Wellness

[Upnorth1]

OP how timely is your post for me. I was diagnosed almost three weeks ago with shingles on my head and neck. this has to be the most awful thing I have been through. I took antiviral medication for 7 days along with Lyrica. Also, have pain medication. Pain meds only give some relief as it is constant 24/7. Did I mention that two years agoI had the vaccine? I am so sorry for all those suffering with this terrible disease.

[twinkies]

dab white vinegar on it and it will help with the pain . ask your doctor for lyrica because it

helps with nerve pain . white vinegar is used on jellyfish stings because it works .shingles are so painful because they usually run along the nerves.

cathy from ma

[luvmyteddy4]

I had this in the 80s in the same place you do. Mine did go all the way around to the back and up the spine. I had to take the medication twice since one treatment didn't work. I do have nerve damage in one leg but that came out years later when I got Lyme disease. Lyrica made my nerve damage more painful and more active.

[culebra]

I am so sorry about your shingles. I know it is painful. I went and had a shingle shot since I have the Chicken pox in my system.

[sarpy]

I had shingles but didn't get them bad. Dr. told me it was because I am already taking 9 meds and the combo probably stopped the pain.

[goodstuff]

I hate to say "you'll have to wait and see", but I think that's the case. Hopefully you got started on the antivirals early enough that they will decrease the severity and duration of your shingles outbreak. Shingles can be very painful. If the pain is severe, interfering with sleep, etc., don't hesitate to ask your doctor for stronger pain medication. I hope your symptoms aren't too severe and pass quickly.

[voyager1980]

OP I'm sorry you're in pain.Agree w other posters:: talk w your doctor. The pain & rash aren't anything to play around w home remedies.A friend of mine ended up w infection, scars & long term nerve damage from home remedy & not talking to her doc. Hope you feel better real soon.

[grandma r]

Sorry that you have shingles. The pain is intense. Unfortunately, it does last a while and usually runs along nerve paths. Call your doc if you need more relief, just be aware that some topicals will burn on the blisters. Hope you feel better soon!

[Shelbelle]

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

[Nikalette]

Shingles is excruciating. You should try to get something other than then OTC NSAID, like a low level opioid just till the pain decreases. Also once the rash clears there are so,e topical patches with lidocaine that work well. Some folks get post herpetic neuralgia so you need to get comfortable talking to your doc...maybe get a referral to a pain specialist. I have a severe chronic pain problem, which I suffered with for years. I had to really be assertive with my doc to get the pain meds I need. The problem is there is so much abuse of opioids by people with no pain issues that docs are really concerned about not just addiction but the perception of they prescribe too much. You have what is hopefully a short term acute pain issue, so your doc should support you, unless you have a history of addiction. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery