topic Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today ! in Community Chat

Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:45:23 GMT

I am in shock ! I noticed a rash on my right upper chest and neck area on Monday evening and by Tuesday it was very prominent, also into my hairline on the back of my neck. Last night (Tuesday) I started having knife like pain in my head on the right side. I took Ibuprofen which helped but the pain returned.

This morning my temp was 98.8 so I decided to do the home Covid test which turned out negative thank goodness, ( I have been vacinnated and boostered) but I just wanted to make sure that wasn't the problem

Called my MD's office, went in and on exam I have Shingles. I was totally shocked !! I have had the shingles vaccine and chickenpox as a teenager. The doctor put me on anti viral meds for 7 days. The worst right now is the intermittent stabbing headache every 20-30 seconds. I just took more ibuprofen. I had to stop typing every few seconds to complete this post due to the pain. Please keep me in your prayers, I will get through this but what a surprise !! Anyone else been thru this ? This was the farthest thing from my mind ! I'm 71 and I know I'm within the age group but I had the vaccine and chickenpox !! Dr. says yes it can still happen but a milder case. I've stayed in because of covid now I have to deal with Shingles !!

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

SharkE — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:48:04 GMT

you have any family history of it ?

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Mj12 — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:50:21 GMT

@Goodie2shoes I am so sorry. For me it was the worst pain ever. I had it last year. After that, I got the Shingrex vaccines.

Did you have both Shingrex vaccines? Just curious. Take it easy and try to feel better!

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:49:59 GMT

I hope you do have a midler case of them. I had Shingles 4 years ago, and I too had a milder case, but no picnic either way! My older sister had a horrible case of them and my father in law also had a horrible case.I also got the vaccine after I had them, because I wasn't 60 yet when I had shingles, as soon as I turned 60 I got the vaccine!!!!!

Hope you feel better soon!!!!!

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

MalteseMomma — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:50:29 GMT

I have had shingles four times. It is not fun. My sympathy goes out to you............

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Shelbelle — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:52:07 GMT

Hope it is mild. Shingrix is the way to go if over 50, a must!!!

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

CatsyCline — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:53:11 GMT

My mom got Shingles twice, first time before her first (older) vaxx a few years ago. Again Shingles when she was 90 last Spring. Just had her 2nd "current" Shingles Vaxx.(the 2 shots vaxx)

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

teganslaw — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:57:27 GMT

I hope you feel better soon. If you have a mild case, how much worse is the severe case? I guess the shingles vaccine doesn't really help much in some cases. The problem is that one never knows if getting the vaccine will do any good. I am due for one soon, but will have to pay for part of it.

Keep us updated.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

CelticCrafter — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:58:04 GMT

Chicken pox is the reason for shingles.

The virus lies dormant in your body.

As we are finding out, vaccines don't always work in prevention.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Carmie — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:59:46 GMT

I got shingles in my early 50's while I was on vacation alone with my husband and three very young grandchildren. The youngest was just over a year old.

i went to the local ER and told the doctor I had shingles, but he said I was probably too young...nope I had it.

I got the little blue pills ( Valtrex) and boy they did work. I also got patches with meds to apply to my skin, but never used them.

I sat in a chair for three nights before I went to the ER and cried because the pain was so bad. During the day time the pain was tolerable. Mine was on my right upper thigh.

@Goodie2shoes I'll pray you get some relief soon. I hope those pills work as quickly on you as they did for me.

Take care of yourself.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

nevergivesup — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:03:22 GMT

@Goodie2shoes I am so sorry you have to deal with such a painful condition. My prayers for relief and a quick recovery.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:04:12 GMT

@SharkE wrote: you have any family history of it ?

No family hx whatsoever !

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

pupwhipped — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:05:14 GMT

So sorry as I know this can be difficult. My MIL had a heck of a time with it. I hope your case will be mild and you get through it quickly, @Goodie2shoes. My understanding is having chickenpox is why one can get shingles later on in life. Here's something I read on New York Presbyterian site. It also stated that you cannot get singles if you haven't already had chickenpox.

Most people who had chickenpox in their childhood thought they had already seen the worst of it; after all, once a person has had the very contagious and uncomfortable condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus they won’t get it again unless they develop problems with their immune system. But now for the sobering fact: the varicella virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can surface later in life as shingles.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

ECBG — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:06:23 GMT

My goodness, I am so sorry. It seems there would be a bath soak similar to an oatmeal soak that would be soothing.

I will certainly keep you in prayer.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Sage04 — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:08:55 GMT

Was supposed to get my first Shingles vaccine last October but didn't. Made my appointment for this past Feb 2nd for my physical and was planning to get it then. Ended up with blisters on om upper back in January and of course it was shingles. Got my first shot then. I asked my Dr if she was sure it was shingles because it was nothing like what I heard about. I didn't feel anything.

I was on gabapentin last year for nerve pain and I also believe that it helped. The medication I was given for shingles was also gabapentin. The Dr said that the shot also helped. I see what others go through, but mine is nothing compared to that. I'm must say I was very thankful that it is nothing like what I have seen. It's about 6 weeks now and I will getting my last shot in late March.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:08:55 GMT

@Mj12 wrote:

I am so sorry. For me it was the worst pain ever. I had it last year. After that, I got the Shingrex vaccines.

Did you have both Shingrex vaccines? Just curious. Take it easy and try to feel better!

sorry you went thru this but you can understand how I feel. Yes I had the vaccine. When the doctor told me it was shingles I remembered that commercial and I yelled out SHINGLES ??? he laughed.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:11:52 GMT

@MaltesMomma wrote:I have had shingles four times. It is not fun. My sympathy goes out to you............

4 times ?? Oh my !! I can't imagine that, this intermittent headache is no picnic !

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

Kachina624 — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:12:20 GMT

@Goodie2shoes wrote:
@SharkE wrote: you have any family history of it ?

No family hx whatsoever !

@Goodie2shoes It is not inherited and has nothing to do with family history. Can usually be prevented with Shringrix Vaccine, which most doctors recommend for older patients. An earlier vaccine was not so effective.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

golding76 — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:12:27 GMT

Goodie2shoes, I am so sorry that you are suffering from a painful case of the shingles. I hope that with a bit of time and medication that you will heal quickly.

There has been an uptick in shingles among 30- to 40-year-olds, I learned not too long ago. Perhaps there has been an increase in the number of cases among those in their 70s, too.

Re: Diagnosed with Shingles Today !

CatsyCline — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:14:58 GMT

My son had chicken pox when he was 6. IDK why as he had all the proper immunizations. Anyway he had all these little "bites" on his back one morning. i thought it was flea bites because our Himalayan cat had a bad case of fleas.

i drove him to school that morning and then halfway back to the house i realized he had chicken pox! i did a quick 180 and pulled him out of class. He's 43 now and i'll make him aware of shingles.