My wife and I did not immediately run out to get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) when it was first promoted. We did our research, decided to get the Shingrix vaccine along with our Covid-19 booster, and were discussing what date we would go to the pharmacy.
We waited too long, at least for me. My shingles developed before I could get even the first of the 2 shot course of the Shingrix vaccine.
Interestingly, the beginning of my shingles pain started about the time I was adding more weights to my workout station.
The pain started in the left side of my back and extended around to the front side of my chest. I thought I had damaged a disk in my spine due to the extra weights, and hoped some rest would help it recover.
For the next two days I felt like a knife was being stabbed into my back. The pain was so intense I could not sleep the first two nights, then the pain began to diminish slightly.
My wife examined my back and noticed the lesions and said “Looks like you have shingles.” I quickly set up an appointment online at our local CVS Mini-Clinic for an examination.
When we arrived at the clinic my wife got her first Shingrix vaccine shot while I was waiting to see the Nurse Practitioner (NP.)
As expected, I was diagnosed with shingles. The only question remaining was whether I should take the anti-viral drug valacyclovir to lessen the pain and duration of the shingles episode.
Valacyclovir should be taken within 72 hours of the onset of the rash. I was beyond that 72 hour window, but the NP and I agreed to start the treatment hoping it might provide some benefit.
Unfortunately the valacyclovir did not appear to help, so the shingles ran its course and the lesions gradually faded away.
Eventually I got my first Shingrix shot and am now waiting the recommended two months to get my second shot.
The shingles pain is still there but hopefully it will fade with time.
My biggest mistake in this saga was not going to the clinic when the pain first started.
For more information about shingles please go to:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
Thanks for reading!
Jim