Do get the Shingles vaccine, please

[question everything]

It is my understanding that this is the reason why Feinstein has been absent.

When the first vaccine was developed, Zostrix, some physicians said that the pain from shingles was so severe that some actually took their lives.

My father had his first heart attack at 50 and a multiple bypasses at 75. He lived to be 90 (good genes, I think) but his last two years were painful because of shingles.

Shingrix is now more effective, especially for people older than 75 and I think it is expensive. My insurance paid for it some years back. But even without insurance, and I think that Medicare now pays for it, please do.

[samnsara]

1. got mine! also got my first flu shot ever....

[Siwsan]

2. I've had shingles (a VERY mild case) but I recently got the vaccination

I know I'm VERY lucky because all I had was a couple sizable blisters, some smaller ones, and a rash from my sternum to my spine. But not even a painful rash. I took an Epsom Salts bath, every single night.

Every medical person I've talked to agreed that my long time habit of taking turmeric, a known anti inflammatory, may have played a part in mitigating the infliction. HOWEVER, I know you can get it again and from what other people have told me they went through, it's JUST NOT WORTH THE RISK.

[ShazzieB]

27. I had a mild case, too, several years ago.

Two small patches of itchy (but not painful) rash - one on right lower back and the other on right hip. Some moderate right low back pain, but I've had much worse just from "sleeping funny."

I know I got off easy, and I do not want to risk getting a more severe case in the future. I'm planning to get the vaccine, but things keep coming up and getting in the way. It's definitely on the to-do list!

Husband got it this past winter with no ill effects from either dose, except for some soreness in his arm.

[Siwsan]

46. A friend of mine had a bad coincidence when she got the vaccine

Shortly after, she broke out in a horrific case of Shingles. Most likely she was already 'in the process'. However, that scared the heck out of me, which is why I put off getting the vaccine.

Then after that mild case, I asked my APN if I should still get the vaccine, and she said yes. Then I asked the pharmacist. She said yes.

I had a very sore arm but I also got a pneumonia vaccine, at the same time.

[Ms. Toad]

31. My spouse has had it at least 4 times.

Lost track of the precise number of times.

She's never had a single blister - we caught it each time before the blister stage. But she was still out of it for at least 2 weeks each time.

[piddyprints]

3. Yes, I want to!!!!

My doc told me to hold off for a bit because of a bad reaction I had to a flu shot. Now I'm going to have surgery in 2 weeks and don't know when it will be safe to get the vax. I want it NOW!!!! I'm so terrified. DUers as well as some other online acquaintances have had shingles and said how bad it is. My husband got the first shot and never went back for the second. Still, he's more protected than I am.

I've been thinking of just getting it next week, no matter what. The pharmacy already told me they'd keep a good eye on me afterwards.

[lastlib]

4. My mother got shingles from the vaccine.

Constant pain for two solid weeks.

Now that was a good number of years ago, and the new vaccine may not have the same issue. I'm mulling it over....

[Shermann]

5. Some people will develop shingles despite vaccination

Isn't this the more likely explanation?

[grantcart]

17. The vaccine cannot "give" anyone Shingles

Most people have the virus dormant in their bodies from childhood Chicken Pox.

It is possible (guessing) that the virus triggered change from dormant status but it's extremely likely that person would have gotten it eventually. The vaccine would have mitigated the symptoms.

[LisaM]

10. The newer vaccine is better.

I've heard stories about the old one too. The newer one has side effects but is much better.

[Raven123]

20. Coincidences happen.

[NewEnglandAutumn]

24. Unlikely

the older Zostervax shot is a slight possibility
the newer Shingrix shot not possible

[lastlib]

41. She didn't get Shingrix...

(I don't think it was available yet at that time.) It broke out about four days after her vaccination, so it's difficult to think there wasn't a connection.

[Ms. Toad]

35. If so, your mother is 1/10,000

Zostavax was a live vaccine and in very rare cases (1/10,000) gave the recipient shingles, chicken pox, or retinal damage.

It is far more likely that she got shingles despite having the vaccine than that the vaccine caused shingles.

Shingrix (the one available now) does not contain any live varicella zoster virus, so it is impossible for the new vaccine to cause chicken pox.

[PJMcK]

6. Shingrix is curious

When I had my annual physical, my PCP told me my insurance would not cover the vaccination and it would cost me $600 out of pocket. When I went to my local CVS, the two-shot procedure was free. (I think there were about 4 weeks between the doses.)

Go figure.

[grantcart]

16. It became free recently.

[NewEnglandAutumn]

25. Depends on insurance

Prior to the new rules (thank you Joe!) it could cost between 0 an 200 per shot and it is a 2 shot protocol
now is it covered without a co pay

[wnylib]

26. Free? CVS told me that it would be $75 per shot.

[Ms. Toad]

36. Medicare is required to cover it,

other insurance plans are not.

So it depends on your insurance if you aren't on Medicare - it may be free, or may cost a significant amount.

[wnylib]

40. I'm on Medicare and CVS knows it. That's where I have all my prescriptions.

[Ms. Toad]

43. Do you have a separate part D plan?

(or a MA plan which incorporates part D) Was the price quote after Jan 1?

The rules changed January 1 of this year. My mother's pharmacy seemed not to know anything about it. They told her ahead of time the vaccinations weren't free. When she went in this year, they told her they couldn't tell her the price (which seems odd, since drug prices are run through insurance immediately).

But in case you need ammunition: From Shingrix

From AARP:

Medicare’s Part A and Part B don’t cover shingles vaccinations, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age 50 and older get the vaccine. Medicare Part B covers some other vaccines as free preventive care, such as flu and pneumonia vaccines

A prescription drug plan, such as Medicare Part D bought as an add-on to original Medicare or that is part of a Medicare Advantage plan that provides drug coverage, will pay for the shingles vaccine. These private plans must cover all commercially available vaccines needed to prevent illness, except for those that Part B covers.

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/does-medicare-cover-shingles-shot/

And from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services:

People with Medicare could also save money on vaccines. Starting January 1, 2023, Part D-covered adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including the shingles and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Whooping Cough vaccines, will be available with no deductible and no cost-sharing to people with Medicare prescription drug coverage.

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/10522-external-faqs-about-inflation-reduction-act.pdf

I know I've found statements directly on the Medicare site, but the only thing I can find at the moment is pretty generic.

[wnylib]

45. It was last year when I asked them about the price.

So I will check with them again.

[Rorey]

47. Last year I had a co-pay of, I think, $47

Just got my second shot yesterday at no cost to me. I have UHC Medicare Advantage

[wnylib]

48. Thanks. I have UHC, too.

But first I want to get the second bivalent covid shot. I don't think I'd want to get both the bivalent and shingles at the same time. The first bivalent hit me harder than the other covid shots.

[Rorey]

49. I think that's wise

I got my first shot of Shingrix at the same time as my omicron shot AND my flu shot. I've had significant side effects with all five COVID vaccines, and I wasn't feeling at all well after those three shots.

With this second Shingrix shot, I've done well. Last night I was fine, but this morning I felt a little sick, and then felt a painful headache coming on. I took one acetaminophen, which helped.

Good luck with everything!

[louis-t]

7. I got shingles 4 months after turning down

the vaccine. It was not fun.

[WinstonSmith4740]

8. Got minely last year.

It was free at my local supermarket pharmacy. I have Medicare, but only A&B, so I don't know who covered it, but I'm glad I got it.

[spooky3]

9. Medicare Part D DOES cover Shingrix.

https://www.shingrix.com/get-shingrix/shingles-vaccine-cost-coverage/?cc=ps_62A27IQUL61311816&mcm=10010&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwtTDvcCs_gIVkMnjBx0HoAveEAAYASABEgIiDPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

23. I got my Shingrix vaccine at the VA. It was free.

If you've ever been in the military you might want to check it out. Here's a facility locator.

I got a case of shingles when I turned 30. Trust me, you do not want to get it at any age. I'm thankful for the vaccine, and the scientists who developed it. Yay, science!

[LisaM]

11. I echo this.

I had a terrible case of facial shingles shortly after the pandemic started. I still have facial neuralgia on that side which flares up when I'm stressed. I also am still having eye appointments to make sure that my right eye remains undamaged.

Shingles was simply not on my radar. I had no reason not to get the vaccine, it just didn't occur to me.

Stress is a contributing factor, along with emotional triggers. Mine seem to have been triggered by holding in my emotions on my dad's birthday (he had died somewhat unexpectedly the previous summer). A lot of people are going through a lot of things now, so I would say that the vaccine is more important than ever.

[Rorey]

50. I'm so sorry you had to go through that

Sounds awful, especially during the whole isolation thing.

[LisaM]

51. Yes it was, particularly since we are in an apartment.

I didn't even have a back yard to go in while my face was so disfigured. People want so much density, but they don't understand how it is to be trapped in a small apartment without so much as a deck to hang out on to get out of the house.

[TNNurse]

12. Yes, Shingles can be bad.

I have had all the shots, and before had a mild case.
My sister-in-law has permanent eyelid damage from facial shingles.
Medicare paid.

My uncle (who was in his 90s) had shingles, pancreatitis and a pacemaker all in one year. He said shingles was the most painful...pancreatitis is awful. He did live to be 99.

[diane in sf]

13. My father had herpetic neuralgia the last 10 years or so of his life. He had terrible pain.

I made it a point to get the vaccines as they came out. I had some reaction to the two shot vaccine, well worth avoiding shingles. Shingles and chicken pox are caused by a herpes type virus. So a diet high in lysine (fish, dairy…) and low in arginine (many nuts, not all, chocolate …) can help suppress the virus. You can look up the recommended foods for this in more detail.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. Also be attentive to an occurrence. If immediately knocked down with antiviral, it is very effective

I noticed some bumps one day. I saw a doctor the next day and got an antiviral prescription (7 days) targetted specifically for the shingles virus. Bumps went away in a couple of days and I never had any pain.

[pnwmom]

28. Good to know. Thanks! nt

[grantcart]

15. Biden's recent Medicare boost now covers it.

I have many clients who are suffering, some bed ridden from Shingles.

Get vaccinated now.

[central scrutinizer]

18. I got both Shingrix shots soon after it became available

Felt like crap for a couple days after each shot but I’m glad I did it. I’d already had the earlier vaccine but Shingrix is supposed to be more effective.

[Native]

19. My neighbor went blind in one eye because of it. He was also in pain for an eternity.

My husband and I got the new vaccine as soon as we could. Had to pay full price, but we shopped around and got the lowest price at the time (still expensive). Worth every penny!

[FuzzyRabbit]

21. If you notice a shingles rash see a doctor right away.

You have 72 hours from the onset of shingles to get medicine to knock it down before it gets serious.

If you can't get in to see your doctor, get to any emergency clinic. This is what I did several years ago. After taking the medicine, my shingles was a very mild case. I treated the itching with calamine lotion. Since then I got the shingles vaccine.

[Ms. Toad]

37. If you have any one-sided intense pan on touch see a doctor right away.

My spouse has never had a rash, but has had shingles at least 4 times. Each time we caught it early enough to prevent a rash (and were lucky enough the first time to find a doctor who took it seriously). She's had the anti-viral medication, been miserable for a couple of weeks, and then waited for the next time.

The first incident was around the bra band line, but stopped at the midline of her body. That, and the nature of the pain, were what allowed her to get early treatment.

Shes had it at least twice after the Zostavax vaccination. Now she's had Shingrix. With luck, that will solve the problem.

[Farmer-Rick]

22. Thanks for posting this

Shingles is the top cause of pain related suicide. It's horrible for most people. I watched my spouse suffer with it. It was so awful.

If you get your children the chicken pox vaccine they won't get shingles.

[LittleGirl]

29. Got my first shot two days ago

No side effects for me. Hubby felt icky for about 36 hours but never took anything over the counter either. He’s just a man baby.

My mother got shingles in her 70s and I swear, the opioids the doctor gave her made her an addict in a few weeks. She couldn’t stop taking them because of the pain. The side effects gave her more health problems that she suffered with until her passing.

[Ms. Toad]

30. Medicare pays for it under the drug plan.

So either a separate Medicare part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes part D cover it for free.

My spouse has had shingles at least 4 times. I've lost track. But COVID is a trigger for shingles, even in younger people. Her last bout was a couple of months after COVID. The risk of shingles increases for 6 months.

I've got to find some time when I dont' have a full schedule to get mine. (There can be some adverse reactions and I don't want to be in the middle of something significant and get taken out due to a vaccine reaction. Likely late May.)

[maliaSmith]

32. shingle vaccine

I got my first shingle vaccine shot when I was 60. When I was 76, I got the shingle vaccine again. First vaccine was one shot and second was two. I can't understand why Feinstein never got her shingles vaccine. It's nuts to not get it. It's free just like flu, pneumonia, Covid and whooping cough vaccine shots are. Doctors advise those over 60 to get the whooping shot since there are more people getting whooping cough these days.
My doctor keeps track of what I need and what tests I get.

PS Women over 65 must also keep getting their PAP and MAMMO yearly. My sisters doctor told her that women over 65 don't need to keep having a PAP yearly and she believed him.
Then in 2019 she found a lump and went in to get a PAP exam. She found out she had state 4 cervical cancer and she died in 2021. Had she been given good advice about getting her yearly exams, she'd still be alive. My doctor (a female) also told me she didn't recommend me continuing to have a yearly PAP. I told her about my sister, and she said she still didn't advise the yearly test. Needless to say, I ignored her and continue to get my PAP every single year.
I don't think doctors really care about older women being healthy.

[Ms. Toad]

38. My parents just got their first shingles vaccination at 91.

Not sure why they delayed, since they get annual flu sots. Pretty sure they have had the pneumonia shots.

Do we know she did not have the vaccination? My spouse has had shingles at least 4 times, at least two of those were after she was vaccinated. So getting shingles does not necessarily mean she wasn't vaccinated.

What surprises me is that she apparently didn't seek treatment early enough to avoid major consequences. Antivirals are remarkably effective in minimizing the consequences of shingles. My spouse has taken it early enough to avoid all consequences except for pain. (She's never even had the blisters.) The pain is still severe (requiring narcotics for up to 2 weeks each time), but it generally doesn't require hospitalization.

[question everything]

44. I am so sorry for your loss.

I think that pap smear is not needed after three negative results and if the woman is no longer sexually active.

This is the common advice but perhaps it needs update.

[moniss]

33. Part D

does cover but you still have to first go out of pocket for your deductible. Of course you should first check as to the advisability of any course of action with the esteemed scientific/medical minds of Joe Rogan, Aaron Rodgers and RFK Jr.

[WestMichRad]

34. I've had 3 friends who had shingles.

By all accounts, it’s miserable and painful. I got the vax… want no part of that!

Insurance covered it.

[ThoughtCriminal]

39. Got 1st dose last week

Felt kind of yucky for a few days - about the same way I did after the Moderna boosters.

[CousinIT]

42. Agree. My nephew is suffering w/ it right now. Didn't get the vaccine when he hit 50.

He and my niece are anti-vaxxers. Didn’t get covid vaccines either until their employers made them. They say: “Oh I’m not anti-vac, I’m just selective.”

I don’t say it but, NO. They’re just stupid. MAGA parents raised them that way.

Nephew will now be getting the shingles vaccine once his breakout clears. Getting shingles made a believer out of him.

“Too may side effects!” Yells the niece. REALLY?! She thinks having a sore arm and being tired for a day is worse than shingles.

HA!

As I said, being stupid. Ugh.

GET THE VACCINE! I guarantee you shingles is MUCH worse than the sore arm the two shots will give you. Don’t be dumb. Just get it.