A couple of months ago, we lined up for our annual flu shot, and this year decided to get the shingles vaccine. Since both of us were from an era before the chicken pox vaccine, we both had it as children.
Barbara had caught a minor case of shingles about 4 years ago, and it was hideously painful, so the shingles vaccine seemed and seems like a good idea.
The regimen is that you get two inoculations, the same vaccines delivered twice about 2 months apart.
While there are some serious potential side effects, it is not uncommon to experience:
- muscle pain
- headache
- fever
- stomach pain
- nausea
I had a wicked case of the first three with this second dose. In fact, it felt an awful lot like the flu. I was down for nearly 2 days of my year end holiday.
Finally, I am feeling human again, but it was brutal. Fortunately, I should be well protected for 4+ years.
