Shingrix and peripheral neuropathy

Shingrex (the vaccine for shingles) is made by recombinant technology. It is not a live vaccine, and therefore cannot cause Shingles.
Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus which lies dormant in your body until it is stimulated by many known and unknown things to cause shingles, which is therefore a viral illness.
Shingles is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It can become a chronic condition called post herpetic neuralgia, which is chronic pain in the area of the rash, even after the rash disappears. "Typical" peripheral neuropathy is usually a problem in the extremities.

Immediately after my first Shingrix shot I developed sensory neuropathy, not peripheral neuropathy. I am reluctant to get the 2nd Shingrix.

I’m not suggesting Shingrex causes a viral infection. I am wondering if Shingrix can trigger an autoimmune response and that elevated autoimmune response can cause peripheral neuropathy. The correlation of this onset of my husband’s peripheral neuropathy with his receiving this vaccine regimen is what is concerning. I am curious about the post-marketing adverse events associated with Shingrex.

@memomsloan, what is the difference between sensory neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy?

@mic3, I can't find any information about Shingrex causing an autoimmune response that results in peripheral neuropathy, although of course with this disease anything is possible. Shingrex is recommended to patients with PN.

I originally replied to this post on May 21st 2019 (please read it) where I blamed Shingrix for my newly developed symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. I must now disavow that post and can say that the vaccine did not cause it. In my case - it was from a combination of sciatica due to longstanding lower back dysfunction and the existence of a trigger point in both of my piriformis muscles. I am successfully resolving the symptoms by treating the lower back with what are known as Mckenzie exercises which are a type of physical therapy. But the most relief is occurring from rubbing the piriformis trigger points with a Thera-Cane as described in the excellent book 'THE TRIGGER POINT THERAPY WORKBOOK' 3rd Edition by Clair Davies. Piriformis trigger points can cause all of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy because the piriformis muscle will be pressing on the nerve that goes right to the feet. If you are not diabetic and have developed peripheral neuropathy, I can only urge you to educate yourself on what I have described. Most doctors (especially older ones) have no knowledge or training about trigger points, but some recently graduated do. In my case - it was unfortunate that the symptoms occurred at the same time as when I got the Shingrix vaccine which was obviously purely coincidental. I hope this information will help somebody out there.

Thanks so much for your reply and suggestion! We are not only looking for the cause of the sudden peripheral neuropathy but also ideas on ways to address it! I really appreciate your taking the time to respond!

Yes, I have had improvement. Shingrix did not cause it. In my case – it was from a combination of sciatica due to longstanding lower back dysfunction (probably disc herniation) and the existence of a trigger point in both of my piriformis muscles.(They are in your butt cheeks) I am successfully resolving the symptoms by treating the lower back with what are known as Mckenzie exercises which are a type of physical therapy. But the most relief is occurring from rubbing the piriformis trigger points with a Thera-Cane as described in the excellent book 'THE TRIGGER POINT THERAPY WORKBOOK' 3rd Edition by Clair Davies. Piriformis trigger points can cause all of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy because the piriformis muscle will be pressing on the nerve that goes right to the feet. If you are not diabetic and have developed peripheral neuropathy, I can only urge you to educate yourself on what I have described. Most doctors (especially older ones) have no knowledge or training about trigger points, but some recently graduated do. In my case – it was unfortunate that the symptoms occurred at the same time as when I got the Shingrix vaccine which was obviously purely coincidental. I hope this information will help somebody out there.

@jenniferhunter @jeffrapp and @johnbishop might have some thoughts on the trigger point therapy you were talking about, @19jimmy57.

Hello @19jimmy57, I was not familiar with trigger point therapy and found a link that ties it in with Myofascial Release Therapy which several members on Connect have used and there is a discussion on Connect.

Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain Syndrome -- https://www.painscience.com/tutorials/trigger-points.php

> Groups > Neuropathy > Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/