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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@elderellen

ElderEllen here: I am soon to be 88 and had my first Shingrix shot sept.11.2020. The only side effects was redness at the shot site that lasted for 1 to 2 weeks, it itched was all, but I am scared of the second shot which I hear will have more side effects, I have been told like having the flu for a few days? I have some under the toes sensation that may be a nerve condition which my PCP said may be due to old age. If I chose to get the 2nd shot I will delay it until March which is 6 months out and I think the start of spring time here in the Northwest. I have been an active female all my adult life and a tom boy growing up so aging has been a learning experience for me. My mate died May 1, 2018, so moved to my home out of our shared home(his) and have transitioned back into this community. During the pandemic I have been masked and gloved if I grocery shop early in the morning. My family is near by and are supportive as they can be with all the changes in their lives. Be Safe.

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@elderellen I am 83, male, living in the midwest.. I had both Shingles shots just last fall .. the second did NOT hurt more or have anymore side effects than the first one... The only side effect I had was a sore arm for a few days.. Do not rely on what you "heard" .. find out.. ask your doctor and your pharmacist ... go on line to credible sites.. .. the experience of having Shingles at this age is something I was wanting to avoid after 2 close friends had Full Blown Shingles that lasted not only weeks but in to the months... The rumor mill is very active... Check things out with trusted experts... I use "My Chart" to email questions to my primary care physician.. and others.. those non-emergency questions receive credible answers...

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@sunnyflower

Hi magnum52 and @jonnyd I'm thinking there must be a class action lawsuit by now? Sunnyflower

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Yeah, there could be but not sure. I actually got the flu shot and my second shingles shot at the same time so I'm not sure which one caused my PN.

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I also developed PN 4 days after receiving the second Shingrix shot, but I also got the flu shot at the same time.

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@elderellen

ElderEllen here: I am soon to be 88 and had my first Shingrix shot sept.11.2020. The only side effects was redness at the shot site that lasted for 1 to 2 weeks, it itched was all, but I am scared of the second shot which I hear will have more side effects, I have been told like having the flu for a few days? I have some under the toes sensation that may be a nerve condition which my PCP said may be due to old age. If I chose to get the 2nd shot I will delay it until March which is 6 months out and I think the start of spring time here in the Northwest. I have been an active female all my adult life and a tom boy growing up so aging has been a learning experience for me. My mate died May 1, 2018, so moved to my home out of our shared home(his) and have transitioned back into this community. During the pandemic I have been masked and gloved if I grocery shop early in the morning. My family is near by and are supportive as they can be with all the changes in their lives. Be Safe.

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Hi @elderellen, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm glad to hear that you are staying safe during this pandemic. I, too, got the Shingrex vaccine. I've had shingles, luckily a relatively mild case, but I want to do everything I can to not get it again. For me, the shot made me feel groggy and tired the second day after getting the vaccine both times. I used it as an excuse to take a rest day. A book and pot of tea were my companions.

It is recommended that healthy adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months. So March is that latest you'll want to get your second dose.

I completely agree with @ken82 to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're concerned about getting the second shot. Here's some information from the CDC and from Mayo Clinic:
- Shingles Vaccination https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
- Mayo Clinic Q and A https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-new-shingles-vaccine-recommended-for-most-adults-over-age-50/

Elderellen, you may also wish to join the discussions in the Aging Well group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/

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@jesfactsmon

@bustrbrwn22
Jen, according to the Mayo website, if you have not had chickenpox you will not develop shingles. But if you come into close contact with someone who has shingles you might develop chicken pox. So if you have not had chickenpox you probably can get by w.o. the shot. Just avoid closeness with anyone with shingles. But that is just what I read, and as you know, I am not a doctor (or even a nurse). Hank

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@jesfactsmon I had chickenpox in high school. If I got the shingrex
Vaccine is it possible my nerve pain could get even worse as an adverse reaction to the virus others are talking about? Oh my god! I also had a small shingles outbreak under my Right armpit all the way under my right breast. It must have been a mild case. Can I get this shit again??!!

Just got done meeting with the curly top cuties. Take some pain pills and a nap.

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@memomsloan

I have replied to your posting from 2/4/19, previously, but I think it is time to revisit this. Three days after my 1st Shingrix shot on 3/12/19, I developed, what I thought was Restless Leg Syndrome, but after many tests - EMG among others/appointments/consults, I have now been diagnosed with Sensory Neuropathy of unknown cause. I will not get the 2nd Shingrix shot. I take 25 mg Amitriptyline in the evening and 600 mg Gabapentin at bedtime. I sleep well with these medications. I am 78 now and do not want to change my regime. I would like to hear about others who may have information linking Shingrix and neuropathy.

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Just to clarify some points. I am NOT an anti-vacser but rather an RN with 57 yrs in the profession. I did not make this decision capriciously. What I would like is information about how to find a site for Class Action Lawsuit or Tort for those who have experienced unusual and challenging outcomes from Shingrix. I know many who have had NO side effects from Shingrix. I also know I am putting myself at some risk of Shingles, which I had in 2011 following the first shingles shot in 2009. I had a mild case then. Shingrix can have a nerve root influence. Also, Chicken pox has a nerve root link. My doctors here in Albuquerque, NM have not been able to give me guidance about a Class Action Lawsuit of Tort.

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@bustrbrwn22

@jesfactsmon I had chickenpox in high school. If I got the shingrex
Vaccine is it possible my nerve pain could get even worse as an adverse reaction to the virus others are talking about? Oh my god! I also had a small shingles outbreak under my Right armpit all the way under my right breast. It must have been a mild case. Can I get this shit again??!!

Just got done meeting with the curly top cuties. Take some pain pills and a nap.

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@bustrbrwn22 @jesfactsmon Hi, Hank and Jen, Just to let you guys know, I would never get a shingles vaccine, nor have I ever even had a flu shot. I get weird side effects from meds in general, and have always been leary of vaccinations. However, I will definitely do a Covid vaccine if ever a safe one is found. How could I not? Meanwhile, took my SE Asian leaf today, if you know what I mean, and pain went from a 7-8, to gone. So I will be happy for about 4 hours now. And, I just found out from Jen that my husband Stu and I are curly haired cuties!!! So all is good!!! Love to you guys, Lori

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@lorirenee1

@bustrbrwn22 @jesfactsmon Hi, Hank and Jen, Just to let you guys know, I would never get a shingles vaccine, nor have I ever even had a flu shot. I get weird side effects from meds in general, and have always been leary of vaccinations. However, I will definitely do a Covid vaccine if ever a safe one is found. How could I not? Meanwhile, took my SE Asian leaf today, if you know what I mean, and pain went from a 7-8, to gone. So I will be happy for about 4 hours now. And, I just found out from Jen that my husband Stu and I are curly haired cuties!!! So all is good!!! Love to you guys, Lori

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@lorirenee1 @bustrbrwn22
7-8 to Gone! Should be the title of a movie, starring the Curly Haired Cuties. Am going to the fridge to get a beer to celebrate the good news. 🍺 Cheers!

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@lorirenee1

@bustrbrwn22 @jesfactsmon Hi, Hank and Jen, Just to let you guys know, I would never get a shingles vaccine, nor have I ever even had a flu shot. I get weird side effects from meds in general, and have always been leary of vaccinations. However, I will definitely do a Covid vaccine if ever a safe one is found. How could I not? Meanwhile, took my SE Asian leaf today, if you know what I mean, and pain went from a 7-8, to gone. So I will be happy for about 4 hours now. And, I just found out from Jen that my husband Stu and I are curly haired cuties!!! So all is good!!! Love to you guys, Lori

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@lorirenee1 Did you have Chicken Pox as a child? If you did, do you know anyone who had shingles in later life? It is not good.
Remember that the Flu in 1918 killed 675,000 in the United States..About 12,000 - 56,000 people have died in the US each year since 2010.
Did your parents see to it that you had the polio vaccination? Not knowing your age but to have lived through the summers in the 1950s the threat of Polio was really lifestyle changing.
Have you ever reported your medication symptoms to your prescribing Doctor? Get credible information from reliable sources. Mayo Clinic Doctors and publications are credible. Facebook medical information is not reliable. Don't bet your life on it..
I am 83, and have seen too much needless sickness because of a hunch or what "someone said." Good Luck.

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I had recently reported here my case of burning feet and legs about a month after receiving the 2nd Shingrix injection.. I did not previously disclose that I have already had Shingles twice. Once when I was 27 and again when I was 59. I am now 69. I will be seeing a neurologist on Tuesday morning and report back.

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