Wellness

[Nikalette]

Me too. If you are over 60 you should get the shingles shot. Even if you still get it, you will get a much milder case.

On 3/17/2014 Shelbelle said:

Sorry you are suffering, so glad I got the shot last year.

[Floppo]

Had Shingles Just recently in Feb.--Back pain,fatigue,chills,taser-like jolts in ribs and back of head.My rash was also under my right breast but fortunately didn't spread. Was prescribed anti viral pills called Famciclovir & 5% Lidocaine for the burning rash which cleared up pretty quick. Those other symptoms were pretty unbearable.

Interesting to note,the doctor said you only get shingles on one side of the body(that's enough,right?) The earlier you take care of it,the faster it clears up. I know people who have had a major rash for months because they put off seeing a doctor.

You saw you doctor early and I think the anti viral drugs will hasten your recovery and hopefully, prevent the rash from spreading. Just avoid touching the rash. Use a Q-tip to apply any topical meds. Only took Ibuprofen for pain and gradually tapered off to lower doses as things improved. Get better soon---I know it's like the devil shacked up in the body. [

[depglass]

Capsaicin? Cayenne? Both of those are hot peppers. Why would anyone want to try something so painful? Ditto for the acetone. I also wonder about the vinegar. I was told when I had my shingles that once you get the blisters its too late for the antivirals. So I didn't even call the doctor. No lasting effects except some scars in groin area.

[I am still oxox]

My husband had shingles while on vacation in 2011, a week at the beach with shingles is no fun. He was lucky he did not have much "pain", he was just in general discomfort and being away from home it was no fun

[ID2]

On 3/17/2014 Daysdee said:

On 3/17/2014 Perkup said:

RedTop, I truly understand your Mom's situation. I became very ill in January 2013 and no one could figure out what was wrong. In late February I broke out with Shingles, beginning on the right side of my upper back and eventually continuing on around under my right breast and ending up between my boobs. The pain, the need to scratch were very intense. I was given a viral medication, sleeping pills, pain pills, etc. And told to put Capsaicin on the lesions. They said it would burn, but they didn't tell me it was like soaking your hand in gasoline and then sticking it in the fireplace. DO NOT TRY THIS!! I couldn't tolerate most of the meds.

I was sufficiently ill that I had a whole month I don't remember. The burning, stinging and need to scratch were intense for me for at least eight months. They have become a bit less intense, but are still present most of the time. My rash scabbed over and the scabs fell off, but the redness, the pain and need to scratch are still there. I am told that especially in older people the symptoms clear very slowly. It may take several years. I hope it doesn't last too much longer for your Mom or me.

I do have two relatives who have recurring Shingles. One on her thigh and the guy on his waistline. They both had Shingles shots, so I don't know how effective they really are. I was told that I probably should get a shot after my rash cleared, but I am reluctant to have the shot and take a chance on a recurrence like my relatives.

I do not understand why, given the high ratio of people who get Shingles, no one has come up with a spray on pain and need to scratch. Rub- ons are impossible if you live alone, and gross for a caregiver to put ointment on these oozing lesions. A spray on would sell like hot cakes!!

I hope that you get some speedy relief Dancing Barbara. And I wish for RedTop's Mom (and for me, too) that this miserable situation will clear up soon.

I apologize for saying "need to scratch'. It won't let me posts the word because it rhymes with another similar word to witch.

After a case of the shingles, be sure and check with your doctor before getting the shot. Some don't recommend the shot if you have already suffered from shingles.

I had shingles 30 years ago and now that I just turned 60 my doctor recommended that I get the shingles shot. I just got it a few weeks ago.

[Dancing Barbara]

Thanks for all the replies. I have a history of Guillian Barre Syndrome, which is an autoimmune disease like MS, and cannot take any shots such as shingles, pneumonia, flu, tetanus, etc. I would much rather have these diseases than go through Guillian Barre Syndrome again. I slept through the night last night and am doing okay with the high dose of Aleve. I don't have any itching or pain on the lesions, just a little discomfort so I am not going to touch them. I have pain in my back.

[joaniebee1]

I'm sorry for your shingles and pain. My mom had shingles often and similar to what you described. I read in a newspaper column a couple years ago that some people found relief using the original Listerine (amber color) on their outbreaks. We tried this with her a couple times before she passed away, and she reported that it was very helpful in easing her pain and the outbreak. We soaked a gauge bandage with the Listerine and laid it on the area. She couldn't tolerate any sort of adhesive, so we just placed it on the affected area for as long as she could stay in a position to have it stay put. At times it was overnight, and other times a few hours. Last week I had a rash between my breasts that wouldn't go away with various medications and ointments. I happen to remember this treatment, and was pleased that witihin 6 hours the rash almost disappeared. Hope this helps, and don't believe it would be hurtful. (I did research it online for my mom when I first read about it, and found it to be worth a try.) Good luck....

[txskies]

I have not had the shingles, but my sister-in-law had them for several weeks, and is not about over them. She had the shingles shot. Don't be fooled into thinking that if you get the expensive shingles shot that you will not get the shingles. Sorry that you are going through this. You would think they would have come up with more things to help this condition, by now.

[NanaS]

I had shingles about 5 yrs. ago ......was lucky in that I got to my dermatologists office the next day after I noticed a rash on my arm. He prescribed oral medication but also gave me some liquid medication to put on the skin. It was white and I think it was zinc based.

He is a very old doctor who has his pharmacist put topical medication together for him. That liquid medication really made a difference. It helped with the itching and soreness and made it possible for me to rest and sleep. I was in bed for a week with involvement on my right side, arm, shoulder and upper right back. None on my face thank goodness. The symptoms lingered for weeks. The scabs left scars that have since disappeared.

I have since gotten the shingles vaccination and would encourage anyone here that has had chicken pox to please get that vaccination !!!

Hope you are feeling better ! Its not fun thats for sure.

[cmgm]

Dear Dancing Barbara,

I truly emphathize with you! I had shingles when I was 50 (I'm now 62), and my doctor told me it was the worst case he'd ever seen in someone that young. If you're given the anti-viral within the first 72 hours, the outbreak is not as bad. However, my case was not caught in time. After two failed pain meds (oxocontin and vicoden - both of which drove me nuts), the doctor finally put me on neurontin. I also received injections into my back. To this day, the post-herpetic pain persists - on an off and on basis. There is a distinct difference between an itchy back on my left and right sides (the right side having had shingles). Also, there is a patch that can be used (licoderm?) to relieve the pain on a temporary basis - I used to use this at night to enable me to sleep. Please talk to your doctor about the use of pain meds.

I do hope you have a speedy recovery.