Should I get the shingles vaccination?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Some friends strongly recommend shingles vaccination, and looking at the problems caused by shingles, and seeing the discomfort of people i know who had shingles, I see their point.
However here in Ireland vaccination is expensive, but should I get it.
I am 77, and not in great health, unfortunately.
I would welcome suggestuions.
1 like, 16 replies
shona53538 noelfitz
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Merry19451 noelfitz
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As someone who has suffered with recurrent episodes of Shingles in my right ear every 3-5 weeks for the past 21 years and twice in my right eye, I certainly would recommend it. I plan to have Shingrex, the new vaccine by GSK, which is more efficacious than the old vaccine Zostavax by Merck. Shingrex is a series of two injections, spaced 2 to 6 months apart.
I would have gladly paid $2000 and more to prevent the excruciating pain and deafness that ensued. I was 42 years old.
If I may suggest that you ask your Physician to check your Vitamin D and B12 levels. Both decline as we age. Vitamin D is essential for immunity, and mine was extremely low. When I started Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily, the episodes decreased markedly.
Please know that I believe in getting vaccines. I was born in an era where we had the measles, and my identical twin had encephalitis, and another sister had polio, and I, of course, have recurrent Shingles. I live on a fixed income, and understand what it means to budget. I plan on getting Shingrex next month. I know people in the States do feel somewhat sick, but not nearly as bad as Shingles.
I hope I have been of some service.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
sheila24138 Merry19451
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Merry19451 sheila24138
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Thank you!
Sometimes, you wish certain individuals ie modern medical professionals might understand about all the ramifications of Shingles. The old time Physicians and RNs certainly did.
I am glad we have the forum to exchange ideas and to help and support one another. It has been a God send to me. The loveliest people are on the forum.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
Merry19451 noelfitz
Posted
Será Mr. Noelfitz,
I should have informed you that I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.
Again,
Best Wishes,
Merry Juliana
sheila24138 noelfitz
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donald16398 noelfitz
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Merry19451 donald16398
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Medicare should cover it. It is available in most pharmacies CVS and Walgreens. Call your pharmacy and ask what they need, ie script from your Physician, if it is available, etc.
How are you and your wife doing?
Merry Juliana
noelfitz
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Daily I take Vit D (10 micrograms, 400 IU, 200% NRV) and Vit B12 (25 micrograms, 1000% NRV), these should be adequate.
sheila24138 noelfitz
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marcia_budde noelfitz
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sheila24138 marcia_budde
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Nicwhit noelfitz
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I live in the UK and am 71 so here we are eligible to get the older shingles vaccine free on the NHS (not Shingrex as yet). I have had recurrent bouts of shingles for the last few years, with a rise in symptoms every month. So I ended up on a suppressant dose of Aciclovir every day which helped but didn't prevent outbreaks. I had my doubts whether the vaccine would help but a couple of months ago I went for it, stopped the Aciclovir and so far the results are good - no symptoms of an outbreak coming on. It's early days yet but I feel more relaxed about it now and hopeful that it will work for a while at least and give me a break!
My advice would be to go for it, better not to start on this merrygoround. I had my first heavy bout at 17, the next in my fifties, then frequently in my sixties.
noelfitz
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I hope to see my GP next week and will mention getting the vaccine to him.
donald16398 noelfitz
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