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Originally Posted by canklecat
(Post 20008107)
Being wrong about facts isn't a permanent condition.
Originally Posted by canklecat
(Post 20008016)
The history of vaccination in America is as old as the United States itself. It isn't new. It isn't some plot to deprive patriots of their precious bodily fluids or turn them into commies. I'm done teasing you. All in fun. Your points are well taken and valid, imo. |
Shingles is near and dear to me. My entire family was in the office of a PA dermatologist one fine day for something affecting my minor son. At the end of the appointment, I asked the PA if she had a moment to look at something on me. I pulled off my shirt to show her a new rash and she chuckled a bit at the classic presentation of shingles. Then she looked a bit more carefully and found a (benign) basil cell carcinoma that needed removal (too much backstroke as a child swimmer, I guess). Lucky me, my shingles was very trivial. A decade later, I had it again but milder still. I'm undecided about the vaccine, but figure I've got a few more years of immunity before I need to boost it; I'll likely go for it.
Vaccines are nice. A physician, or PA, with a good education and a good eye are even better. Another anecdote on vaccines: One fine fall I got my first flu shot. the ensuing December, I was nearly killed by a terrible bronchitis. I credit the flu shot with saving my life, since I don't see how I could have survived had I gotten the flu on top of bronchitis. I could be wrong, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it (like those folks who break their cycling helmets and credit them for saving their lives). |
Originally Posted by B. Carfree
(Post 20008687)
Since the father of the very notion of infectious agents and the possibility of vaccines wasn't born until 1822 (Louis Pasteur, for those who have forgotten your science history facts, which is completely separate from science facts, which is itself completely separate from science. Now where was I? Oh yeah), the history of vaccination isn't quite as old as the United States. Heck, we had slaves and still didn't have the slightest notion about viruses or vaccines.
I'm done teasing you. All in fun. Your points are well taken and valid, imo. Smallpox was such a concern in early American history that John Adams wrote the disease was as much a challenge to the American revolution as all of its human enemies combined. Washington ordered mandatory inoculations for soldiers who had not already been exposed or inoculated through the earlier variolation technique. |
Geez, this place is awash in armchair physicians lately, it's really getting out of hand. And you can't shake a stick without hitting a medical historian or Constitutional Law expert.
I had better buy an ascot or something. :D |
Originally Posted by Timtruro
(Post 20006808)
I was looking forward to a lot of rides this fall but early in September I contracted a severe case of shingles. Its been painful, irritating and debilitating. Consequently no riding since about September 4th. Just now feeling a bit better although I still tire easily. Of course my doctor had advised getting the vaccine but I never thought it would happen to ME. Please if you're over 50, get the shot, don't leave it to chance like I did.
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Originally Posted by canklecat
(Post 20008699)
The earliest recorded history of inoculation dates back to 16th century China and variolation -- a crude but effective form of smallpox inoculation. Variolation for smallpox was practiced throughout Europe and in the American colonies by the early 1700s, even before Jenner was credited with developing a smallpox vaccine in the 1790s.
Smallpox was such a concern in early American history that John Adams wrote the disease was as much a challenge to the American revolution as all of its human enemies combined. Washington ordered mandatory inoculations for soldiers who had not already been exposed or inoculated through the earlier variolation technique. |
My doctor and I have thoroughly debated the vaccine for me. I have issues where my immune system goes in overdrive for some viruses. My joints will painfully swell to the point I can’t walk. The last episode was 4-5 years ago and landed me in the hospital for a week. I was off the bike for 2-3 months. I went from riding 100 milers to a wheelchair in 3 days. I progressed to a walker then to crutches. Atrophy was awful!!
Based my sensitivity to viruses we’ve agreed NOT to introduce any more viruses into my body unless there aren’t any other options. Keeping my fingers crossed........ |
My doctor recommended the shingles vaccine last year (my age then 57) and suggested I check with my insurance first because there's sometimes a higher copay or they don't want to cover it. Checked and insurance said hell yeah, covered 100%, so I got it, May 2016. I don't see the vaccine name on my record, it just says immunized for zoster.
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Originally Posted by DiabloScott
(Post 20009538)
My doctor recommended the shingles vaccine last year (my age then 57) and suggested I check with my insurance first because there's sometimes a higher copay or they don't want to cover it.
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Older less effective vaccine: Zostavax, 'free" if on medicare. Check with insco otherwise.
New vaccine: Shingrix insurance status TBA, probably will be covered soon if not already. |
Originally Posted by sch
(Post 20010028)
Older less effective vaccine: Zostavax, 'free" if on medicare. Check with insco otherwise.
New vaccine: Shingrix insurance status TBA, probably will be covered soon if not already. |
Originally Posted by JanMM
(Post 20010111)
Might be a while before Shingrix fully available. Hopefully, won't be too long.
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Originally Posted by Colnago Mixte
(Post 20008719)
Geez, this place is awash in armchair physicians lately, it's really getting out of hand. And you can't shake a stick without hitting a medical historian or Constitutional Law expert.
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Originally Posted by canklecat
(Post 20008611)
Try gabapentin/Neurontin, if she hasn't already, or consider asking to increase the dosage. It's very effective with neuropathic pain in some folks, and appears to be quite safe for most patients.
As I said, we have tried everything, including Neurontin, Lyrica, morphine, and a whole host of other drugs, patches, lotions especially compounded, etc. We are way ahead of you in trying things. For some, tremendous intolerable side effects. For others, no effect at all. We have searched the country for all possible providers and solutions, ending up with a highly rated neurological specialist and internationally known researcher. |
Originally Posted by gobicycling
(Post 20010603)
As I said, we have tried everything, including Neurontin, Lyrica, morphine, and a whole host of other drugs, patches, lotions especially compounded, etc. We are way ahead of you in trying things.
For some, tremendous intolerable side effects. For others, no effect at all. We have searched the country for all possible providers and solutions, ending up with a highly rated neurological specialist and internationally known researcher. Best wishes finding something that works. |
Here is the most informative article I've found on Shingrix, and the shortcomings of Zostavax: https://www.consumerreports.org/shin...u-should-know/
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I've had shingles at least 3 years in a row. I had a rash this summer and my wife said it looked like shingles again which would be 4 years in a row. I have permanent nerve damage in my back from the second time I had them. I was told by my doctor that I have to be shingle free for 2 years before I can get the shot. I asked about the shot this year and was told they changed the age to 60+. It had been age 50 but apparently it was changed to 60. I'm 55 and the nurse said she thinks I could get the shot if I wanted to pay for it. Told me it was over $300 because it was the new vaccine. I'm on Lyrica for my nerve pain. I've also heard of those who get the shot and still get shingles.
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Originally Posted by BLR
(Post 20013587)
I've also heard of those who get the shot and still get shingles.
The new vaccine, Shingrix, is claimed to reduce the risk of developing shingles by 97.2% in subjects 50 years and older. |
Shingles & flu shots
I had shingles in my left eye when I was 50 in 2009...thought it was poison ivy until I was referred to an opthamologist who diagnosed the shingles. It took over a month of prescriptions and wearing my sunglasses all day (I was very light sensitive) before the medication was effective. Was told that I should have the vaccine...finally had it this year when my wife asked about it when we received our flu shots...although both arms were sore for a while, I am glad we now have the protection.
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
(Post 20014245)
No viral vaccine claims to be 100% effective. The old shingles vaccine (Zostavax) reduces the risk of developing shingles by 51% and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) by 67%.
The new vaccine, Shingrix, is claimed to reduce the risk of developing shingles by 97.2% in subjects 50 years and older. As for shingles, yes I had a case when I was in college and went through my first set of final exams. Eating poorly, not sleeping the correct amount and some beer drinking probably contributed. During semester break, went home and saw our family doctor who prescribed some ointment and put me on steriods (I think). It took about a month but it all healed up but I had scars until I reached my 40s. I didn't know about the new vaccine. I'll have to ask my doc about it. |
Originally Posted by roccobike
(Post 20017564)
Actually, vaccines don't stop you from "getting" any virus. They simply help your immune system to recognize and overcome the disease before it goes viral.
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Visited the doc yesterday ... the new vaccine is still not available ... at least hereabouts.
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Originally Posted by Biker395
(Post 20019510)
Visited the doc yesterday ... the new vaccine is still not available ... at least hereabouts.
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Originally Posted by canklecat
(Post 20008139)
Shingles is a herd immunity issue. It is related to chickenpox, and the varicella-zoster virus is contagious during active outbreaks of shingles.
However the health risks are relatively low compared with other communicable diseases. It's really more of a personal choice issue since the only people likely to be affected are immediate family. Wearing gloves while applying ointments, etc., to the skin of an affected person, and good hand washing, will reduce the risks. I took care of my mom during her shingles outbreak and haven't suffered any ill effects -- so far. I'm 60 now and sometimes it doesn't appear until later in life. During my childhood in the late 1950s-'60s, conventional wisdom promoted the notion of children deliberately contracting chickenpox in hopes of achieving lifetime immunity. Researchers are continually re-evaluating that theory. My brother and cousin all had chickenpox together in the early '60s, as did just about everyone in our school. There are some risks of side effects related to meds commonly prescribed for shingles. My mom had a bad reaction to valacyclovir, but she's prone to suffering side effects from all meds -- if there's a remote risk of a side effect, she'll get it. I've withheld information about side effects from her to minimize the risk of psychosomatic symptoms, but even when she knows nothing about the side effects she often displays the exact symptoms described in the literature. I've joked that she could make a fortunate volunteering as a human guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry. |
Originally Posted by 1989Pre
(Post 20030350)
How do you know that immunology in regards to shingles treatment is more effective than natural medicine and living a healthy lifestyle? Have you studied natural medicine? Or immunology, for that matter?
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