Posted on 04/13/2026 2:40:20 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton opened up about his bout with shingles Monday, saying he has gained weight, lost part of an eyebrow and is still feeling the aftereffects of a two-month battle with the disease in his face.
"I couldn't even go in front of a camera if I wanted to early, because my eye was basically closed shut," Haliburton told reporters in Indianapolis a day after the end of the regular season. "It was all over my face."
Haliburton, who has missed all of the 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn right Achilles, was diagnosed with the disease in February and stepped away from the team to recover. He said he developed a rash for the first two weeks before the itching began. He rejoined the team on the bench for the final few weeks of the season and wore glasses in public and again Monday, which he said was to help prevent himself from touching his face.
Haliburton also told "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday that he received a Botox injection and changed his medication multiple times to help manage the disease, but a side effect of his latest medication has led to weight gain. The 26-year-old star's face appeared puffy and swollen.
"I've lost part of my eyebrow; my eye is always swollen from itching it," he said. "I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it's bad days. So, it has not been any fun."
Haliburton tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June and was ruled out for the entire season, so while the shingles diagnosis did not cost him any more games, it has been a setback during a tedious rehab process.
Haliburton announced on social media last week that he has started playing in five-on-five scrimmages, which had been scheduled to begin after the All-Star break before his setback with shingles. Haliburton added that he doesn't even think about his leg injury anymore. And although he still did not have a timeline for when he would be fully recovered, Haliburton acknowledged that he still has a long summer ahead of him to heal from the disease and get back into shape.
Haliburton said that his father, John, also had the illness last year but that his stomach was infected. And after seeing firsthand what the disease is capable of, Haliburton had a message to pass along.
"I would tell anybody over 50 years old to get the [shingles vaccine]," Haliburton said. "This has sucked."
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Shingles doesn’t care.
When the VA offered a shingles vaccine, I was at the head of the line. A guy at our office had a terrible experience.
I wouldn’t wish shingles on anyone. They hurt like hell.
Although I did see a funny comment on another forum: “He look like he runnin’ a vape shop.”
Poor guy will get over the shingles but will have to explain the steroids in his system next summer.
And it’s no friggin’ joke either.
Took me all of 4 months to completely shake it.
For me it was like having a wicked rash, sunburn and the flu all at the same time.
All my Dr. Could do is give me ibuprofen for the pain.
Halliburton!
Cheney!
3 years ago and I am still itching.
You’re right. I had shingles about 20 years ago. It was a horrible experience. And because it broke out near my eyes, I was in some danger there. I had to be monitored by an eye doctor.
The good news: This happened during my vacation. So I didn’t have to burn too many sick days.
The bad news: It ruined my vacation.
Oh, and got the new shingles vaccine as soon as it came out. I am very wary of mRNA vaccines, but not all vaccines. So I got the new shingles vaccine. You betcha I did.
Warning: I’m told that there is currently no mRNA vaccine for shingles. But one is in the pipeline. So ask before you get the jab.
“ I wouldn’t wish shingles on anyone. They hurt like hell.” I had blisters on my face over my eyebrow. The pain was so intense I thought I was having a stroke. Found an excellent retina specialist who prescribed I week of a high dosage steroid called valacyclovir, and the pain went away within 3 plus or minus days.
I HAD SHINGLES IN 2013.
ACTUALLY. CHIROPRACTOR DIAGNOSED IT.
TOLD ME TO USE L-LYSINE TO HELP WITH THE NERVE PAIN.
TOOK FIRST TABLET:
PAIN WAS GONE IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES.
LESS THAN $6 FOR 100 TABLETS>
CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH
AVAILABLE AT WAL-MART
I have a good friend that had them. I had been putting off getting vaccinated, but after I saw what he went through, I cut a trail to my doctors office to get the Shingrix vaccine. The vaccination made me feel a bit feverish both times (comes in two shots) I have no regrets taking it, though..
A close relative got the telltale look of shingles and that same day got to a doctor for an antiviral.
It stopped it a subsequent time, as well.
Go very quickly to an immediate care clinic and you should be fine, but there is a small window to use it.
Shingles signals your immune system has collapsed.
Taking the vaccine is like putting a pot in the middle of your floor to catch the leak in the roof. Your entire house is at risk, and you are managing the symptoms, rather than the root cause.
No need for shingles “vaccine” if you are doing the right thing with your health.
BTW, once your immune system collapses, you loose the ability to fight off infections and cancer. Last i checked, no vaccines for that.
I got the shots a year or two ago. Had a co-worker who had gotten them in her eyes. She was out for a couple weeks.
Google says Mr. Haliburton is 26. He is having a miserable time with shingles. Why is he advising vaccination for people over 50, rather than people of any age who have had chicken pox?
I pestered my doctor for four year to give me that vaccine. Finally, I got the two doses. Best days ever. There are fools who still don’t want it. I just sit back and wish them well.
Insurance will only pay for 50 and over. I’d pay the 600 dollars out of pocket if I was in the 20’s or 30’s. No such animal when I was that young.
Horrible affliction. My Uncle Frank had it. He was hospitalized it was so bad. He was in his early 80’s. His wife and daughter claimed that it contributed to his death. RIP. Thanks to all posters with information. Health / life BUMP.
I got it years ago before I realized I couldn’t trust the VA.
Sublingual vitamin B12 cured my shingles. I still get periodic pains decades later. Each time, another B12.
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