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Post by Banjo on Dec 30, 2020 14:40:51 GMT 7
My sister called me last night and said she had shingles. She's had a fair bit of ill health but says this is the worst thing she's ever had.
The basic rule is that if you've had chicken pox as a kid you carry the gene and it can turn to shingles at anytime, usually at a time of physical stress.
There's a vaccine available, it's free in Australia to over 70s I think. No matter, get it.
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Post by ann on Dec 30, 2020 15:44:55 GMT 7
I’ve had it and if your sister gets to the doc within a certain time frame there is some medication which they say relieves the pain.
I got the relief stuff but have never ever been so bad. Didn’t eat or drink for three days, the pain was beyond imagining and I’ve had some serious pain in my life.
There is a vaccine for it - in fact there are two. I got the vaccine last year then found out the other vaccine was much better. I had to pay for it. I keep meaning to get the other one. Shingles is a dreadful thing to get. I paid for Zostavax but the other one is better they say.
At the time I read that within three years of getting shingles you get cancer. Well, I did and the same thing happened to my Mum. I don’t think it’s a scientific tested thing but did happen in my family.
Not meaning to alarm you but be good for her to keep a keen eye on her health in the future.
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Post by nomadic on Dec 30, 2020 21:49:49 GMT 7
I have had it twice in recent years but only very mild with a rash only and it only lasted a short time. no pain at all. I was due to get the vaccine in Oz in April but never made it obviously. But I had it in 1996 also when I had my stroke at the same time which I believe is not uncommon. So yes, get the vaccine.
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Post by Banjo on Dec 31, 2020 6:24:33 GMT 7
Apparently Zostafax is the only vaccine available outside the US. The other one is better, a higher effectiveness rate but supply/demand means it's not available elsewhere. Interesting comment about cancer ann , apparently if you're susceptible the physical stress of cancer and the treatment often brings on a shingles attack. nomadic I suppose a stroke would also increase the risk.
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Post by will on Dec 31, 2020 15:44:35 GMT 7
Yay another thing to worry about when i get older (am only 54).
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Post by nomadic on Dec 31, 2020 20:25:24 GMT 7
No, I had the shingles a few days before the stroke which I believe is not uncommon. It can cause a stroke. Heard some terrible shingles stories.
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Post by nomadic on Dec 31, 2020 20:27:50 GMT 7
Yay another thing to worry about when i get older (am only 54). I was only 42 when got shingles and then the stroke. Chock dee is all you can hope for.
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Post by tasjo on Jan 2, 2021 15:16:40 GMT 7
The more expensive vaccine is also claimable on private health insurance Banjo... and possibly free under 70s if needed for health reasons.
I had it a few years ago due to an increased risk of shingles from my RA medications. 100% agree - if you havent had the vaccine and can get it, definitely worth it.
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Post by Banjo on Jan 3, 2021 6:54:08 GMT 7
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Post by Banjo on Jan 3, 2021 6:56:11 GMT 7
The more expensive vaccine is also claimable on private health insurance Banjo... and possibly free under 70s if needed for health reasons. I had it a few years ago due to an increased risk of shingles from my RA medications. 100% agree - if you havent had the vaccine and can get it, definitely worth it. Did you have Zostafax? Shingrix seems to be still unavailable outside of the US.
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Shingles
Jan 3, 2021 6:59:54 GMT 7
via mobile
Post by ann on Jan 3, 2021 6:59:54 GMT 7
Agree I had the Zosta one and the much better one Shingrix isn’t available here in Oz BUT you can buy it over the counter in Walmart in the US!!!!!!
Maybe I’m wrong though as I’ve found this all confusing
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Shingles
Jan 5, 2021 16:31:17 GMT 7
via mobile
Post by tasjo on Jan 5, 2021 16:31:17 GMT 7
Banjo - I'm not sure to be honest I know it cost about $350 but I got most of it back from my private health insurance.
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Post by nomadic on Jan 6, 2021 7:12:27 GMT 7
Just remembered. I asked in OZ about it in 2019 and they said to wait as there was a newer and better one coming out. But obviously not been back to get it as yet and I was under the impression it was free for me at least. Dr here told me they have it but very expensive so not checked after that as was expecting it in OZ. Maybe will again now that you have reminded me. You just never know.
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Post by nomadic on Jan 6, 2021 7:19:01 GMT 7
A quick google says about US$150.00 in Thailand.
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Shingles
Jan 29, 2021 16:50:37 GMT 7
via mobile
Post by boku on Jan 29, 2021 16:50:37 GMT 7
Is shingles different to scabbies?
Scabbies is contagious I believe and common in the tropical regions of Asia but what causes Shingles?
It f@$ks with your nerves doesn't it?
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