Shingles

[Wendy10]

I mentioned the pain, yes it's nasty. I have taken amityriptiline for other nerve pain and it meant the difference between no sleep and 8 hrs sleep, even at the lowest dose, bliss.

I took the first tablet last night. I still woke every hour or so but at least I was able to go back to sleep. I'm assuming it had an accumulative effect?

 

[GrannyAching]

I mentioned the pain, yes it's nasty. I have taken amityriptiline for other nerve pain and it meant the difference between no sleep and 8 hrs sleep, even at the lowest dose, bliss.

Sorry @Princess Pooper

 

[Chickcatcher]

Been fearing this for 40 years since my father got it twice in a very short period of time, the second time on his face which was horrendous.

Thursday last I felt a sharp stabbing pain in the outside of my right eye and feared the worse. Friday the area affected increased, and I could feel bubbling under the skin, had an appointment with Doctor and he thought it was just an infection, he administered antibiotics, Saturday Sunday the area and bubbling increased and began to hurt slightly. Sunday evening rang 111 and told to go to A&E asap. Two doctors there were also of the opinion it was just an infection and administered an ointment to apply. Monday and Tuesday the area included from mid cheek to beyond top of head and the pain now BAD. Further visit to Doctor on Tuesday a (Locum) also wasn’t sure but new he needed further help so he told me to get to Moorfields in London asap.

In Moorfields by 8pm (home by 11;30 pm) very quick to be seen and doctor there immediately said “You” have got shingles. Treatment now including eye drops and anti viral pills (Aciclovir). More comfortable but now huge rash and eye completely closed.

Oh by the way had the Vaccine 18 months ago so perhaps that hid it from the first doctor and A&E.

 

[Chickcatcher]

Improving but the Shingles sting is something else. Any further ideas on relief?

 

[ollie989898]

Shingles is hideous, can be very very painful, worse than childbirth I am told. Shingles is the reason why the UK does not routinely vaccinate children for chicken pox- the virus needs to be in circulation so that adults are repeatedly exposed to the virus to help stave off shingles.

Get to the GP or pharmacist and get some serious pain killers.

 

[Netherfield]

I had years ago, it was all around the belt line on my left, Dr gave me some lotion to put on it, not particularly painful though, although we were in to straw leading, small bales which rubbed and annoyed no end.

I seen to remember it was gone within a week or so.

When the Dr tells you you've got Herpes (Zosta) it does mess with the mind a bit.

 

[Chickcatcher]

Dr's pharmacist just rung back going to call again after talking with Dr.

 

[ollie989898]

I had years ago, it was all around the belt line on my left, Dr gave me some lotion to put on it, not particularly painful though, although we were in to straw leading, small bales which rubbed and annoyed no end.

I seen to remember it was gone within a week or so.

When the Dr tells you you've got Herpes (Zosta) it does mess with the mind a bit.

Don't worry about the whole herpes thing- these viruses are very infectious and a large portion of the population have at least one of them. Many are probably infected but don't actually know it as they lay dormant for months or years and never show. Some people are probably totally immune. There is no shame in them. The Zoster version isn't the one with the iffy connotations anyway.

 

[Chickcatcher]

On Gabapentin, started at 3 a day building too it by increase of 1 a day. after 2 weeks Dr allowing me to go as high as 9 per day, also Co-codamol up to 6 a day. The relief of pain is improving, so progress

 

[T C]

On Gabapentin, started at 3 a day building too it by increase of 1 a day. after 2 weeks Dr allowing me to go as high as 9 per day, also Co-codamol up to 6 a day. The relief of pain is improving, so progress

How are you now? 3.5 weeks since I was diagnosed. Had it from cheek over the top of my scalp. Think the pain is worse now than when i had the scab phase.

 

[Chickcatcher]

How are you now? 3.5 weeks since I was diagnosed. Had it from cheek over the top of my scalp. Think the pain is worse now than when i had the scab phase.

Still a lot of pain gabapentin not doing much for nearly 18 weeks in. Working but at my age every day to be taken. Fert/gold dust carting today

 

[T C]

Still a lot of pain gabapentin not doing much for nearly 18 weeks in. Working but at my age every day to be taken. Fert/gold dust carting today

Bugger, feel for you. Been prescribed Lyrica so hope it clears up. Feel far better working than sitting in the house - probably only managing 50% capacity tho.

 

[Kidds]

My dad has had shingles for maybe 5 years now and it gives him quite a bit of grief.
I've had it twice but only 2-3 weeks maximum.

 

[Chickcatcher]

Oh something to look forward too. "KIDDS" what should we do with them

 

[Kidds]

Oh something to look forward too. "KIDDS" what should we do with them

Whingeing parents or shingles.
Actually it makes no difference as you just have to suffer them whichever.
My shingles was on my chest and at it’s worst was like someone stubbing a cigarette on me. I can cope with pain but it really wears you down when it is constant. Never found anything to ease the pain but vast quantities of alcohol numbed it a bit, I don’t recommend that if you are not already a heavy drinker.

 

[shumungus]

Errr at the chance of being ridiculed have none of you ever had them charmed?

 

[Kidds]

Don't know of any local shingles charmers these days, kind of went with the last generation or even the one before tbh.
You'd be lucky to find someone that knows to hide shiny objects in a thunderstorm or be advised to tie a horsehair around a wart and wish it away never mind a shingles charmer.

 

[Chickcatcher]

How are we All. Mine still giving me a huge amount of discomfort from bottom of right eye around over the top and into the top of scalp. I find the only way to describe it is it feels like the burning seen on the "FAST" advert for a stroke. Still on Gabapentin a bit like the tides always coming back just when you think it may be getting easier. Not counting but now 18 months in.

 

[Kidds]

How are we All

I've had them again since I last posted. Had a load of chemo and radiotherapy for throat cancer and as I was run down from that the shingles got me again.
It was mild, same place as usual on my ribcage. I wouldn't normally have gone to the doctors but as a cancer patient they go on at you about such things so I did for all the good it did me. Was prescribed anti-virus but at the time I was unable to swallow anything so it was a pallaver trying to find that in a liquid form that I could inject through the stomach tube I had at the time.
I think at the time it was the least of my worries and it went away before they did manage to find the whole of the prescription (came in 5 separate bottles. Normally it goes away on its own for me and it pretty much did anyway. It was so mild I wouldn't have known what it was had I not had it before.
I'm fine now on all counts and wish you well too. I'm very fortunate that when I do get it I can stand it as it isn't too much. Yours sounds awful.
Dad is still moaning about his, not so bad now it is warm but it hasn't gone away.

 

[Chickcatcher]

WoW having gone through that puts my shingles in the shade. Good luck and best wishes @Kidds