Could I possibly get the jab?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hello, just wondering if you can help, I'm 43 and have had shingles over 40 times since I was 11yrs old, as a child I had chicken pox 3 times! It took lots of doctors appointments and eventually skin specialists to diagnose me as I was so young to get it. And no one believed the pain I was in.

Stress always brings on an attack and now later in life the sun activates it too.. Which is very frustrating!!

I always get it on my right shoulder and just above my right bust. I used to use a paint called herpid but apparently they no longer manufacture it. Creams for some reason spread it and it doesn't heal. I also had poweder many years ago and that helped, I've had the tablets and they don't do anything!!

I tolerate the pain, sometimes I can't drive as it affects my right arm and down my neck and I use a sling to help lesson the Movement.

Would and could the vaccination help me? And could I get it on the nhs given my history? I really need a solution as it gets me down :-( I'm on holiday and just got an attack again!!! 2nd time in 3 months... I have to have time off work too... Would love to know what you think. Many thanks Andrea

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello my dear,I'm so sorry to hear that you are dealing with this terrible thing as well. Please tell me did you doctor ever tested your breakout for Shingles? Are you 100% is that? Because apparently Gladiatorum Herpes has very similar symptoms with Zoster. What is the size of your break out? Mine is always the size of a quarter or smaller. Regarding the vaccination,it could probably help if you test positive for shingles,if not I wouldn't suggest you to get it because I did a lot of research on Zostavax and a lot of people who never had a Shingles breakout prior to vaccination started to have it 6 months after vaccination and honestly I don't think it was just a coincidence. So everyone reacts different to it. Good luck with everything and please keep in mind that you are not alone.Relax and enjoy your vacation !Sending you all my support.
  • Posted

    Hi Andrea

    I really feel for you, I an 61 and have Shingles about 6 to 8 times a year since my early twenty'S. I get mine on my leg sometimes on both legs. I also have tried all the medicine over the years to no avail. I tried to get the vaccine on the NHS but they said there was not enough to go around. I have just come back from seeing my GP and she has given me a private prescription for the vaccine, the cost at the pharmacy will be £99 and then if I want the nurse at the surgery to do the injection it will be another £45. I will give myself the injection. I think the pharmacy will have to order it in so I don't know how long I will have to wait. I will keep you updated. My Doctor was very understanding and she thought I should have been a prime candidate to have it the NHS but there was nothing she could do.

    Regards

    Chris (AKA Ukulele girl)

  • Posted

    I replied to ukelelegirl before I'd seen this post.  I just learned at my surgery that I can't have the jab on the nhs because I'm not the right age.  You have to be either 71 or 79 to qualify (not between 71 and 79 as I am) actually only those two year groups.  The thinking behind that decision excapes me!

    I don't know if the nhs make any exceptions.

     

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