Something new for me

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

Issues for a few days. Went to the doctor today and found out I have shingles. Seen several here that have dealt with this also, as has my older sister that lives here in town. Suspected it as such and now dealing with it and looking for the best outcome.

Mine started more on my right shoulder blade and moved towards the center. It also moved under and around my right arm pit and that is what is really making certain movements more difficult. Kind of reminds me of when I had strained a tendon or had a tendon inflammation which limits range of motion while increasing the discomfort level with further movement.

It now has moved around to my right pectoral area and in that area when I push on it, it kind of reminds me of the same type of pain when I had broken ribs. Now when one of our many felines walks across this area when I am reclined? I'll just say that it "gets my attention quickly".

Different type of discomfort than I expected and I will just deal with it as yet another of my very interesting life experiences. With some luck according to my doctor, I might avoid the worst of it, but it is more of a guessing game than a prognosis as each patient he says is different.

Was due for my 10 year pneumonia shot so decided to get that at this visit. BIG mistake. Now both of my arms are almost impossible to raise over my head because of the tightness from within them. Oh well! One thing I can say is my life has been an interesting journey for the last 12+ years when it comes to health and wellness issues.

Those that have had shingles I would love to hear some of your stories if you care to share them with me. I have some idea what to expect from my sister, but since there are so many different reactions to this according to my doctor, be interesting to me to see some of them.

Wanted to share another shingles story with those I know and don't know on this forum.

hckynut(john)

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

John - I've not had shingles (yet) but know a couple of women who've been through it. Just writing to say I'm sorry that you have it and that it's not staying in one place. I hope this clears up for you sooner rather than later.

There are times when you must speak, not because you are going to change the opposing side, but because if you do not speak, they have changed you.

HighL · ‎03-11-2010

Hello there John, sorry to see you are suffering from Shingles! I know what you're going through. I had my third bout of Shingles a few months ago. However, this time I had unexpected pain that I don't remember the other times, but the nurse told me that how my pain was traveling from the site on my lower right shoulder blade, around to the front rib cage was typical and that it was the virus traveling along the nerve. The nurse advised I check my insurance to see if they cover the Shingles shot, as many don't. And according to my pharmacist where they can give the shot, it is $200. Supposedly because I have had recurring bouts, I am at 60% of getting this again. How fun!

It does take a few weeks for this to clear up, and you may still have some residule pain and tenderness for a while longer. I had mine for four weeks.

Take care,

Paula

newziesuzie · ‎02-21-2014

Ouch!! Sorry John!! Did you also have the Shingles vaccine? Hope you feel better soon.

••• Please adopt don't shop ••• Save a life adopt a pet •••

Jersey Born · ‎03-10-2010

John, I am so sorry that you are going through all this. I am kind of surprised that your doctor would even offer the pneumonia vaccine to you when you are just breaking out with herpes zoster. Sorry you are in so much pain. I just wanted to let you know that allegedly, coconut oil has the ability to destroy herpes zoster virus. I cannot say for certain that it does, but as it works on so very many other germs (staph aureus, streptococcus, etc.), due to the lauric acid and caprylic acid in it, all I know is that I would definitely try it to find out, if it were me experiencing the outbreak. I hope you feel much better soon!

Link

halfpint1 · ‎03-10-2010

Oh no--so sorry to hear that. My wish for you is to have an easy case of it. I have nothing to add since I never had shingles. There was no one in my family to ask about chicken pox so I just guessed by looking at a mark on my face. At that time a doctor couldn't give me a shot so I went to a pharmacy even if it cost me. Again wishing you the best and a quick recovery.

Gooday · ‎03-23-2010

John ~ my husband's shingles started in his lower neck/upper shoulder area with pain radiating down his arm. He had a break out of white bumps in the palm of his hand and on his fingers. We were headed back home and on the road. He saw his Dr. 3 days after the breakout and was given Valtrex. He had residual pain and finally had an EMG that showed permanent nerve damage. He now drops everything he picks up with that hand. When the pain becomes really bad, he takes Lyrica.

I was 58 at the time and fortunately, my insurance covered the shot. It's advised to get the vaccine at age 60 but my DH has a compromised immune system and therefore my Dr. gave it to me.

Good luck. And remember, better living through chemistry. Take pain medication if it hurts.

Feline Fine · ‎06-28-2013

h127B48D6 (473×600)

Just an extra kitty to help you heal...

Hang in there, Catman.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

John,

Really sorry to hear about your newest challenge, one you don't need or deserve. I hope that it runs its course quickly and leaves you without residuals.

I've had the vaccine, so no shingles yet and was fortunate in that our insurance paid 100%. When my Dad had shingles, I got him to his doc immediately and he was given Valtrex, which had an immediate and positive effect: his shingles bout was blasted down to about 6 days with no residuals.

His mother, my Grandmother, wasn't so fortunate. Hers started near the upper left scapula and traveled up her neck, then around a bit onto the left neck, under her ear. Her pain was quite severe and she was left with post-shingles neuralgia. This was most painful when she was outside and encountered a breeze or the temps were lower than 62.

Sending you good wishes for less pain, a short course and absolutely nothing lingering.

~Rebecca

Tissyanne · ‎12-07-2012

My mother had shingles several years ago. Her pain was on her right side, and she did not break out for several days. The doctor did not diagnose her correctly until she broke out. They called hers a whopper of a case. She took antiviral drugs, and the dr told her to keep vaseline on the rash. She recovered after about three weeks of the breakout. She is now 81 yrs old, and has no lasting effects. My best to you. I hope you feel better soon.