# So I Have Shingles **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 12, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448 "2024-05-12T15:32:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/121 "2024-09-21T16:45:37Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > the dermatologist says she’s safe to travel on Tuesday. > I’ve never had chicken pox, but did get the chicken pox vaccine about 20 years ago. The doc wouldn’t have suggested she was safe to travel if she was going to be contagious. And if the doc prescribed a course of antivirals for her at that visit, she’s be even less contagious and for a shorter number of days. You’ve had the vaccine, you’ll be good. The first couple of days, touch as few surfaces as possible and wash your hands vigorously with soap and water on your way out the door, handling the doorknob on the way out with a piece of dry paper towel. Time those first visits to be after you’ve cared for the perhaps more vulnerable folks. Two days of minimal surface touch, good hand washing and visit timing will protect you and others well. From GoodRx: [https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/shingles/how-long-shingles-contagious](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/shingles/how-long-shingles-contagious) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/122 "2024-09-21T20:46:55Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > I have not yet had the zoster vaccine specifically for shingles. Does that change the assessment in any meaningful way? No it doesn’t. You should still get the zoster vaccine series to ensure your lifetime risk of shingles is further reduced but it shouldn’t change your current situation vis a vis risk from house-sitting ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/123 "2024-09-22T12:24:50Z")
Great! Thank you for the feedback! I was fairly confident in the situation, but I also know how easy it is to misunderstand one’s own knowledge. I do plan to get the zoster vaccine soon. My GP just cleared me for it at my last appt, but it was right as some of these other issues were coming up. I need to plan out when I can have a day or two of down time, when no one is having surgery and I have backup in case my parents need an ER visit… but I will get it soon. And I’ll post my experience here, of course 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/124 "2024-10-26T11:44:14Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > Updating this. I just had the shingles vaccine a couple day ago. > > Yep, it sucked. Kicked my ass actually. Still, actual shingles was worse. We’ll see how the booster is in a couple months. Just had the booster. Yes, it is kicking my ass as well. Still better than actual shingles. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/125 "2024-10-26T13:58:27Z")
Got my 2 boosters a month apart, 2nd one 3 weeks ago. I was a bit achey all over and with somewhat lowered energy for about 24 hours, but that was about it. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/126 "2024-10-26T15:29:26Z")
Got my first shot a couple weeks ago. Didn’t have any side effects really except for the sore arm. Everybody here needs to remind me to have the 2nd one in 2-6 months, okay? ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/127 "2024-10-26T17:22:04Z")
You can do it yourself, you know. Bookmark your post and store a reminder for the first week in January. Easy-peasy. (I have half a mind to make the SDMB my online calendar-equivalent…) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/128 "2025-04-30T01:19:43Z")
Just thought I’d stop by and update the thread. It’s been a year. I got both Shingles shots. Had to take 2 days off work on the 2nd one. No changes. I still take medicine to keep it at bay. No repeats of the 2 pain episodes so I stopped carrying around ice everywhere I go. I don’t really notice it unless I forget to take meds for it. All in all not a problem but I’d like to be done with so I don’t have to take medicine for it. I am so thankful for my family who supported me in the multiple emergency room visits. I was a complete basket case and really didn’t know what was going on. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/129 "2025-04-30T01:24:33Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Just thought I’d stop by and update the thread. It’s been a year. I got both Shingles shots. Good for you! I just got my second shot today, as I’ve seen just how nasty Shingles can be. I was fortunate in having no issues whatsoever with either dose. @ftg, did you get your second shot yet? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/130 "2025-04-30T02:42:15Z")
Yes, that’s the one that really affected me. Every muscle and joint hurt. the weird thing is the 2nd day of it ALL joint and muscle pain went away about the middle of the day. It was as if I had gone back in time 40 years. Didn’t last. Eventually old age came back. Glad you got through both shots without any issues. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/131 "2025-04-30T02:46:23Z")
My second shot is scheduled for a week from today. I suffered for a day with the first shot and am rather dreading the second one. Vaccinations are usually hard on me. This is the last one I need for now, according to my doc. I’ll be very glad when it’s done and I’m out the other side. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/132 "2025-04-30T14:31:11Z")
I got a nasty bug at the end of December that hung around for weeks. For some genius reason I went ahead and got my shingles booster shot anyway. That was not a good idea. Should have waited until I was over the bug. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/133 "2025-05-01T06:04:42Z")
A bit late for this thread, but I had been meaning to get the shingles vaccine for a while. I had heard the horror stories about how much the shingles suck. Last summer, a friend had the shingles and that finally motivated me. I had the first shot in September, and had a tetanus shot at the same time. The next day I felt sore and lethargic and spent the day in bed. Felt better the next day, and all in all it wasn’t bad, either the injection or the effects. When I went for the second shot in December, I had it along with the flu shot. The next day I felt poorly for half of the day and that was that. So I guess I was lucky, but for me the side effects of the vaccine were minimal. But I am glad that I finally got the vaccine. Probably need to have a couple of more shots for pneumonia and hepatitis soon, just to make sure I am up to date. I hadn’t had any shots since I was a kid, other than the occasional tetanus shot. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/134 "2026-01-12T00:01:09Z")
Thought I’d stop by with an update. Still having problems with it since the start in May of 2024. Recently I’ve had nerve ablasion therapy on my face and neck. They insert a needle in the area of the nerve and heat the needle to 200 degrees. it didn’t work on my face but helped my neck. The pain specialist is going to try Botox on my face. I’m keeping the pain at bay and I work from home so my day is on my terms. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/135 "2026-01-12T00:04:31Z")
Wow. I’m sorry to hear you’re still dealing with this. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/136 "2026-01-12T01:14:22Z")
Thanks. I didn’t want to sound like I was in agony. It was more of a PSA reminder to get the vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/137 "2026-01-12T02:05:31Z")
Just FYI not shingles but I had a neck pain that was awful and I had nerve ablation therapy. One side worked and the other didn’t…until it did, nearly a year later. So I asked the dr and was told well, yeah, sometimes it takes longer to kill that nerve. Huh. Anyhow, apparently you should never say it didn’t work, say it didn’t work YET. I hope it does work for you, after all you have been through. You are a champ. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/138 "2026-01-12T02:09:27Z")
My goodness. I’m so sorry that you’re still dealing with it, and thank you for continuing to share your experiences. No need to answer this, but I am curious what your doctors are telling you, and that the right specialists are assisting. I hope that you are getting good advice. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/139 "2026-01-12T02:43:48Z")
Jesus, after reading this compendium of horrors I think I’m just gonna schedule my vaccine for my 50th birthday… seven years from now. Best wishes, @Magiver. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448/140 "2026-01-12T02:53:00Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > So I asked the dr and was told well, yeah, sometimes it takes longer to kill that nerve. Huh. Anyhow, apparently you should never say it didn’t work, say it didn’t work YET. Interesting. Thanks for your input and kind words. I was told that it was somewhat temporary. It doesn’t kill the nerve like a cyber knife would but could be done again down the road. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448.md?page=8)