the concussion. I checked before I got the injection, they said it was fine to have it. The first two days, not too bad, then had swelling and a large bruise. Then the headaches began, never experienced pain like it. I could hardly lift my head up. Even Cambia had no effect. I was debilitated for 7 days. Today I can function, but still pain, so I think it improved, but I have no strength at all. My advice is, if you have had any kind of brain injury, even if months ago, do not get this shot. I think the pharmacists should be informed to not recommend this vaccination if the person is being treated for any brain injury."

• 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..."

• Nos...
• December 3, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "You can have a Shingrix shot without terrible prolonged side effects. My husband had both shots and remembers no side effects at all. I am 71 and had my first one four months ago and my second a couple weeks ago in November 2022. My first shot was done by a large pharmacy chain. The pain of the shot going in was prolonged, and it stung very badly. My arm became extremely stiff and painful after a few hours and remained like that for about a week. The day after the shot, I was so tired I stayed in bed for hours and had a severe headache. The third day, I felt better except for the arm swelling, stiffness, and pain that persisted another few days. The second shot was administered by a small independent pharmacy, and the pain of injection was about 90% less. That night, my arm started to hurt and become stiff, and this lasted just a few days. The day after, I had a headache, and that was it. My father had shingles in his 90s, and there was no way I wanted that. Worth it for sure for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the 1st Shingrix shot at 3 pm. Hurt and burned but only for a few minutes. Went home to bed but couldn't sleep. Dozed a few minutes here and there. At 3 am I was awoken in excruciating pain. My arm felt like concrete. Unbearable headache, nausea, and body aches. Considering hospital but thought not. The next day my arm was painful enough to need a sling. I seriously do not want to get the 2nd shot. Horrendous experience!!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Had first shot in June... arm pain, fatigue, felt fluish for 3 days. Second shot 3 months later, same issues. I have had recurring shingles on a regular basis for years, and so far, the first dose has kept it away. Worth the several days of feeling sick vs. recurring shingles! Time will tell, but for the first time, I feel there is hope to keep this away. Never had Zostavax because it’s a live vaccine and did not want to trigger more episodes. Those who say shingles only occur once are wrong. Read online, recurring shingles is a real problem. Websites need to update the public and educate doctors who say it cannot occur more than once."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

"Had 1st shot of Shingrix on 12/30. I am a 70-year-old woman. Shot was painful. I was fine that day. The day after, I had flu-like symptoms. Yuck! I was freezing, had a headache, my arm pained, swollen, and was red. Did not have a fever, though. Now, it is itching so bad, I am using cortisone cream. I took Tylenol in the beginning, and it helped a lot. Day 3, arm still itching and red. Still felt a little off. Never felt like this before from shots. Concerned if I want to get the 2nd shot or not. Hope these shots are safe."

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "With the first shingles shot, the only side effect was a very sore arm for 3 days. Had the second shot and had flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, face was red, chills, aches, and pains. Not good, but still would rather have the shot than shingles."

• Sue...
• September 1, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First injection June 2019. Shot REALLY stings going in, but quickly better. Arm pretty sore within a few hours, but I kept moving it to keep it from getting stiffer. Sore for 2 days, but not severe. Felt a little unwell for 2 days and achy, but still functional. Second dose last week. Some aching of arm, and a little feeling off the second day, but generally better than the first time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "First dose was March 15, 2022. Arm was very sore the next day, otherwise, I was fine. Second dose was July 19, 2022. I purposely planned it while I was on vacation, knowing that I would be sore, and work with my arms. As expected, later that evening, I couldn't lift my arm without pain. Even hubby rolling over with the sheet and it pulling on my arm was sore. Day 2-it's 97°F outside, but for about 2 hours, I was freezing... and, since yesterday, my ankles, knees, and feet are really sore. Otherwise, I'm fine. A small price to pay to try to reduce the symptoms if I do end up getting shingles. Oh, also, when somebody 'elbows' you right at the injection site, it's still pretty tender... thanks, hubby... lol"

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

"I got my 1st dose yesterday. My arm hurts like crazy, so much that it woke me up when I turned in my sleep. I have a terrible headache that isn't going away with ibuprofen. My doctor told me about a rash (which I don't have yet) that could last up to a week, feeling tired, sick to my stomach, fevers, and chills. So far just headache, injection site pain, tired out, and freezing all the time. But I would rather deal with these than deal with shingles for sure! I selected 'no' about the insurance covering, the vaccine is $158 here, and Humana Medicare Advantage Gold covered most of the cost. I had to pay $47. My drugstore doesn't even stock it, so I was on a waiting list for over 2 months."