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Post by lisacharlotte on Oct 5, 2016 15:23:23 GMT
I did some google research after reading this thread. The vaccine is not a permanent solution but is generally considered to reduce the chance of shingles by 51% and neuralgia by 67% for approximately 5-6 years. I'm thinking at 51 it's worth the cost if my insurance won't cover. Interestingly, in my online research, there was a french study to see if the shingles vaccine had any benefits to HSV 1 & 2 (cold sores and genital) and there seemed to be a lack of recurrence for those issues for the same time period.
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Post by cannes on Oct 5, 2016 15:57:11 GMT
I got shingles in my 40's. It was a fairly mild case, but it was still horrible. Horrible.
I'd get the vaccine with no hesitation.
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 5, 2016 16:11:36 GMT
Patter, I got the vaccine last year at 50. It seems that too many people I personally know have gotten shingles before they turned 60. I didn't want to join the club. I believe there will be a booster shot available when I am closer to 60. My insurance footed the bill because they would rather pay for that than treatment. I got a staph infection in my eye several years ago and that was enough to get my butt into the dr.'s office to get the shingle's vaccine.
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Post by knit.pea on Oct 5, 2016 16:57:34 GMT
I got the vaccine at 50. I read that it's good for X number of years (can't remember how long), so I may have to have a booster before 60.
Too many of my friends have had shingles early and really suffered.
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scrappinspidey2
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,511
Location: In the Parlor with the Fly
Mar 18, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
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Post by scrappinspidey2 on Oct 5, 2016 17:03:18 GMT
I had shingles in my 30's and I will be jumping on the vaccine as soon as they say I can have it Im in my 40's now so Im thinking its a ways off for me still. I have never been so miserable and i had a "light" case according to my doc. I kept saying to everyone at least with child birth I got a kid out of it....with this all I got was pain and more pain. Ugh.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:48:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 17:03:48 GMT
My friends who have gotten shingles were right around 50, so I would get it (and I did at my last physical) I got shingles right around that age (I think I might have been 51). I had it in my mouth and throat. A few times I had what was the beginning of a recurrence so my doctor had me on a preventative anti-viral for a long period of time. I probably should look into getting the vaccination when I get my flu shot.
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Post by janniepea on Oct 5, 2016 17:06:33 GMT
I'd get the vaccine. I had a fairly mild case of shingles as my doctor called it and I was absolutely miserable with it.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Oct 5, 2016 17:34:00 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? My dr told me not all Drs have it all the time because it is expensive and has a short shelf life. I think mine was over 400
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Post by Patter on Oct 5, 2016 18:26:05 GMT
Thanks everyone. Just got back from Walgreen's. I got it! I updated the OP.
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Post by lbp on Oct 5, 2016 18:27:45 GMT
After I posted I checked with my insurance and they will pay 100% of this vaccine. I have a physical scheduled for later this month and I am going to go ahead and get it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:48:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 19:02:03 GMT
I did have a mild reaction to the vaccine (swollen and red and a bit sore) but that was NOTHING compared to what I saw my friends go through with shingles
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Post by anniefb on Oct 5, 2016 19:07:35 GMT
Thanks for bringing this up. I'm going to look into the vaccine here in New Zealand. I'm 53 and had chicken pox really badly as a child. My Dad had shingles so I know how painful it can be.
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Post by gailoh on Oct 5, 2016 19:11:30 GMT
Thanks to you Patter when I see my doctor the end of this month or in Dec. I will go and get mine as well...
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Post by Patter on Oct 5, 2016 20:10:01 GMT
My friends who have gotten shingles were right around 50, so I would get it (and I did at my last physical) I got shingles right around that age (I think I might have been 51). I had it in my mouth and throat. A few times I had what was the beginning of a recurrence so my doctor had me on a preventative anti-viral for a long period of time. I probably should look into getting the vaccination when I get my flu shot. Yes, there was a lady probably in her early 80s waiting with me. She has had the shingles twice, and she said she is now getting the shot. She couldn't handle it anymore. Poor thing!
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Post by freeatlast on Oct 5, 2016 20:25:17 GMT
My mom had shingles twice. My sister had shingles in her early-50s and it almost went to her eyes. They both suffered tremendously with it. I got the shot as soon as I turned 60.
My doctor said a booster shot was being investigated. If that becomes available, I'll get it, too. No way do I want to take the chance.
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Post by elaine on Oct 5, 2016 20:39:25 GMT
Patter, I'm glad you got it. It was exactly one year ago (I was 52) that I got shingles over one side of my face and up to the center of my scalp. It was awful and I still get pain across my scalp where they travelled on the nerve line. It also had my face looking like I had been beaten up for weeks. Given the the amount of stress in your life with your daughters' health issues, you would be a candidate for shingles, which is probably why your doc recommended it at 50.
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,386
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Oct 5, 2016 21:35:57 GMT
My Mom had shingles twice, in her 50's and in her 80's. Both times around her chest. She was miserable.
My doctor prescribed it for me today, I have to go to Walgreens and get the shot. I'm going to wait until Monday, as I'm babysitting my two year old twin grandchildren this weekend and my doctor advised me to stay away from them for a day or so after I get the shot. She said it's a live virus and if I scratch the area of the shot I may have the virus on my hand and then transfer it to the babies. Don't wanna do that!
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Post by Patter on Oct 5, 2016 23:03:15 GMT
My Mom had shingles twice, in her 50's and in her 80's. Both times around her chest. She was miserable. My doctor prescribed it for me today, I have to go to Walgreens and get the shot. I'm going to wait until Monday, as I'm babysitting my two year old twin grandchildren this weekend and my doctor advised me to stay away from them for a day or so after I get the shot. She said it's a live virus and if I scratch the area of the shot I may have the virus on my hand and then transfer it to the babies. Don't wanna do that!Wow, thanks for telling me that. The pharmacist did not tell me anything along those lines. I guess I should be careful scratching, etc. I haven't touched it but still it's good to know. Thank you.
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Post by annabella on Oct 6, 2016 0:43:07 GMT
I had shingles when I was in college, damn wish the vaccine was free to me now, I would get it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 8:48:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2016 1:39:57 GMT
I got the vaccine about a month ago at Costco. I was told by the pharmacist that I would need a booster by the time I was 60. For those whose medical insurance doesn't cover the cost of the shot, check if your prescription insurance will. The only issue I had with the shot is that I developed a red rash that took about a week to go away.
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Post by georgiee on Oct 6, 2016 3:28:07 GMT
My mother had shingles in her 70s. She had it along the nerves on the side of her head. She nearly lost her vision. I got mine in my 50's because of a compromised immune system. I paid $180. But was so worth it after watching my mom suffer. She is 87 now and still has flare ups
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Post by Patter on Oct 6, 2016 10:41:26 GMT
I got the vaccine about a month ago at Costco. I was told by the pharmacist that I would need a booster by the time I was 60. For those whose medical insurance doesn't cover the cost of the shot, check if your prescription insurance will. The only issue I had with the shot is that I developed a red rash that took about a week to go away. I asked the pharmacist this yesterday, and she said no booster needed but of course she said we don't know what the CDC is up to. Hmm?
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Post by birukitty on Oct 6, 2016 12:00:32 GMT
I'm 56 and haven't had the vaccine yet. Reading this post makes me think I should get it ASAP. Do I need to know if I've had chicken pox as I child? I don't remember having it, and my Mom (who raised 4 children and has a poor memory) can't remember who had what.
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Post by Patter on Oct 6, 2016 13:08:41 GMT
I'm 56 and haven't had the vaccine yet. Reading this post makes me think I should get it ASAP. Do I need to know if I've had chicken pox as I child? I don't remember having it, and my Mom (who raised 4 children and has a poor memory) can't remember who had what. No, you don't need to know if you had the chicken pox. I was encouraging hubby to call his doc today to get a prescrip for his shingles shot. Hopefully he will.
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Post by lily on Oct 6, 2016 16:35:40 GMT
DH and I are 55. Our doctor absolutely refuses to give it to us until 60. I think because he believes it will wear off before we are old enough to die!
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Post by Patter on Oct 6, 2016 16:54:45 GMT
DH and I are 55. Our doctor absolutely refuses to give it to us until 60. I think because he believes it will wear off before we are old enough to die! That's funny.
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ponsonby2
Shy Member
Posts: 40
Jul 2, 2014 0:39:22 GMT
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Post by ponsonby2 on Oct 6, 2016 20:55:11 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread, Patter, and to everybody else for your answers. I had shingles twice in my 20s - one medium case around my middle back and one very very light case on my left shoulder a few years later. Because of that I have been asking my doctor about the vaccine ever since I turned 50. I'm 57 now and he's always been adamant about not getting it until 60. I think that's due to insurance not paying for it. So I just submitted an email to my insurance company to see if they will cover it at 57, and if they will, I'm going to get it as soon as possible!
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Post by cookiemum on Oct 6, 2016 22:36:12 GMT
I've had shingles twice. First at 33 then again at 40. Since I've had it twice, my allergist recommended that I get the shot, since I've a good chance of getting it again. I caught it early enough both times to get the anti-virals and had youth on my side so the neuralgia didn't last long. The older you get, the longer it stays around.
Thank you for the reminder. I need to get a DPT booster so I'm going to ask about getting this one. Trust me, if you've never had shingles, it's worth the cost if insurance won't cover it. Shingles was also the main reason why both my kids got the chicken pox vaccine. Anything to lessen the chance of them getting shingles was worth it.
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Post by malibou on Oct 6, 2016 23:36:51 GMT
I have a Dr appt next month, I'm 52 and will be asking for this for sure. I've had chicken pox twice, once as an adult,and I heard that could increase my likelihood of shingles
J
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Post by malibou on Oct 6, 2016 23:58:43 GMT
Holy crapoly, I just posted about needing to go do this and right after my mother called. My grandmother is turning 100 on the 27th of October, they just diagnosed shingles in her eyes. Based on what I just read here, this sounds awful. Poor Nana Max.
J
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