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catbyte

(36,815 posts)
27. Amen. I am one of those truly special people, one of the .001% who gets multiple bouts of
Mon Apr 30, 2018, 12:56 AM
Apr 2018

shingles. I've had about 12 outbreaks since 1996, and every one of them is excruciating. They usually erupt down my right sciatic nerve, which has led to permanent nerve damage and subsequent unrelenting nerve pain 24/7. My doctors can't explain it, my immune system functions normally, but multiple bouts run on my dad's side of my family. My grandma, dad, aunt, and 2 first cousins have all had more than one bout, but I'm the big winner. Why couldn't it have been the Powerball?

So please, anybody over 40, get the vaccine. I spoke to my doctor about it but he said it probably wouldn't do me any good. He says the vaccine tricks your body into thinking it already had shingles, but my body doesn't seem to care about that. I got my first bout at 40; my most recent bout came on about 2 weeks ago. I'm on daily antivirals and, of course, pain meds, which helps somewhat, but not completely.

Please. Do yourself a BIG, HUGE, HUMONGOUS favor--get the vaccine.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Thanks for the info! I didn't know there was a new vaccine. 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2018 #1
You're welcome. I'd heard about it some time ago, elleng Apr 2018 #2
I'll ask my GP about it next time too! 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2018 #3
That's neat! elleng Apr 2018 #5
He must be a great doctor! 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2018 #7
He's very nice, I like him a lot, elleng Apr 2018 #9
I had a friend that got shingles in his 40s on his face sdfernando Apr 2018 #4
AWFUL for your friend! elleng Apr 2018 #6
Yeah it was so terrible.... sdfernando Apr 2018 #8
Many insurance plans won't cover until 60. CousinIT Apr 2018 #10
Thanks so much for this info!!! Talitha Apr 2018 #11
You're welcome. elleng Apr 2018 #12
If you got that shot a few years ago, it was the old one. The new one just came out. Nay Apr 2018 #29
K&R fleabiscuit Apr 2018 #13
I got my first shot of..... Little Star Apr 2018 #14
I got mine yesterday and my arm hurts like hell, does yours? Eliot Rosewater Apr 2018 #18
I was warned that it probably would but.... Little Star Apr 2018 #19
Yeah, mine is way worse but it will go away in a few days. Well worth it. Eliot Rosewater Apr 2018 #20
Just got shot one yesterday and my arm hurts like a MOTHERFARKER! Eliot Rosewater Apr 2018 #15
'Thanks,' I guess. elleng Apr 2018 #16
I think it is individual thing, if they hit the wrong spot. I will ask others here if they had this Eliot Rosewater Apr 2018 #17
My doctors say that a shot that hurts radical noodle Apr 2018 #21
You're absolutely correct, noodle! elleng Apr 2018 #22
I will need to get this new shot soon. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2018 #23
Just touching base... Talitha Apr 2018 #24
You're welcome, Talitha, and thanks for the info. elleng Apr 2018 #25
Thanks for the news. procon Apr 2018 #26
Amen. I am one of those truly special people, one of the .001% who gets multiple bouts of catbyte Apr 2018 #27
Oh my GOODNESS! elleng Apr 2018 #30
I had shingles when I was 36 years-old and sixteen weeks post-partum. Laffy Kat Apr 2018 #28
Got my recommended Shingrix booster shot today Talitha Jul 2018 #31
Glad you got it, and it was easier. elleng Jul 2018 #32
I have Kaiser shanti Jul 2018 #34
Just got my first shot of Shingrix shanti Jul 2018 #33
I finally got the booster/2d shot today, EDIT elleng Feb 2019 #35
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