bonrose1

Sometime in my early 60's I started getting outbreaks of Shingles - in one small patch, always in the same spot. It didn't happen often (perhaps once a year or so) and I can't identify what brought it on. My immune system is fine so that possible cause seems to be eliminated. Interestingly it would appear on one side of my body, but eventually started to appear on the other side of my body in the same position another time. It never appeared in both locations at the same time. After consulting with both my internist and dermatologist, who both recommended it even though I had already had shingles, I took the vaccine about two years ago. Recently, two years later I had an outbreak. I had learned previously that if I “jump on it immediately” by taking Valtrex (Acatavos) or its generic as soon as I discover the start of an outbreak, I’m fine, the outbreak stops progressing, the discomfort subsides within a few hours, and eventually the outbreak fades away. So, the question is, does the vaccination work for me. Well - two years is about one year longer than previous reoccurrences, so perhaps it did work. Or I may be among the 30% whom it doesn’t help, or perhaps because I had already had shingles, it isn’t as effective. However, considering everything I would recommend people do take the vaccine.