When one reaches 60, some things are mandatory (long-term, Canada, infants)

[JoanD'Arc]

Originally Posted by luvmyhoss

It hit home recently when two of my siblings, both over 60 got shingles.
Unbelievably horrible. My sister will have permanent nerve damage and
brother is just beginning his agony. Now I am a needle phobic person. Have not
had a vaccination since I don't know when- at least 30 years.
So I hied myself down to the PC and waited for a shot. I had adrenaline rush,
heart palpitations. and nearly fainted. What a wuss.
the actual shot was nothing. So I urge everyone to get
immunized! Look at the flu (my next shot) epidemic.

I've seen people suffer from shingles and the pain is excruciating. When my Dr. suggested the vaccine, I didn't hesitate to get it.

Good advice to think about taking care of ourselves as we get older. Thanks, OP!

[suzy_q2010]

Family history is irrelevant. Shingles is an infectious disease, not an inherited one.

The persistent pain after shingles, postherpetic neuralgia, PHN, is the most common cause of suicide in chronic pain patients over the age of 70.

Although the vaccine is only about 50% effective, the condition it treats is absolutely a nightmare. Adverse effects from the vaccine itself are rare.

If you do get it, early treatment is essential and may reduce the risk of PHN.

Consultation with a pain specialist early in the course of the episode may be beneficial:

http://flsipp.org/FSIPPTrescotShingles.pdf

[TFW46]

Thanks for this thread, which has served as a reminder to me to get my shingles vaccination. My physician doesnt stock it so I'm going to Walgreen's for it.

[cdnirene]

I was under no stress whatsoever when I developed shingles. The effects lasted about 5 years. The first few months were truly horrible. If I was driving and went over a small bump in the road I'd cry out involuntarily with the pain from the motion.

It's very very important to get treatment within the first 72 hours. Unfortunately I didn't. I felt the back pain but thought it was just muscle pain. It didn't occur to me to look at my back using two mirrors. By the time I did, and saw the rash, I had missed the magic 72 hour window which might have reduced the pain to just a month or two.

If you do discover the rash and you can't get in to see your doctor, don't wait. Go to Emergency at your local hospital.

[germaine2626]

Thank you very much for all of the information. My husband and i will check at our next doctors appointments.

My mother had shingles at age 70 and was in extreme pain for several months.

[NewToCA]

I had shingles at 57, so it isn't a "magic" age where you suddenly become vulnerable.

Rather annoying, and unfortunately I also got it in my eye.

Just an aftermath of chicken pox, coming on a tad later in life.

[certsevtxert]

death? (for some people)

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by mrgoodwx

My sister got shingles at age 56. It took about 5 years from her to recover from the nerve damage. So...the week after my 60th birthday, I got the vaccination. Even if they are only 50% effective...that sounds a lot better than no shot to me. I do eat well, exercise, get plenty of sleep and take supplements, including vitamin B.

i had shingles last year at 59. very mild case though. they do see alot more cases cropping up of over 55.

as far as mandatory at 60 ,i would say white shoes and a white belt.

[kevxu]

Originally Posted by luv4horses

Unfortunately those of us in the 60+ year range are very likely to be carrying the shingles virus. When it becomes active, watch out! You can even get it in your eyes, and when I heard that I was out the door to the pharmacist!

I helped take care of a person with shingles on the face and in the eyes. It was an absolute agony. Each morning we had to pry his eyes open to put drops in them because he could not manage to do so. Fortunately, he did not lose his sight.

But the mere sight of his face was absolutely frightening, and it turned my stomach. I can only imagine how he felt.

My mother had it on the trunk of her body, and that was painful enough.

[choff5]

I just hit the 6-0 last week so good reminder. Had not even thought of this yet.