I can see why your doctor might be reluctant to tell you to get it.

From the link below (dated March 11)
There is a vaccine against shingles, called Zostavax that is made by Merck (Merck funded YawnâÂÂs research, along with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institute on Aging). Zostavax isnâÂÂt guaranteed protection against shingles. But in the large clinical trial that led to its approval by the FDA, the vaccine did cut the risk of getting shingles in half and the risk of pain that lingers after the signature shingles rash is gone, called postherpetic neuralgia, by even more.

So should people who have had shingles get the vaccine to lower their chances of getting it again?

But, quickly, a key point: Zostavax may very well protect against shingles recurrence, but thatâÂÂs an assumption at this point. No studies have been done that show that to be the case. When I asked Merck officials about this, I was told in an email that no such study is planned.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shingles can strike twice. Will the shingles vaccine help?

This is not the right place to obtain medical advice.....but we can regurgitate information gleaned from our own doctors and the internet.

Shame on your doctors for not giving you enough information to make an informed decision! The answer is "yes"....you should get the vaccination. Studies indicate that the older a person is, the less effective the vaccine is in preventing another outbreak, but is still helpful in reducing the severity and the long term pain afterwards.

As long as you are not allergic to the components of the vaccination, anyone over the age of 60 should get the shot....whether you've had an outbreak or not. Insurance should cover it.

Edited to add that I did not refresh my screen before posting and did not see the previous posting. My information is from CDC websites, as well as what my physician has explained.

Clearly, you have some deciding to do.

This post was edited by rhizo_1 on Fri, Jan 10, 14 at 11:42

I have had shingles once. It was very painful. I would take my chances of possibly not getting it a second time.
Mary

Here's some more anecdotal information to add to your confusion....I have no personal experience with shingles, DH has had the vaccine but I have not. I did call to check whether or not my insurance covers the cost, and it does - so I will make that appointment to get the shot...

But my neighbor had shingles last year right about the time she was turning 86. It wasn't a particularly severe case but not a good experience either, she was miserable.

She was told by her doctor to wait 6 months from her outbreak, then get the vaccine. No guarantee coming with it, but it could reduce her chances is what he said.

My mother has not had the vaccine, she says she has never had chicken pox. That seems doubtful when all three of us her children did, it seems more likely since she didn't get it from us that she'd already had it as a child, but we have no way of verifying that. I kept an endocrinologists appointment with her one day when that doctor checked her HMO records and said, I see you've never had the shingles vaccine, would you like one. Mother explained she never had chicken pox and asked if she should still have the shot. His answer - 'I have absolutely no idea'.

Talk to your Dr. DH and I could not take it because of the cancer treatments (his) caretaker (me). With him gone now, I am going to ask the Dr. again--different Dr also, but I do not remember ever having Chicken Pox. I understand there is some live things in the shot. You might also ask a pharmacist.

SO who is 63 had shingles last year, afterward his Dr said he thought everyone should get the shingles shot. He said he had seen more cases of shingles in just one year than he had in all of his years of being a doctor and he has been a doctor for about 30 yrs. Of course there made be different circumstances where a doctor might not recommend the shot.

I just wanted to add, that if you have not , or not sure if you have ever had chicken poxs, there is a simple blood test to tell (it was done before I had my shot) if you should have chicken pox or shingles shot.

From my understanding, people are getting shingles more because the younger generation are being vaccinated for chickenpox. It used to be that we would walk by a child with the chicken pox, pick up the virus and our immune system would basically be strengthened by the exposure - almost like a vaccination. That has happened for years.

Because kids are being vaccinated for chicken pox we are no longer getting that quick boost to our immune system and so the big increase in shingles.

I have had 3 friends, all in their 50's, who have had shingles in the past 2 years and they have been miserable.

What I didn't know is that you can get shingles more than once.

Part of the issue is that there are more and more elder folks these days....baby boomer generation and all that. Add that to the fact that the older we become, the more susceptible to illness and diseases. That's why shingles occurs far more frequently in seniors after residing silently in our bodies for many years.

I had a dear neighbor at one time who would have a dreadful outbreak every couple of years. She suffered terribly, it just broke my heart.

I can tell you that I've had shingles, and I got the shot after that, on my doctor's advice.

I can also tell you that if you have health insurance it shouldn't be very expensive. I have Medicare and the AARP supplement and drug policy, and I think the shot cost me $45.

Even if it only provided a ten percent edge over having shingles, I would get the shot. (It supposedly cuts your chances in half.)

Even if it cost $500, I would get the shot.

I had a severe case of chickenpox as a child.

I had a very mild case of shingles over the upper right quadrant of my head a few years ago. (It might have been worse, but it was diagnosed promptly, and I was prescribed anti-herpes meds within the 72-hour window where it helps.) The affected area included my right eye; I had to be examined to be certain the eye was not damaged. I needed to isolate myself for several weeks to prevent spreading the disease, until the scabs crusted over and dropped off. My case was merely annoying, but in extreme cases shingles is extremely painful and NEVER heals.

Both my DH and I had the vaccine six years ago -- no side effects for either of us, and no shingles.

I don't expect my house to burn down, but I insure against it. I feel the same about this vaccine.

"From my understanding, people are getting shingles more because the younger generation are being vaccinated for chickenpox."

Do some more checking, I'm pretty sure your understanding is incorrect.

I hope your view hasn't been influenced by those who suggest that vaccinations (especially for children) have uncertain consequences and should be avoided. Those people are dangerous to everyone and their views are based on crackpot non-science.

Edit-

Everyone should get the shingles vaccination, it's proven to be safe and very effective. It's not effective in all cases, but my doc said it reduced shingles risk by 50% or more. Ask any unvaccinated shingles sufferer whether they'd have made that choice.

This post was edited by snidely on Fri, Jan 10, 14 at 13:50

I am 89, had chicken pox as a child. Recently changed doctors, and one of the first questions she asked was had I gotten the shingles vaccination. I told her I had not. In about 2 minutes, I got the shot!

I have Medicare and a supplement that does not include prescription coverage. I was not charged for the vaccination.

So I expect it depends on your company?

Sue

I got a shingles shot. With Medicare and a supplemental, it
only cost around $40. Had it done at Costco Pharmacy.

I got the shingles vaccination after seeing my mom get shingles. Hers were mild. Another friend is still suffering the aftereffects of shingles. Horrible. I did not pay anything for the shot. I have Medicare and AARP supplemental. According to the Medicare site, your Medicare Part D coverage will cover the entire amount.

YES -- go get that shot! (unless your trusted physician gives you a good reason not to)

Here is a link that might be useful: medicare part d

The shots here cost $200. I haven't gotten it, but am thinking of it.
Would it be a one-time thing, or is it an annual shot?

After my seeing my 78 year old sister go through the suffering (and still is) of shingles, I got the shot. I'm 62, with private insurance and it covered 100% of the cost. I got the shot at Walgreen's.

My sister got Shingles in June and she is still in very much pain with it.

"Would it be a one-time thing, or is it an annual shot?"

Short answer - one time thing. For now.

Longer answer - same for both your question and the comment about there being more shingles because of chicken pox vaccinations, it's too soon to know. Chicken pox vaccine is less than 20 years old, shingles vaccine is less than 10 years old. Humans who had the chicken pox vaccine aren't old enough to be vulnerable for shingles, and similarly not enough time has passed for oldsters getting the shingles vaccine to see if the immunity decreases over time and might need a booster.

Teddybear lives in Canada. What would be the insurance situation, I wonder?

You'll get a lot of opinions here but I think you should call your physician, explain your concerns and ask if you can get the shingles vaccine. Perhaps there is a medical reason why you shouldn't but you won't know unless you ask.

I had shingles at age 48. It was AWFUL. I am now age 52 and not in the age profile to get the shot & my dermatologist told me that once I had shingles I would not get it again. Current info shows her to be wrong.

I am going to talk to my dr about getting the vaccine. I would recommend that you get the vaccine.

My sister in law got the shingles and was in pain for months....My husband and I still haven't gotten the shot yet but intend to, hopefully this month, we are in our 60's.

My husband and I had planned to get our shingles shots just before Christmas. A week before Christmas, I came down with a bad cold and it wasn't advisable to get the shingles shot.

So finally my cough was clearing up and we planned to get the shingles shot this weekâ¦.butâ¦.a week ago Wednesday my husband developed this very strange, large bump on his head, a goose egg, followed a day later by a couple of raised smaller bumps on his forehead, followed by similar bumps right in the corner of his eye last Sunday. No pain, no itching, but I suspected shingles once the ones near his eye came out.

We had already had an appointment scheduled with our derm for a body scan this past Tuesday. Of course, the doc asked why we hadn't come sooner and I said that there was no clue it was likely shingles until Sunday. He also said my husband was very lucky his vision wasn't compromised. The doc prescribed valacyclovir. My husband is drying up now ;-)

The doc said (and I also saw it on the internet) that the chance of recurrance is 5% and said it really wouldn't make a difference if my husband had the shot in the future.

I went for the shingles shot yesterday - it cost me $49.50 at CVS. I've had no pain or anything with it so far.

My Aunt had shingles several times and each time she was miserable.
My Rheumatologist said that I can not have the Shingles injection because my immune system is compromised with the meds that I take regularly. She said the only way I could take the Shingles injection is if I stop taking my RA meds for a month in advance. I have no quality of life without the meds, so looks like I'll have to take my chances and hope I'm lucky enough never to get Shingles.

Thank you for all your posts about this matter, I think I will go ahead with the shot but will do so after consulting my internal medicine specialist who I will be seeing in a couple of weeks on another matter. God only knows I don't want another battle with it Thank you and God bless you all., for caring enough to answer this post.

Yes, you can get shingles any time and as many times as possible, Shingles is caused from stress.

Shingles can last short time, some barely have pain, others have severe pain and yes, it can effect eye sight, dangerous when its involving eyes, face.

Some can have pain forever after getting shingles.

I would love to get the shot but its $200.00 plus too young so can't get it or I would.

I got shingles when I was in my 30's, I was a nanny, I just coverd the small area I got it with a pad and it wasn't an area where the two kids could touch. It was well covered.

Yes, you need to stay home and wait until they dry up, don't be around women that are pregnant, anyone actually as you don't know if they are or not.

I was told I was a baby when I had chicken pox so you can get it even with having chicken pox. It depends on how bad a case it was I told you had.

They are really recommending if you can, get the shingles vaccation, its not to be fooled around with at all.

I saw my one grandfather who got it all the time on his legs and he was in severe pain.

I WANT to get the shingles shot but was told by my friend Sue I can't get it till I'm 60. I am almost 59. I have had chicken pox and am very very susceptible to all kinds of skin problems and irritants.

My friend Sue works at the local county health department. She strongly recommends everyone over 60 get the shot. She said that (in our state, anyway) that supplies are low so only those over 60 can get it. She also said that IF a person under 60 could find a doctor that would give it, that the shot would be $450.

Littlebug and Hostapasta, several years ago they changed the minimum age from 60 to 50. I don't think this varies from state to state, although I could be wrong about that.

I would advise consulting your personal medical team, not a public forum. Certain circumstances of YOUR health may say NO. I'm in the do not club. Thought I saw a local pharmacy non-insured price of $450.

I have linked a site that shows that Zostavax has some side effects. You may want to read these user reviews before you make a decision on the drug for shingles. Right now I am sitting on the fence on whether to get the shot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Side effects

The only pharmacy here in this town that can store and keep this vaccine for customers is Safeway's Pharmacy, none of the others including Walmart have it.

It's right at about $200, just under. And they give a 10% coupon for discount on groceries to help make up a little of the cost ;)

DH had an appointment with the Safeway druggist for the vaccine that he cancelled, he had gone for his annual physical a couple of days before his scheduled time and the nurse at his doctors office gave him the shot. I still don't know how it was paid, it was his Medicare birthday month and he'd just signed up. I didn't get a bill of any kind, or any kind of explanation of benefits from Medicare, Premera Blue Cross supplement, or his Humana drug plan, nothing at all ever came.

OldFixer, you'll find that a lot of us discuss medical issues here, and I think it's a good thing. Of course one shouldn't make a medical decision based solely on others' opinions, but the experiences of others can be a valuable part of the decision-making process.

Until I saw shingles discussed here, for instance, I had no idea that it could attack the optic nerve and cause blindness. I'd only heard about shingles on the ribs or waist. That knowledge gave me the push I needed to get the shot (which had been recommended by my doctor).

As another example, most of what I know about Lyme Disease and its co-infections was learned from books and online Lyme support groups. Doctors in my area know very little about tick-borne illness, although it is proliferating here.

I had shingles about 7 years ago; intense pain, but no blisters since my doctor gave me the meds immediately. I took the shingles vaccination about 5 years ago and paid full price for it, but now, if you are on Medicare and have a secondary, usually your secondary will pay most or all of it if it's administered at Wlagreens. Just bring your medical cards with you, and there's no wait for approval.

All vaccines can have side effects. (Actually, all meds can.) I'll still try to improve my odds against flu, shingles, whatever, wherever I can.

Some have posted that they ignored lumps, bumps, redness. Do Not Do That -- for your own sake and for the sake of others around you.

If you can start anti-herpes meds within a 72-hour window, you are going to be much better off. My shingles looked to me like several spider bites, all in a one-inch area above my eyebrow. It took the MD one glance to diagnose shingles, prescribe meds, and set up an emergency appointment to have my eye checked for nerve damage. (Happily, there was none.) I was warned that I was contagious so that others were not put at risk.

Stress can be a factor in developing shingles. It was true in my case. I had been pressing hard to accomplish several non-routine tasks in the week prior to my outbreak. An advantage to having had the vaccine is that I stress less about *shingles* when I am stressed about something else!

I live in Ontario. I asked my doctor about the shingles vaccine when I was 62. She said 50/50. If I wanted it I could get it - but definitely our insurance would not cover the cost. Jasdip is right about the shot costing in the range of $200. I expect I would have side effects since I seem to be allergic to just about everything. So for the moment I am not getting it. And of course I had chicken pox at age 2. My husband is 65 and hasn't had it either.

I've seen first hand with some family members who suffered with a case of shingles...I have begged my doctors but because I'm under 60 will not be covered by insurance...I work in an enclosed cylinder tube 35000 feet in the air with 300 personalities and their varying germs...I hope I do not come down with it before I can get that shot! Please do what you think it right but I think most of us here are glad the shot is there and can get it! I know not a second will pass as soon as I turn 60!

I have been debating as to whether to get it or not. Like some others on here, I have strange reactions to things - I will break out in hives or have unexplained swelling of the eyes and skin reactions for no apparent reasons. All kinds of testing hasn't shown why. My doctor has left it up to me - I am a few months shy of 63. I have heard of some people who actually get a mild case of the shingles after having the shot - usually not a bad one but I am afraid I would be one of those.

liz ga, if you've had chicken pox, you can spend however much time you care to with all the germs you want. You don't get shingles from other people, you get it from yourself.

I'm in Canada and the shot is covered if you have extended health benefits through your employer, or if you go through Blue Cross on your own. If I recall, it's about $170. My son was about 28 or 29 when he got shingles and it was extremely painful. His was stress related and he even quit his job because of it. I told him to get the shot just in case he goes through another time of stress and it comes back. My nieces husband ended up with it just as my sons was clearing up. His was all over his face and dangerously close to his eyes. He was in the ER at least 3 times with his bout.

Your best bet is to have a good talk to your doctor as to whether or not the shot is good for you.

I plan on getting the shingles vaccine when I have saved enough money to get one. My SIL's father has suffered with debilitating pain from shingles he had from 7 years ago. He is over 80 now. Last week he took himself to the clinic because he had a new outbreak. Doses of morphine don't even touch his pain and he suffers terribly.

As others have said talk to your Doctor.

My shingles shot was free, but having had shingles in the past, I would pay $170 or more for something that reduces my chance of getting it again. I had shingles when I was much younger and I still remember the pain.

It is surprising how many people get shingles. You don't realize how common it is until you start talking about it.

snidely - you completely and utterly missed my point.

The shingles vaccination is a weakened chickenpox virus. My point holds.

This post was edited by blfenton on Sun, Jan 12, 14 at 15:31

In July of 2010 husband and I had the shingles vacine.
This past September 2013 my husband broke out with the shingles on the right side of his face from about the eye down to the chin.

Very uncomfortable he was. They did not get in his eye, but he had a terrible right ear. They cleared up in about 3 weeks, but he still had a lingering pain around the ear and inside the mouth. By Christmas the annoying pain had left. Some shingle cases are plagued with pain afterwards for months or into years.

I personally believe having the vaccine cut down on the effects of the shingles and his was a milder case even though he was in plenty of pain for a while. I did worry about the ear it looked so bad down in the ear channel. Swelled bad.

Yes I think the vaccine did help and I would recommend
the vaccine to anyone. I have seen some full blown cases in the nursing home residents. It is not pleasant and they suffer so.....Shirl

I'm curious about whether the original bout with chickenpox has anything to do with how virulent subsequent shingles would be. I was very ill with chickenpox -- couldn't walk. I still have a dime-size pox scar on the outside of my right knee. Other small scars are in my eyebrows and on my chin.

Also, IS shingles proven to be ONLY stress-related? Mine was, but I don't know if that's the only precipitating factor.

It looks like the left-over chickenpox virus that we keep if we have the chickenpox can get reactivated through either physical or emotional stress. Attached is a quick short article about shingles

Here is a link that might be useful: short article on shingles