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Has anyone had severe side effects after receiving the shingles vaccin
After experiencing shingles several times in my life I decided to get the shingles vaccine last year in 2024. 5 months afterwards I was diagnosed with shingles on the inside of my body in the mid bladder area with pain wrapping around my left side to my back. I am currently diagnosed with PHN the aftermath of shingles. I did some research and found its a low percentage side effect from the vaccine. I am in tormenting pain and there is no cure just meds with no end in site.
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@seven11vaxhurtme
Are you taking any medication for your PHN like valacyclovir? I am 55 and female and afraid to get the shingles vaccine. Did your doctor mention any risk with the vaccine if you already had shingles?
Hello @seven11vaxhurtme, You might want to scan through the search results for Covid vaccine side effects to learn what experiences other members have had. Here's a list of the discussions and comments found - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=covid%20vaccine%20+side%20effects
I had shingles about 8 years ago. My forehead finally stopped itching recently. I had heard that if one has peripheral neuropathy, as I do, one should not get the shingles vaccine. So, I haven't.
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1 ReactionI have nerve pain from having shingles in my forehead for 3 years now. It is slowly getting better but I feel like I am stuck with this nerve damage for life.
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1 ReactionI never got the covid jab.
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1 ReactionI haven't felt well since I had sacral shingles (on my tailbone and genitals) in May 2023. Neuropathy and numbness in feet and hands, worsening arthritis and joint pain, skin lesions, urinary changes, severe fatigue, really bad brain fog and memory loss. I have not had the vaccine yet (too worried about getting really sick.) I've read about disseminated or internal shingles like you have (because I think that may also be my situation) and the recommended therapy is always IV valacyclovir. Have you tried that or have your providers recommended it?
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1 ReactionI got the Shingles vaccine on May 12, 2025 and immediately started having numbness in both legs and feet. It is 3 months later and it has not gotten better at all. It is called neuropathy and the Doctor has just brushed it off as old age? I am 60
Welcome @kelimiller50, I only had a sore arm for a day or so after my shingles vaccine but then I already had neuropathy before I got the vaccine. Sorry that your doctor brushed you off. Sudden numbness is listed a side effect with the incidence not known - Shingrix Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/shingrix-side-effects.html.
Have you reported the vaccine side effects? - https://vaers.hhs.gov/
I had what I would consider rather severe side effects. I couldn't move my arm without severe pain and had a general feeling of being very ill. This went on for 5+ days. I reported it to my doctor's nurse and was told that it was normal and not to worry. This is not what I was told when they were about to administer the shot!
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2 ReactionsAfter witnessing a 90 year old friend have a severe case of shingles on his face and head I immediately had the shingles shot - no side effects. He was miserable and terribly scarred. He was also a childhood typhoid survivor and a machine guner in Korea, commanded an Eskimo Scout group in Alaska, and taught Green Berets how to eat snakes.