Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a question that my doctor could not answer:

I had shingles in my 30s. Does that mean I'm immune to shingles?

My doctor told me to get the vaccine anyway, but that makes no sense to me.

Shingles was extremely painful! It's caused by a reactivation (?) of the virus that causes chicken pox.

I don't understand how the shingles vaccine works or why I would need it if I've had shingles. Can anyone explain?

My doctor couldn't. She just said "get it," but I'd like a better explanation than that.

I am 44 and have shingles now. When I saw my nurse practitioner this week, she told me that she has had shingles twice.

I've had Shingles 4 times. I'm 36.

What ages did you get it? Did you get it on different parts of your body each time?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a question that my doctor could not answer:

I had shingles in my 30s. Does that mean I'm immune to shingles?

My doctor told me to get the vaccine anyway, but that makes no sense to me.

Shingles was extremely painful! It's caused by a reactivation (?) of the virus that causes chicken pox.

I don't understand how the shingles vaccine works or why I would need it if I've had shingles. Can anyone explain?

My doctor couldn't. She just said "get it," but I'd like a better explanation than that.

I am 44 and have shingles now. When I saw my nurse practitioner this week, she told me that she has had shingles twice.

I've had Shingles 4 times. I'm 36.

I never had chicken pox as a kid. I have had the chicken pox vaccine as an adult. Will I also need to get the shingles vaccine at some point?

Anonymous wrote:I have a question that my doctor could not answer:

I had shingles in my 30s. Does that mean I'm immune to shingles?

My doctor told me to get the vaccine anyway, but that makes no sense to me.

Shingles was extremely painful! It's caused by a reactivation (?) of the virus that causes chicken pox.

I don't understand how the shingles vaccine works or why I would need it if I've had shingles. Can anyone explain?

My doctor couldn't. She just said "get it," but I'd like a better explanation than that.

Well, it also doesn't "make sense" because you can get shingles because you've had chicken pox. Maybe the vaccine just increases the amount of antibodies you have.

Why can't people get it at 50 and again at 60?

Anonymous wrote:I have a question that my doctor could not answer:

I had shingles in my 30s. Does that mean I'm immune to shingles?

My doctor told me to get the vaccine anyway, but that makes no sense to me.

Shingles was extremely painful! It's caused by a reactivation (?) of the virus that causes chicken pox.

I don't understand how the shingles vaccine works or why I would need it if I've had shingles. Can anyone explain?

My doctor couldn't. She just said "get it," but I'd like a better explanation than that.

I am 44 and have shingles now. When I saw my nurse practitioner this week, she told me that she has had shingles twice.

I have a question that my doctor could not answer:

I had shingles in my 30s. Does that mean I'm immune to shingles?

My doctor told me to get the vaccine anyway, but that makes no sense to me.

Shingles was extremely painful! It's caused by a reactivation (?) of the virus that causes chicken pox.

I don't understand how the shingles vaccine works or why I would need it if I've had shingles. Can anyone explain?

My doctor couldn't. She just said "get it," but I'd like a better explanation than that.

Anonymous wrote:I was told insurance wouldn't cover it until 60.

Call the insurance company and ask.

I got the vaccine at 50. Doctor said it was approved for people over 50 but recommended for those over 60. I have had one friend my age that had shingles and was in abject misery. I will say that it was a painful vaccine and my arm hurt for days.

Anonymous wrote:I was told insurance wouldn't cover it until 60.

My insurance covered it at age 57. Maybe it depends upon the type of insurance you have.

I was told insurance wouldn't cover it until 60.

I got the vaccine at ~56. Doctor said it would only be 60% effective.
I'm healthy, but I've heard shingles really hurts, so I got it and insurance covered it.

I got one at age 57.

"I got it" -- I mean shingles.

I got it at 30 and haven't had it since. It wasn't bad for me. I'm 58. My doctor says wait until 60 because my insurance will cover it then. It won't now.

Has anyone decided to get this vaccine upon turning 50? It is my understanding that it's FDA-approved for people 50 and over, but that the CDC recommends waiting until 60 in order to maximize its effectiveness:

"There are no long-term studies showing how long the vaccine is effective in 50 to 59 year olds. In adults vaccinated at age 60 years or older, protection from the vaccine decreases within the first 5 years after vaccination. Protection beyond 5 years is uncertain; therefore, adults receiving the vaccine before age 60 years might not be protected when their risks for shingles and its complications are greatest."

My DH got shingles at the age of 45--and we know other folks in their 40s who have, too--and it was a MISERABLE experience, which is why I am considering getting it now that I'm 50.