Re: Shingles

PansyBoo · ‎06-02-2023

Not giving any medical advice here just sharing the little I know after my husband got shingles last fall.

Antivirals work best if given as soon as lesions appear...at least within 72 hours. My husband was not vaccinated and got a pretty bad case. It was mostly on his back, slightly on front torso, and chest. We were at our second home so really had no doctor we knew to see. He went to urgent care and the doctor treated it aggressively. He was given Valtrex, a steroid, and gabapentin. I was expecting the antiviral med but not the last two drugs. She did tell him he didn't have to take the gabapentin if he didn't want to or if it didn't agree with him. But he found it really helped him sleep...and nightime was the most miserable time. My husband is stoic but I know it was rough. He finished all three meds as prescribed. He is doing well now and seems to have no real lasting problems. Unfortunately my MIL got shingles many years ago and she was not as lucky. She had permanent nerve pain for the rest of her life.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

In 2019, before I was vaccinated for Shingles, I got Shingles. I took the antiviral pills and they did not make me sick. In fact, I think they helped make my Shingles less severe. So Yes, I would take the antivirals.

BlueFinch · ‎08-31-2019

@qvcaddition I personally wouldn't wait to take the antiviral meds, as they need to begin working asap. You wouldn't want the Shingles to advance to a miserable state, or linger, which could happen, even if vaccinated.

If you've had the two Shringrix injects, you are only about 89% protected, but it's not carved in stone, it can vary with different individuals. At first it was believed coverage would only be for about 7 years, but now they're saying about 10. But, that tells us the degree of coverage will begin to drop off over the years and we need more duration study reports.

I keep wondering what we will do when the Shingrix is no longer effective, since, at this time, it is not a drug recommended to ever be repeated. Perhaps that will change, as we learn more?

With the Zostavax, which has been discontinued, the best coverage was for the first year, then dropping off significantly and becoming useless at about five years. Plus there were too many side effects for such short coverage to make it a good choice.

Hope you continue with a mild course and knock this thing out soon.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

The CDC says to start taking the antiviral medication as soon as the rash appears.

https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/treatment.html

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

I have had shingles 4 times and had 2 vaccinations. Take your antiretroviral tablets, please. You will have a shorter course and perhaps prevent some other complications or side effects from the host disease. After having shingles x3, I knew I was getting them again just a couple weeks ago. I had no lesions but my doctor trusted my judgment and description of the disease so well that he gave me the script. Two days later I got 2 lesions and never had any more because I started the meds so soon. It was a good thing. The first time I had them I was all broken out and had them near my eye and eventually they got in my eye. So the sooner you take the medication, the better.

Itsjustme4 · ‎06-30-2011

I had shingles in 2020 and had no idea what it could be but I got it checked out pronto. The Dr recognized immediately and started me on the anti viral meds. I didn't think twice about taking it. I was grateful to catch it early and start treatment. It ran its course, not comfortable but it could have been SO much worse without getting the meds early on.

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

@Nonametoday I was never vaccinated and got a mild case of Shingles in 2022. I noticed a few eruptions on my face and near my ear. I had some ear pain. Everything was on one side. I saw a very small spot near my eye.

I immediately called my dermatologist (whom I think very highly of) and got appt that day.

I was STUNNED when he told me I had shingles!

He put me on the anti-viral the other posters mentioned and my daughter, who is a licensed nutritionist, suggested some herbal supplement that enhanced the effectiveness of the anti-viral. I started that immediately and I believe I took it for 5 days?

At the suggestion of my derm I also made an immediate appt with my opthamologist(who also saw me that day) to check whether there was any involvement of the shingles in my eye. He told me the tiny spot had nothing to do with shingles.

I had absolutely no adverse reaction to the anti-viral and after about 2 weeks, the 5 or 6 spots I had were gone. Never had a recurrance.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@Toppers3

@Toppers3 wrote:
@qvcaddition wrote:
I have Shingles even though I have been vaccinated, so it is not severe. My question is, has anyone taken anti viral pills? If so did you have any bad reaction from it?
I hate taking pills, except vitamins. I know everyone different, but I would like to know any reactions?
I'm holding off until Mothers Day to take, so I can go out to brunch. ThanK you for any answers.
I was shocked thinking the vaccine would help me not get shingles. Last year, I had covid on MD. Also vaccinated numerous times. It was not servere.

Hi @qvcaddition ,

I'm really sorry that you have Shingles.

Both the Covid vaccine and the Shingles vaccine are just supposed to make each virus less serious if you do get them. The shots are not preventative, meaning that you can still get the viruses. You're just not supposed to get as sick from the viruses because you got vaccinated. That's how the shots help.

Anyway, I did get a mild case of Shingles in June of last year.

I did take the generic version of an antiviral medication for Shingles. The name-brand is called Valtrex. I've taken it before for viral infections, and I've had no problems from it.

It's usually best to start taking the antiviral medication as soon as you first have Shingles so that it can start working right away. The sooner you take it--within a few days of your Shingles showing up--the more helpful the medication is with your Shingles side-effects.

When I took the medication right away as soon as I knew that I had Shingles and was diagnosed with it by a doctor, it helped to slow the spread of the Shingles outbreak spots and its symptoms, like burning and itching.

The Dr. just saw it yesterday. I couldn't get in to see her for a month, so I've had it for awhile, but not real bad. She prescribed the med you mentioned you had. No side effects?

If you can answer, I will start taking. I was waiting until after MD so I could go to brunch, but if no side effects, I will start tomorrow. Thank you.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@pdlinda wrote:
@Nonametoday I was never vaccinated and got a mild case of Shingles in 2022. I noticed a few eruptions on my face and near my ear. I had some ear pain. Everything was on one side. I saw a very small spot near my eye.

I immediately called my dermatologist (whom I think very highly of) and got appt that day.

I was STUNNED when he told me I had shingles!
He put me on the anti-viral the other posters mentioned and my daughter, who is a licensed nutritionist, suggested some herbal supplement that enhanced the effectiveness of the anti-viral. I started that immediately and I believe I took it for 5 days?

At the suggestion of my derm I also made an immediate appt with my opthamologist(who also saw me that day) to check whether there was any involvement of the shingles in my eye. He told me the tiny spot had nothing to do with shingles.

I had absolutely no adverse reaction to the anti-viral and after about 2 weeks, the 5 or 6 spots I had were gone. Never had a recurrance.

@pdlinda So glad you did not have them in your eye. Even before I thought of it, my dermatologist and PCP suggested and called a neuroophthalmologist to see me in hopes of preventing further disease. I saw him for about 6 months because I did have some side effects but after 6 months of his treatment, I have no loss of vision. I occasionally have blurry vision in that eye but I am so thankful for his good care and that of my other doctors.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

It's in the back of my scalp on just one side. Just burning, itching, and tender to the touch. At first, thought it was chemical, because I get my hair dyed.

iIn fact, it was dyed the day before Seeing the Dr. I mentioned it to her through Email, but she couldn't get me in for a visit. So, I've had it for awhile.

We thought it was from a bad neck, but yesterday the Dr. thinks its shingles.

Will take the tablet in the morning. It is a huge tablet. Twice a day.

Thank you everyone for your replies. It's been a big help.