shingles, anyone??

[Cat Dancer]

as if I didn't already have enough to deal with, now I have shingles!!! started with a bit of scratching on my neck. I thought it was one of those annoying tags I hadn't clipped from the t-shirt I was wearing. next day it broke out into large re ugly blisters and spread down my neck, across my back and shoulder. by the next day - yesterday - across my chest.

off to the doctor who proclaimed I had a "classic case of shingles" and she wished she'd brought her camera to take pics for her students. thanks.

so now, in addition to the other dozen pills im now taking, another one 5 times a day for the next 7 days. in the meantime the nerve endings on my left side (shingles is one sided, in my case the left side) are randomly firing, where the shingles are it burns and itches, the skin around the blisters is hot and painful, there is a sharp stabbing pain originating in my neck and shooting across my shoulder. had a restless night. finally at 5 am took two ibuprofen which helped at least to dull the pain. just took a brief nap, and expect I will do that on and off today.

doc says the blisters will hang around for the next 7 to 10 days. the med wont do much to help this attack, but "hopefully" will decrease the chances of any long term lasting effects. ugh. im told im not contagious, but I sure look awful and feel worse. hiss........

[Frog42]

I'm so sorry. This really sucks!

[SalpalSally]

Eeeeeeek!! I wouldn't wish that dam thing on my worst enemy.

So sorry, heal fast please. You may need something stronger for the pain.
I couldn't take the P A I N!!!!

[agate]

Yikes. This shouldn't be happening. That napping thing sounds like a good idea until this particular storm blows over. Along with eating as well as you can, to keep your strength up.


Take care.

[Howie]

That sounds miserable Cat. I hope it goes away soon, and never comes back!

[Jeanie Z]

:) Cat I'm sorry you are having shingles. My Rx I have on hand all the time in case I start itching or burning on my back. I take Acyclovir 200 mg capsules. The directions say take two caps three times a day until cleared.

I've gotten pretty good at recognizing the signs early and using the Rx to ward it off. I hope you clear up quickly. Jeanie :)

[Howie]

After cleaning the cobwebs off my brain.....shingles is the reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox. Why it becomes reactivated they don't know. But Cat, the meds your doctor prescribed is the best anyone can do for it. Feel better soon.

[agate]

Jeanie, you must be one of the rare people who have a problem with shingles recurring. For most people it's a one-time thing, lasting 4-8 weeks or less. But a few people find it recurs.

No fun being susceptible to so many problems.

[Cat Dancer]

I am so hoping that this will be a one-time thing! I don't even want to think about a return! I'm feeling better right now. The pain is manageable with doses of ibuprofen. I'm using an anti-itch lotion, and an antibiotic topical cream on the blisters as they open (messy and ugly). I'm supposed to go to the wound clinic tomorrow -- tried calling them on Friday to see if they still want me but got no answer, left a message with no response. Also planned to go to a birthday party, but cancelled that, too. Ugh.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Cat)))))) ~

I'm so sorry that Shingles attacked you, but I'm happy to hear that you're feeling better today.

My husband had a mild case (thankfully) a couple of months ago. He had a small rash on his lower back. We initially thought it was a spider bite, but our son's nurse told us it was Shingles. We treated it with neosporin on the blisters, covered with gauze. For the burning and itching, we applied a cold pack. Jim said that relieved it effectively. So, you might want to give that a try.

Sending healing energy your way ~

Love & Light,

Rose

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

Risk of Shingles Recurrence is Low

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Here's a WebMD article citing studies, which indicate that the risk of Shingles recurring is low, especially 2-3 years after an outbreak.

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

So, that's reassuring.

Love & Light,

Rose

[jendie]

I'm sorry to hear about this. I had Shingles a few months ago. I took my antiviral rx to the pharmacy there was a flyer for the shingles vax on the counter... I'm 15 years too young to get the vax, unless I had a note from my doctor for an exemption. I didn't get the note, I got shingles.

Feel better soon, Cat. I feel your pain.

[renee]

Ohhhh, just what you needed.

I have a script for a vaccination- better use it.
My mom got singles at 87 which effected her vision.
My brother who was her primary care giver got chickenpox.
Boy was he PO'd. Doc never asked if he had chicken pox.

Mandatory no client contact week.

NO SCRATCHING.

[Virginia]

Shingles can be bad. It can attack the nerve that runs around the waist and of course goes half way around. My husband had it in his 30s. They didn't have the anti-viral they have now. He was on pain pills.

It also can go down one side of the face, which is probably what Renee's Mom had. That can scar as well as blind.

My PCP wanted me to have the vaccination, but it is a live virus and because of the MS I was afraid to take it. Most Neurologist use to recommend that people with MS not take it because it is a live virus. It is not like the flu shot.

So sorry Cat, this is something that concerns me, but have never known anything to do about it. I really hope yours will be a mild case. You truly needed just one more thing - NOT!

[Cat Dancer]

My case moves down my neck and down my back for about 2 inches, across the shoulder and down my chest for another 2 inches, and down my upper arm for another couple of inches, and up my neck in front to about the jaw line, all on the left side. . im taking acyclovir for it, 5 times a day for 7 days. dr and pharmacist both said I should be sure to take them until they are gone; that the med will do little for this round but is intended to prevent future occurances, and reduce any long term problems. they said the drug wont be effective at all if I don't take the full dose.

anyway, im still itching, and if I forget the ibuprofen -- which im taking for pain --im n serious pain. and the acyclovir caused at least one bout of diarreah, a common side effect. I still have four days left of the med. dr says I should soldier on... ugh.