The Vent and Rant Thread - Page 2383

Hitch · 02-01-2023, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isarl

Hitch, as somebody else “lucky” enough to have experienced shingles, I offer my sincerest wishes that you beat it soon, and an enthusiastic second of your advice to get the vaccine if eligible. If you're not eligible, then familiarize yourself with the symptoms and if you ever think you might have shingles, seek treatment immediately, as when I had it, there was some treatment which can be undertaken if the infection has not yet set in too much, which can help lessen its severity.

I hear that. What's weird is, I had pain--but nary a rash in sight until AFTER the pain bloomed into near-full-gear. I guess that's odd, they say. But, sports fans, yes, if you're too young, etc. familiarize yourself and if you get what feels like increasingly severe muscle spasms, around your torso, run, do not walk to the nearest Urgent Care, PCP, whatever works in your neck of the woods and see if they can spot it. Y'know, the paramedics and ambo crews that planted all the elctrodes and leads and stuff, all over my trunk, did NOT see the rash! It wasn't until like 2 hours later, after some agonizing fun "getting to know you" time in the ER, that the Head Doc said "hey, do you usually have a heat rash here?" and that's the weirdness.

So, rashes, yes, pain, yes, oddball muscle spasm stuff, yes. All symptoms. and can/may also occur almost anywhere--arms, legs (rarer), heads (rareish but not rare enough) face, EYES!!!...so BE CAREFUL. And the moment you are eligible, get out the vax.

@isarl: You have my deepest sympathies (you know you do, in our wee and "exclusive" club here, cough) and I hope you escaped PHN? (Post-Herpetic Neuralgia--in other words, the rash goes away, you look cured...but the pain does not go away, for months or even years or even worse.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I hope it's better soon for you Hitch!

I look into getting one, but you can't get one in the Netherlands until you're 50, except for certain circumstances (HIV, have had an organ transplant, etc).

Yes, and you're still a bit young too. Just hang in there. The "good" news for you is, if it does occur, it tends to be milder in the younger; your immune system is intended to be less compromised (I know you've had your challenges there, Rumple, m'girl) and all that. So...you're in my thoughts around "good vibes only" for the MR gang. :-)

Hitch

isarl · 02-01-2023, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

@isarl: You have my deepest sympathies (you know you do, in our wee and "exclusive" club here, cough) and I hope you escaped PHN? (Post-Herpetic Neuralgia--in other words, the rash goes away, you look cured...but the pain does not go away, for months or even years or even worse.)

Indeed I did and I wish you that same good fortune! I had forgotten until now the body horror element of getting shingles, and wondering whether it will mean lasting pain. For all that it's worth, I'm sending healing vibes your way!

Hitch · 02-01-2023, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isarl

Indeed I did and I wish you that same good fortune! I had forgotten until now the body horror element of getting shingles, and wondering whether it will mean lasting pain. For all that it's worth, I'm sending healing vibes your way!

Thank you! I'm catching those healing vibes right now, in a big lovely jar that's especially for 'em! :-) TYSM. Well and truly, all.

Hitch

CRussel · 02-01-2023, 01:01 PM

Yeah, lots and lots of those healing vibes, @Hitch!! And should any of you following along manage to get shingles, might I suggest that some have found significant relief from cannabis, at a somewhat lesser overall systemic load than massive opiates. (Completely legal here in Canada, and legal or medically legal in most states in the US. Elsewhere? YMMV.)

But really, GET THE SHINGRIX VACCINE! Not getting this is way preferable to having to find ways to deal with it after the fact.

pdurrant · 02-01-2023, 04:22 PM

I've booked my first dose for Friday. Looking up incidence, it's around 5 in 1,000 per year for my age range and sex. So that's a 1 in 200 chance of getting it this year. But in the twelve years until I'm 70, that multiplies up to be greater than a 1 in 20 chance. Worth the outlay I think, as fortunately I can afford it.

ApK · 02-01-2023, 09:59 PM

I know this is really a question for my Dr, not the MR lounge, but:. Anyone know how effective the vaccine is? Likelihood of "breakthrough" illnesses, as they say in the COVID-19 world?

Hitch · 02-01-2023, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

I know this is really a question for my Dr, not the MR lounge, but:. Anyone know how effective the vaccine is? Likelihood of "breakthrough" illnesses, as they say in the COVID-19 world?

I am no doctor but lemme tell ya and yes, I've now said this eye-wateringly often in the last 20 days--don't care. If it's only 5% effective, in preventing reoccurrence, I'm paying for the cursed thing. Never again,bygod, not if I can help it.

Per the CDC, and this has been around a while, FWIW (seriously!) it's 97% effective, apparently: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shi...25%20effective.

Hitch

badgoodDeb · 02-02-2023, 12:05 AM

This is the ~4 year old Shingrix vaccine (2 doses required). There was an older vaccine, but the newer one is head over heels better, I hear. Even though I had had the older one, I got the new one too, after my 51-ish yr old brother got a bout of shingles. (Age uncertain because I don’t recall when the Shingrix vax became available - he had a bout a year or so before.)

CRussel · 02-02-2023, 12:16 AM

Yeah, the older vaccine was mildly effective for 50 year olds, somewhat effective for 60 year olds, and basically useless for those >70. The Shingrix vaccine is >90% effective even for those of us >70, and for youngers, 97%.

Hitch · 02-02-2023, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

This is the ~4 year old Shingrix vaccine (2 doses required). There was an older vaccine, but the newer one is head over heels better, I hear. Even though I had had the older one, I got the new one too, after my 51-ish yr old brother got a bout of shingles. (Age uncertain because I don’t recall when the Shingrix vax became available - he had a bout a year or so before.)

Yes, BadGood, that's right. This one is meant to be amazingly effective. It's understandable that all of us are probably a bit Vax-shy right now, from any end of the spectrum, but in this, hoooo, boy, I'm gonna say, embrace your inner Vax-nerd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Yeah, the older vaccine was mildly effective for 50 year olds, somewhat effective for 60 year olds, and basically useless for those >70. The Shingrix vaccine is >90% effective even for those of us >70, and for youngers, 97%.

urgh, cattyping, thank you Mr. Zep...

Yes. I'm trying to figure out right now how soon I can go get it.

Hitch

DiapDealer · 02-02-2023, 11:38 AM

Remind me again why we need to reaffirm--each year--that the vernal equinox is almost six weeks to the day after Groundhog Day?

pdurrant · 02-03-2023, 09:35 AM

Had my first shingles shot. Next shot booked in for 14th April.

Hitch · 02-03-2023, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Had my first shingles shot. Next shot booked in for 14th April.

Huzzah! Please do let us know how you feel, and if it all goes okay for you!

(I met someone--her friend keeps getting it. Over and over. Sweet Moses on a Pony...)

Hitch

DiapDealer · 02-03-2023, 12:08 PM

My first Shingrix shot knocked me for a bit of a loop. Nothing rare, mind you, but I went through the list of possible side-effects and could tick off every single one of them (except for nausea)! I'm guessing having some tylenol in the house might have handled the bulk of them.

Second shot didn't register with me at all. I was getting the Hep B vaccine at the same time, though (a shot in each arm two months apart). I was more than happy to be ever so slightly off my game for night.

Hitch · 02-03-2023, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

My first Shingrix shot knocked me for a bit of a loop. Nothing rare, mind you, but I went through the list of possible side-effects and could tick off every single one of them (except for nausea)! I'm guessing having some tylenol in the house might have handled the bulk of them.

Second shot didn't register with me at all. I was getting the Hep B vaccine at the same time, though (a shot in each arm two months apart). I was more than happy to be ever so slightly off my game for night.

Yes, Mr. H took the Shingrix hard but...otoh, eh saw me so he decided that t'was the lesser of the two evils. Thanks for the skinny, Diap.

Hitch

02-01-2023, 01:01 PM	#35734
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,297 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), iPad Air M3	Yeah, lots and lots of those healing vibes, @Hitch!! And should any of you following along manage to get shingles, might I suggest that some have found significant relief from cannabis, at a somewhat lesser overall systemic load than massive opiates. (Completely legal here in Canada, and legal or medically legal in most states in the US. Elsewhere? YMMV.) But really, GET THE SHINGRIX VACCINE! Not getting this is way preferable to having to find ways to deal with it after the fact. Last edited by CRussel; 02-02-2023 at 12:17 AM.

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02-01-2023, 04:22 PM	#35735
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 74,095 Karma: 315558332 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	I've booked my first dose for Friday. Looking up incidence, it's around 5 in 1,000 per year for my age range and sex. So that's a 1 in 200 chance of getting it this year. But in the twelve years until I'm 70, that multiplies up to be greater than a 1 in 20 chance. Worth the outlay I think, as fortunately I can afford it.

02-01-2023, 09:59 PM	#35736
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,390 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	I know this is really a question for my Dr, not the MR lounge, but:. Anyone know how effective the vaccine is? Likelihood of "breakthrough" illnesses, as they say in the COVID-19 world?

02-02-2023, 12:05 AM	#35738
badgoodDeb Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,555 Karma: 64462893 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harrisburg outskirts Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1	This is the ~4 year old Shingrix vaccine (2 doses required). There was an older vaccine, but the newer one is head over heels better, I hear. Even though I had had the older one, I got the new one too, after my 51-ish yr old brother got a bout of shingles. (Age uncertain because I don’t recall when the Shingrix vax became available - he had a bout a year or so before.)

02-02-2023, 12:16 AM	#35739
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,297 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), iPad Air M3	Yeah, the older vaccine was mildly effective for 50 year olds, somewhat effective for 60 year olds, and basically useless for those >70. The Shingrix vaccine is >90% effective even for those of us >70, and for youngers, 97%.

02-02-2023, 11:38 AM	#35741
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,695 Karma: 205039118 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Remind me again why we need to reaffirm--each year--that the vernal equinox is almost six weeks to the day after Groundhog Day?

02-03-2023, 09:35 AM	#35742
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 74,095 Karma: 315558332 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	Had my first shingles shot. Next shot booked in for 14th April.

02-03-2023, 12:08 PM	#35744
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,695 Karma: 205039118 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	My first Shingrix shot knocked me for a bit of a loop. Nothing rare, mind you, but I went through the list of possible side-effects and could tick off every single one of them (except for nausea)! I'm guessing having some tylenol in the house might have handled the bulk of them. Second shot didn't register with me at all. I was getting the Hep B vaccine at the same time, though (a shot in each arm two months apart). I was more than happy to be ever so slightly off my game for night.