Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
How many of us have gotten a Shingle vacination and did your insurance coverage pay for it? How much was the cost of the shot and did you ask for it or did your doctor recommend it and if so at what age?
I got mine yesterday it cost $170 and I am waiting to find out if my insurance covers it. My doctor recommends it at age 65 so I got it a tad sooner. Will you get one? Do you know many folks who are aware of and opted to get or not get one?
I've said it before, I would consider it a personal (dietary/lifestyle) failure if I would ever get shingles. None of my elderly relatives ever had shingles. So, no, I haven't had the shot (70/yo).
Imo, shingles usually is the result of a Vitamin B deficiency, although I - KNOW - technically shingles is caused by the resurrection of a latent chickenpox virus. But the virus resurrects itself primarily because of a compromised immune system, often brought on by stress or poor diet.
My widowed MIL developed shingles 30 years ago (in her late 50s) after ending a very difficult relationship. I put her on lysine and other B Vits and she got over it in a week.
Very healthy friend of mine just went through an extremely difficult ordeal with her husband dying of cancer. Saw her last week. She has lost about 40 lbs and developed shingles. Not over it, yet, she says. She was never one for shots for anything and I'm sure never considered it. In hindsight, knowing the stresses she had to endure, in her case she probably should have had the shot.
Got one a few years ago. Insurance would not pay for it. But I saw so many older friends actually getting shingles and thought, ugh! No way I want shingles. The vaccine was easy and I had no reaction to the shot. I'd highly recommend it.
MJ, you're too young for shingles. Quit smoking, drinking, and crank up the vitamins and fresh veggies and fruit. Not sure you're guilty of either of the former, but both habits deplete vitamin stores in the system.
My wife and I both got it at ages 63 and 65 respectively. Our insurance covered it 100% just as it does our annual flu shots as well as our pneumonia shots. We asked for them.
The shingles vaccine is recommended after you past 60.
Before age 60, might take a very good reason
I think cost is all over the map, doctor office will probably charge $150-250, but a place like Walgreens will charge $30-50. best to ask up front so you do not get a surprise. Since getting the vaccine is not a cure, you do not have to get it as an emergency and can shop around.
Since this vaccine is again being marketed by Merck, it's relatively new,
Shingles is caused by the dormant Chicken pox virus, if you have never had chicken pox, you probally will not get shingles.
I had shingles at age 59, either it was a mild case or the fact that I asked a doctor friend what this "rash" was the day I popped the rash, he practically kicked me out and said to go to my doctor for meds. NOW !
I may have caught it early and stopped it from being a bad case.
For me it was like a flu without running nose. just felt bad, weak and run down. I probably could have gone to work but my boss insisted I stay home for a few days and rest.
about 2 weeks after though, my entire chest skin peeled off like a very bad sunburn, I was peeling it off in sheets.
No one really knows why it pops up, most agree it's related to stress.
It can occur anywhere on body, most dangerous is on face, you do not want close to eyes.
A friend had shingles same day as me, he did not go to doctor for a week, had it on his face and scalp.
He had to go to hospital to control it.
I got shingles in early spring this year and when I was completely recovered (it takes months), I went in and got the vaccination. My insurance paid for it 100% so I wanted to get it while I had such good coverage. Had no reaction other than a red rash around the injection site for about a week. I would highly recommend that everybody get this shot because you don't want to get shingles, even if you have to pay for it yourself it is money very well spent. Just go on the internet and see the photos and you will run to get this shott. I know a pharma company is advertising heavily about shingles and I think it is a great public service and educating the older population, the ads don't push their particular shots or company at all. Shingles can come on in an instant and it is very painful, and mine was relatively mild because I went to my doctor within 72 hours and took the anti-viral medication which cuts it down alot (but you have to catch it within the 1st 72 hours).
I'd encourage anyone who can take it to find the money if your insurance won't cover it. I'm prone to recurring bouts of postherpetic neuralgia from shingles and cannot take the vaccine due to a compromised immune system from chemotherapy - Mathjak was lucky with his outbreak. It can be extremely severe and will just about drive you over the edge. Sometimes it takes months to recover.
I have outbreaks if I get extremely stressed or tired, usually preceded by a blinding headache. By that time they are on the way - Zovirax will control them to some degree if I start immediately. If I miss the clue of "big headache", I can count on many days of discomfort. FWIW, our insurance will cover 70% of the $165 charge.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
