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Post by Patter on Oct 5, 2016 12:31:43 GMT
So, during my annual exam, my GP recommended that I get the shingles vaccine. Hubby had his annual exam a month before I did but his GP did not recommend he get the vaccine. Hubby is 53, and I am 51. Anyway, we go to the same practice but we see different providers. I read online that it is available at age 50 but not recommended until age 60. Now I don't know whether to go to Walgreen's and get it or not. She gave me the prescription so that I could get it at my leisure. I was going to go today but now wondering if I should wait until I am older. Thoughts? Anyone get it prior to age 60? My insurance pays for it so that's not an issue at all.
UPDATE: I got it. Easy peasy, and now after reading y'alls stories, I am thankful I have had it. And without insurance, it would have been $235 but thankfully I paid $0.00. Keep the info coming. This has been an informative thread to me. Thanks!
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Post by leannec on Oct 5, 2016 12:39:40 GMT
Have you had chicken pox or shingles before? I've had both ... I turn 50 in April and plan to get the vaccine because I never want to experience shingles again  |
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Post by redrulz on Oct 5, 2016 12:41:46 GMT
I would get the shingles vaccine because getting shingles is WAY WORSE.
There are many reasons why your doctor didn't recommend it for your husband, but one of the reasons was he just didn't think about it at the time of his appointment.
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Oct 5, 2016 12:42:13 GMT
Get the vaccine. I've never had shingles but my grandmother did. It was horrible. Everyone I know who has had it or knows someone who has had it will tell you to get the vaccine because Shingles is miserable. And that's an understatement about how horrible it is.
What's holding you back?
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Post by littlemama on Oct 5, 2016 12:42:40 GMT
It was recently approved for people 50-59, but not all insurance covers it.
My DH had shingles a few years ago (in his late 30s/early 40s). He had them on the back of his head. He doesn't complain about pain often, but he said the pain was like being stabbed repeatedly. If it had been covered, he would have had the vaccine by now.
If you Dr recommended it, why didn't they give it to you at your visit?
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suzastampin
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Post by suzastampin on Oct 5, 2016 12:43:27 GMT
Our insurance doesn't pay for it until you turn 60. I was at my dr the day after I turned 60. I saw my mother suffer with them and the pain she suffered for 5 years before she died. My husband had them last year. Two of the strongest people I know were stopped in their tracks from shingles.
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oaksong
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Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Oct 5, 2016 12:43:56 GMT
I had shingles and then got the vaccine a few years later, both before the age of 60. My case was pretty mild, but I would not want to go through it again. I don't see a downside to getting the vaccine now.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by rickmer on Oct 5, 2016 12:47:52 GMT
i had a mild case almost two years ago... my left armpit area still burns and itches at times.
i remember that a pea who had it the same time as me, we were both going to disney, which is why it stands out to me. hers sounded way worse... like between her legs and on her "bits". yikes!!!
if your doctor recommended and you have the prescription, i would do it and just have your DH ask his doctor about it next time he is in to see his doctor.
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Post by maryland on Oct 5, 2016 12:49:36 GMT
Are there side effects for the vaccine? I don't know much about it, that's why I ask. If not, I would want to get it even being a younger age.
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Post by brina on Oct 5, 2016 13:00:18 GMT
my son is just recovering from shingles at 16. I am wondering if they will let him get the vaccine after he is fully recovered. They say once you get it the likelyhood of getting it again goes way up
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moanicac
Shy Member
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Post by moanicac on Oct 5, 2016 13:11:15 GMT
Thank you for starting this thread! I had shingles as a child and was wondering about the vaccine. 8 years old - I'll never forget the pain. I could never get a clear answer as someone who already had shingles, but not chicken pox. I'm scheduling with my doctor today.
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moodyblue
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Oct 5, 2016 13:23:36 GMT
I will be getting it when I see my doctor in January. We discussed it when I was there the last time. I will turn 60 next month, but she told me it's now available for those past 50. I'm not sure if my insurance covers it for under 60 or not. But, I had shingles in my mid-forties and while mine was short-lasting, I had the pain come back later. I'd rather try to avoid it again!
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Post by Scrapbrat on Oct 5, 2016 13:25:47 GMT
I think you only get it one time, so I have never understood why it's a big deal (to insurance companies, in particular) whether you get it at 51 or 61. You are lucky that your insurance will pay for it at your age -- mine will not pay for it until age 60, and it is an expensive vaccine to pay for out of pocket (around $325).
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Post by lbp on Oct 5, 2016 13:31:52 GMT
My insurance doesn't pay for the vaccine and I checked at the Pharmacy and it was very expensive, around $200.00. I asked my G.P. about it and he said he didn't recommend it right now. He said it is only about 50% effective and not worth the expense.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 4:43:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 13:41:30 GMT
If insurance was paying and it is doctor recommended, I would not hesitate to get it. I know too many that have had bad cases and I will get it as soon as I can!
It could be that you have different health factors that make it more applicable to you at this point than your DH does. But DH not being recommended would not stop me from getting it!
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Post by pelirroja on Oct 5, 2016 13:51:58 GMT
Go for it. I got the vax at age 50 because I've had chickenpox 3x (once as a kid and each time my kids got vax'd for chickenpox). The doc's office wouldn't do it below age 60 but he told me go to the pharmacy because they do it at age 50. Insurance covered the whole thing and it was easy (no side effects). If you get the shingles before getting the vax, your vax will be delayed at least one year from the date of outbreak.
I've heard too many stories lately of 40-somethings (and younger) getting shingles. I didn't want to be a statistic. The peace of mind I now have is well worth it.
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Post by ntsf on Oct 5, 2016 13:52:05 GMT
I just got mine..60 yrs old..and it affected me for three weeks.. radiating pain, big bump.. but I never want shingles..so go for it.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 4:43:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 14:00:17 GMT
i had a mild case almost two years ago... my left armpit area still burns and itches at times. i remember that a pea who had it the same time as me, we were both going to disney, which is why it stands out to me. hers sounded way worse... like between her legs and on her "bits". yikes!!! if your doctor recommended and you have the prescription, i would do it and just have your DH ask his doctor about it next time he is in to see his doctor. You and I are the only 2 people I know who had it in the same place. It was awful and I never want to go through that again. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 14:04:12 GMT
My friends who have gotten shingles were right around 50, so I would get it (and I did at my last physical)
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Post by femalebusiness on Oct 5, 2016 14:06:27 GMT
Get it now. I take no meds and get no vaccines but I actually made a trip to the doctor and asked for it. I have seen several friends suffer through shingles and I never wanted to do that. Shingles pain lasts forever and sometimes never does go away completely.
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Dalai Mama
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Post by Dalai Mama on Oct 5, 2016 14:08:17 GMT
My insurance doesn't pay for the vaccine and I checked at the Pharmacy and it was very expensive, around $200.00. I asked my G.P. about it and he said he didn't recommend it right now. He said it is only about 50% effective and not worth the expense. 51% efficacy in preventing shingles, 67% in preventing postherpetic neuralgia (the pain that lasts long after the blisters have gone).
I'll be getting it as soon as I turn 50.
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Post by librarylady on Oct 5, 2016 14:32:20 GMT
I have had shingles 3 times, and each time was less than the previous time.
The year the vaccine came out, I had had one outbreak of shingles, so I rushed over to dermatologist and asked for the vaccine. She assured me that I would never have the shingles again, so I did not need the vaccine. --I no longer see that dr. (Some doctors insist it is a one time event.)
My internist kept hounding me to get the vaccine. I asked her what the vaccine would do for me since I should already have the antibodies in my body. She had no answer, but she quit hounding me about the vaccine.
I would get it if I were the OP.
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Post by Princess Amy on Oct 5, 2016 14:40:19 GMT
I'm 54 and got the shingles vaccine a few years ago. My doctor highly recommended the vaccine. I had a vicious case of chicken pox as an adult. I can't imagine shingles **shudder**. I also have asthma and a heart arrhythmia so those were also factors.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Oct 5, 2016 14:47:36 GMT
I am counting the days until I can get the vaccine. I have had shingles and it was horrible. I will be 48 in 7 weeks and then 2 years after that. I am so onto it!
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Dalai Mama
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Post by Dalai Mama on Oct 5, 2016 14:48:57 GMT
I'm 54 and got the shingles vaccine a few years ago. My doctor highly recommended the vaccine. I had a vicious case of chicken pox as an adult. I can't imagine shingles **shudder**. I also have asthma and a heart arrhythmia so those were also factors. I'm one of those lucky souls who have had chicken pox twice. I started breaking out the second time, two days post partum. The doctor was convinced it was shingles because he had never seen anyone with a second case. Thankfully, it wasn't shingles - spread everywhere but no pain.
Anyway, varicella and I are not friends which is why I'll be getting the shingles vax as soon as I can.
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Post by Patter on Oct 5, 2016 14:54:02 GMT
Wow everyone, thank you! I knew shingles could be bad but didn't realize how bad. I will go and get it today. And my doctor did not give it to me when I was there because I had the flu vaccine when I was there. She didn't want to give them together. And I bet my hubby's doc just forgot. I will tease his doc about it. He is a friend thus the reason I don't go to him. LOL! He is great BUT I don't need him checking me over.  Hubby and I thankfully have no health issues but I did get chicken pox twice when I was a kid (last at age 16) so I better move on this vaccine then. Thank you all! I will tell hubby to get it too. |
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Post by mcscrapper on Oct 5, 2016 15:00:27 GMT
I got a very mild case of shingles at about age 43. My friend got it at 50 a few months before I got it. She had a much larger rash and didn't catch it early. I did and was treated. Even though I had a very mild case, I was MISERABLE for about three days. She was way worse than I so cannot even imagine how miserable she was for the two weeks she endured it.
GET THE VACCINE!!! I plan on getting it this year and I'm 45. I do not want that mess again.
It is the stuff of nightmares!!!
m
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 5, 2016 15:01:05 GMT
I would (and will) get the vaccination. My mom had shingles in her 70's and several of our friends (in their early 50's) have had it recently too. Everyone who has had it says it's absolutely awful. One friend that had it recently missed close to a month of work because of it, so yeah, that's one vaccine I'll be sure to get sooner than later.
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Oct 5, 2016 15:05:48 GMT
My internist kept hounding me to get the vaccine. I asked her what the vaccine would do for me since I should already have the antibodies in my body. She had no answer, but she quit hounding me about the vaccine. Umm.. you know that these antibodies are not protective long term, right? Otherwise, why would people get shingles in the first place? You get shingles from dormant varicella virus that resides in the nervous system. If those antibodies were protective long term, you couldn't get shingles. The vaccine will likely need a booster at some point, though that is yet to be determined. I recall reading that there are other versions in development that may end up being more effective. It's probably the nature of the dormant virus within the nervous system that results in the vaccine being so far from 100% effective. Still, cutting the risk in half isn't such a bad deal! |
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Post by Patter on Oct 5, 2016 15:10:46 GMT
melissa, I wondered about a booster in the future. Thanks. I think Walgreen's is in my future today.
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Hubby and I thankfully have no health issues but I did get chicken pox twice when I was a kid (last at age 16) so I better move on this vaccine then. Thank you all! I will tell hubby to get it too. 
