Shingles!!!...Terrible...Awful...Horrible

HeatherC · May 5, 2015

My brother was just admitted to the hospital with Shingles in his left eye and side of his face. He has been in excruciating pain since Friday and spent the weekend back and forth to the ER 4times over the weekend. They just admitted him today to get the pain under control and monitor the situation with his eye. He is being given Dilaudid every two hours along with anti virals and anti inflammatories. My sister in law said it is finally taking a little of the edge off, but that he is still in a ton of pain.

What a horrible disease that seems to spring out of nowhere. (I know it is the chicken pox virus reincarnated into the devil).

I feel so bad for him....he's 47 and has always been in good health. Since January, however, he has been treated for skin cancer on his neck (wondering if that played a role.) and also had two kidney stones which were very painful.

Hoping it passes pretty quickly or that they can at least manage the pain until it runs its course.

Now I am thinking I will get the vaccine. My sister in law had it when she was in her 30's and just last month I know of three other people that recently had it. What the heck? Is this because of our ages and we are of the group that had chicken pox as kids? Supposedly, the risk increases as you age...but these are all young people.

Why? Why? Why? Such a horrible disease!

Anyone else have experience with Shingles? Have you had the vaccine?

Soldier's*Sweeties · May 5, 2015

I had a mild case and it was horrible. Your poor brother

No vax for me yet.

Aladora · May 5, 2015

My office manager found out last Thursday that she has shingles and yes, it is terrible! She's back at work but she still feels yuck!

I had the shingles vaccine last year when my son got chicken pox and no one knew if I had ever had it.

Meriweather · May 5, 2015

I've had the vaccine and so glad I did.....no way do I want that!

MickeysMommy · May 5, 2015

Ugh I am so sorry. My mom had a terrible case in her left eye and on her forehead. It has lingering effects a few years later. Make sure he sees an eye doc immediately to prevent any eye issues. My mom had to see her eye doc for well over a year. Good luck to your brother. I will be praying for him. :hug:

PrincessShmoo · May 5, 2015

Generally, shingles is an "old" person disease. BUT, anyone can get it. When I was young both my younger sister and I got chicken pox, and our (middle) sister got shingles.

They don't typically give the vaccine for shingles for those under 60 (or 50 in some places). Unless it's medically indicated.

Anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles. The vaccine is only something like 50% effective, but I'll take that 50% chance for a milder case over getting the "real" thing.

stitch'sgirl · May 5, 2015

HeatherC said:
My brother was just admitted to the hospital with Shingles in his left eye and side of his face. He has been in excruciating pain since Friday and spent the weekend back and forth to the ER 4times over the weekend. They just admitted him today to get the pain under control and monitor the situation with his eye. He is being given Dilaudid every two hours along with anti virals and anti inflammatories. My sister in law said it is finally taking a little of the edge off, but that he is still in a ton of pain.

What a horrible disease that seems to spring out of nowhere. (I know it is the chicken pox virus reincarnated into the devil).

I feel so bad for him....he's 47 and has always been in good health. Since January, however, he has been treated for skin cancer on his neck (wondering if that played a role.) and also had two kidney stones which were very painful.

Hoping it passes pretty quickly or that they can at least manage the pain until it runs its course.

Now I am thinking I will get the vaccine. My sister in law had it when she was in her 30's and just last month I know of three other people that recently had it. What the heck? Is this because of our ages and we are of the group that had chicken pox as kids? Supposedly, the risk increases as you age...but these are all young people.

Why? Why? Why? Such a horrible disease!

Anyone else have experience with Shingles? Have you had the vaccine?

Yup, 40 years ago. Lost vision in my right eye, still deal with pain and severe itching. Saying prayers for your brother. So many advancements have been made, I wish him well with all the health issues. Good thing he's got a sweet sis by his side!

WDWBarb · May 5, 2015

DD had shingles when she was 7. :sad2:

Gumbo4x4 · May 5, 2015

Mrs. Ciz · May 5, 2015

DS got it at 16, his super stressful junior year in high school!

Angelrose · May 5, 2015

I had a very mild case of shingles when I was in my early 40's. I had some very sharp pains deep in my back but since I always had back pain I wasn't concerned. I did have a mild rash under my breasts, but thought it was maybe a heat rash. I went to the doctor about the sore throat and then as an afterthought I asked him about the rash. He took one look at it and told me I had shingles. I said, "I thought only old people got that." Then before he could say anything, I said, " oh wait, I am one." He laughed and told me anyone at any age can get it if they had chicken pox. He gave me an antiviral and the pain was gone in two days. I'm so glad I mentioned that rash or it could have gotten so much worse.

I went for my check up today and my doctor recommended that I get the vaccine since I already had it, I could very easily get it again. I will definitely get the vaccine.

NewRVLady · May 5, 2015

Most insurances cover the shot for free

But I believe you have to be a. Certain age - like over 60 to get it (??)

Bec3b1g · May 5, 2015

I had a mild case in my 20s on my forehead. It was awful and I had nerve pain for years after.

Neesy228 · May 5, 2015

Easily the most painful thing I've ever been through - that includes natural childbirth. I had it covering my entire shoulder, under my arm and over my breast. I went to the doctor too late for the anti-virals to work, so I just suffered through with pain meds. I still don't have feeling over my shoulder blade because of the damage.

OP, hope your brother recovers quickly and without any further complications! Definitely follow up with his eye doctor. He's in my thoughts.

superme80 · May 5, 2015

Your poor brother! I hope he gets better soon! My mom had a really bad case of it 2 years ago and still has issues with her eye.

Luv Bunnies · May 6, 2015

I had a mild case on my lower back when I was 26. It was right where the waistband of my pant hit and it was so painful! I had just started a new job and it was very busy and very stressful. I remember going in the bathroom at work with a bottle of Calamine and trying not to cry from the pain of applying it. I had nerve pain in the same spot for at least a year afterward. Hope your brother feels better soon.

karensi · May 6, 2015

I've had the chicken pox as a child and I got the shingles vaccine 2 years ago. Now I'm wondering, how long is the shot good for? Do you need to get it every year?

Jedana · May 6, 2015

HeatherC said:
My brother was just admitted to the hospital with Shingles in his left eye and side of his face. He has been in excruciating pain since Friday and spent the weekend back and forth to the ER 4times over the weekend. They just admitted him today to get the pain under control and monitor the situation with his eye. He is being given Dilaudid every two hours along with anti virals and anti inflammatories. My sister in law said it is finally taking a little of the edge off, but that he is still in a ton of pain.

What a horrible disease that seems to spring out of nowhere. (I know it is the chicken pox virus reincarnated into the devil).

I feel so bad for him....he's 47 and has always been in good health. Since January, however, he has been treated for skin cancer on his neck (wondering if that played a role.) and also had two kidney stones which were very painful.

Hoping it passes pretty quickly or that they can at least manage the pain until it runs its course.

Now I am thinking I will get the vaccine. My sister in law had it when she was in her 30's and just last month I know of three other people that recently had it. What the heck? Is this because of our ages and we are of the group that had chicken pox as kids? Supposedly, the risk increases as you age...but these are all young people.

Why? Why? Why? Such a horrible disease!

Anyone else have experience with Shingles? Have you had the vaccine?

DH had shingles two or so years ago, on the top and right side of his head. His skin is still very sensitive to touch and heat.

Pooh2 · May 6, 2015

My 30-something- year-old neighbor is recovering from shingles. She also got it in her eye and one-half of her face.
She is preaching to everyone to go get vaccinated!
My insurance will not cover it for my age but I am going to inquire as to how much it would be at CVS and pay out of pocket.

JanaDee · May 6, 2015

MickeysMommy said:
Ugh I am so sorry. My mom had a terrible case in her left eye and on her forehead. It has lingering effects a few years later. Make sure he sees an eye doc immediately to prevent any eye issues. My mom had to see her eye doc for well over a year. Good luck to your brother. I will be praying for him.

The same thing happened to my MIL. She had shingles on the side of her face, across her eye and onto her forehead. She was under the close care of an eye doctor, as well as a medical doctor. After her terrible bout with shingles, she slowly slid downhill over a period of months and died.

She did have other health issues, but I believe the lingering unbearable nerve pain from shingles was a contributing factor to her death. She had gotten the vaccine previously and it did not work for her.

Shingles!!!...Terrible...Awful...Horrible

Alas...these people I live with ...

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