Shingrix Vaccine - How much are you paying?

nicholasjh1 wrote: ↑

Tue May 29, 2018 11:49 am

Unfortunately I will probably have to take this! I'm allergic to eggs so taking a vaccine is a bit traumatic for me, but this one seems necessary.

Don't worry about egg allergy. Shingrix is cultured in media containing amino acids, with no albumin. (Check with your doctor or pharmacist.)

Interestingly, the antigen is produced by culturing genetically engineered Chinese Hamster ovary cells.

Also, there is an immune-boosting adjuvant produced in part from an extract of the soapbark tree of central Chile.

https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Biologics ... 581605.pdf

Goofproof wrote: ↑

Sun May 27, 2018 10:56 am

To many Net-Snacks.... Jim
[/quote]

Yes, but I got through 2 seasons of Blue Bloods during this heatwave so far!

SewTired wrote: ↑

Tue May 29, 2018 2:44 pm

Goofproof wrote: ↑

Sun May 27, 2018 10:56 am

To many Net-Snacks.... Jim

Yes, but I got through 2 seasons of Blue Bloods during this heatwave so far!
[/quote]

Lightweight, working on Banacek, myself, old ins investigator series from the 70's! two seasons... Jim

Monk.

I have AARP/Walgreens part D coverage and am currently in the donut hole - I called Walgreens to see how much it would cost, thinking it would be the highest it could possibly be of any of the three stages of coverage. I was a bit surprised when I was told it would be $50 and change (apparently category 4 drugs are covered at 32% regardless of coverage status) for the first phase but they could not quote a firm cost for the second because things are subject to change. This also covers administration of the shot - I had expected an additional charge. I considered this a bargain given a refill of Humilog had just cost me $548 (the receipt went on to claim that my insurance had saved me $1522). Their only question had to do with how long ago I had done any other Shingles vaccination - they seemed to be concerned if it was less than a year ago. As an aside related to scar placement for measles: I, too, have a tiny divot between my eyes - I always attributed it to being shot between the eyes with a BB gun by my brother - not a real event.

JimW159 wrote: ↑

Wed May 30, 2018 1:53 pm

This also covers administration of the shot - I had expected an additional charge.

Yes, this is a separate charge that most clinics will charge. It's usually included in the fee by pharmacies.

Today, I'm pretty recovered although my upper arm is still painful to the touch, slightly swollen and slightly red - big improvement from yesterday though. So apparently my experience is a 1 in 6 chance with the chance higher if you are on the younger side (I'm in my late 50s). Funny though. I haven't been considered on the younger side for at least a couple of decades for anything!

Mom got shingles and was put in isolation in the nursing facility. I dabbed the Original Blue Emu cream (omega 3s are anti-inflammatory) all over the blisters and reddened skin (once/day). She had them on her left chest, shoulder and down her back, some on her right chest and up to her neck. Saw visible improvement by the next day with itching almost gone. Her skin was healed within 10 days and she was out of isolation without too much discomfort.

Muse-Inc wrote: ↑

Thu May 31, 2018 2:26 am

Her skin was healed within 10 days and she was out of isolation without too much discomfort.

Was she treated as recommended?

Treatment
There's no cure for shingles, but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. These medications include:

Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20353060

Oral antivirals are somewhat effective--depending on how quickly treatment is started.
Some people find the topical ointment useless.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Thu May 31, 2018 2:30 pm

Muse-Inc wrote: ↑

Thu May 31, 2018 2:26 am

Her skin was healed within 10 days and she was out of isolation without too much discomfort.

Was she treated as recommended?

Treatment
There's no cure for shingles, but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. These medications include:
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20353060

They didn't diagnosis right away, so no antivirals. I thought her response was remarkable and thought others might want to try. The RNs were astonished at the speed of her recovery; she was 86 at the time.