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Regular Contributor
Posts: 215
Registered: ‎04-01-2010

Hi littleblueparakeet2,

I'll contribute my story:

I'm 44 and had shingles this past June. I didn't get into my doctor until about 4 days after realizing I believed I had shingles. How mine began was I was helping my husband pressure wash our house and initially thought some cleaning solution somehow got under my clothing causing a rash even though my husband was doing most of the work, drenched with solution, and he didn't have any rashes. The only clue that something was starting was I was a little chilled after the first day of pressure washing (it was a two-day project). Thought maybe it was because we were outside in the wind getting wet from the water, etc. The next day I felt fine and we finished the job. That evening as I was sitting down I had a really bad tingling/numbing sensation in and alongside my left br*ast. I had never felt that before so I thought maybe my sports bra, which had a seam that ran right across the area that was tingling, maybe rubbed the skin raw from moving around in it all day, but my skin looked normal, no rashes. Then spots started appearing, like a rash, then more, etc. Then came the burning and stabbing pain and what I explain felt like electrical jolts that would stop me in my tracks.

I started reading about rashes and looking at pictures online. I told my husband that I thought I might have shingles. But how could I have shingles? That only happened to 'old people'. I finally got in to see a doctor who told me it was shingles. I was prescribed an antiviral and some pain meds. Those pain meds didn't do a thing! Called doctor's office asking for something to help with the pain. My regular physician who wasn't available to see me on the day I made my first appointment called me back and asked me to describe my pain on a scale of 1-10. At that time it was about 9-10. She prescribed a stronger pain med which helped tremendously. But I will say it took a solid month before most of the symptoms went away. I was petrified that I would have PND because I missed seeing a doctor one day outside of the 72-hour window. On occasion I do think I have some phantom pain, like when I rub a body sponge over the area too many times I get goosebumps (not painful but it only happens on the affected side) or just occasionally I feeling a jabbing sensation.

I am thrilled that the EXTREME sensitivity went away because besides the pain, that was a whole other issue. Luckily (is there such a thing when you have shingles?) it was summertime when I had it because after awhile I just couldn't stand even wearing a shirt nor a bra so I didn't (around the house, of course!) I couldn't stand the feeling of a sheet on my skin and could pretty much only lay on one side of my body. I slept in a separate room from my husband for a couple weeks just so I wouldn't wake him with my flopping around trying to get comfortable. By the way, my rash was on the left side of my back and around and under my left br*east. Talk about sensitivity!!! When the rashes first started I would constantly look to see where new ones were forming. It's liked they popped up before my eyes. Once the blisters came and went I felt like I was on my way to recovery. When you have shingles you just want the pain to subside and it does, it just takes a little time. The worst pain was at the very beginning, but I also had the sensitivity in my left br*east, as that was the nerve path that was affected. Now I know why I had the tingling and numbness there at the beginning!

I sincerely hope you feel better soon. It will get better. Just hang in there! As others have said, I firmly believe stress also caused the onset for me as I had several stressful events happening at that time in my life.

Sorry this was so long but best wishes to you on a speedy recovery! Keep us posted how you are doing!

Super Contributor
Posts: 318
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I had Shingles a couple years ago - rash started on my forehead, had a horrible headache. Since the next day was Easter I went right away to an Express Medical facility. They sent me to an eye specialist right away. The headaches, itching and rash lasted a few weeks, but the problem with my eye lasted 3-4 months. Besides pain Med for headache, I had eye drops, ointment for my eye and went to be checked many times.

I was not in any particular stress at that time, so I don't know what triggered it.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Sorry to hear you're suffering from shingles - You and everyone who has contributed to your thread. I do hope that you come out of this without lasting neuralgia. My grandmother had shingles on her posterior neck and thereafter was very sensitive to the wind, which would cause pain from which she suffered greatly.

For those who haven't had the injection, check with your local drug store. They can input your info into their system to see if your insurance will pay all, some or perhaps not for the injection. I was surprised to find that mine paid for it, so got it right then and there. My DH refuses to get it, as he doesn't like needles. I've tried explaining to him the pain and agony of shingles, but he doesn't have ears to hear. At least I tried.

Again, hope your shingles course leaves you without lasting effects and that it departs sooner than later.

God Bless.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,997
Registered: ‎03-25-2012
On 11/4/2014 Drythe said:
On 11/4/2014 Ford1224 said:

I had it on my scalp shortly after coming down with Rheumatoid Arthritis ten years ago. It was horribly painful for weeks, and is still very easily irritated. I thought I was going to lose all of my hair. As it was, I was going to let my hair grow in white anyway, I had been dyeing it for years and was sick of it. So I just cut it short, let it grow in white and it's been white ever since. I can put nothing on my scalp.

Because of its location I remember the doc being very concerned about my eyes. Fortunately, that didn't happen.

Good luck . . . it's a terrible affliction, but it does end. I have not had a recurrence.

Me too, Ford

I have have RA and developed shingles that went across my head, down my forehead and into one eye, right down my trigeminal nerve.Was hospitalized for 4 days. Still have postherpathicneuropathy from nerve damage. My scalp was a mess and so of course was my hair, one reason I'm such an ardent WEN girl now because it has helped amazingly with hair growth and doesn't hurt my sensitive scalp.

Old school thinking was that once you'd had shingles you could not have a recurrence. Not true, I had several and carried the medication with me so I could treat at first signs. As soon as physician cleared me I got a shingles vaccination and have not have a flare since. I strongly recommend shingles vaccinations!

Best wishes to you littleblueparakeet2, and hope you feel better soon.

I just happen to have a doc appt today with my GP. I am going to ask her for the shingles shot. I'm just hoping that because my immune system is so suppressed (I take low dose prednisone) that it might spur an attack. I'll have to be sure of that before I take the vaccine.

Didn't you feel as though your head was on fire? OMG, I surely don't want another one ever again. And I can't imagine what it felt like being in your eye. Has it affected your sight? I hope not. {#emotions_dlg.confused1}

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986
Honored Contributor
Posts: 28,707
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I got the vaccine as soon as I turned 60.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,685
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Aww, so sorry to read this littleblue. And to all who have suffered with shingles, we know several people with shingles right now in this small town.

Wonder why it is so prevalent now? Seems like when I was younger it was so rare, and as someone else posted, usually in the elderly.

Praying everybody affected is better - soon. {#emotions_dlg.rolleyes}

Super Contributor
Posts: 280
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I was diagnosed with shingles on my chest 4 years ago...I had recurring outbreaks for 3 years. I take a Valtrex every day and increase to 3 a day if I feel the symptoms reoccurring. Thankfully, I've not dealt with them in about a year now. Although the fear I have of an outbreak is enough to bring them on. It would take about a month for the blisters to heal and the nerve pain was quite bad.

Frequent Contributor
Posts: 130
Registered: ‎06-29-2012

Well, take heart, littleblue, as you see everyone is different. You may have a light case and will fend it off easier than some of us. I hope we didn't just terrify you. A lot of people get shingles and most will recover just fine. Follow your doctor's advise and get back to us when you feel better. Would love to hear how you overcame this.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,882
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Perhaps someone could answer this for me. I just had a flu shot and a week later got a pretty bad cold (not the flu, though thankfully).

I'm pretty much over the cold. Do you think it's safe for me to get a shingles shot or should I wait about another week to makes sure it's completely out of my system.

I am petrified of the shingles.

Also, any one here who still got the shingle vaccine and still got the shingles? I know it's supposed to only cut your chances in half. I guess I'm wondering if you can still get a serious bout of shingles even after a vaccine.

Thanks all.

Super Contributor
Posts: 280
Registered: ‎03-10-2010
On 11/5/2014 Lucky Charm said:

Perhaps someone could answer this for me. I just had a flu shot and a week later got a pretty bad cold (not the flu, though thankfully).

I'm pretty much over the cold. Do you think it's safe for me to get a shingles shot or should I wait about another week to makes sure it's completely out of my system.

I am petrified of the shingles.

Also, any one here who still got the shingle vaccine and still got the shingles? I know it's supposed to only cut your chances in half. I guess I'm wondering if you can still get a serious bout of shingles even after a vaccine.

Thanks all.

I got the shingles shot after my first flare up of shingles. It didn't keep me from getting them again, but I THINK it may keep the severity down.