Shingles Vaccine Side Effects Resulted In Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Inflammatory Myopathy, Other Complications: Lawsuit

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Irvin Jackson

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According to allegations raised in a recently filed product liability lawsuit, side effects of the Zostavax shingles vaccine caused a California woman to develop a number of serious health complications, including vertigo, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, inflammatory myopathy and severe pain.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Patrice Robins in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on December 26, indicating that Merck knew the shingles vaccine was defective and carried serious health risks, yet continued to market the injection without adequately warning consumers and the medical community.

Robins indicates that she received a Zostavax injection in May 2017, for the prevention of shingles. However, shortly after receiving the shingles vaccine, side effects allegedly caused Robins to develop intense vertigo, constant and severe joint and muscle pains in her knees, hips, shoulders, neck, upper back and left third finger. She was eventually diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatic and inflammatory myopathy, which was allegedly caused by the live virus contained in the vaccine.

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Zostavax Shingles Lawsuits

Side effects of the shingles vaccine Zostavax may result in the development of a painful and persistent strain of shingles

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Learn More About

Zostavax Shingles Lawsuits

Side effects of the shingles vaccine Zostavax may result in the development of a painful and persistent strain of shingles

Learn More
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION

Zostavax is a live varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine, which was introduced by Merck in May 2006, as a single dose injection the prevention of shingles among older individuals. It is a more potent version of the Merck chickenpox vaccine, Varivax, but it has been linked to problems where it actually causes users to experience longer and more painful shingles outbreaks, as well as other infections associated with an “under-attenuated” version of the live virus, which was allegedly not weak enough to prevent reactivation of dormant virus in the body.

Robins’ case joins a growing number of similar Zostavax shingles vaccine lawsuits filed nationwide, each involving allegations that Merck failed to adequately inform patients and the medical community about the side effects of the shingles inoculation.

“The patient information sheet, as well as the label and prescribing information for Zostavax at all times relevant hereto, did not adequately, if at all, address the risk of viral infection,” the lawsuit states. “All that was addressed is the concern that a rash and itching might develop at the injection site. This is despite the fact that shingles was a noted occurrence during clinical trials of the vaccine.”

Given similar questions of fact and law presented in complaints filed throughout the federal court system, the Zostavax litigation has been centralized before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation.

As part of the coordinated pretrial proceedings before Judge Bartle, it is expected that a small group of representative cases will be selected for early “bellwether” trials to help gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that is likely to be repeated throughout the litigation over the Zostavax vaccine side effects.

It is ultimately expected that several thousand Zostavax cases will be brought by individuals nationwide who experienced problems after receiving the shingles vaccine.

Tags: Merck, Shingles, Vaccine, Zostavax
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23 Comments

Timothy
I’m 66 years old , very athletic my whole life, running , gym , competitive golf , in great shape , a year and a half ago I was convinced by my primary care provider to get the shingles vaccine. About 6 months later I started experiencing muscle and joint pain , I cant drive more than a half hour without getting out and walking around , my legs were so cramped. I cant touch my toes or stretch , my shoulders ache so bad in the morning I cant make coffee. I’ve since been diagnosed with pmr and put on 10 MG of prednisone last week , when that kicks in I feel much better , but as it wears off I feel like I’m a 90 year old cripple. I knew I shouldn’t have gotten the vaccine! My quality of life right now sucks. I can only hope to get rid of the pmr before the side effects of prednisone do damage.
Joni
I have developed Polymyalgia Rheumatica after taking the SHINGRIX VIAL KIT. It is excruciating. The side effects of long term Prednisone use are incredible and causing further deterioration of my body.
Lynda
My mother took the Zostavax vaccine in mid 2012 for shingles after being advised by her doctor. Less than 24 hours later she lost all sight in one eye. She was then diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), a condition that has been linked with the varicella zoster virus. To save the other eye, she was put on a high dose of prednisone for a year, then another six months to wean off. She never regained her sight or her health. Taking high doses of prednisone effectively turns down your immune system and she ultimately died of cancer.
Paricia
I already have PMR for 2 + years but was advised l could have the non live shingles vaccine at the doctor’s yesterday. I am already on steroids but l am in agony this morning after the injection hands pins and needles plus pain feet, knees, neck and back can hardly walk obviously the injection has caused a flair up. I am in the UK .
Lilliam
I developed PMR 2 months after the Merck’s shingles vaccine in August 2016. I started developing pain in my upper legs and both arms. Ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with PMR. Took Prednisone for a year and a half. It affected my eye sight which at the time I had 20/20. Developed glaucoma and cataract. Developed a series of issues with my neck and had to received a blocker. My knees were also affected. Put on 20 pounds of which have been very difficult to loose.
Beth
Had 1st shingles vaccine in Aug 5th (Smith Kline Shingrix) Nov 20th awakened from sleep by severe pain in shoulders and neck. To doc by Nov 23rd in immense pain. Received steroid shot that reduced symptoms to manageable until early am Dec5th. To ER with immense pain bilaterally neck, shoulders hips. Treated with morphine, steroid and fluids. Prescribed additional Medrol dose pack for next 7 days. Completed dose pack Dec 11th. Pain returning. Cant be evaluated by Rheumatologist until Feb 4th 2022.
Debbie
Just Wondering if glaxo kline is also manufacturer of treatment meds for PMR/RA?
Debbie
Had 1st shingrix vaccine in Feb 2020 In left arm which was swollen and painful for over a week. Had 2nd shingrix vaccine around May /June. In November 2020 I began having tremendous joint and muscle pains where I could hardly get out of chair or manage stairs without severe pain. In December I was DX with PMR and started on Prednisone? Have not been able to get off the drug without severe pain returning. I now have RA and am still taking prednisone and dealing with all those side effects 😔 Wish I never had the dam vaccine!!
Lucy
In February 2020, I got the first dose of the shingles vaccine and was sick for 3 days. I went for the second dose in June and was sick for another 3 days. Not long after, I began having debilitating pain that began in my neck, spread to both shoulders, hips and my legs felt as if they were encased in cement. The doctor told me it was arthritis. As weeks went by it got worse, to the point I couldn’t dress myself and could no longer do simple task. I went back to the doctor and was diagnosed with PMR in November of 2020. I was put on 30mg of Prednisone. Which helped within hours of relieving the pain. I’ve been on 15mg now for several months and can’t seem to taper down any lower without a flare up. Prednisone is a dangerous drug, but unfortunately it is the only way to survive with PMR..if I had known this would happen, I would never have gotten the vaccine. It has changed my life and not for the better..
John
After I received my Shingles vaccine I was diagnosed with severe PMR, and have been unable to get off Prednisone for 4yrs without my inflammatory markers spiking, and forcing me to continue Prednisone. Also, still dealing with chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, and more pain. Many dental issues from Prednisone and Prolia that was used to help with Osteoporosis.
Marie
A recent friend was diagnosed with howling I am ever Madica after getting the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 just six days later and he had previously been healthy… so I wonder what is consistent in all vaccines that causes these autoimmune reactions?
Laura
My husband received the zostavax Vaccine in July 2012… He was 60 years old. By September of 2012 he was in pain from head to toe and could barely lift a suitcase or anything… Spent the next few months trying to be diagnosed by his primary care doctor… Testing for Lyme’s disease etc.… was sent to a rheumatologist in December 2012 and was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica… Spent the next two years on prednisone under the rheumatologists care…. It was an awful two years and 2 months until his body could finally be healed and taken off prednisone…He has never been through anything like this in his life… Now because of this he is deathly afraid to get the Covid vaccine…
Anne
I For those that have posted comments and experienced bad joint and muscle pain, did you get the Shingrix vaccine or Zostavax? The original article refers to the patient that had the Zostavax vaccine. If Shingrix, was the side effects after the 1st shot or second shot? I had the first Shingrix vaccine on December 8, 2020, in the left arm and that same night experienced severe shoulder and muscle pain in the right arm. I had first attributed it to the side effects of flu like symptoms, but to this date, ( January 1, 2021) I am still experiencing severe muscle aches in my right shoulder and upper arm with reduced mobility. It is much worse at night.
Helen
I received my first shingles vaccine at the Wal-Mart Pharmacy last summer,2019. I had the second dose a few weeks later at a Walgreens pharmacy. I was advised by my GP to get the vaccine. I was diagnosed with PMR in late April, 2020. Worst pain in my life and am now on 8mg of Prednisone and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The PMR is a continuing condition. I never know when the worst is coming and the exhaustion is horrible. Fair warning to others.
Susette
Prednisone is sooo bad for our bodies!!! I’ve had PMR for almost 4 years and have been on prednisone the whole time . It has ruined my teeth, had to double my metformin, and much more!! I’m trying keto diet now.
Chume
I couldn’t believe when my friend forwarded this article. This past two weeks I was in constant pain, actually it was In a horrendous pain. My husband ran me to ER 4 times then I went to see a spine doctor in between hospital run also. Spine surgeon ordered MRI then confirmed my L4-L5 needed to be removed due to the bulging disc which pinched the nerves which the pain came from. Surgery was scheduled for this past Monday, Sept 28, 2020. I need to get a preop before the surgery. I met up when my primary provider. She took one look at me then sent me to another hospital ER. At this point, I was a wheelchair bound. The pain never stopped even with multiple morphine shots. I was admitted to the neurological department to manage the pain. More tests were done through the evening. The next day, Rheumatologist showed up and confirmed that I have PMR. How did I get it? No one knew. I kept thinking what had I done differently prior to the attack. Sure enough, it was the shingles shot I had a few weeks prior to the hospital escape. I am on prednisone 20 mg and it is day 6 for me. I am an active person. This has become debilitating health scary I ever expected. Thank you everyone for sharing the experience. I hope all of you are getting better by now. I am still new to this autoimmune disease. It is very sad.
Grace
I received my first shingles vaccine April 2019, followed by the second injection July 2019. Shortly thereafter, I woke up with debilitating VERTIGO. Absolutely awful and terrifying! You can not function! The VERTIGO continued off and on for about 9 months. Following my first bout of VERTIGO, I started to experience excruciating pain on both sides of my neck, shoulders, hips and knees, which was most painful in the middle of the night and in the morning. The pain would ease up some during the day. On a pain scale of 1 to 10, it was as a 10! Everyday! I had no idea what was going on, but was highly suspicious that this was due to the shingles vaccine. Up until this point, I was a very healthy and fit person who took great care in terms of my health. I could not take the debilitating pain any longer and went to my doctor in tears, who sent me to a rheumatologist immediately. Sure enough, I was diagnosed with PMR (Polymylagia Rheumatica), and have been taking prednisone for 11 months now (which helped with the pain immediately), but am gradually weaning off. As I am weaning off the prednisone, the pain is starting to increase greatly, with new pain now affecting my back in addition to all the other areas of my body. I am deeply concerned of having to increase the dosage again and stay on this medication for longer than planned, as the side effects are very dangerous. I want people to be aware that this is a serious life altering health issue caused by the shingles vaccine! Action needs to be taken.
Mark
First injection April 2018, second June 2018, 62 yrs old. . Lethargic, severe joint pain, rash etc after injections. At time was participating in Olympic Triathelons. Nov 2018 severe knee swelling. April 2019, Rt knee athoscopy. May 2019, extreme fatigue, no strength in legs, core, shoulders and low grade fever. June 2019, diagnosed with pmr, started on, and continue on prednisone. Constant flare ups of pmr symptoms, now also on metheltraxate, now diagnosis morphed to RA. Concerned that this vacine started a major decline of immune system leading to constant joint inflamation.
Vicki
Got Two shingles shotS the last one was Sept 19,2019. Several days later started having joint pain. In Feb. 2020 woke up and could hardly move my legs or arms, severe headache and low grade fever. Was diagnosed with Polymyalgia rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis. Put on high dose of prednisone which has caused diabetes and glacoma. Had 3 pulmonary embolisms in May 2020. I am 67 and can hardly walk up stairs without loosing breath.
Gary
I got shingles vaccine from VA Oct 2019. Within a week started feeling muscle & joint pain but not bad. Three weeks later muscles and joints were so bad could hardly get around. Went back to VA they put me on prednisone and hours later I was almost back to normal. Took them 3 months but said I had Polymyalgia Rheumatic and I’ve been on prednisone for 4 months now. If I don’t take it within a day or so the muscle/joint stiffness and pain return. Said I’ll be on prednisone the rest of my life and side effects of prednisone are not good either.
Marcy
I go the second shot in mid August. The next day I woke up with debilitating vertigo and have had issues with severe vertigo ever since. I was never told this would be a possible side effect. I have also had joint pain in my left hand that was never there prior to the vaccination.
Karl
I got the zoster shot the first week of October 2019,. Been in pain ever since. Was just at rheumatologist today, 12/19/2019 and the doc diagnosed me with poly myalgia rheumatica! Needless to say I did not get the second shot!
Louise
Had multiple hospitilations very high doses of steroid (100mg) to prevent loss of vision and alleviate headache pain. It also developed Giant Cell Arteritis, which required botoxs shots. I am in constant debilitating pain.

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