General Medical issues thread

[RooFlyer]

Talk of shingles here prompted my to ask GP about shingles vax. Said for >60 a good idea. Had first of 2 Shingrix shots, plus a flu quad, there and then. Abt $240 for each Shingrix . It's not a live vax plus more effective than the older, live vax he told me.

They appeared on the My Health Record Nat Vaccination Register before I finished my 15 mins waiting after paying

 

[Pushka]

Talk of shingles here prompted my to ask GP about shingles vax. Said for >60 a good idea. Had first of 2 Shingrix shots, plus a flu quad, there and then. Abt $240 for each Shingrix . It's not a live vax plus more effective than the older, live vax he told me.

They appeared on the My Health Record Nat Vaccination Register before I finished my 15 mins waiting after paying

Yes that's correct. I can't have the live Vax so if I want to cover I have to pay for it regardless of age.

I had the flu Vax last week. Now, I'll caution I'm on steroi_s which I've never had before, but I have felt really unwell, spiking fevers etc since the flu Vax. Have never had that before. I had Covid 5th three weeks ago and went back to Pfizer bi (not Moderna this time) and that didn't impact much although 48 hours later I felt a 'wave' pass from head to toe which was the exact feeling MrP and my niece felt when they got Covid. But that passed in an hour or so. I didnt get that wave when I tested positive. Yesterday was the first day I felt ok again. Just glad I didn't leave it until closer to the trip in April.

 

[maia200]

Talk of shingles here prompted my to ask GP about shingles vax. Said for >60 a good idea. Had first of 2 Shingrix shots, plus a flu quad, there and then. Abt $240 for each Shingrix . It's not a live vax plus more effective than the older, live vax he told me.

They appeared on the My Health Record Nat Vaccination Register before I finished my 15 mins waiting after paying

Well done - it is not something you want. I did not even know there was a vaccine until I had it (or maybe I did and ignored it until I got shingles). Can't remember!

 

[Pushka]

Is high WBC and neutropenia associated with steroi_ use?

 

[andye]

Is high WBC and neutropenia associated with steroi_ use?

High white cell count is very common with steroi_s. It's usually due to an increased neutrophil count. Neutropaenia (low neutrophils) is less likely to be due to steroi_s.

 

[Pushka]

High white cell count is very common with steroi_s. It's usually due to an increased neutrophil count. Neutropaenia (low neutrophils) is less likely to be due to steroi_s.

Ah.Thankyou. My bad. Have high neutrophils. Thought that was neutropenia oops. Ok. That's consistent then.

 

[VPS]

Ah.Thankyou. My bad. Have high neutrophils. Thought that was neutropenia oops. Ok. That's consistent then.

You have neutrophilia

 

[Hvr]

Had my Shingles vaccination today. My GP recommended Shingrix because it has greater efficacy than the previously recommended vaccine. However, it's expensive, $275 per shot, the course is two shots. six months apart.

Still having seen family members suffer with shingles I want to minimise the risk of catching it as much as possible.

Edited to correct spelling error.

 

[Pushka]

You have neutrophilia

Can now add Osteopenia. Although having done some benchmark searching, for my age I'm doing ok. It's the comparison with the 30 year olds that is causing score slippage. It's only one joint where there's -1.8 (t score) representing I believe, 18 % loss of bone compared with 30 year old, but just - .3 for my age group (3%) and it's my right femur. Spine is the same as a 30 year old and much higher than my age group. Anyways now adding daily Vit D and calcium to the tablet mix.

 

[mrsterryn]

Had my Shingles vaccination today. My GP recommended Shingrix because it has grater efficacy than the previously recommended vaccine. However, it's expensive, $275 per shot, the course is two shots. six months apart.

Still having seen family members suffer with shingles I want to minimise the risk of catching it as much as possible.

Do you have to be a certain age to get that ? Just wondering if I should nag a husband to get it.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Do you have to be a certain age to get that ? Just wondering if I should nag a husband to get it.

Generally over 60 but I know a number of younger people who have have paid for it.

Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine

Information about the shingles vaccine, who it is recommended for, and how and where to get vaccinated. If you're eligible, you can get the shingles vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program.

www.health.gov.au

 

[prozac]

Generally over 60 but I know a number of younger people who have have paid for it.

Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine

Information about the shingles vaccine, who it is recommended for, and how and where to get vaccinated. If you're eligible, you can get the shingles vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program.

www.health.gov.au

From that link - But not free under 70.

 

[John in Melbourne]

Had my Shingles vaccination today. My GP recommended Shingrix because it has grater efficacy than the previously recommended vaccine. However, it's expensive, $275 per shot, the course is two shots. six months apart.

My GP also recommended Shingrix, saying that Zostavax contains live viruses and Shingrix doesn't.

 

[Pushka]

My GP also recommended Shingrix, saying that Zostavax contains live viruses and Shingrix doesn't.

And is more effective.

 

[John in Melbourne]

By the way, if anyone is wondering whether a shingles vaccine is worth it, I got shingles in December 2021 and I've had post-viral fatigue ever since.

 

[TheRealTMA]

From that link - But not free under 70.

Yes but I assumed the OP was under 70. And would pay for it.

 

[prozac]

Yes but I assumed the OP was under 70. And would pay for it.

Only making an observation about conditions, TRTMA.
Any idea why people don't like the vaccine with the live virus? @drron ?
When we broached the vaccine with our GP 18mths ago he wasn't convincing we should get vaccinated.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Only making an observation about conditions, TRTMA.
Any idea why people don't like the vaccine with the live virus? @drron ?
When we broached the vaccine with our GP 18mths ago he wasn't convincing we should get vaccinated.

Bring a live virus, it doesn’t treat some people with compromised immune systems or current maladies kindly, and, is far less effective than the new one.

 

[mrsterryn]

I think I will bring it up with husband's GP. I always attend his appts as he has habit of not mentioning issues lol.
Having the vaccine I think is far preferable than shingles. He already has significant fatigue issues. He isn't quite 70

 

[Pushka]

Only making an observation about conditions, TRTMA.
Any idea why people don't like the vaccine with the live virus? @drron ?
When we broached the vaccine with our GP 18mths ago he wasn't convincing we should get vaccinated.

Bring a live virus, it doesn’t treat some people with compromised immune systems or current maladies kindly, and, is far less effective than the new one.

For the same reason I can't have measles as it too is live. Pre exisiting conditions.

I was listening to an immunologist on radio and while he didn't outright say it, he felt everyone at risk should get the expensive vaccine but that having any vaccine was better than none.