topic Re: Shingles in Wellness

Shingles

emmysmom — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 04:42:34 GMT

Anyone had this?? Just got this last week...using lysine. Would love any recs, thank you!!

Re: Shingles

pattypeep — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 05:26:41 GMT

I've had three what I would call "mild" shingles outbreaks. Nothing very significant occurred; however, I remember hearing of older folks (now I'm old ~ LOL) ending up in the hospital. I remember taking a medication (a pill) and it might be the one you mentioned. I was lucky. Sending caring thoughts your way for a quick and full recovery.

PS: I did have chicken pox as a child.

Re: Shingles

RedTop — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 05:33:14 GMT

Full blown shingles usually requires specific drugs; anti-viral medication and ointment, as well as pain medication. I have never known Lysine to be effective in a case of full blown shingles.

Re: Shingles

adelle38 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 05:37:40 GMT

On 1/12/2014 RedTop said:
Full blown shingles usually requires specific drugs; anti-viral medication and ointment, as well as pain medication. I have never known Lysine to be effective in a case of full blown shingles.

I agree. What does your doctor recommend?

Re: Shingles

Venezia — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 05:52:50 GMT

Lysine??? My DH had shingles and had to have prescription medicine and a friend has just told me she's been diagnosed in the past week - also on prescription meds. I've had other friends contract this in the past and suffer for weeks with it.

Shingles can cause severe pain and permanent nerve damage, if not treated properly. The earlier it's caught and treated, the better. You need to consult a doctor ASAP (if you haven't already - just never heard of lysine to treat shingles).

Re: Shingles

emmysmom — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 06:47:18 GMT

I have been taking lysine for years and it prevents fever blisters. Its antiviral. If I had been taking my regular dose, I doubt I would have shingles. Its very mild, I have been under severe stress and I was told this could bring it on. My friends DH was given valtrex and a steroid shot. Thanks for the advice~

Re: Shingles

Desertdi — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 07:00:17 GMT

Lysine & Vitamin C does not "cure" shingles............it RELIEVES THE SYMPTOMS.........

I take it every day, along with other vitamins and minerals for my specific needs.

Re: Shingles

Azcowgirl — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 07:27:20 GMT

My First bout with shingles, I was diagnosed within 48 hours so the prescription I was given knocked it right out. Second and third breakouts, I didn't get to a Dr. In time so the outbreaks would heal and reappear over and over, for months on end. I was lucky though, the outbreaks were small. Good luck, I hope you get relief.

Re: Shingles

skuggles — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 07:36:57 GMT

Antiviral if caught immediately ,first 72 hrs.) to reduce severity and duration, pain meds potentiated by neurontin.You may need to see an eye and/or ear doctor if the nerves of the face are involved.

Re: Shingles

Jersey Born — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 17:40:04 GMT

Good morning, Emmiesmom. If you are looking to try something holistic, how about coconut oil? If you are not allergic to coconuts, you could take up to three tablespoons per day either right off the spoon, or melted in hot chocolate (the yummiest way, IMHO), and you could also carefully apply the coconut oil to your affected skin areas, if you can reach them. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, but will melt immediately upon touching your skin. It may not help you, but it could possibly be of great help to you.

Here is an article with some home remedies for shingles. I cannot say that I know if any of them work, because I don't, however, coconut oil works wonders on influenza like illnesses and influenza. That, I do know from personal experience.

Hope your shingles heal very quickly, and as painlessly as possible.

Re: Shingles

adelle38 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 19:33:36 GMT

You need to see a doctor. How do you even know you have shingles?

Re: Shingles

Shelbelle — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 21:39:03 GMT

If you are over 60, get the vaccine!!!

Re: Shingles

FastDogWalker2 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:04:07 GMT

I had shingles in my early 30's. I am now in my mid 50's. I don't think I got to the doctor in time for a prescription to be helpful. I was miserable and felt the effects for a long time. Get well!

Re: Shingles

sneef — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:11:05 GMT

If you think you have shingles you should seek medical attention, as they can be dangerous and should be diagnoised immediately, MD will put you on a prescription med that will decrease the severity, you will have pain on the nerve endings, make sure to use caution because if you are around pregnant women or others that haven't had chicken poxes because you are contagious. This disease can spread rapidly and usually starts on the back and then moves around. Please take care of this as it has a lot of aftermath symptoms and pain.

Re: Shingles

sneef — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:13:35 GMT

I forgot the MD will recommend the vaccine, so to reduce your chance of getting another episode cause they claim that the older you get the severe they are or increased pain. Pease take care. IF there weeping your contagious.

Re: Shingles

makeupaddicted1 — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 06:19:37 GMT

I had the vaccine because I am over 60. Some insurance companies do not cover the vaccine and its pretty expensive, something like $200-300. Be sure if you can get it, that your insurance will cover it. My sister had to pay for hers $250 out of pocket.

Re: Shingles

emmysmom — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 14:09:50 GMT

I want to thank you for all your advice, I appreciate it. I am feeling better and will continue with the lysine. I also added tea tree oil with jojoba which is amazing. I read about it online..! I didn't see a doctor soon enough..hopefully I'll never have this terrible condition again..!

Re: Shingles

emmysmom — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:52:41 GMT

On 1/14/2014 emmiesmom said:
I want to thank you for all your advice, I appreciate it. I am feeling better and will continue with the lysine. I also added tea tree oil with jojoba which is amazing. I read about it online..! I didn't see a doctor soon enough..hopefully I'll never have this terrible condition again..!

Update: The tea tree oil and jojoba has been a God send. The blisters have dried up. The pain and itching are gone, its just been 8 days! Wanted others to know this, so you can have relief as well! The tea tree oil is antiviral, antibacterial and anti fungal, so there's no problem with infection. I also upped my lysine to 1500 mg daily!

Re: Shingles

Deadeye Daisy — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:51:21 GMT

FYI:

Most people are unaware that the shingles vaccine (Zostavax) itself can be had under almost every Rx drug plan in the US. Co-pay generally runs $28 - $40. Your doctor has to call in the Rx to your pharmacy. It's a frozen powder, that is kept frozen until you pick up at pharmacy right before your doctor's appointment. It's then reconstituted with distilled water when administered as a subQ (under the skin) injection.

You can also have it administered by someone other than a doctor or RN. Your pharmacist can administer. If you just go into your pharmacy and ask for the vaccine, it will run $200 and up. Best to get through your prescription plan.

If you get the vaccine from your doctor, it can run hundreds. Medicare and some insurance plans cover about $200 of the cost. Also, because it's actually supposed to be handled as a 'drug', not a medical procedure, you may have some issues getting reimbursed by your insurance company as a medical procedure. Best to just get the Rx and take to your doctor.

Vaccine is NOT just for those over 60. CDC came up with that ruling so it would be covered under Medicare. ANYONE who is medically stressed who has had chicken pox should have the vaccine. Shingles is NOT a disease that is limited to those over 60. ANYONE who has had chicken pox and has other medical conditions is a prime candidate.

My SIL had shingles at ages 41 & 43, while being treated for oral cancer. My son got shingles at 32, and at the time was a normal healthy 32 year old male. SIL is now 50, and has had neuropathy since the bout with shingles. Son is now 53 and has been fighting neuropathy for 21 years.

RULE #1: DON'T MESS WITH SHINGLES.

RULE #1: SEE RULE #1

Re: Shingles

makeupaddicted1 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:45:36 GMT

FYI - My sister has a disability and she is on medicare and medicaid. Neither covered the cost of her shingles vaccine. We had to pay $250 out of pocket.