Shingles vaccine
One of my doctors explained to me that the shingles vaccine is a live virus and I should not take it because I have MS
, that makes sense. However, the newer version of the vaccine (known as Shingrix) contains no live virus -- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/shingles-recombinant.html#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20live%20virus,same%20time%20as%20other%20vaccines.&text=Tell%20your%20vaccination%20provider%20if,any%20severe%2C%20life%2Dthreatening%20allergies. Each person must decide the right choice for them. I know some of our community members have chosen to take the vaccine and have experienced no ill side effects. Many people think the vaccination's benefits outweigh any risks, but again, that's for each individual to decide for themselves.
Thanks for sharing!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.I took the old vaccine and got shingles. Let me tell you, you do not want to get shingles on top of MS inflammation. As soon as my doctor cleared me after the waiting period of the active virus,, I got the newer Shringrix vaccine. It is a dead version if the virus. If you have had chicken pox, you already carry the dormant virus. If that virus becomes active, you get shingles. If you think you have pins, needles, electric shocks and pain now, just wait until you add shingles to the mix. I ended up post-herpetic neuropathy from shingles and it's worse than any MS pain I ever had before. People have list eye sight, hearing and have life long nerve damage from it. I STRONGLY suggest you get a second opinion about the Shingrix vaccine. Every doc I have including my MS specialist recommended it even though I had already had shingles because some people do infact get shingles more than once. I am certainly not taking any chances.
10 years ago my older brother was suffering from advanced esophageal cancer. His last months were very stressful time for me and my family. About a week after he passed, I began having severe back pain. My doctor was on vacation so I was referred to another doctor, an Osteopath. She could find no back misalignment issues and suggested I see my regular doctor for follow-up. 2 days later, I noticed that I was getting a bumpy rash on my lower left rib area and the same area on my back. I looked up the symptoms on the net and it appeared that I had shingles. My regular physician, also, a DO, confirmed that it was shingles and prescribed a medication to suppress the virus. I believe that the stress that I had been experiencing precipitated this outbreak. Shortly after I had a bad case of the flu.
I had read that L-lysine could help suppress viruses. I began taking 500 to 1,000 mg a day. Other than some minor pain in the same area of my back, I have not had another serious occurrence of shingles.
3 years ago, when the COVID outbreak began, I decided to increase my Lysine dosage to 2000 mg a day. I, also, added Quercetin with Bromelain, more vitamin C, vitamin D, probiotics, and zinc. I did NOT get the COVID vaccine or the shingles vaccine. I used to get colds and flu several times during the year. However, since I began this supplement regime, I have not had a cold, the flu, or even COVID or any virus in over 3 years. I don't claim to be giving medical advice - that's between you and your doctor. All I know is: This has been a godsend for me., I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother. Though it's been many years, I know grief doesn't necessarily follow a timeline.
Also, I am glad you have found a protocol that helps you feel better. That's awesome!
Thanks for sharing and I hope you stay healthy through all of 2023!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
I also had shingles outbreak due to stress. It was recommended that I get a shingles vaccination. Great, except my ccp retired after 60 years and I hate to use one of the other doctors in the office. Right now, I am hurting a lot.
, ugh. I am so sorry you are hurting right now. You might want to try one of the other doctors in the practice, although I don't blame you for being hesitant at all. I hope you get some relied very soon and I do hope you don't experience another shingles outbreak.
Gentle Hugs, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
