[fegu]

Very interesting. I got this vaccine (needs to be taken twice) last year. Since then my back pain linked to possible beginning bechterews, which I have had for about a year, is gone and has stayed away for 2 months now. Could be unrelated, but it is so pronounced that I have been looking for an explanation. Very happy with it.

[Qem]

I tried to take it, but was refused because I'm still under the age of 50. Will try to convince a doctor to prescribe me.

[tmhn2]

I think one reason it's discouraged is that it's not completely clear how long it lasts, and getting it early may result in less protection later in life. Also it's only been tested in that age group. (At least, this is what I heard when I researched getting it early a while ago).

[Findecanor]

Ironically, I caught it just a few weeks before I turned 50.

If you do catch it, it is important that you get antiviral medication as soon as possible to avoid long-term pain afterwards. I had waited three days to see a a doctor because symptoms breaking out at the start of a weekend, and that was close.

[xingped]

You can absolutely get shingles at any time. Please keep looking to find a doctor that will listen to you. The fact that medicine holds onto this idea that it only affects old people is absurd.

[mordechai9000]

Just anecdotes, but I know two people who got it in their 40s, and one of them has some minor facial paralysis that he believes is probably permanent. I got the vaccine when I turned 50.

[reverendjames]

They won't let you until you turn 50, I tried. If you do get it before then, the doctor could get into trouble. That's what I was told.

[replwoacause]

Why would a doctor refuse to prescribe it before 50? Is there a harm to receiving it “early”?