Shingrix and peripheral neuropathy

@chicosalt I've been reading all post on the new shingle shot If you,ve had chicken pox you have the herpes zoster in you this is the virus for shingles I'm concerned about getting the shot also I had the one that was gives 8 yrs ago but have to think about it Glad I read these post thanks Linda

I received the 2nd Shingrex dose on February 12, 2019. I am a 62 year old male and do not have diabetes. Two nights later in bed, I experienced intense itching on my legs, feet, arms and hands. A few nights later, I experienced intense "electrical tingling" throughout my body along with nausea and lower abdominal pain. I don't know how else to describe this awful sensation. By morning, it was gone. This quickly evolved into regular daily sensations of burning feet, itching, tingling, or pin pricks of pain in these same locations. I became so alarmed that I made an appt. at the Neurological Dept at the University of Michigan. They listened to my story, did some blood tests, and gave me an MRI of my neck. Their vague diagnosis was either cervical arthritis or inflammation brought on by exercising. They offered no explanation for the leg and foot symptoms. Their recommendation is to start taking Gabapentin and get something called cervical traction from a physical therapist. I did mention to them that I had recently gotten the 2nd Shingrix dose but at that time I had not yet realized that the symptoms started only two days later and they had no reaction in any case. (We only realized this fact last night when we looked at the date of the vaccination). The only side-effect I had from the first dose was an extremely sore arm. It has been just over three months now and my feet are burning as I write this. There are symptoms every day with some days better than others but this has taken the joy out of my life.I will be seeing my PCP in two days. My greatest fear is that this may never go away and i am really just p****d off about this. I realize that it is probably impossible to prove that my symptoms are due to Shingrix but the timing is certainly suspect. I wish I had never heard of Shingrix. - Jim in Michigan

Well, good luck getting the doctors who are the drug pushers for the pharmaceutical companies to admit that a vaccine may be the cause of your problems. Just google it and you'll quickly discover what a vast conspiracy this is. I had Levaquin, which JNJ is paying for but not for me, and the shingles vaccine. Doctors quickly disavow, at least my doctors quickly disavowed, there could be any connection between vaccines and a whole range of chronic issues.

Sorry to hear this, Jim. I finally got to ask my neurologist about any potential connection between Shingrex and neuropathy; with a good explanation than I can't totally remember and/or provide. But basically he said that shingles is caused by a virus and neuropathy is a nerve disorder- totally different mechanisms at play- and that I should get the shots.
Still wary. Your story makes me even more nervous..
Thanks for sharing. Hope your burning settles!
Lori in CA

@chicosalt Welcome to connect I wanted to tell you I had my first Shingrex shot about 2months ago didn't have any side effects Everyone is different I go for my 2nd in June

Of course the docs (big pharma tools) said the vaccine is safe. Do some research. If Shingrex has mercury or aluminum, they are neurotoxins. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't contain some neurotoxin that causes neuropathy.

http://vaxtruth.org/2012/01/aluminum-toxicity-and-a-primer-on-the-vic/

Thanks for the kind words Lori. My PCP explained that Shingrix is an extremely 'active' (potential for lots of side-effects) vaccine and that an autoimmune response is always possible. He also said that he thinks that these sensations might eventually go away if they are from the vaccine. My wife got the vaccine at the same time with no problems beyond a very sore arm.

I had an onset of neuropathy in both feet right after the first Shingrix shot. Never had this before. It has been 8 months now and I would like to know if there Are reports of improvement or diminishing symptoms.

To expand a bit, the neuropathy involves my feet and legs. It wakes me at night and it feels like creepy/crawly things under my skin. My legs ache and are painful. As soon as I get out of bed and on my feet, all the symptoms disappear. I am taking two medications now, Gabapentin and Amitriptyline, in order to help with the very disordered sleep. I was awakening every 90 minutes all night prior to the medications. The Gabapentin has reduced the creepy/crawly sensations under the skin of my calves. I will not get the 2nd shot of Shingrix. I also understand shot #1 and #2 are exactly alike and that the first shot gives 85% immunity. Is any place gathering this information to have it reported to the CDC?

Hello @memomsloan, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms. I have not yet had the Shingrix shot but have been thinking about it. I already have small fiber peripheral neuropathy and do not want to deal with another condition like shingles. Your symptoms sound similar to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). There is another discussion you may want to join in on RLS.

> Groups > Sleep Health > Restless Leg Syndrome
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/restless-leg-syndrome-2a74e5/

Mayo Clinic - Restless Leg Syndrome - Symptoms & Causes
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377168

Here's what the CDC has to say about the Shingrix Vaccine:

What Everyone Should Know about Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
-- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
Complications of Shingles
-- https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/complications.html

You mentioned taking medications for the symptoms. Have you been diagnosed with neuropathy?