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Ouch - I have shingles. Has anyone experienced this?
- Thread starter elenor
- Start date
Oh sweetie....I'm so sorry for you. I've know three people with it and it's painful.
My mom is still suffering from residual effects from a major outbreak last May. She would have severe pain spasms down her leg and when asked to describe the level of pain, she said it was like birth contractions. The doctor nodded. But then she qualified it by saying: No, I mean it feels like ALL the contractions for ALL EIGHT of my kids ALL at the same time!
I can only hope yours isn't that bad. Stress impacts it so try and find a peaceful mental spot you can go to.
Make sure it has chocolate.
My mom is still suffering from residual effects from a major outbreak last May. She would have severe pain spasms down her leg and when asked to describe the level of pain, she said it was like birth contractions. The doctor nodded. But then she qualified it by saying: No, I mean it feels like ALL the contractions for ALL EIGHT of my kids ALL at the same time!
I can only hope yours isn't that bad. Stress impacts it so try and find a peaceful mental spot you can go to.
Make sure it has chocolate.
janet-in-nc
Well-known member
Please go get the shingles vaccine if you have not already done so. It is not
100 percent but is still effective. If you do get the shingles later it should be a much milder case. It. Can be expensive depending on your insurance but well worth it IMHO.
100 percent but is still effective. If you do get the shingles later it should be a much milder case. It. Can be expensive depending on your insurance but well worth it IMHO.
wakeley-bridge
Enthusiast Member
Shingles
I first noted an irritation on the right side of my scalp in Jan. 2011. By the time I got to a doctor, I had a major eruption in my scalp, in my right ear and down the back right side of my neck. I had the worst pains I have ever had in my life - the kind that made me drop to my knees, literally drooling in agony. 17 months later I still have some pain in my earlobe and behind my ear with it occassionally still hurting in the nape of my neck. My doctor has not been able to help with the pain but only to suggest that it may eventually completely end. I did try some medications but none offered any relief. I'm sorry to be such a downer but keep in mind that the symptoms don't usually last as long as mine has.
I first noted an irritation on the right side of my scalp in Jan. 2011. By the time I got to a doctor, I had a major eruption in my scalp, in my right ear and down the back right side of my neck. I had the worst pains I have ever had in my life - the kind that made me drop to my knees, literally drooling in agony. 17 months later I still have some pain in my earlobe and behind my ear with it occassionally still hurting in the nape of my neck. My doctor has not been able to help with the pain but only to suggest that it may eventually completely end. I did try some medications but none offered any relief. I'm sorry to be such a downer but keep in mind that the symptoms don't usually last as long as mine has.
Yup, been there, done that too
I had Shingles several years ago. Horrible pain but it does go away sooner or later. It has to do with the same virus that causes Chicken Pox and you can get it more than once. I hope you don't suffer too much with this awful stuff, Elenor.
I had Shingles several years ago. Horrible pain but it does go away sooner or later. It has to do with the same virus that causes Chicken Pox and you can get it more than once. I hope you don't suffer too much with this awful stuff, Elenor.
patbastrop
Well-known member
I always thought shingles were for "old folks". Not so. I had them 14 years ago (yikes, was it
really that long ago??) and my son had them this year -- he isn't even 40! By the time mine were diagnosed it was too late for effective treatment, so I hope your doc has given you whatever shots will lessen the effects. My grandmother warned me that if the shingles circle the body you will break in half - but I think she exaggerated. At the time I was sure she was telling the absolute truth.
I don't have recurring pain -- neither does my son, but it did take a while for the lesions to go away and the crawling sensation under the skin to subside forever. I think it is true that stress worsens the condition (and probably aids the little buggers in getting out of their hiding place and onto the skin) so take it easy. My cousin has them now and is buying stock in the company that produces calamine lotion!
Feel better, Elenor
really that long ago??) and my son had them this year -- he isn't even 40! By the time mine were diagnosed it was too late for effective treatment, so I hope your doc has given you whatever shots will lessen the effects. My grandmother warned me that if the shingles circle the body you will break in half - but I think she exaggerated. At the time I was sure she was telling the absolute truth.
I don't have recurring pain -- neither does my son, but it did take a while for the lesions to go away and the crawling sensation under the skin to subside forever. I think it is true that stress worsens the condition (and probably aids the little buggers in getting out of their hiding place and onto the skin) so take it easy. My cousin has them now and is buying stock in the company that produces calamine lotion!
Feel better, Elenor
mariadnoca
Moderator
So sorry - feel better! I got them back when I was 20...no lasting pain/scarring
The dr was shocked when I got them so young. It took a while to get better, but it did go completely away.
If you've already had them do you need the vaccine?
The dr was shocked when I got them so young. It took a while to get better, but it did go completely away.
If you've already had them do you need the vaccine?
My son has had them a few times as a result of being one of the few that had such a mild case of
chicken pox that he did not develop antibodies and again had a very, very severe case when he
was an adult.
His went away with no residual pain or scarring but did come back twice - both during very stressful times.
I don't think we heard of the vaccine but I will
check into it and would advise you to definitely get it. My son is an ex-combat soldier and has said that the shingles was the most painful experience he ever had so I so very sympathize with your pain.
chicken pox that he did not develop antibodies and again had a very, very severe case when he
was an adult.
His went away with no residual pain or scarring but did come back twice - both during very stressful times.
I don't think we heard of the vaccine but I will
check into it and would advise you to definitely get it. My son is an ex-combat soldier and has said that the shingles was the most painful experience he ever had so I so very sympathize with your pain.
janet-in-nc
Well-known member
Yes, you still need the vaccine. Shingles can come back as others have mentioned.
I had them 2 years ago when back home for my Dad's funeral. not fun memory at all. same treatment
with the medications. and just wait it out. mine were in the midsection on the left side and started as welts that hurt like the dickens---even would take my breath away, like a stitch in the side when you run X 10. I'll be getting the vaccine soon since it can come back.
with the medications. and just wait it out. mine were in the midsection on the left side and started as welts that hurt like the dickens---even would take my breath away, like a stitch in the side when you run X 10. I'll be getting the vaccine soon since it can come back.
I was surprised at a recent report on what % of us are likely to get it. So painful,
both my mom and grandad had it but it seems to me that it occurs in times of stress.
I hope there are better/some treatments for the symptoms now. When I recently had something that looked like it (for a month my) doc told me that there is nothing.
Poor you.
both my mom and grandad had it but it seems to me that it occurs in times of stress.
I hope there are better/some treatments for the symptoms now. When I recently had something that looked like it (for a month my) doc told me that there is nothing.
Poor you.
carol-whidbey-is
Well-known member
I did back in 1999 and it was bad all over lasted 6 weeks
witch hazel is what I used. I am surprised I didn't end up with marks it look like someone burned me with cigarettes.
witch hazel is what I used. I am surprised I didn't end up with marks it look like someone burned me with cigarettes.
carol-whidbey-is
Well-known member
I just check and the shot could cost up to 220.00 dolllars if you don't have insurance there is a
cream u could use for a short time, have to get from doctor Clobetasol Propionate 0.05 %
cream u could use for a short time, have to get from doctor Clobetasol Propionate 0.05 %
My husband & I have a friend who was a Marine, and he actually went to the ER twice over a period of
8 weeks due to the pain of a shingles attack, and that man is not faint of heart! If memory serves, you need to get going on anti-viral medication pretty quickly. Ah, yes, I just found this brief summary:
There are several effective treatments for shingles. Drugs that fight viruses (antivirals), such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir), can reduce the severity and duration of the rash if started early (within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash).
Our friend, Frank, didn't realize what his rash was and didn't get to his PCP within 72 hours after it first began so he ended up with a really bad case of the shingles.
After seeing the misery our friend experienced, I went and gladly paid cash money ($210.00) for a shingles vaccine the day I turned 60 years old since my family doctor thought it wise to wait until that age. After reading what everyone has written, I should have INSISTED on getting that vaccine when I first heard about it which was in my early-to-mid-50s!
Here's a bit more info about the vaccine==>
In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for adult shingles. The vaccine known as Zostavax, is approved for use in adults ages 50 and over who have had chickenpox. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for people 60 years of age and over who have had chickenpox. It is a onetime injection (shot) that does not need to be repeated.
Hang in there, Elenor! I'm sure hoping you have a light case and that it will be over soon for you.
8 weeks due to the pain of a shingles attack, and that man is not faint of heart! If memory serves, you need to get going on anti-viral medication pretty quickly. Ah, yes, I just found this brief summary:
There are several effective treatments for shingles. Drugs that fight viruses (antivirals), such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir), can reduce the severity and duration of the rash if started early (within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash).
Our friend, Frank, didn't realize what his rash was and didn't get to his PCP within 72 hours after it first began so he ended up with a really bad case of the shingles.
After seeing the misery our friend experienced, I went and gladly paid cash money ($210.00) for a shingles vaccine the day I turned 60 years old since my family doctor thought it wise to wait until that age. After reading what everyone has written, I should have INSISTED on getting that vaccine when I first heard about it which was in my early-to-mid-50s!
Here's a bit more info about the vaccine==>
In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for adult shingles. The vaccine known as Zostavax, is approved for use in adults ages 50 and over who have had chickenpox. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for people 60 years of age and over who have had chickenpox. It is a onetime injection (shot) that does not need to be repeated.
Hang in there, Elenor! I'm sure hoping you have a light case and that it will be over soon for you.