Hey T Man comrades.... It appears that I am coming down with shingles on my left shoulder area front and back. Lots of blisters and some itching and some discomfort. Never had shingles before and hopefully they don't get much worse. I am going to be 67 in the spring and never had a vaccination for them. Can I get them again if I am so unlucky or should I get a shot... any comments or advice ?

Get the Shingrix vaccine when you can (2 shots). It is over 90% effective. You can get the shingles multiple times. I had them twice before getting the Shingrix vaccine.

I had them when I was 23. They can come back anytime. Stress can cause them to flair up.
I'll never get the vaccine.

They are miserable. Good news is getting shingles is as effective as the vaccine in preventing them from coming back.

X2
Get to the doctor asap. If you catch it early it isn’t too bad. I’ve had it twice and then I got the shingles vaccine.

Been vaccinated for it. There was a time when it was not covered by Medicare. I took my inlaws screaming and kicking to a pharmacy to get it. They were tight. About 15 years ago. Now they are glad.

I had them years ago, heat of summer. Couldn’t sit still so I went up to my first lake place and proceeded to very finely power wash the redwood siding so it could be re-oiled. Took 4 days, the days were hot but I spent them in the mist of the power washer. Came thru it super, not sure what that daylong cool mist did but it really worked.
Never had them again.
Osky

Shingles is the chicken pox virus that has been hiding out in nerve roots in your body, When it comes back the virus travels down the nerve bundle to the surface causing the rash and welts. If the nerve bundle affected happens to be on the head/face, shingles can cause permanent loss of sight. A shingles outbreak that can affect the eye is considered a medical emergency. That alone is enough for me to get the vaccine.

The original vaccine, called Zostervax, was not particularly effective. The new vaccine, Shingrix, is highly effective. I had the Zostervax vaccine after getting shingles the first time and got them again a few years later. Have not had them again since getting the Shingrix shots.

Please get the Shingrix. Also, go to Dr and get on gabapentin so you don't have permanent nerve damage.

I had them once. They started in my left eye and went up my forehead into my scalp. Miserable. Eye Dr said if I got them again in same eye would probably go blind from scarring. Did lose some visual acuity in that eye.

I had them fairly young. Had long hair at the time and got shingles on my neck area. It hurt for my hair to even touch it so I took scissors and cut my own hair, lol. It wasn’t fun and I hope I never get it again. I was probably in my mid 20’s when I got it and I don’t even know if they had a vaccine then. It’s not something I’d wish on anyone, hope you get feeling better.

When I had them just in the last 10 years it felt like some one had poured a can of gas down the front of my pants and than lite it on fire I hurt so bad it nearly dropped me to my knees Soaking in a tub of cold water was a way to get some relief But because they did not seem to be gong away I went to a doctor got a shot and within 2 day it had almost completely cleared up .

If the doctor gives you pills take all of them not just until you feel better, I’ve know two people that did that and when it came back it was worse than before.

My advice, before getting a vaccine, is ask your DR what the chances are of a recurrence without a vaccine and with one. DR's get kickbacks from the drug companies.

My wife took the shot 3or 4 years ago and the shot caused pain in her arm and lasted for over a year. Now she has shingles on a foot and has had it for several months. She says the pain is intense and she is not a complainer at all.

Prayers sent, I got the shot

Hey thanks all.... I started to get the blisters last Wed Nite and Thursday. Sunday and today it seems like they are scabbing up really no new ones. My left side neck was sore but better today. I really don't have much pain ... alittle. Some sensitivity and some itch. Guess I'll hit the DR office Tuesday....I still am working and have full insurance... very good ins.... I'll see what they say but most docs are 100% pills and shots and drugs positive.

They usually wont lie though.

Go as soon as you feel the first burn . DON"T WAIT until the blisters come out... VALTREX is your friend !!!

I got it last summer. I got the original vaccine years ago only because my mother got a severe case. I myself didn't want to go through what her ordeal was. With the original vaccine I was told I could still get a case but it would be far less severe. Dr. was right, it wasn't too bad, still not pleasant. The lesions cleared up leaving scares in about 3 or 4 weeks. The scares were sensitive to any pressure such as just the weight of the sheet at night. That lasted for 6 or 7 months. I shoot skeet with a guy that had to deal with shingles for a little over 2 years. He has some real scares. The new vaccine is far more effective, get it.