NFRC: Shingles! Are you vaccinated?????

colleenmomof2

Well-known member
Dh presented with overall body pain on the first day, then joint and muscle pain in his right arm the next, and finally small patches of rash (some blistering) on top of hand, between some fingers and on some finger tips. Only 3 more small rash areas appeared on his hand in the next 3 days. HIs hand was/is swollen and pain is/was throbbing in that arm - he made a comment about the impact of chronic pain so I knew it was serious. The rash was pretty "small" (to me) but the swelling and throbbing pain is what bothered me. Our first Urgent Care visit diagnosed Hand, Foot and Mouth virus with no mouth, foot or palm rash (it was not that!), which also didn't explain the radiating pain. 2 days later, the second visit called it at Shingles, which had been ruled out by 1st doctor. What we were told is Shingles travels from spine down nerve branch on one side of the body and will only appear where branch terminates. His "nerve branch" is localized to his right hand, up to mid-forearm. He was given valacyclovir which has begun to dry blisters. Rash is improving but still inflamed, arm is still painful and throbbing. We understand that the nerve pain may last up to 6 weeks. A friend had only 1 blister with no throbbing pain. Others have been covered with painful rash where their nerve branch terminates. People with autoimmune issues can be hit hard. Dh/we feel very lucky smileys/wink.gif Colleen

 
David Letterman had a bad case of shingles many years ago. He talked about it...

...after he came back from being off the air for weeks. It can be bad, and after suffering from it myself, I can tell you to make sure your hubby's doctor is on top of it.

M

 
DH had a bad case--and had had the vaccine. His was progressing near his

eye when we had the diagnosis (VERY quickly in an ER because we were on vacation) so we were also lucky. i can't take the vaccine because of an autoimmune disease. There is a new vaccine which may be more effective than the first one.
It can be incredibly painful. Gabapentin can alleviate the pain (made DH "crazy" so no good for him).

 
I had to take DH to the ED when he had it, he was in so much pain. Totally gone after

6 weeks.
I live in a small town of 520 people. Two of my friends who had the old vaccine have shingles now! One has a lot of discomfort (the word doctors use for pain) and one has a tolerable amount.

 
There is a new shingles vaccine called Shingrix. Supposedly 90% effective. Up

from the original vaccine (Zostavax), which has a lower efficiency factor.
I got that one when I turned 60 after my mother had a bad case. It is a single shot.

Pharmacist said I can also get new vaccine (no prescription necessary), which is given in two shots, $160 per shot.

 
Dr. suggested new vaccine by age 70 if previously received Zostavax

When Shingrix appeared on my medical things-to-do list after I already had Zostavax, I asked. The Zostavax vaccine given around 60 years old is NOT supposed to protect for your lifetime. Dr. said get 2 dose Shingrix by age 70. (They did not have in stock at doctor's office.) Colleen

 
Recent experience: $212 brand vs $18 generic with coupon - a cautionary tale

When I went to pick up Dh's Valtrex prescription (before blood test returned positive for Shingles), pharmacist said $212 for 21 pills. Because we have a Health Savings Account and NO COVERAGE for prescriptions (Dh and I are not on any prescription meds), the $212 threw me. We had been told that the medication would/could reduce Shingles symptoms by a day or two - not cure. And without blood test confirmation (or cost research), I said that I would pick prescription up later. I was able to determine that the doctor did write prescription as generic but pharmacy had filled it as brand. Online checking and calling around, I found generic was around $80 for that same number of pills. Using GoodRx, I typed Valacyclovir into search bar, set strength and number of pills, and I received a coupon for $17.75 good at local Kroger Pharmacy w/additional coupons for other pharmacies but at slightly higher dollars. I called Kroger to check price and confirm that the generic Valacyclovir was available in the number and strength required and then called for change of pharmacy into the doctor. When I arrived at Kroger prepared to pay $80, pharmacist confirmed that they would accept the GoodRx $17.75 coupon. YMMV Colleen
https://www.goodrx.com

https://www.goodrx.com

 
Been getting flu shot at County Health Dept. Will ck for vaccines

to see if Health Department has Shingrix in stock. Our doctor/office does not. Colleen

 
I have had Shingles twice and it is so painful I don't get the rash and I can't get

The shot as it's a live virus. They gave me a steroid for seven days took 4 days just to take pain away.

 
Shooting pain still triggered at 8 weeks but none recently at over 10 weeks

recovery.

Tried to get him vaccinated last week but confirmed with our doctor that there is still a shortage of Shingex vaccine. Please check in your area and get vaccinated smileys/wink.gif Colleen

 
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