Shingrix and peripheral neuropathy

Hello @joannerhodes. I am inviting @charann2000 to this conversation as they also have recently talked about having the shingrix vaccination.

@joannerhodes, neuropathy would certainly be a concerning side-effect, was this discussed as a potential side-effect with you when you were given the vaccination? Have you contacted your provider that gave the shot?

Hi, I just had my second Shingrix shot yesterday. My arm is terribly sore but so far no numbing and or nerve pain as with the first one. I mentioned to the Pharmacist where I got the first shot that my left hand (got the first and second one in left arm) in particular, the fingers felt like they were numbing. The Pharmacist told me yesterday that whoever administered the first dose may have nicked a nerve when administering the first shot. She was concerned to hear this and I assured her that it did pass in several days and I had no other after effects since that first week. She did mention that a lot of people have more side effects with this shot and that the first shot is a slightly different blend than the second one. Shingrix is a strong shot, both first and second....I believe she said it was a "live virus" as opposed to the original Shingles Shot which was not a live virus.. I hope that your symptoms/side effects pass which I believe they will. If they don't clear up, get in touch with the person who administered it and you can also call the manufacturer of the vaccination and mention this to them. Good luck....By the way, I still feel better having gotten both the shots and now I am done with it and should not have to worry about Shingles and it was worth the side effects.

@joannerhodes Did the Dr recommend 2shingle shots? My Dr only gave me one never mentioned about the 2nd one I,he had 2pneumonia shots When I had foot surgery the Dr told me to put I't On ice bag ,ice is anti inflammatory Can you explain why 2shots?

There are two different Shingles vaccinations, 1. The original "Shingles" shot is a one time shot; 2. but the newer "Shingrix Shot" is a two- shot process. If you got the Shingrix shot, you will need a second vaccination within two to six months of the first one for it to be completely effective. However, if your doctor administered the original Shingles Shot, it is a one shot process. You will have to contact your doctor's office to find out which variety of the shingles vaccination he administered to you. If he is a good physician, he should have told you or asked which of the two varieties of the vaccination you wanted. The newer "Shingrix" vaccination (two two-shot process) is greatly more effective than the older one-shot Shingles vaccine. However, your Part D Medicare Drug carrier would have to have it included in the vaccinations which they cover as it is a more expensive vaccination. I hope that this helps you understand that there are two different varieties of Shingles vaccines on the market today!

@charann2000 If you have be chickenpox you have the virus in you

@charann2000 the original shingles, vaccine, zostavax is live, the newer one, shringrix, is not.
from the Mayo Clinic site:
Zostavax is a live vaccine given as a single injection, usually in the upper arm. Shingrix is a non living vaccine made of a virus component. It's given in two doses, with two to six months between doses.

I’m not sure why, but being a Post-transplant patient I can not get either. I am told that they have not decided on shringrix, but zostavax is definitely is out, being live.
Have any other post transplant patients here been told anything more about being able to get the zostavax shots?
JK

Yes, you do have the the chickenpox virus in you if you had chickenpox at an earlier stage in your life, however, Shingriix also uses a form of the chickenpox virus, but it cuts your chances of getting shingles by 90% as opposed to the original Shingles (Zostavax) Shot which is around 80% effective in preventing shingles...by the way Zostavax does contain a live-attenuated vaccine, meaning it uses a weakened form of the live virus. So regardless of which shingles vaccination you get, you are still getting a live virus injected into your body. Even if you would still get Shingles after these vaccinations, you would most likely get a much milder form of it than non-vaccinated individuals. Hope this covers all bases for you!

No, I do not know of any other post transplant patients in regard to getting either of the two Shingles vaccines. My sister has advanced RA and the pharmacist told her to speak to her Rheumatologist regarding the Shingrix vaccination...that's about all I can say for now.

@charann2000 My Dr gave me the original vaccine Zostavax he new I had open heart surgery in 1996 and have fibromyalgia but still got it I had no side effects but I don't know about transplants Ask your Dr that did the transplant @contentandwell

@charann2000 I’m just suprised that Shingrix is not allowed yet since according to Mayo it is a non living vaccine.
JK