Long Term Side Effects Of Shingrix
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I had all the possible listed side effects from the second dose of the Shingrix vaccination for about 18-24 hours. Could not get out of bed. Next day I noticed an extremely painful lump in my armpit. swelled right up. Just a lymph node reaction, and it went away after a week.
About a week after that, I noticed a pain in my tissues around my elbows and knees, and my previously almost healed shoulder pain flared up again. That was about 6 weeks ago. It continues to get worse, with additional nerve pain sporadically coming and going, but mostly it is fascial pain and referral. I have been trying things like massage, and osteopathy, and ART thinking that perhaps it was unrelated to the vaccine. Maybe it is. Nothing is helping.
I am posting this here to see if anyone has heard of this. I am trying hard to solve this issue. Trying homeopathy next.
0 likes, 17 replies
But My Armpit’s Huge Should I See A Doctor
While Mr Nevill’s lymph nodes didn’t swell up, people have reported lumps appearing in their armpit some as big as an orange.
While engorged lymph nodes may look pretty confronting not to mention uncomfortable they do tend to start subsiding in a week or so, says Karen Price, president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
“If you’re really worried, you can seek treatment,” Dr Price said.
“But the size is not really an issue, as much as how the patient is coping with it.
“In general, most GPs will be reassuring you if you’ve just had a vaccination, and we’d give you up to a month to let it go down.”
Does The Vaccine Work
In December 2017 Public Health England published an evaluation of the first three years of the shingles vaccination programme in England . This showed that the shingles vaccine was 62% effective against shingles and 70 to 88% effective against post-herpetic neuralgia in this period. Public Health England estimates that there were 17000 fewer GP consultations for shingles than expected in this 3-year period.
In the early 2000s researchers carried out a very large study of Zostavax, the shingles vaccine used in the UK, involving over 38,000 adults aged 60 or older. The results showed that:
- In adults aged between 60 and 70, the vaccine reduced the number of cases of shingles by 51.3%
- In adults aged over 70, the vaccine reduced the number of cases of shingles by 38%
- The vaccine reduced the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia by over 66% in all age groups
- For those who did get shingles, the vaccine reduced the severity of the disease.
Read the abstract of this study , published in 2005 by Oxman et al.
Adults aged 80 or over are not offered the shingles vaccine. This is because the effectiveness of the vaccine declines with age in older age groups.
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Swollen Lymph Nodes: Normal Vaccine Side Effect Can Be Mistaken As Sign Of Cancer
As more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, physicians are noticing an uptick in the number of people with enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit area, which can be mistaken as a sign of cancer on routine imaging such as mammograms and CT scans, The New York Times reported March 1.
Swollen lymph nodes are a common immune system reaction to vaccinations and can also occur after getting the flu shot or HPV vaccine. The swelling typically subsides within a few weeks and occurs on the same side of the body where the vaccination was administered.
In response, medical journals and physicians have issued a number of recommendations to avoid the confusion. The Times referenced a research letter published in RadiologyFeb. 24 that recommended postponing routine mammograms and other imaging for at least six weeks after the final vaccine dose. Scheduling screening exams before receiving the first dose is another option.
Constance Lehman, MD, PhD, chief of breast imaging at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital, told the news outlet that imaging centers should check to see if patients have been vaccinated, recording when they received the shot and on which side. Dr. Lehman’s clinic has started giving recently vaccinated patients who showed swelling on their imaging an advisory letter informing them that it’s a normal reaction to vaccines and to consult their provider if they feel a lump in their armpit after more than six weeks post-vaccination.
Who Shouldnt Receive Shringrix
Although vaccines go through rigorous safety testing to ensure they are safe, they arent suitable for everyone. You shouldnt receive Shingrix if you:
- have an active shingles infection
- have a severe illness or a fever of 101.3°F or higher
- have had a severe allergic reaction to Shingrix or any ingredient in the vaccine
- have no immunity to varicella based on a blood test carried out for other reasons
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you currently have shingles, another serious illness, or a fever of 101.3°F , wait until these issues have resolved to receive a Shingrix vaccination.
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Are There Home Remedies For Shingles
If you have shingles or suspect you may, it is important to see your healthcare provider right away so they can prescribe you antiviral medication as well as any pain medications if your pain is severe. There are things you can do to help ease your discomfort and expedite your healing at home, including:
- Keep your skin sores clean: do not scratch or pick at the blisters. Let them crust over and fall off naturally.
- Use cool, moist compresses if the itching becomes intense.
- Apply baking soda or cornstarch to help the sores dry out quickly.
- Ask your doctor about topical pain creams to relieve inflammation and swelling.
- Use non-prescription pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help reduce pain and swelling.
- Take your prescribed medications as instructed to treat and clear up shingles as quickly as possible.
How Do I Protect Myself From Shingles
Getting shingles is no picnic. Fortunately, there is a vaccine available to help protect against an outbreak and preventpostherpetic neuralgia a painful and common complication from shingles.
The CDC recommends that adults ages 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine Shingrix to prevent shingles and associated complications from the disease. Research shows that the Shingrix vaccine is more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles, and protection stays at 85% for at least 4 years after getting the vaccine.
Healthy adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months.
If youve already had shingles, you can still get the Shingrix vaccine to prevent further outbreaks.
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Enlarged Lymph Nodes In The Underarm After The Covid
Posted on
Dr. Destounis talks about enlarged lymph nodes with the COVID-19 vaccine:
Enlarged lymph nodes in the underarm after the COVID-19 vaccine Stamatia Destounis, MD
A side effect of COVID-19 vaccination can be swollen lymph nodes in the underarm on the side where the COVID-19 vaccination was given. This is seen now about 15-20% of the time after the first and or second vaccination dose. These lymph nodes may be large enough to be found on a breast exam by you or your doctor or seen on your screening mammogram. There is no reason to worry as our breast imaging physicians are very familiar with lymph node enlargement with other vaccinations including for the flu, or shingles, and with infections that involve the breast, chest, or arm.
During the COVID pandemic many women may have delayed their screening mammograms for safety reasons, however, we dont want you to skip your yearly mammogram. We also dont want you to postpone your COVID vaccination if you have it scheduled as both are important for your health. Our staff and physicians will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your appointment.
If you have a lump or your doctor has a concern about your breasts, you should schedule an appointment with one of our physicians as soon as possible. Any new problem in the breast needs to be evaluated by our doctors to make sure it is nothing serious.
How Well Does Shingrix Work
Two doses of Shingrix provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication of shingles.
- In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
- In adults 50 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
- In adults with weakened immune systems, Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on their underlying immunocompromising condition.
In people 70 years and older who had healthy immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high throughout 7 years following vaccination.
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So When Should Women Coordinate Vaccines And Mammograms
Women eligible for an additional dose of vaccine who also have a mammogram planned for the near future should check with their healthcare provider, said Marks, the FDA vaccine official.
Not all doctors will agree, and not all patients will have the same circumstances, Mullen said.
She said its important to get vaccine doses on schedule. And if your regularly scheduled mammogram is several weeks away, any vaccine-induced swollen lymph nodes probably wouldnt be an issue, Mullen said.
If youre due for a mammogram soon, Mullen suggests getting it. She said results are typically available within a few days, and women can get vaccinated afterward reducing the chances of vaccine-induced swollen lymph nodes showing up on a mammogram.
But if a woman recently got vaccinated and has swollen lymph nodes, she may want to wait a few weeks before getting a mammogram, Mullen said.
If its possible to do a mammogram before the Covid vaccine series, or before the booster, then thats great. If its not possible, and you can wait several weeks , thats OK, too, she said.
Theres one circumstance in which women should get examined for breast cancer immediately regardless if they just got a shot, Mullen said.
I dont care whether they had their vaccine yesterday. Just come on in, and well work on whatever the problem is, Mullen said.
Zostavax And The Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
The Summary of Product Characteristics for Zostavax, the shingles vaccine used in the UK, states that the vaccine should not be given at the same time as the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine . This is because a clinical trial by the manufacturer had suggested this might make Zostavax less effective. However, the Department of Health advice is that the two vaccines can be given at the same time. This is based on expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation , and on research that showed no evidence that people receiving both vaccines together had any increased risk of developing shingles. Read the abstract of the 2011 study by Tseng et al .
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Is The Vaccine Safe
The vaccine can be given to people with a previous history of shingles infection. It should not be given to anyone who currently has shingles. As stated above, the vaccine should not be given to people who are clinically immunosuppressed because the vaccine strain could replicate too much and cause a serious infection. For more information see the MHRA’s Drug Safety Update .
In clinical trials of the vaccine, there have been no reports of someone who was vaccinated passing the virus on to anyone else. However, because the shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, it is thought that this may be possible in rare cases.
There is thought to be a very small risk that someone who has been vaccinated could pass on the virus to someone who is not immune to chickenpox. This is only thought to be a risk if the person who has been vaccinated develops a shingles type rash at the injection site or elsewhere on the body.
The shingles vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women as a matter of caution. However, studies have been carried out on pregnant women who have accidentally received chickenpox or shingles vaccines. These have not shown any link between the weakened virus in the vaccine and any specific problems in babies born to these women. See this Public Health England statement for more information.
Schedule Scans Carefully During And After Cancer Treatment
If you are currently being treated for cancer or have recovered from it, you may be getting advanced imaging, such as CT scans and PET scans, periodically to see if it has spread to other organs or how you are responding to treatment, or to check for recurrences. Ask your oncologist if it is possible to coordinate them with your vaccine appointment, Dr. Desperito says.
If youre offered the vaccine and you have tests coming up soon, you can request to have the shot administered in a different body part. For example, if your breast cancer is or was in the left breast, ask to get the vaccine in your right arm or even your thigh muscle, Dr. Desperito advises.
Talk to your doctor if swollen nodes appear on an imaging test after you got the vaccine. If you had a CT scan and it shows enlarged lymph nodes, a targeted ultrasound can be done of the axilla to see if theyve gone back to normal, Dr. Desperito says. You may not have to get a repeat CT scan. There are other ways to check on it.
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As A Vaccine Side Effect
Developing swollen lymph nodes in the armpits is a documented side effect of receiving two doses of a messenger RNA vaccine for COVID-19.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA versions of COVID-19 vaccines that are widely available in the United States.
Developing swollen lymph nodes after receiving an mRNA vaccination is fairly common and may signal an immune response to the vaccine. In a recent study, 44% of participants experienced it, with the condition lasting for up to 43 weeks after COVID-19 vaccination.
Researchers demonstrated that swollen lymph nodes were more frequent in people who had received the Moderna vaccine than those who had the Pfizer vaccine.
Typically, a person may only be able to feel their swollen lymph nodes for about 10 days after vaccination. However, they may still appear on mammograms, looking similar to warning signs of breast cancer, for up to 1 month after vaccination.
Some medical professionals recommend that people schedule mammograms for at least 1 month after they receive their mRNA vaccines, if possible.
Answer From Radiologist Elizabeth Edney Md:
Temporary lymph node swelling after receiving the COVID-19 or flu vaccine is a normal, expected reaction.
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are part of your immune system. Lymph nodes are present throughout your body, but clusters of them are found in the armpits, neck and groin.
When you receive a vaccination, your lymph nodes are activated to produce white blood cells, which fight off infection. This causes the lymph nodes to swell and, possibly, to become noticeable to the touch. This swelling normally goes away a few weeks after receiving the vaccine.
Because of the potential for swelling, consider waiting to schedule a mammogram for several weeks after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine. When you get your mammogram, let your doctor know when you had your vaccine shots and on which side .
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Is There Medicine To Treat Shingles
Yes . There are antiviral medications that can help shorten the length of time someone has shingles and decrease the chance of ongoing pain etc. They do not kill the virus and are best given as early as possible in the illness. So, if you think you have it contact your health care teamOther treatments aim to treat the symptoms of the illness e.g., pain medicine, lotions and cool compresses.
What Is The Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccine is an effective way to prevent an outbreak of shingles and the possible complications that can lead to postherpetic neuralgia . There are two common vaccinations offered by medical professionals today that are both licensed and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices . They are:
The Shingrix vaccine, which is the recombinant zoster vaccine recommended by the Center for Disease Control . The shot, used since 2017, is administered on the upper arm, in two doses separated by two to six months. The Shingrix vaccine is proven to be 90% effective at preventing both Shingles and PHN.
The Zostavax vaccine, which is the live zoster vaccine that has been in use since 2006. If a person is allergic to Shingrix and is 60 years of age or older, this shot can and should still be used as an alternative, but it is no longer the preferred vaccine.
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A Vaccine Reaction Of Enlarged Lymph Nodes Is Normal But Can Look Suspicious On Mammograms And Other Cancer Screenings An Expert Explains How To Avoid Unnecessary Worry
If you have received a COVID-19 vaccine, you may have experienced a reaction such as a sore arm, a headache or fatigue normal signs that the body is mounting an immune response. But one immune reaction can end up causing unnecessary confusion and worry. After the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, radiologists began to note swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, or axilla, on the mammograms of some recently vaccinated women. Enlarged nodes also have been evident on chest CT scans to detect lung cancer and on other imaging tests.
Ordinarily, this finding can lead to the need for additional tests or even biopsies to make sure its not a sign of cancer. Swollen armpit nodes could mean that the body is reacting to cancer in the breast or that there are cancer cells from the breast that have spread to the lymph nodes, says Dr. Elise Desperito, chief of the Division of Breast Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Dr. Elise Desperito
Nevertheless, Enlarged lymph nodes after the COVID vaccine are a normal response of the body, says Dr. Desperito, who is also an assistant professor of radiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. They will enlarge temporarily and return to their normal size after several weeks.