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Shingrix and peripheral neuropathy

Posted by joannerhodes @joannerhodes, Feb 1, 2019

4 days after my 2nd Shingrix vaccination, I suddenly developed intense peripheral neuropathy in both feet...for the first time in my life...anyone else?

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bowser1960 | @bowser1960 | Aug 9, 2025

I had Shingrex shot 6/26/25. 10 days later began having parasthesias on feet lower legs arms and face. Today is 8/9/25. I was worked up in er. Nothing on head mri or ct scans. I believe this neuropathy to be an autoimmune response. The immune system is revved up by an adjuvant in the Shingrix vaccine. Look up adjuvant. Shingrix adjuvant is the only vaccine its used in. It states that neuropathy may happen with molecular mimicry of the adjuvant. Read this all in different case studies etc. This is my best guess. Autoimmune small fiber neuropathy responds to IVIG Infusions sometimes. Going to local neuropathy and hope to get big city neuropathy appt. Very hard and frustrating.

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dablues82 | @dablues82 | Oct 8, 2025
In reply to @daj3333 "I developed SFN in both feet four days after my second shingles shot. I was given..." + (show)
Profile picture for daj3333 @daj3333

I developed SFN in both feet four days after my second shingles shot. I was given no information in advance about side effects other than being told my arm would be sore for a few days. When I told my doctor about the neuropathy, he said it was doubtful the shingles shot caused it. Guess it just magically appeared. My neurologist said there is no way to know for sure. Neuropathy sucks for sure. I retired at 60 years old one month before I got neuropathy and now all my plans are ruined.

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@daj3333 I got it after taking the 2nd dose in 2019 and nothing is relieving it

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mayonaise28 | @mayonaise28 | Jan 30 8:48pm

Post-Shingrix Vaccination Guillain-Barré Syndrome Presentation in the Emergency Department: A Case Report and Literature Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39981465/
Prolonged Neurological and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Following Shingrix Vaccination
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12199863
Serious and Progressive Neuropathy Presumably Post-Shingrix Vaccination
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12225469/
Adjuvant AS01 activates human monocytes for costimulation and systemic inflammation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X23014433

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revdorth | @revdorth | Jun 2 10:35am
In reply to @irishk "I got peripheral neuropathy in feet after I had Shingles and PN in my hands after..." + (show)
Profile picture for irishk @irishk

I got peripheral neuropathy in feet after I had Shingles and PN in my hands after Shingrix. I had to wear gloves to put/ take things out of the frig and freezer, could not type for mos. Acute phase of PN in hands lasted about 4 -5 mos. Occasionally still get an intense pain in my left thumb early in the morning that only lasts 5 minutes. My hands are still sensitive to cold. Neurologist confirmed polyneuropathy.

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@irishk my hands get cold as well. I have PN but my cold hands come from something called cold urticaria my doctor told me. I have had that for a very long time and I'm increasingly sensitive to the cold. I even have to wear gloves now when I go to the frozen food department at the grocery store or else I am in big trouble.

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landscapepainting | @landscapepainting | Aug 20 6:53am
In reply to @roslyn2314 "At 66 years I thought I may need a shingles vaccine . Not long after I..." + (show)
Profile picture for roslyn2314 @roslyn2314

At 66 years I thought I may need a shingles vaccine . Not long after I developed the first signs of short fiber neuropathy.
I am not diabetic alcoholic or a smoker . My diet is excellent I don’t have any vitamin deficiencies and all bloods are completely normal including heavy metals .. The markers all point to shingrix vaccine . There is nothing else to explain my current permanent debilitating condition .

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@roslyn2314 I also developed small fiber neuropathy after my first shingrix vaccine and still have it. My doctors discovered the likely cause. I have selective IgM deficiency and had trouble with Covid vaccines but fully recovered, then developed SFN from shingrix. My immunologist said that because I don’t have enough IgM, my immune system becomes dysregulated. In some way, this seems to have resulted in SFN, perhaps from prolonged inflammation. I now take duloxetine and it helps immensely. I was also 66 and in excellent health.

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landscapepainting | @landscapepainting | Aug 20 7:01am
In reply to @bowser1960 "I had Shingrex shot 6/26/25. 10 days later began having parasthesias on feet lower legs arms..." + (show)
Profile picture for bowser1960 @bowser1960

I had Shingrex shot 6/26/25. 10 days later began having parasthesias on feet lower legs arms and face. Today is 8/9/25. I was worked up in er. Nothing on head mri or ct scans. I believe this neuropathy to be an autoimmune response. The immune system is revved up by an adjuvant in the Shingrix vaccine. Look up adjuvant. Shingrix adjuvant is the only vaccine its used in. It states that neuropathy may happen with molecular mimicry of the adjuvant. Read this all in different case studies etc. This is my best guess. Autoimmune small fiber neuropathy responds to IVIG Infusions sometimes. Going to local neuropathy and hope to get big city neuropathy appt. Very hard and frustrating.

Jump to this post

@bowser1960 thank you for that information about the mimicry. I was 66, in excellent health and had the shingrix vaccine January 2024 and right afterward developed small fiber neuropathy. It went undiagnosed for a year, then I was put on low dose duloxetine with great results but had to discontinue for one year. Back on now with great results again.

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roslyn2314 | @roslyn2314 | Aug 20 7:42am

This is interesting as I too at 67 had the shingles shot and fell ill with small fiber neuropathy very soon after.
It has progressed and I take endep and Lyrica daily.
So wished I didn’t have that vaccine

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