Shingles without pain?

midmo
Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:08:42 +0000

My MIL (over 80) was offered the shingles vaccine last fall at her check-up. It would have cost $250 so she declined, although she is hardly broke. She was unfamiliar with shingles, and the doctor didn’t press the issue. A couple of months later she had a pretty bad case of shingles, starting with a large rash on her upper chest, on one side.

It was quite painful, and she sorely regrets pinching those pennies.

We should ask our older relatives about this, and help inform them.

I am under the impression that periods of severe stress can cause an outbreak. A friend of mine had a bad case in her 40s.