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.

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.

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.