topic Re: Shingles in Wellness

Shingles

SisterSisto — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:43:27 GMT

I was just diagnosed with shingles 9 days ago. The symptoms started the first of October right after I helped my husband move a heavy piece of furniture into the house. The next day I had severe pain, itching, burning on my right rib cage and it ran horizontal to the middle of my chest. I figured I pulled a muscle or perhaps fractured a rib. I just started taking tylenol and used the heating pad. After a month of that with no relief or healing, I headed into the doctor. He diagnosed me with shingles, although I never had any pustule outbreak at all. He put me on gabapentin, lidocaine patches and voltarin gel. He then said if I didn't get any relief from the meds, to try CBD oil/cream and see if that helps. Well, today, I knuckled and went to Fred Meyer and bought some CBD ointment full spectrum and I sure hope it works.

I had the first shingle vaccine and when the new vaccine (2 injections) came out, I got that as well. You can imagine my surprise when the doctor diagnosed shingles. I can tell you, this is the most uncomfortable I've ever been. My hope is to get over this and perhaps I can wear a bra again!!

Re: Shingles

Jersey Born — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:48:35 GMT

I hope you recover quickly. I applaud you trying CBD oil. I would also try coconut oil rubbed onto any sore areas, as well as Monolaurin capsules (medium chain fatty acid in coconut).

All the best to you. Please let us know what works to relieve your symptoms.

Re: Shingles

fthunt — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:57:58 GMT

I'm truly on the fence about this vaccination. Let sleeping dogs.....

My elderly friend had the shot some time back but eventually got shingles - it was mostly in her head (scalp) and upper body.

I have not had one - and doubt if I will. Just sitting in the back of the room for now.

Re: Shingles

firestorm — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:59:06 GMT

What did your MD have to say about taking the shingles vaccine 2 times, the old version and then the new version, which I know you need to have 2 shots of this one? Discouraging the vaccine let you down. Bummer, totally.

Re: Shingles

godi — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:04:11 GMT

I got the double dose shingles shots no issues for me. Had Shingles and once was enough for me.

Re: Shingles

patbz — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:19:09 GMT

@SisterSisto : I had a mild case of Shingles in my early sixties; Nu Skin enabled me to wear my bra.

Re: Shingles

Carmie — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:21:12 GMT

I went to the ER when I had shingles. I was on vacation and my doctor wasn't nearby.

I was given an RX for the patches, which I never used and Valtrex. I can honestly say that Valtrex was a miracle drug for me. It worked to get rid of the pain and blisters.

If I ever get Shingles again ( and I hope that I won't). I will be asking for Valtrex. I worked for me within hours of taking it.

Re: Shingles

StylishLady — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:25:26 GMT

When I got them it was quire a surprise as I knew I never had Chicken Pox in my youth. I totally forgot that I had them when three of my children got them. I was lucky that sore were only on my middle body and not on my face.

Re: Shingles

Trinity11 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:35:22 GMT

@SisterSisto wrote:
I was just diagnosed with shingles 9 days ago. The symptoms started the first of October right after I helped my husband move a heavy piece of furniture into the house. The next day I had severe pain, itching, burning on my right rib cage and it ran horizontal to the middle of my chest. I figured I pulled a muscle or perhaps fractured a rib. I just started taking tylenol and used the heating pad. After a month of that with no relief or healing, I headed into the doctor. He diagnosed me with shingles, although I never had any pustule outbreak at all. He put me on gabapentin, lidocaine patches and voltarin gel. He then said if I didn't get any relief from the meds, to try CBD oil/cream and see if that helps. Well, today, I knuckled and went to Fred Meyer and bought some CBD ointment full spectrum and I sure hope it works.

I had the first shingle vaccine and when the new vaccine (2 injections) came out, I got that as well. You can imagine my surprise when the doctor diagnosed shingles. I can tell you, this is the most uncomfortable I've ever been. My hope is to get over this and perhaps I can wear a bra again!!

@SisterSisto, I am so very sorry you contracted shingles. I had them the end of May and now have post herpetic neuralgia in my temple and throughout my scalp. I was hospitalized with them as I did not have the vaccine and had a terrible time with them going into my right eye. I was told even if I contract them again that it would be a worse outbreak without the vaccine.

I also had iritis and a retinal bleed right during this time.. It took months to clear up my eye issues. I only tell you this because since you had the vaccine, you probably saved yourself some of the suffering I have had now for months. My physician told me that the vaccine is 90% effective in being able to avoid post herpetic neuralgia.

I am saying a prayer for you that you begin to feel better quickly with no after effects.

Re: Shingles

DJP — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:38:25 GMT

@SisterSisto My hairdresser's husband had shingles recently. He went to the doctor and took the medication he was given . He also put hydrogen peroxide on and it and that is what gave him relief from pain and blisters. She said it was gone in no time. They were both surprised. He is in his mid sixties.

Re: Shingles

haddon9 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:42:22 GMT

@SisterSisto I'm so sorry to hear that you're suffering with Shingles. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!

I'm also surprised since you had both the old & new Shingles vaccine....did you ask your doctor why you could have gotten it even though you've been vaccinated?

Re: Shingles

KailaS — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:44:34 GMT

I am so sorry for what you are going through.I had the old shot and now have taken shot one of the two-shot vaccine. (Shot two is the day before Thanksgiving.) I had hoped I would be safe. After hearing your story and that of others, I am keeping my fingers crossed. I wish you better days ahead.

Re: Shingles

haddon9 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:52:41 GMT

@DJP wrote:
@SisterSisto My hairdresser's husband had shingles recently. He went to the doctor and took the medication he was given . He also put hydrogen peroxide on and it and that is what gave him relief from pain and blisters. She said it was gone in no time. They were both surprised. He is in his mid sixties.

@DJP What do you mean when you say he was put on hydrogen peroxide? How was he taking it?

Re: Shingles

DJP — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:55:54 GMT

@haddon9 I don't know how he applied the peroxide. My hairdresser didn't say. I

would use a fresh clean cloth or some kind of cotton squares.

Re: Shingles

haddon9 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:03:25 GMT

@DJP wrote:
@haddon9 I don't know how he applied the peroxide. My hairdresser didn't say. I
would use a fresh clean cloth or some kind of cotton squares.

@DJP Thanks! That makes sense and is good to know about.

Re: Shingles

DJP — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:05:35 GMT

@haddon9 You're very welcome!

Re: Shingles

KarenQVC — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:08:54 GMT

I had the first shot. Then my doc had me take the next 2. I guess even if you get it they will be less severe.

Re: Shingles

irbrenda — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:33:17 GMT

My husband got it as a result of COVID-19. I think he suffered more with the pain from the shingles than he did with everything that went wrong with him from the virus. He looked like death during the virus, and was better 3 weeks later.......and two months later had shingles around his waistline into his back. This was in July and he is still scarred and complains of the pain. I had COVID with him but I was horrified I'd get shingles, too. Our doctor suggested when he is fully recovered that he should take the vaccine. I'm on the fence, as I take nothing and I guess I play with fire. We are in our early 70s but still work and we are very physically active. Maybe that saved us from being hospitalized. Now, the virus has returned where we live on Staten Island, and we are in the worst zip code in NYC at the moment.

Re: Shingles

Desertdi — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:33:01 GMT

Lysine is a supplement you can take to relieve the rash, blisters, etc. GOOGLE it.

Re: Shingles

cindyNC — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:41:22 GMT

When I had my flu shot at CVS they didn't offer the shingles vacine....so I asked my doctor. She said the recommendation is to hold off with all the Covid stuff but I didn't find that viewpoint anywhere on line.

So sorry to hear you got the shingles. Family member had it and was very unpleasant to say the least.