1. < Neuropathy

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?

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irishk | @irishk | Jun 26, 2023

Oh dear, am so sorry for your husband. Must be difficult to eat.

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pacer3702 | @pacer3702 | Jun 27, 2023
In reply to @irishk "Within days of having Shingles 5 years ago, I got neuropathy in my feet. After getting..." + (show)
@irishk

Within days of having Shingles 5 years ago, I got neuropathy in my feet. After getting the 1st Shingles vaccine last July, my gait considerably worsened and I had to start using trekking poles to go on a short walk. I told my Neurologist about it and she told me to get the 2nd Shingrix vaccine, which I did last December. I am sorry that I did, as I developed PN in my hands! Worse then the pain was the tender/sensitive fingertips, making any activity with my fingertips painful. We need our hands for everything, cooking, putting shades up, bathing, shampooing, etc, etc For some odd wonderful reason the sensitivity has lessened. I had to have someone come cook for me for awhile. The intense pain is nearly gone, thank goodness, though occasionally, I awaken with severe pain in my left thumb, which only lasts for about 10-15 minutes. The 4 plus hours of pain nearly did me in. I tried a quarter to a half of the 100 mg capsule of Gabapentin, but was so hung over for 24 hours, I could barely function. What worked for the intense pain was a Shingles cream, by Dermachange, that I bought online. The general Neurologist, after hearing my whole history, did not think it related to the Shingrix vaccine. He thought that the PN had progressed. However, I think that I understood the Neurophysiologist who did the testing, say that PN can develop from vaccines, and that it usually happens in about 3 weeks. I will check with him before getting the flu
Covid vaccine in the fall. I had had a lot of vaccines in a short period of time, 2-3 years, 5 Covid, 2 flu, 2 Shingrix!

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Thank you for this post. Could you please let us know what the neurophysiologist recommends about the flu vaccine after you check with him? I'm trying to decide if the flu vaccine will be safe for me after I developed sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy due to the Covid vaccine.

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2 replies
irishk | @irishk | Jun 27, 2023

I am so sorry that you developed sensory and motor PN from the Covid vaccine.

Yes, I will, I do not plan on asking him for a couple months. I am pretty sure that my Internist, General Neurologist, Pulmonologist friend will advise me to get it.

Best to ask your Doctors, who know you and your medical history.

Kathleen

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mayonaise28 | @mayonaise28 | Jun 27, 2023
In reply to @meredith01 "The vaccine is known to cause Gilliam Barre syndrome/GBS (rare but it happens). It also is..." + (show)
@meredith01

The vaccine is known to cause Gilliam Barre syndrome/GBS (rare but it happens). It also is known to trigger other underlying conditions, including nerve disorders. This has been confirmed by my own doctor and my pharmacist. I had the first (of 2) doses a week ago and it triggered the worst case of sciatica ever. I am in so much pain, and I've been advised not to take the second dose (due in 2 months). I am also very afraid that this sciatica pain will radiate outward to the rest of my body which will then be diagnosed as GBS. I know 2 people who had the first shot and one now has sciatica, and the other is very sick. This is a terrible vaccine. It replaces a previous version that was very dangerous.

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I have also had a worsening of previously existing sciatica since Shingrix. It may just be a coincidence, but there seem to be a number of nerve related conditions that folks have reported here in conjunction with the Shingrix vaccine. I do hope all are filing adverse event reports.

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mayonaise28 | @mayonaise28 | Jun 27, 2023
In reply to @512tr911 "Within a week of getting Shingrix #1 in July at my local Safeway pharmacy, I too..." + (show)
@512tr911

Within a week of getting Shingrix #1 in July at my local Safeway pharmacy, I too developed numbness in both feet. It is most severe in the soles/bottom of my feet. Saw my doctor about the numbness but did not think to mention the recent Shringrix shot when he asked me if there were any changes/events in my life. He drew blood and I learned that I had low levels of vitamins D3 and B12. I have been taking additional supplements for over 3 months. I was hoping the numbness might be because of the vitamin deficiencies but there has been no improvement in my feet.

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I wish I had seen this thread of messages years ago.

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dmoreci | @dmoreci | Jun 28, 2023
In reply to @pacer3702 "Thank you for this post. Could you please let us know what the neurophysiologist recommends about..." + (show)
@pacer3702

Thank you for this post. Could you please let us know what the neurophysiologist recommends about the flu vaccine after you check with him? I'm trying to decide if the flu vaccine will be safe for me after I developed sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy due to the Covid vaccine.

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I developed PN after my 2nd COVID Vaccine booster also. Affected my digestion and legs/feet.

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jengarcia71 | @jengarcia71 | Jul 22, 2023
In reply to @prijic "I started getting numbness in my toes shortly after my 2nd shingrex vaccine. Has not gone..." + (show)
@prijic

I started getting numbness in my toes shortly after my 2nd shingrex vaccine. Has not gone away so far after 4 months

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Hi, the same thing happened to me. I am now 15 months since that the 2nd Shingrix vaccine and I have Neuropathy. I’m sorry that you are going through this as well. It’s not right.

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murrayd81 | @murrayd81 | Jul 24, 2023

yes, I too began to have neuropathy in my hands and feet shortly after getting the Shingrix shot. I am extremely health conscious and try to do everything to stay healthy. This is very discouraging. Is this temporary? Or will it get worse?

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 24, 2023
In reply to @murrayd81 "yes, I too began to have neuropathy in my hands and feet shortly after getting the..." + (show)
@murrayd81

yes, I too began to have neuropathy in my hands and feet shortly after getting the Shingrix shot. I am extremely health conscious and try to do everything to stay healthy. This is very discouraging. Is this temporary? Or will it get worse?

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Welcome @murrayd81, I'm sorry to hear your neuropathy started shortly after getting the Shingrix shot. It is definitely discouraging to say the least and unfortunately I don't think anyone can answer if it's temporary or if it will get worse. I'm glad you mentioned you are extremely health conscious and try to do everything to stay healthy. That in itself is a big plus along with staying as active as you can. You might find some helpful information on dealing with the neuropathy symptoms here - Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy - Living Well: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/.

Have you reported the adverse side effects of the Shingrix vaccine to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)? - https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html

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crossette | @crossette | Jul 24, 2023
In reply to @memomsloan "To expand a bit, the neuropathy involves my feet and legs. It wakes me at night..." + (show)
@memomsloan

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?

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It is a shame that we have not been told about these cases of neuropathy after Shingrex injection! Everyone here that mentioned that should report it NOW even if it was a few years ago. Thanks.
If you experience side effects from Shingrix, you should report them to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). You can do it yourself through the VAERS website, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

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