I've Got Shingles

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Danelle O'Shea

Joined
Mar 22, 2001
Messages
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back31.jpg


Yes, that is my back. Yes it hurts like hell. I’ve got shingles, and it’s only just beginning. It’s going to wrap around my waist and head up my chest before we’re all said and done. 3-5 weeks is the typical duration. It looks like it would feel like a cluster of zits or something but I assure you the pain is not to be believed. It feels like a very very intense blister inducing sunburn, whose blisters have popped and someone is now rubbing a scouring pad over the open wound. Add to that there is a deeper nerve type pain, that feels like a very bad charley horse.

I've started on 4000mg (800mg 5X a day) of acyclovir but it may be too little too late.

It hurts worse with clothes on of course, and it’s so hot lately that when I do have to put a shirt on, it’s wet with sweat right away, and that’s just so much worse. The prospect of putting a bra on is just too much to bear, so I am sitting here at my computer with shorts on and that’s all, wondering how the hell I am going to take a shower. I break out in a crying jag about every 30 minutes or so, cause it just hurts so so bad, and I’m feeling very sorry for myself. Not that crying about it does an ounce of good, but it’s just about all I can do.

Send love. And a Sonic watermelon slushie.

Bleh.
 
Almost 10 years ago I had it on my head, just a single blister behind my ear. I also waited far too long before seeing a doctor. All I can say is that I have never in my life been so certain that I was going to die. Acyclovir eased the pain to managable levels within 24 hours. To this day I still have that scar to remind me.

You have my deepest sympathy.


And a hug.
 
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Go right ahead and feel sorry for yourself ... ouch ... :(

(( hmmm ... how about watermelon sushi? ... naahhh ))
 
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh that is really, really really, nasty.
 
"Bleh"? Nope. Try "AAAAAAAAARGH!!" I know your pain.

I had a huge outbreak last year in April-May. Funny thing was, I wasn't under any real stress, didn't have much going on, felt fine, etc., then BAM!! Shingles. I lived on Vicoden & Acyclovir for six weeks; my liver was probably ready to dissolve. I hoped that my wife & son wouldn't get it. Thank God they didn't; it took the full six weeks to clear up, and it wasn't until January of this year that I could stand to feel even a slight breeze.

Hope it clears up sooner for you.

thx - cpr
 
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I'd send you a hug but I know that's the last thing you need right now, so good thoughts and and couple of prayers will have have to do.

Get well soon!

AJ
 
I am sorry and know it is painful.
Hope it goes away quickly.
 
I had mild shingles when I was about 10 years old, then another very minor outbreak when I was about 40. I know the pain. Once you get it, its with you forever. Though you may never have another outbreak.

My father was around some Amish kids who had chicken pox, and contracted shingles. I may be the same virus. Herpes Zoster as I recall.

They treat it with the same anti-viral agent they prescribe for genital herpes. :eek:

Its worse for the elderly, whose immune systems may not be 100%. For them, the pain can last months or years after the outbreak is gone.
 
I can feel your pain, I had mine on the fifth nerve on the temple side of my forehead. It felt like I had a little man inside my ear trying to dig his way out of my ear with an icepick. I got help, but it then went into my left eye and damaged the cornea, according to eye Dr, shingles in the eye are the #1 reason of cornea transplants in the US. I managed to keep mine, but once you get it in the eye, you NEVER get rid of it, I am on daily drops of an anti viral medication plus a steroid to keep it at bay. When attacking the eye, you have pain plus it is as you are looking through a sheet. Bad as yours are, you can be grateful they are not in your eye.

Be careful with the drugs, I had so many, I got a drug induced pancreatic attack and the mortality rate among first timers is 50%, higher than heart attacks.

Like I said, I feel your pain, get well soon.
James
 
My wife was diagnosed with shingles just a couple of weeks ago. She had chest pains and we thought she might be having a heart attack or something, so we even went to the emergency room. At the same time, she developed a rash on one arm and her back. She describes it as a constant pain that at times is sharp and stabbing.

Long story short, I feel bad for you. I hope it clears up for you soon!


get_well_soon_gold_glitter.gif
 
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UGH! I had a case of shingles back in 2004 on my right side... definitely not pleasant! Hope you get through this soon, Danelle. I was treated with 1000mg Valtrex and acetaminophen + codeine.
 
powernoodle said:
Herpes Zoster as I recall.
Click to expand...

Do you get canker sores in your mouth? My father was always getting bad ones and I have them too. He got shingles in his 40's. It was brutal.
 
Ouch. I am a nurse and we just recently changed our contact precautions regarding shingles to airborne precautions. Serious stuff there. Hope you get better.
 
Thanks all. I'm on my third day of acyclovir and it seems that the rash is a TINY TINY bit fainter, but whats even better is it does not appear to be spreading. I'll keep ya posted.
 
Miserable....I read somewhere that all of us baby boomers were going to deal with this as the vaccines wear off.....great...:rolleyes:

Oatmeal baths...and tequila...you know which goes where....

good to see you again hon...go gold member...

your friend

Ren
 
Ooooooooh, I am so sorry to hear that!! I hope you get to feeling better soon.
 
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