colleenmomof2
Well-known member
Dh presented with overall body pain on the first day, then joint and muscle pain in his right arm the next, and finally small patches of rash (some blistering) on top of hand, between some fingers and on some finger tips. Only 3 more small rash areas appeared on his hand in the next 3 days. HIs hand was/is swollen and pain is/was throbbing in that arm - he made a comment about the impact of chronic pain so I knew it was serious. The rash was pretty "small" (to me) but the swelling and throbbing pain is what bothered me. Our first Urgent Care visit diagnosed Hand, Foot and Mouth virus with no mouth, foot or palm rash (it was not that!), which also didn't explain the radiating pain. 2 days later, the second visit called it at Shingles, which had been ruled out by 1st doctor. What we were told is Shingles travels from spine down nerve branch on one side of the body and will only appear where branch terminates. His "nerve branch" is localized to his right hand, up to mid-forearm. He was given valacyclovir which has begun to dry blisters. Rash is improving but still inflamed, arm is still painful and throbbing. We understand that the nerve pain may last up to 6 weeks. A friend had only 1 blister with no throbbing pain. Others have been covered with painful rash where their nerve branch terminates. People with autoimmune issues can be hit hard. Dh/we feel very lucky smileys/wink.gif Colleen