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dear michelle, a 76 year old friend recently had a flu shot and developed a case of shingles. any connection? coincidental? thanxs so much
Jean
Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen to them?
Michelle
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I got a flu shot at Rite Aide on Sat. and woke up Sunday morning with Shingles. The pharmacist gave me the shot to far up .practically in the joint where my shoulder and arm meet and it was very painful , almost like he hit a nerve. I ended up with shingles on the same side he gave me the shot. My doctors says the shot didn't cause it .. that stress does..well I have been through some very stressful events and never got shingles so Im sure the shot caused it.
October 10, 2014 - 4:26amThis Comment
Thank you all for sharing your stories of flu shots. Since we are back in flu season again here are some videos about shingles and the flu. I see so many people asking this question on the flu and shingles. This is why I love EmpowHER because it is important for all of us to share our stories.
Here are links to two videos about shingles and the flu: https://www.empowher.com/shingles/content/shingles-vaccine-right-you-her-health-minute-dr-connie
https://www.empowher.com/shingles/content/shingles-how-skin-condition-diagnosed-dr-heck
Here is a video about a woman who contracted shingles and what she did to treat it: https://www.empowher.com/shingles/content/shingles-caitlins-story
Does anyone have any tips for someone who has shingles on how to treat it?
Sharing stories and advice is how we heal so please share this information and these videos with anyone who may be suffering from shingles.
November 1, 2013 - 4:19pmThis Comment
My husband had a flu shot at his school on Oct. 13. He started coughing on Oct. 15 and on Oct. 17 he had an ear ache and one spot on his head kept hurting. We thought it was sinus. Got ear drops and used them to no avail. On Friday, Oct. 24, he woke up with some red welts on his neck, thought it was bug bites. ear kept hurting and also the same side of his throat was a little scratchy. Head still ached a little at certain positions. Sunday afternoon, there were more red welts under his ear. I suspected shingles, but called the doctor Monday and went today, Tuesday. Yep, shingles! He is very fortunate that he doesn't have severe pain. Just the ear ache and little uncomfortable. I also thought of the flu shot. Of course, it would be denied that it set the shingles off.
October 28, 2014 - 5:23pmThis Comment
I am now 36. In October of 2010 I got shingles shortly after the flu shot. In January of 2011 I discovered my 5 year old son had shingles shortly after has influenza booster. I decided never to get the flu shot again.
January 8, 2014 - 5:45pmThis Comment
My last flu shot was in 2008. Three days later I broke out in the most painful debilitating case of shingle. I went online to see if there was any connection between the flu shot and shingles and there were 100's of posts that October of 2008 with the same thing happening. No doubt in my mind. The flu shot caused my shingles. Never again for me!!
November 1, 2013 - 5:56amThis Comment
I didn't get the shingles but my boyfriend did about a month later. I got frozen shoulder from mine. It started hurting the next day. Five weeks later, I can barely lift my arm in certain angles. I am going to go to the doctor. I filed a report to be on record with the Vaccine Adverse Event reporting system (VAERS)'
October 31, 2013 - 7:32pmThis Comment
Wow... After reading all this I am SO glad that I turned down the flu shot yesterday while at my doctor's office. I'm 54 and have had a flue shot 3 times in my life... the first time, at age 25, I got the full blown flu, as did everyone else in my office who took it... I read where they were much improved and started again three years ago... Both times, I felt puny afterward and had a burning sensation on the front of my left shin.. No rash or discoloration... So I wasn't anxious to do that again... Will NEVER get one now... Glad I didn't for a long time.
October 31, 2013 - 11:53amThis Comment
Received a flu shot one week before developing a very itchy red papular rash under the left arm. Dr did not know what it was caused by (denied it could have been caused by the flu shot) but ordered 6 days of cortisone medication. The rashing and itching improved during the six days of cortisone treatment, bu since the cortisone treatment is done, the rash has covered my left side and is starting on the right side. It is so itchy I cannot sleep but for 1 to 2 hours a night. Dr. has ordered 6 more days of cortisone treatment. No pain, but intense itching. wondering when this will end.
October 30, 2013 - 9:48amThis Comment
You need to becheck for shingles! I came down with shingles and ended up with post shingles! Vermont country store has an ointment for shingles that can help you! Read up on shingles! Be aware of your Stress level!
October 31, 2013 - 7:50pmThis Comment
I had shingles a 18 months ago. I had it on my left face, head, and eye. It has lingered in my eye and keeps trying to come back. When I don't eat or sleep well it gets red, eye lid swells, and skin around eye sags. Got a Flu shot this morning and within a hour or two it all started.
October 29, 2013 - 8:43pmThis Comment