answer:I have had shingles outbreaks about 5 or 6 times. The first occurred in my mid twenties. I had another about a year later, and then about every other year for a few years. In the last 5 years it has happened once. I guess the first time was the worst? It was not diagnosed correctly my first time, but what most stood out for me was very swollen lymph nodes and the itch was the worst part. The reoccurrences have been very similar. The whole thing usually lasts around 3 weeks I think each time more or less. I do get some herpetic neuralgia in the area for a while following an outbreak, but it is more of an annoyance. The neuralgia causes me fear more than anything, that it is going to reoccur, it is not very painful. Every so often I have random sensation there after not having an occurrence for years, sometimes I get lucky and it just goes away in a day or two, sometimes not so lucky and it happens full blown again. I know nothing about the vaccines, because I would not take it. My case is not severe enough right now, and the vaccine is fairly new. If my situation changed I might consider it if I was eligible.