• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Shingles

Timeshare Von

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
7,031
Reaction score
1,637
Points
599
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Resorts Owned
Wyndham (77k points at Myrtle Beach/Westwinds)
Thought I would post for anyone who might not be aware that shingles is on the rise and for those over 50 who had chickenpox as a kid, you may want to get the vaccine.

I'm not a medical professional, but was concerned for me and DH so we got ours about two weeks ago. Thankfully insurance covered it 100% . . . it was a $482 shot . . . PER PERSON!

When I mentioned to my sisters, I learned that one had already had shingles about 20 years ago when she was in her late 20's but that she would still look into the vaccine.

Today, I heard from the other who didn't get the jab and was just diagnosed with shingles . . . and she is miserably in pain.

Please discuss this with your physician as the odds are pretty high that if you had chickenpox, you may develop shingles.
 

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
28,461
Reaction score
17,213
Points
1,299
Location
Twin Falls, Eye-Duh-Hoe
Got my immunization a couple of years ago from the State Health Dept. It was about $165 or so. DW had shingles as did my grandmother. They would have gladly paid 4X that much to NOT get it.

Anyone who had chicken pox has the virus in your body and it can manifest itself any time.

Medicare covers the immunization.

Jim
 

MuranoJo

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
4,946
Reaction score
186
Points
448
Location
Idaho
My older brother had it a over a year ago and it took at least 6 months for it to subside. All of us siblings had chickenpox as kids, and my doc said I should plan for a shot at the next annual physical.

However, I also know someone who had the shot and actually got shingles from the shot. I don't know--just call me skeptical about all these immunizations. I had my first flu shot about two years ago and it was my worst year for bugs.

OTOH, my brother was miserable. Food for thought.
 

Kona Lovers

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
1,410
Reaction score
1
Points
398
Location
West Coast
My older brother had it a over a year ago and it took at least 6 months for it to subside. All of us siblings had chickenpox as kids, and my doc said I should plan for a shot at the next annual physical.

However, I also know someone who had the shot and actually got shingles from the shot. I don't know--just call me skeptical about all these immunizations. I had my first flu shot about two years ago and it was my worst year for bugs.

OTOH, my brother was miserable. Food for thought.

This is what concerns me as well. I had shingles about 21 years ago, and DW has had them twice in the past four years. We're going to see about the vac especially for her; I'm still thinking, though.

Marty
 

rickandcindy23

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
31,892
Reaction score
8,997
Points
1,049
Location
The Centennial State
Resorts Owned
Wyndham Founder; Disney OKW & SSR; Marriott's Willow Ridge,Shadow Ridge,Grand Chateau;Val Chatelle; Hono Koa OF (3); SBR(LOTS), SDO a few; Grand Palms; WKORV-OF (2),Westin Desert Willow.
I had shingles about eight years ago, and it was painful. The pain was in my muscles in my arms and upper back, and the rash was awful. I had the vaccination last year and am so glad Kaiser covered it. Rick hasn't gotten the vaccine, and I think he should. I am glad to be safe from that pain again. Awful muscular pain, or maybe it was nerves. It was bad. I just remember not being able to sleep without pain killers, and yes I took vicodin for it.
 

puppymommo

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
1,182
Reaction score
151
Points
273
Worse yet, sometimes the pain goes on months, even years. It's called postherpetic neuralgia. I've seen people go through that and you bet I'm going to get the shot when I turn 60!

What I wonder is, since DD had the chickenpox vaccine and never had chickenpox, can she still get shingles?
 

judyjht

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,128
Reaction score
10
Points
38
Location
Otisfield, Maine
I think insurance kicks in as long as you are 60 years old
 

zinger1457

Guest
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
695
Reaction score
45
Points
338
However, I also know someone who had the shot and actually got shingles from the shot. I don't know--just call me skeptical about all these immunizations. I had my first flu shot about two years ago and it was my worst year for bugs.

The shingles vaccine like most vaccines only reduce your chances of getting the disease. In the case of the shingles vaccine it reduces your risk of getting shingles by 50%.
 

BevL

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2004
Messages
5,170
Reaction score
7
Points
573
Location
BC Canada
Thanks for the reminder. I'm not so worried about myself, but with Greg's renal failure, he's a prime candidate to get EVERYTHING. Will have to ask at his next clinic.

My mom had shingles on her butt last year. She's a tough old bird, but it was pretty tough for her. Gabapentin helped a bit with the pain as long as she took it - she kept thinking it was more a pain killer so would take it for a day and then stop because it "wasn't helping." But when we convinced her to keep taking it for three or four days, it kicked in.

My son suffered shingles about three years ago during a particularly high stress time in his life. It was on his face near his eye and he had several visits with an opthamologist - apparently if they get into your actual eye it can be quite serious. Both the specialist, the ER doc and his family doc said he was the youngest person they'd ever seen with a case - he was 25. He will still get some tingling pain in his forehead if he has acute stress, a combination of battling with his ex over custody issues and final exams last year were very worrisome.

Very good reminder and thanks again.
 

Tacoma

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
1,213
Reaction score
514
Points
473
Location
Calgary,Ab, Canada
Yes thanks for the reminder. When the vaccine first came out it was recommended for people over 60 so I didn't even think about it. Then I got shingles about 2 years ago so I plan on getting the vacccine- likely this fall. Although I was lucky and didn't experience that much pain they were very worried about my eye since the shingles were on my face. I believe the vaccine costs around $200 here but most should be covered by my drug plan. What isn't covered will go on my health spending account since I still have some $'s left over. Now just have to make it a priorioty and get it done.

Joan
 

MRSFUSSY

newbie
Joined
Jun 20, 2005
Messages
381
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Long Island
Medicare does cover partial

but they don't make it easy. Medicare told me that I'd 1st have to get the name of the drug that was going to be used to see if they cover it. I'd have to pay the fee and then file the papers for reimbursement. Seems like a royal pain to me but well worth it. My sister had shingles early this spring and was a complete mess for several weeks. Seems that shingles is a very contagious disease, I didn't know that.
 

northwoodsgal

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
713
Reaction score
111
Points
403
Location
Green Bay, Wisconsin
My 75 year old mother got shingles while we were vacationing in California over Christmas. I felt so badly for her, especially since she ended up missing the Rose Parade (our daughter marched) which was the reason for the trip.

She had what looked like a bump just above her eye. She had hit it just before leaving and we all assumed it was just that - a bump. We kept watching it for swelling, etc. but it hurt her and on the second day my sister took her to the local emergency room. We were in total shock that it was shingles. Had she not gone that early to have it checked, and received the proper eye med, she would now have permanent vision problems. I give the doctors so much credit for knowing what it was since it easily passes for a bump on the head.

Get your shot!! (please)
 

Joyce

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
530
Reaction score
23
Points
378
Location
Farmington, CT
Had the shingles in my mid 20s. Got the shot in my mid 60s and had the shingles again this past year. It was much more painful than it was when I was young. I was able to recognize it early, tho, and the Dr. put me on a drug to stop it from getting worse. I don't remember the name of the drug but it did stop the progression but not the pain. He also put me on Garapentin, a nerve pain med, and vicodin. Do all you can to prevent it from happening. it lasted about a month and is terribly painful.
 

Larry

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,343
Reaction score
16
Points
398
Location
Long Island NY
I think insurance kicks in as long as you are 60 years old

Not all insurance will pay for it. My Dr. recommended it a couple of years ago and I checked with my insurance and they paid it in full.:cheer:
 

BevL

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2004
Messages
5,170
Reaction score
7
Points
573
Location
BC Canada
Our son was prescribed Valtrex, which is widely advertised for genital herpes. He made me go pick up the prescription for him - LOL. Apparently it helps the blisters heal faster.

And yes, gabapentin will help with the pain, frequently prescribed for chronic "nerve" type pain, but as mentioned, you have to take it for a while, it's not like Tylenol.
 

Timeshare Von

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
7,031
Reaction score
1,637
Points
599
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Resorts Owned
Wyndham (77k points at Myrtle Beach/Westwinds)
Worse yet, sometimes the pain goes on months, even years. It's called postherpetic neuralgia. I've seen people go through that and you bet I'm going to get the shot when I turn 60!

What I wonder is, since DD had the chickenpox vaccine and never had chickenpox, can she still get shingles?

Don't wait until you're 60! I am just 54 and my DH is 51 and we had the shots and as I said, the insurance paid 100% so I don't think the recommendation of "at 60" is necessarily the benchmark for the insurance companies.

FYI - my sister who has it now is also just 51.
 

Pat H

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,469
Reaction score
67
Points
433
Location
Sun City Hilton Head
Resorts Owned
Brigantine
Many insurance companies will not pay if you are not 60+. You can make an appointment at some drugstores like Walgreens to get the shot. I made an appointment online and it was so easy. Just walk in and the pharmacist gives you the shot.
 

rapmarks

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
9,628
Reaction score
4,764
Points
649
I understood it wasn't covered by Medicare.
Our friends, both covered by same insurance, each got the shot, one was covered, the other wasn't , and no special health considerations. i understood the shot cost $250.
 

shagnut

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
2,407
Reaction score
49
Points
408
Location
Winston Salem, NC
I got mine a couple of weeks ago and it cost me $30 using my Medicare insurance. I had absolutely no ill effects. My ex said he heard it was $300 and that's why he wouldn't do it. Need to let him know. shaggy
 

MuranoJo

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
4,946
Reaction score
186
Points
448
Location
Idaho
For those of you who had Chickenpox as children and got the shot, did you have any side-effects, or shingles-like symptoms like a friend of mine?
Since my older brother got shingles this year, my doc is recommending I get one during my annual in a few months, but I've been reluctant due to my friend's experience.
 

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
28,461
Reaction score
17,213
Points
1,299
Location
Twin Falls, Eye-Duh-Hoe
For those of you who had Chickenpox as children and got the shot, did you have any side-effects, or shingles-like symptoms like a friend of mine?
Since my older brother got shingles this year, my doc is recommending I get one during my annual in a few months, but I've been reluctant due to my friend's experience.

I don't remember any adverse effects. Maybe a little tenderness at the site, but no more than that. Get it.
 

ricoba

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
6,272
Reaction score
2
Points
323
Location
Metro Los Angeles
I did some online research and found out I am in the small percentage (under 5%) of people who had shingles as children. I was in the 4th or 5th grade when I had it. I don't remember it being too painful at that age. It was on my back and side.

Cora, my wife had it a few years back around the temple and near the right eye, it was very painful and as I remember she was off work for at least a week or two.

I have a question. If a person has had it can they get it again? I just wonder since I had it as a child, could it come back now that I am a lot older? :ponder:
 

stmartinfan

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2005
Messages
1,815
Reaction score
1,059
Points
523
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Resorts Owned
Divi Little Bay, St. Maarten
For those of you who had Chickenpox as children and got the shot, did you have any side-effects, or shingles-like symptoms like a friend of mine?
Since my older brother got shingles this year, my doc is recommending I get one during my annual in a few months, but I've been reluctant due to my friend's experience.

My husband and I both had the shot recently (and had chickenpox as children) and I don't recall any side effects, except perhaps a little soreness at the injection site. I considered any risk well worth the benefit of avoiding getting a full-blown shingles attack. I still remember how my father in law suffered in his 70s with shingles...very painful and long lasting.
 
Top