So, I got Shingles

[PoorSucker]

Hurt like hell.

Any advice.

57 years old male, my son got it two years ago at age 11

[saakura]

After you get well, take the shingles vaccine if you are not an anti-vaxxer. And pass on this advise to others over 50yrs old. 

[KhunLA]

Good news ... highly unlikely you'll get it again 👍

 

Yea, it sucks.  Depending, maybe, when noticed and med taken, you may have postherpetic neuralgia, or not at, or just short term, or like me, more than a few more year than you'd prefer.

 

Unfortunately, if you do, just have to live with it.  I've tried most recommended and not recommended, safe and or 'at your own risk' drugs, and none really worked.  Didn't try ganga, or versions of; gummies & etc.

 

Good Luck.

 

I'm not a fan of unnecessary vaccines, so keep your immune system primed.  I personally wouldn't bother with the vaccine.  Just my opinion, and even think the 1-6% chance of getting again may be in the interest of those selling the vaccine, and again IMHO.   Others surely will disagree.  

 

[Sheryl]

Have you consulted a doctor?

 

It is important to start antiviral medication within 72 hours, not only shortens the duration but more importantly decreases the risk of long term complications. However there are contraindications to these drugs (e.g. kidney disease) so medical supervision is wise.

 

Besides antivrals, drugs like gabaoentin may be given to reduce pain,  as well as paracetemol and/or NSAIDs.

 

I found topical lidocaine applied to the rash helped a lot.

 

[scubascuba3]

I just checked the NHS, usually a good guide

[Yagoda]

During my bout, I used gabepentin, Oxys, topical creme. I still have nerve damage 5 years later. I vaccinated after as it can recur.

[KhunLA]

54 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

During my bout, I used gabepentin, Oxys, topical creme. I still have nerve damage 5 years later. I vaccinated after as it can recur.

10+ years later, and have a very rare flare up of the nerve.  Still can't pinpoint what sets it off. 

 

Thinking something in my diet, though have to say, can't remember the last time it happened, since going on a keto-ish dining lifestyle, with intermittent fasting. 

 

Though that may just be coincidental, and after 10+ yrs the nerve finally settled down.

[Yagoda]

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

10+ years later, and have a very rare flare up of the nerve.  Still can't pinpoint what sets it off. 

 

Thinking something in my diet, though have to say, can't remember the last time it happened, since going on a keto-ish dining lifestyle, with intermittent fasting. 

 

Though that may just be coincidental, and after 10+ yrs the nerve finally settled down.

Its an insidious bastid, and soooooo preventable. Get vaccinated everyone!

[unblocktheplanet]

I never had chickenpox as a kid. Can I still get shingles???

 

Asking for good reason. Mum was prescribed opiates but not told about their constipastion side effects. You don't want a colostomy!

[VR333]

2 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I never had chickenpox as a kid. Can I still get shingles???

 

No, but you can still get chickenpox if you were never vaccinated for chickenpox.

 

 

[still kicking]

4 hours ago, VR333 said:

 

No, but you can still get chickenpox if you were never vaccinated for chickenpox.

 

 

So I am turning 78 shortly, I do not remember if I am vaccinated for chicken pox, I very much doubt it since my mother was impoverished, so is it advisable to get any vaccination? 

[gargamon]

Study strengthens link between shingles vaccine and lower dementia risk

A new analysis of a vaccination program in Wales found that the shingles vaccine appeared to lower new dementia diagnoses by 20% — more than any other known intervention.

 

An unusual public health policy in Wales may have produced the strongest evidence yet that a vaccine can reduce the risk of dementia. In a new study led by Stanford Medicine, researchers analyzing the health records of Welsh older adults discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who did not receive the vaccine.

The remarkable findings, published April 2 in Nature, support an emerging theory that viruses that affect the nervous system can increase the risk of dementia. If further confirmed, the new findings suggest that a preventive intervention for dementia is already close at hand.

 

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/shingles-vaccination-dementia.html

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

Study strengthens link between shingles vaccine and lower dementia risk

A new analysis of a vaccination program in Wales found that the shingles vaccine appeared to lower new dementia diagnoses by 20% — more than any other known intervention.

 

An unusual public health policy in Wales may have produced the strongest evidence yet that a vaccine can reduce the risk of dementia. In a new study led by Stanford Medicine, researchers analyzing the health records of Welsh older adults discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who did not receive the vaccine.

The remarkable findings, published April 2 in Nature, support an emerging theory that viruses that affect the nervous system can increase the risk of dementia. If further confirmed, the new findings suggest that a preventive intervention for dementia is already close at hand.

 

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/shingles-vaccination-dementia.html

 

which vaccine? Shingrix or Zostovax. I got 1 shot of Shingrix at Bkk Pattaya and that was before Zostovax came out. So, I am curious. Going to look into Zostovax when  I return to thailand

[zakalwe]

2 hours ago, still kicking said:

So I am turning 78 shortly, I do not remember if I am vaccinated for chicken pox, I very much doubt it since my mother was impoverished, so is it advisable to get any vaccination? 

You can get tested to check if you ever had chickenpox. Before my chickenpox vax, the doctor tested to confirm that I never had chickenpox.

 

1. Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Antibody Test (IgG)

   • This test detects IgG antibodies, which indicate past infection or vaccination.

   • A positive result means the person is immune (either from having had chickenpox or from the vaccine).

   • A negative result suggests no prior infection or vaccination, meaning the person is susceptible to chickenpox.

[short-Timer]

I had it about 10 years ago, well before the age of 60. In fact, I experienced it 3–4 times over a span of about 1.5 years. According to my doctor, all of those episodes were likely part of the same outbreak, even though they appeared in different areas of the body. The first time was the only instance with any visible skin symptoms; every recurrence after that involved only nerve pain.

I've haven't had it again since then, luckily. My doctor advised against getting the vaccine at this point, as he believes I’ve developed natural immunity. He also mentioned that the vaccine’s efficacy is only around 50%, which is relatively low compared to many other vaccines.

[scubascuba3]

7 hours ago, VR333 said:

 

No, but you can still get chickenpox if you were never vaccinated for chickenpox.

 

 

I haven't heard of any chickenpox outbreaks in Thailand, have you?

[short-Timer]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

I haven't heard of any chickenpox outbreaks in Thailand, have you?

A girl who never had chickenpox before, who was in her mid twenties at the time, broke out with chickenpox because she was with me when I had shingles. 

[proton]

17 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

 

I had it about 10 years ago, well before the age of 60. In fact, I experienced it 3–4 times over a span of about 1.5 years. According to my doctor, all of those episodes were likely part of the same outbreak, even though they appeared in different areas of the body. The first time was the only instance with any visible skin symptoms; every recurrence after that involved only nerve pain.

I've haven't had it again since then, luckily. My doctor advised against getting the vaccine at this point, as he believes I’ve developed natural immunity. He also mentioned that the vaccine’s efficacy is only around 50%, which is relatively low compared to many other vaccines.

 

If you got natural immunity after having it there would be no need for a vaccine, you dont

[VR333]

24 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

He also mentioned that the vaccine’s efficacy is only around 50%, which is relatively low compared to many other vaccines.

It sounds like he could be referring to the older Zostavax vaccine,

 

Shingrix, the current vaccine, is more than 90% effective from what my doctor told me.

 

If you do an internet search, do check the date of the information to make sure you're not looking at pre-Shingrix info.

[short-Timer]

25 minutes ago, VR333 said:

It sounds like he could be referring to the older Zostavax vaccine,

 

Shingrix, the current vaccine, is more than 90% effective from what my doctor told me.

 

If you do an internet search, do check the date of the information to make sure you're not looking at pre-Shingrix info.

Thank you. Didn't realize there was a new one. I looked it up. You are correct. I don't think I'll bother with it though. Doctor said after 3 outbreaks in a row, lasting 1.5 years, he thinks I have enough natural immunity. 

[JimHuaHin]

Your young son had shingles at 11; and you did not think to get vaccinated?

[PoorSucker]

24 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Your young son had shingles at 11; and you did not think to get vaccinated?

Yes, but he's a big boy (not fat), got the regular vaccination but apparently he needed double dose compared to Thai children, got chicken pox age four on his birthday, Shingles at 11.

He's 13 now. 170cm and 75kg. 

He have a baritone voice, everyone thinks he's 17.

Half Finnish, half Thai.

[PoorSucker]

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

found topical lidocaine applied to the rash helped a lot.

No, itching. Just feels like three broken ribs.

I'm a former stuntman so probably broken all my ribs at one time, same pain.

Taken 1mg Xanax before bed, seems to work for me.

 

Chatted with my masonic brother in Sweden, professor emeritus.

He used to sit in the Nobel committee.

 

[ignis]

No idea why some cannot get a Vaccine

Appears I have a bad reaction to almost all Vaccines, remember as a child had the chickenpox vaccine then spent a few days in Hospital,  2020 Dr assured me the the Shingles Vaccine would be OK, so had Part 1 = 5 days in Hospital told Not to have part 2..

Have a list of Vaccines cannot have [or did have + bad reaction] 

 

Appears these days Dr constantly want to get old people vaccinated,   there again also have a list of bad reaction to some Medications. just last month Dr prescribed some Antibiotic [cannot take Penicillin]  = Blood Pressure dropped dangerously + Diarrhea = Nurse said stop so took 3 days only out of 10 day supply.

Appointment made for skin Specialist at a big Hospital after 3 years of treatment at local Hospital = still the same 

 

Guess just life for some of us.

[PoorSucker]

20 hours ago, saakura said:

take the shingles vaccine if you are not an anti-vaxxer

He he he, all the vaccines when child, four shots in Finnish Army (wouldn't tell me what it was), another four to get my Collage Visa to the US,two corona in Sweden, one in Thailand.

Haven't got artistic yet, /s

[KhunLA]

6 hours ago, VR333 said:

It sounds like he could be referring to the older Zostavax vaccine,

 

Shingrix, the current vaccine, is more than 90% effective from what my doctor told me.

 

If you do an internet search, do check the date of the information to make sure you're not looking at pre-Shingrix info.

How do they tell if something is effective vs one's natural immune system ?  Especially for something like shingles.

[VR333]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

How do they tell if something is effective vs one's natural immune system ?  Especially for something like shingles.

 

No idea, however, the commonly quoted risk factor is that there is a one in three chance of getting shingles in your lifetime, with the risk increasing the older you get.

 

If you feel your natural immune system or having had shingles previously is enough to prevent you from getting it in the future, then you may decide not to get vaccinated.

 

Personally, having seen a couple of people close to me have a very bad time with it, my choice was to get Shingrix, which is now free for older people in Australia.

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

No, itching. Just feels like three broken ribs.

I'm a former stuntman so probably broken all my ribs at one time, same pain.

Taken 1mg Xanax before bed, seems to work for me.

 

 

I Suggested topical  lidocainefor pain, not itching. Shingles does not usually itch. 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

How do they tell if something is effective vs one's natural immune system ?  Especially for something like shingles.

Controlled clinical trials.

 

[Seppius]

On 4/20/2025 at 12:47 PM, PoorSucker said:

Hurt like hell.

Any advice.

57 years old male, my son got it two years ago at age 11

Get the anti-virals into you as fast as possible. Fascino sells a week's supply around B700 ,10 tabs a day

 

I use Naproxen for the pain, I have had it more than once