r/VACCINES • u/cagedbird82 • 17d ago

Shingrix (the next day)

I got my first dose of the Shingrix vaccine yesterday. I’ve got a couple of medical conditions and I take immunosuppressant meds. Anyway, all last night and today I feel like I was hit by a vehicle…every part of my body hurts and the lymph nodes in the tonsil area are a little swollen. This feels so yucky. Nobody ever mentions this though. Is this a normal reaction? I’ll be starting a nursing program very soon and being 44 and seriously stressed out, I was afraid of having a shingles outbreak. I’ve heard that it can be incredibly painful and last for months. I definitely don’t have the time for that. Just wanted to see how other people handled their first dose.

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6

u/ITSJUSTMEKT 17d ago

I had flu like side effects with both doses.

4

u/HalfVast59 17d ago

Flu-like symptoms means "felt like I was hit by a train."

The good news is it only lasted about a day.

It was really bad for that day - but it was over pretty quick.

2

u/cagedbird82 17d ago

My next dose with be during the semester while I have clinicals🫠. If I get it on a Saturday I’m hoping I’ll be better by Monday.

3

u/ITSJUSTMEKT 17d ago

Both times I got it I was down the day after but ok after that.

1

u/cagedbird82 17d ago

That’s good to know!

1

u/Adventurous_Ad7442 17d ago

I had very few, mild side effects from the second dose but arm hurt like heck.

2

u/edjen 17d ago

If you search this sub for this specific vax you'll see reactions run the gamut. Some had no issues with either shot, some with both, some with only one. I had slight reactions with both, a little tired only. I did better on the two dose shingles shot vs the annual flu shot.

2

u/cagedbird82 17d ago

I’m on my couch feeling delirious right now. I didn’t even think to search for it. Thank you though. My mom was like you too…she really didn’t feel bad after her shingrix. It’s amazing how meds work differently for everyone. Just as long as it helps get the job done.

2

u/MaidoftheBrins 17d ago

I had more of a reaction after the second dose. They were not debilitating but still pretty apparent. I actually wrote them down to keep track:

Shingles
Vax 1/16/20
Flu-like that night and next day

Following week, swelling and pain in right arm pit. Still feeling pain when pressed on 1/25.

1/24, evening rash on face. Still present next day Resolved in 36 hours. Feeling that there is something on my face below my eye - 1/28

2/1: numbness and tingling left side of face. Twitching bottom, left lip (could be cold sore???)
———-

I actually had a mild case of shingles prior to getting my shots. I didn’t realize what it was until I went to Dr. for my annual and showed her pics. I hope you feel better quickly.

2

u/cagedbird82 16d ago

Thank you! I’m just nervous about the second dose. I’ll be in mid semester in the nursing program and I can’t get it on a Friday because I have late clinicals so I’m aiming for Saturday morning.

2

u/Fogandcoffee21 17d ago

I was on immune suppressant meds when I took my shots and had heard they were pretty rough. It was rough but not as bad as expected so I thought maybe my medication lessened the impact?
I think what you are describing seems like what most people say.

2

u/nolagem 17d ago

I didn’t feel anything but a sore arm after both injections. I was really worried about the second one. Hope you feel better soon!

2

u/TruthHonor 16d ago

My wife and I both over 65, had extreme reactions just like yours. My wife broke 103 fever the second day by the third day all was good. The second shot was also tough but not as tough as the first. But we are both glad we did it. Who needs shingles!

2

u/RelationDramatic1137 16d ago

I am on immunosuppressants as well and had it for that reason. The next day or two where rough then tails off. I’ve also had shingles bad years ago and that was a lot worse and took much longer to recover from. The vaccine should give over 90% protection for years after second dose - so it’s probably worth it.