COVID-19 and Holidays

Hi, @merpreb as well as @migizii @bustrbrwn22 and others who are considering the newest Shingles vaccine (the 2 part vaccine). I had the vaccine about 1 1/2 years ago. I didn't feel all that great afterward. I recall having a sore arm, being fatigued, and generally feeling flu-like. I don't recall any neuropathy, though.

However, this year, I did have a case of shingles. it really did surprise me, but I later found out that 10% of people who get this newest vaccine will still get shingles. I was told that my case was mild (only a few small lesions) however the pain was terrible. It took several meds before I found relief. If this was a mild case, with only a few lesions, I can't imagine what a heavy case of shingles would be like.

To be vaccinated or not, is a personal decision. I usually always get every vaccine available.

@merpreb

Sure, it started with a few bumps on my back, looked rather like mosquito bites (they itched terribly). It looked to me like an allergic reaction to something. It was on my back, on the waistband area right side, so I couldn't really see these bumps multiplying. By the time I went to see the doctor four days later, there were three of them. I had no pain at first, just the itching.

By the time I got to the doctor, there was a lot of lower back pain that felt like I must have lifted something too heavy, but could not think of doing anything like that. The pain was very intense, like a sunburn inside the body. The doctor put me on an antiviral med which caused the bumps to disappear but the pain continued and grew from my lower back to my side on the flank area (the ER doc thought I might have appendicitis or a kidney stone). This sunburn-type of pain was intense. It took 2 rounds of prednisone and lots of Gabapentin for about 3 weeks before it was bearable.

I would definitely not want to repeat that experience. If you hear of anyone who has Singles offer them as much compassion, support, and sympathy as you can. I received two types of homemade soup from a friend, another friend made a GF lasagna, salad, and GF cake. I was well taken care of.

What is GF cake and lasagna?

Like @hopeful, I've had the 2 part shingles vaccine without serious side effects and Medicare and my ins. pd for both. Each time my arm was pretty sore for a day or two but that has also happened some years following the annual flu vaccine. I also felt very lethargic for those days but it was well worth the temporary discomfort for me.

Shingles can be exhausting and terribly painful and in some cases, a long running malady from which to recover. My daughter had a miserable time with it in her 30's. Hers were around her waist which made wearing waist bands impossible and she was quite ill for several weeks before recovering. It took her 2-3 months to feel like she'd recovered from the fatigue.

Like @coderhomer, I initially pondered whether or not I'd request a Covid vaccine as soon as it became available for wider distribution. At 77 yrs, I'm older with several chronic health conditions which made it important to me to quarantine more closely and for longer than many. I trust our highly reputable infectious disease specialists so when I heard Dr. Fauci say over the weekend that he would take the vaccine when it became available, I trust that I will too. We all react differently to meds and procedures and each will have to decide individually but for me it will be another action I can take for protection from the deadly Covid-19.

@migizii. Thank you everyone for your input.....it’s been so long since I’ve felt pretty good 1 1/2 yr of dealing with a fractured foot and then fusion surgery on it, along with my usual chronic health conditions; that when I read about possibly getting sick from a vaccine it just seemed so overwhelming. I have regular Medicare with supplemental insurance, which puts the shots under Pt. D and I will check again but my first quote was quite high. I usually always get vaccines and sometimes have mild to moderate reactions to them. I certainly do not want to experience neuropathy (have had some limited issues with it already) and the illness itself sounds terrible. I have experienced debilitating pain many, many times. Decisions?

@fiesty76- Good morning, it's nice to hear from you. I hope that you have been well. It sounds as if your daughter really had a miserable time and in her 30's too! The more I think about it the more that I am inclined to get the vaccine for COVID. Rhode Island has been chosen to participate with 3 other states for the first roll-out. Hopefully, it will be smooth. The people making the decisions for the vaccine have it pretty tough. Imagine how it would feel to make life and death decisions as to who gets protected first and how will that person react? What will the long term benefits be, if any?

@fiesty76- Good morning, it's nice to hear from you. I hope that you have been well. It sounds as if your daughter really had a miserable time and in her 30's too! The more I think about it the more that I am inclined to get the vaccine for COVID. Rhode Island has been chosen to participate with 3 other states for the first roll-out. Hopefully, it will be smooth. The people making the decisions for the vaccine have it pretty tough. Imagine how it would feel to make life and death decisions as to who gets protected first and how will that person react? What will the long term benefits be, if any?

@hopeful33250- I thought that by last night I would be over my reaction but my fever returned and today I feel a bit better but more like an achy wet rag. Given your experience and that of a dear friend of mine with shingles, I am glad that I had the shot and will get the second. I believe that there is a 2-6 month window to do so.

Thank you for sharing your experience, Teresa. I hope that you are well over your aches and pains. I felt that even with COVID-19 there are other things that need to be attended to for my well-being.