What's up with shingles?

[TheVillageChicken]

Is shingles more prevalent these days? Every time I go to the doc, they ask if I want a shingles vaccine. I am seeing shingles treatment ads on TV all the time. Is this related to The Affordable Care Act? I have had doctors apologize for asking certain questions or making me aware of certain treatments and they blame it on Obamacare, saying they are now required to ask or counsel.

I guess what I really want to know is do I need a shingles vaccine?

[rosygail]

I had a vaccine in November 0f 2012. I got shingles in January 2013. The vaccine only works about 50% of the time. I was in the unlucky 50%.

[dewilson58]

I've also heard the 50/50..............but what the hell, it might just help.

[Barefoot]

I had a vaccine in November 0f 2012. I got shingles in January 2013. The vaccine only works about 50% of the time. I was in the unlucky 50%.

Over the years, I've had shingles twice. Caught it immediately each time, so no problems.
When the vaccine became available, I immediately got a shot.
I was told that if you are in the unlucky 50% that gets shingles, the results are less severe.

[graciegirl]

Get the vaccine. I am not a doctor but I know one.

[Navy (SSBN 633)]

My wife had the shingles and was extremely painful and dilabating.....I got the shot....an ounce of prevention. She did not have the shot

[jblum315]

If you ever had chicken pox, you have the shingles virus in you. And it's very bad if you get it.
I think the vaccine ony became available fairy recently and that's why they're pushing it. May not prevent shingles but surely makes it milder

[bimmertl]

Shingles vaccine: Should I get it? - Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/expert-answers/shingles-vaccine/faq-20057859)

[iaasah]

You are all right! But get the shot even though it is only 50/50. My significant other had the shot and got shingles.....severe case and still has the nerve pain after 1 and 1/2 yrs. She still is glad she had the shot however. Not all cases are as bad as she had.

[juneroses]

The risk of contracting shingles increases as we get older.

I had shingles in the early 90's, before there was a vaccine or an antiviral that would lessen its severity. I'll never forget the pain! As soon the vaccine was generally available, I was in line.

Providing you don't have conditions which advise against the vaccine, you'll rue the day you didn't get the shot if you ever come down with shingles. The pain doesn't last just a day or two, it goes on and on.

[Shimpy]

Medicare doesn't cover it and neither does my secondary insurance. $225. per shot at Walgreens. But...from what I heard, it's worth it to avoid shingles. I'm 90% sure I never had chicken pox and my wife doesn't know about herself, so it's a gamble.

[graciegirl]

Medicare doesn't cover it and neither does my secondary insurance. $225. per shot at Walgreens. But...from what I heard, it's worth it to avoid shingles. I'm 90% sure I never had chicken pox and my wife doesn't know about herself, so it's a gamble.

I think Medicare does cover it Shimpy, but you must have a doctor's order to take to the pharmacy. It doesn't matter if you had Chicken Pox or not, the threat is the same. Herpes Zoster can reactivate, and that is what causes Shingles. And friends have told me the pain is something like having your skin ripped off, and it doesn't stop for three weeks and sometimes longer..

[Gerald]

My daughter is a doctor and she told my wife and myself that it is a good idea to take the shot. especially if you are over 50 years of age.

[Mudder]

There are other extremely debilitating syndromes that also come from the zoster virus. I know because I've had one for the past 17 months. It's rare, had to go to Shands to an expert....however I will say my primary care doctor here knew I needed specialized care and referred me there. The nerve pain and paralysis is unbelievable. It's with me forever, but has calmed down a lot in the past months. It has affected my sight, hearing, balance also. I had the vaccine about 3 years ago. So, yes, get the vaccine because it will at least temper things if you do get Shingles or related issues.

[KayakerNC]

"Shingles shot
How often is it covered?

The shingles shot isn’t covered by Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Generally, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) cover all commercially-available vaccines (like the shingles shot) needed to prevent illness. Contact your Medicare drug plan for more information about coverage."

Shingles shot | Medicare.gov (http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/shingles-vaccine.html)

[Average Guy]

I think Medicare does cover it Shimpy, but you must have a doctor's order to take to the pharmacy. It doesn't matter if you had Chicken Pox or not, the threat is the same. Herpes Zoster can reactivate, and that is what causes Shingles. And friends have told me the pain is something like having your skin ripped off, and it doesn't stop for three weeks and sometimes longer..

My doctor recommended that I get the shingles vaccine and asked if I have ever had chicken pox. I was not sure, so the next time I had a blood test they were able to check to see if I had had chicken pox. The result was that I had never had it. He told me that I should, therefore, not get the shingles vaccine because it could give me chicken pox. I asked him if that meant that I should get a vaccine for chicken pox and he said I should only if I am frequently around a lot of children.

[784caroline]

Shingles shot has nothing to do with Obama Care.....Believe me if you have not had the Shingles shot you should get it.....You do NOT want the full brunt of Shingles. Do not walk but run to get this shot without delayl

Once you have it ...and it can occur at any time and for no reason....on a trip or when you wake up in the am..... It just takes off unless you have immediate access to the required drugs to supress it and it can be very painful.

If you are over 55, DONOT fool with this. .

[NYGUY]

Is shingles more prevalent these days? Every time I go to the doc, they ask if I want a shingles vaccine. I am seeing shingles treatment ads on TV all the time. Is this related to The Affordable Care Act? I have had doctors apologize for asking certain questions or making me aware of certain treatments and they blame it on Obamacare, saying they are now required to ask or counsel.

I guess what I really want to know is do I need a shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine is not new and has nothing to do with the ACA. If you are over 60, get it (you do not want shingles)!!

[Chi-Town]

Is shingles more prevalent these days? Every time I go to the doc, they ask if I want a shingles vaccine. I am seeing shingles treatment ads on TV all the time. Is this related to The Affordable Care Act? I have had doctors apologize for asking certain questions or making me aware of certain treatments and they blame it on Obamacare, saying they are now required to ask or counsel.

I guess what I really want to know is do I need a shingles vaccine?

You have had doctors apologize for offering information and making you aware of certain treatments that may improve your health? And they blame the ACA for their need to counsel you? You not only need a shingles shot; you need new doctors.

[Cedwards38]

Is shingles more prevalent these days? Every time I go to the doc, they ask if I want a shingles vaccine. I am seeing shingles treatment ads on TV all the time. Is this related to The Affordable Care Act? I have had doctors apologize for asking certain questions or making me aware of certain treatments and they blame it on Obamacare, saying they are now required to ask or counsel.

I guess what I really want to know is do I need a shingles vaccine?

Yes, and it has nothing to do with Obamacare, but rather just good medical care.

[Avista]

You have had doctors apologize for offering information and making you aware of certain treatments that may improve your health? And they blame the ACA for their need to counsel you? You not only need a shingles shot; you need new doctors.

Amen to that!

[Bonnevie]

as a pharmacist I saw many, many patients needing anti-viral meds and heavy duty pain meds from getting shingles. My insurance company paid for the shot if one was 60 years old. I was at my doctor's shortly after my 60th birthday requesting it. I would highly recommend getting it.

[2BNTV]

My doctor gave me a shingles shot in my 60's.

My uncle didn't get one and he got the shingles in his 90's. He was a WWII vet who never complained about anything, except the extreme pain he felt, from the shingles. He was in a lot of pain for several years and it disabled, his arm.

The only relief he got from the singles is the day he died!!!

I wouldn't be able to put a price tag on being in pain for several years. It's worth every penny of what a shot may cost.

The short answer is a resounding YES!!!!.

Get the shot.

[blueash]

My doctor recommended that I get the shingles vaccine and asked if I have ever had chicken pox. I was not sure, so the next time I had a blood test they were able to check to see if I had had chicken pox. The result was that I had never had it. He told me that I should, therefore, not get the shingles vaccine because it could give me chicken pox. I asked him if that meant that I should get a vaccine for chicken pox and he said I should only if I am frequently around a lot of children.

And here is what the CDC says about adults with no history of chicken pox (varicella)

Varicella vaccination •All adults without evidence of immunity to varicella (as defined below) should receive 2 doses of single-antigen varicella vaccine or a second dose if they have received only 1 dose.


Varicella in an adult is an ugly disease. Your risk of acquiring varicella increases if you are exposed to persons who may have either active chicken pox or active shingles. Living in a retirement community certainly increases your likelihood of shingles exposure. On the other hand, chicken pox is becoming much less common in children due to the success of routine immunization in that age group.

As to whether before giving the shingles shot you need to assess for past varicella in the absence of a history of chicken pox,

Routine Vaccination of Persons Aged >60 Years
ACIP recommends routine vaccination of all persons aged >60 years with 1 dose of zoster vaccine. Persons who report a previous episode of zoster and persons with chronic medical conditions (e.g., chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pulmonary disease) can be vaccinated unless those conditions are contraindications or precautions. Zoster vaccination is not indicated to treat acute zoster, to prevent persons with acute zoster from developing PHN, or to treat ongoing PHN. Before routine administration of zoster vaccine, it is not necessary to ask patients about their history of varicella (chickenpox) or to conduct serologic testing for varicella immunity.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5705.pdf page 19

Over 99.5% of persons born before 1980 have had varicella. If you are given the shingles shot and you have not had chicken pox I find no evidence it will "give you chicken pox" In fact in that situation, the shingles shot simply counts as your first of the two required varicella shots you need.

[KayakerNC]

And here is what the CDC says about adults with no history of chicken pox (varicella)

Or, if you prefer plain English.
Shingles Vaccine Information, Side Effects, and More (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-vaccine)

[Shimpy]

Now, I'm more confused than ever. I guess wife and I will just pay $450 for our shots whether we need them or not.

[dbussone]

Now, I'm more confused than ever. I guess wife and I will just pay $450 for our shots whether we need them or not.


If you are on Medicare you will not have to pay anything- my understanding. I only paid $50 the year before I went on Medicare.

[Chi-Town]

My shingles shot was covered through a Cigna PPO, and my wife's through a BCBS PPO. Both done at Walgreens, no prescription. It took a while for Cigna to determine how to cover it. BCBS was no problem at all.

[Average Guy]

And here is what the CDC says about adults with no history of chicken pox (varicella)

Varicella vaccination •All adults without evidence of immunity to varicella (as defined below) should receive 2 doses of single-antigen varicella vaccine or a second dose if they have received only 1 dose.


Varicella in an adult is an ugly disease. Your risk of acquiring varicella increases if you are exposed to persons who may have either active chicken pox or active shingles. Living in a retirement community certainly increases your likelihood of shingles exposure. On the other hand, chicken pox is becoming much less common in children due to the success of routine immunization in that age group.

As to whether before giving the shingles shot you need to assess for past varicella in the absence of a history of chicken pox,

Routine Vaccination of Persons Aged >60 Years
ACIP recommends routine vaccination of all persons aged >60 years with 1 dose of zoster vaccine. Persons who report a previous episode of zoster and persons with chronic medical conditions (e.g., chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pulmonary disease) can be vaccinated unless those conditions are contraindications or precautions. Zoster vaccination is not indicated to treat acute zoster, to prevent persons with acute zoster from developing PHN, or to treat ongoing PHN. Before routine administration of zoster vaccine, it is not necessary to ask patients about their history of varicella (chickenpox) or to conduct serologic testing for varicella immunity.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5705.pdf page 19

Over 99.5% of persons born before 1980 have had varicella. If you are given the shingles shot and you have not had chicken pox I find no evidence it will "give you chicken pox" In fact in that situation, the shingles shot simply counts as your first of the two required varicella shots you need.

Blueash,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. It has certainly given me a reason to reconsider what my previous physician told me, as well as to discuss it with my current physician in The Villages.

[Go-Bucks!]

Just got my shingles shot today. :a040: Kept putting it off, but so glad I have it now. I had chicken pox and so did all 4 of my children. I once saw a sweet 92 yr old man suffering with this disease and it was just pitiful; he was in so much pain.

[Villages PL]

The first time I talked to a doctor about getting a shingles vaccination, he told me the chance of getting shingles without the vaccination is 3 out of 100. Then he said, "If you get the vaccination your chance of getting shingles will be 2 out of 100." At the time, it was not covered and would have been expensive so I didn't get it.

Years later it was covered by my HMO and the co-payment was only $35 dollars so I got it.

[CFrance]

You have had doctors apologize for offering information and making you aware of certain treatments that may improve your health? And they blame the ACA for their need to counsel you? You not only need a shingles shot; you need new doctors.
:BigApplause:

[Bonny]

I've had shingles 3 times. The first 2 were fairly small areas but "Very Painful" !!! The 3rd time was horrible. I was in a lot of pain for 6 months. I still have scars from the blisters I had.

[graciegirl]

The first time I talked to a doctor about getting a shingles vaccination, he told me the chance of getting shingles without the vaccination was 3 out of 100. Then he said, "If you get the vaccination your chance of getting shingles will be 2 out of 100." At the time, it was not covered and would have been expensive so I didn't get it.

Years later it was covered by my HMO and the co-payment was only $35 dollars so I got it.


Age 60 or Older? Get Shingles Vaccine (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/news/20080515/age-60-or-older-get-shingles-vaccine)

[Barefoot]

I've had shingles 3 times. The first 2 were fairly small areas but "Very Painful" !!! The 3rd time was horrible. I was in a lot of pain for 6 months. I still have scars from the blisters I had.

Bonny, did you get the Shingles Vaccine?
I've had Shingles twice with no pain. Luckily I knew what it was and ran to a walk-in clinic.
It makes all the difference in the world if you get immediate treatment.
My doctor advised me I could get Shingles a third time, but with the vaccine, it will be less severe.

[dbussone]

I've had shingles 3 times. The first 2 were fairly small areas but "Very Painful" !!! The 3rd time was horrible. I was in a lot of pain for 6 months. I still have scars from the blisters I had.


I'm sorry you had to go through that. I've had the shot, but my wife has had shingles twice near her eye and scalp. The first put her to bed for weeks.

By the way, apparently you should not get a shingles shot once you have had shingles. And When I had my shot I had to keep away from my wife for 10 days since a live virus is involved.

Again Bonny, I'm sorry for your pain.

[dbussone]

Bonny, did you get the Shingles Vaccine?
I've had Shingles twice with no pain. Luckily I knew what it was and ran to a walk-in clinic.
It makes all the difference in the world if you get immediate treatment.
My doctor advised me I could get Shingles a third time, but with the vaccine, it will be less severe.


Bare - please check. My wife was told by 2 of her docs that she should not ever have a shingles shot since she has had shingles. But she has MS and that may create a separate issue.

[Bonny]

Bonny, did you get the Shingles Vaccine?
I've had Shingles twice with no pain. Luckily I knew what it was and ran to a walk-in clinic.
It makes all the difference in the world if you get immediate treatment.
My doctor advised me I could get Shingles a third time, but with the vaccine, it will be less severe.
No. I never did get the vaccine. Not sure if I'm going to. The really bad time I had it was 2004. The other 2 times were a couple of years before that.

[Bonny]

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I've had the shot, but my wife has had shingles twice near her eye and scalp. The first put her to bed for weeks.

By the way, apparently you should not get a shingles shot once you have had shingles. And When I had my shot I had to keep away from my wife for 10 days since a live virus is involved.

Again Bonny, I'm sorry for your pain.
Sounds like your wife suffered as well. :(
I had it on my left side from my scalp to my waist.
I had a couple of blisters around my eye. When one of the scabs came off it took a section of my lower lashes and they never did grow back.
I was in bed for almost 2 months. It was awful.

[784caroline]

It is a false rumor that once you had shingles you should not get the shingles shot......WHY! You can get shingles a number of times as some of our posters have had. GET the Shingles Dont wait...you dont want it!

[dbussone]

It is a false rumor that once you had shingles you should not get the shingles shot......WHY! You can get shingles a number of times as some of our posters have had. GET the Shingles Dont wait...you dont want it!


It is not a rumor if you have or have had a neurological condition (or certain other conditions). Please be careful about making blanket statements. My wife has been categorically told not to have the shingles shot. And she is an RN to boot.

[784caroline]

There may be conditiions that do not allow a shingles shot to begin with.....I was not and cannot address that specific issue. If a person is healthy and gets shingles....they can get shingles again. My whole point is GET a shingles shot especially if your Dr advised you to do so. Highly suggest YOU bring it up with your Dr............be proactivite on this issue.

[dbussone]

There may be conditiions that do not allow a shingles shot to begin with.....I was not and cannot address that specific issue. If a person is healthy and gets shingles....they can get shingles again. My whole point is GET a shingles shot especially if your Dr advised you to do so.


I agree 100%

[Judith Ann]

My sweetie had shingles a number of years ago, and it was awful. Once he recovered, he got the shot and encouraged me to get it, too. I was dragging my feet until he told me that you can even get it on your face and in your eyes. Got the shot!

[Barefoot]

Bare - please check. My wife was told by 2 of her docs that she should not ever have a shingles shot since she has had shingles. But she has MS and that may create a separate issue.

Dbussone, thanks for your concern.
I checked with two doctors and my Neurologist before I had the vaccination last year.
They all assured me the vaccine might not prevent a third episode, but if I did get Shingles for a third time,
the vaccination would at least lessen the severity.

[Villages PL]

Has anyone noticed that shingles can occur as a response to stress? I knew someone who got shingles after a stressful episode as caregiver. It seems possible because stress is likely to weaken one's immune system.

Another person I knew got shingles after being diagnosed with cancer and getting chemotherapy.

I would think it depends on the immune system because people usually don't get it when they're young. As we age, our immune system gradually gets weaker.

[Bonny]

Has anyone noticed that shingles can occur as a response to stress? I knew someone who got shingles after a stressful episode as caregiver. It seems possible because stress is likely to weaken one's immune system.

Another person I knew got shingles after being diagnosed with cancer and getting chemotherapy.

I would think it depends on the immune system because people usually don't get it when they're young. As we age, our immune system gradually gets weaker.
Stress is the main reason that people get shingles.

[sharoni]

What was first diagnosed as pink eye, was later diagnosed as shingles in my husband. We had never heard of it in the eye, but he caught it early enough. We made several trips to an eye specialist checking the pressure levels in his eye and after much medication and eye drops, it finally went away after a few weeks. I immediately went to my doctor when we got back to Michigan to have the shot. They are very expensive and you need to make sure your insurance covers them.

[Abby10]

Stress is the main reason that people get shingles.

I concur. Most people I know that have had shingles had a stressful incident preceding it. In my case, it was physical stress, I had been sick the 2 months prior - first with a stomach virus, then the next month with an upper respiratory infection. The third month I ended up with shingles - on Christmas eve no less!! Others I have known have been either physically, mentally, and/or emotionally distressed prior to coming down with shingles. I think it is a strong factor. For those who can get the vaccine, I think it is a very good idea.