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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I had the one-shot shingles vaccination in 2012. My pharmacy (Walgreens) told me that they can give me the Shingrex (2 shots). I saw my mother suffer with Shingles; it was so debilitating that I am going to get the Shingrex and put up with any side effects. Walgreens advised me to not get the flu shot and Shingrex on the same day. I will get flu shot first, Shingrex a week later. Thanks for sharing your experiences with these immunizations. Peggy

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I thought my husband and I would get the shingles vaccine this year. I am so glad
I found all this information. I am really re-thinking this decision as I don’t think I could add the pain from the vaccine to the pain I already have. No one knows what causes definitively my lichen planus and interstitial cystitis but some things I’ve read point to stress and/or anxiety. I am extremely anxious by nature and this might cause a worse outcome. Can’t any decision be easy anymore? Any thoughts/recommendations from anyone?

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@dont

Thank you so much Sunnyflower.

Be advised that my burning sensation did not start until about a month after the 2nd injection. I am unaware of any class action lawsuits. I’m in the early stage of investing all of this. I want to wait until I speak to the neurologist about it first. Don

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@dont please keep us posted. Prayers for you.

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@jesfactsmon

Hi @dont
Your Mayo name of "dont" must stand for "don't get a shingrix shot". I can not believe all the odd things that seem to be causing people to develop neuropathy these days. It's becoming an epidemic of sorts. I don't remember this happening to people back 50 or 60 years ago. I wonder what gives? All kinds of things are causing peripheral neuropathy now. Weird.

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@dont @jesfactsmon Hank. I so agree. I feel like maybe I’m becoming a conspirasist but something isn’t right.

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yes, we were also told that we should not get the flu shot and the shingles shot close together -- should wait at least a week -- we plan to get the shingles shot soon, because we know what my mother went through after getting shingles; she was in so much pain and we tried all kinds of doctors, pain meds -- you name it, she tried it, and nothing worked -- the shngles shot will not make you immune to getting shingles, but it would lessen the impact

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@bustrbrwn22

I thought my husband and I would get the shingles vaccine this year. I am so glad
I found all this information. I am really re-thinking this decision as I don’t think I could add the pain from the vaccine to the pain I already have. No one knows what causes definitively my lichen planus and interstitial cystitis but some things I’ve read point to stress and/or anxiety. I am extremely anxious by nature and this might cause a worse outcome. Can’t any decision be easy anymore? Any thoughts/recommendations from anyone?

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@bustrbrwn22 Jen, Personally I think you have enough going on, and I would not take a risk with getting the shingles vaccine. Just leave it alone for now. Lori Renee

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@bustrbrwn22

I thought my husband and I would get the shingles vaccine this year. I am so glad
I found all this information. I am really re-thinking this decision as I don’t think I could add the pain from the vaccine to the pain I already have. No one knows what causes definitively my lichen planus and interstitial cystitis but some things I’ve read point to stress and/or anxiety. I am extremely anxious by nature and this might cause a worse outcome. Can’t any decision be easy anymore? Any thoughts/recommendations from anyone?

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@vustrbrwn22, If you know anyone who in their later years has had Shingles you would not wonder if you should get the Shingles Shots.. The Vaccines have gone through so much rigor to be tested and finally marketed .... the probability of good results is well established and documented .. go to your pharmacy, get the name of the company that developed the vaccine .. go online to communicate with that company to establish trust.. the anti-vaccine crowd are skeptics who want to blame government for most anything... but do not mess around ... get the shots or you may spend weeks, even months with needless pain... Ken

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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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@magnum52

Guys, anyone who experiences neuropathy from a shingles vaccine absolutely should report it to the FDA. This is considered a serious adverse reaction to the FDA. IF YOUR REPORTED THE REACTION TO YOUR MD. BY LAW THEY SHOULD HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE VACCINE.. I worked for a major pharmaceutical company for over 30 years, and have reported many adverse reactions to my company listed reaction in the PI and those not listed in the PI. The FDA will notify the company of the report, and if enough come on, the will initiate an investigation.

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@magnum52 It is my understanding that "causation" is very difficult to prove when dealing with the human body and the reaction of widely accepted medications, vaccines, treatments. Certainly with an aging population with so many more doctors and clinics there has been more cases of Neuropathy than in ages past.. as the expected life span has lengthened.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5371025/ The preceding link tells of a general causation ... going to a doctor or receiving treatment ... but specific causation for the 100s of types of neuropathy is really difficult to find.. That of course is why we see specialists, why we go to interdisciplinary clinics like Mayo.. Ken

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@bustrbrwn22

@dont @jesfactsmon Hank. I so agree. I feel like maybe I’m becoming a conspirasist but something isn’t right.

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@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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