OT - DH miserable w/ shingles...suggestions?

[v.t.]

My DH has had shingles for about a week now. The rash is on is right arm and has spread a little to his chest. It is mainly his right shoulder and chest muscles that are hurting the worst. The Dr. has given him medicine to slow down the virus as well as powder to help with the rash. DH will take two advil, but that is the extent of painkillers he will take. He does not complain but I can tell he is miserable. Does anyone have any experiences with shingles or any suggestions for relief?
Thanks!

 

[WEDWDW]

My DH has had shingles for about a week now. The rash is on is right arm and has spread a little to his chest. It is mainly his right shoulder and chest muscles that are hurting the worst. The Dr. has given him medicine to slow down the virus as well as powder to help with the rash. DH will take two advil, but that is the extent of painkillers he will take. He does not complain but I can tell he is miserable. Does anyone have any experiences with shingles or any suggestions for relief?
Thanks!

Yes,I have experience and other than taking painkillers,there is no hope for relief.

I knew nothing about Shingles when I got it.It started in my left underarm area and I thought I was having a reaction to deoderant or something.

When I had Shingles,it was the worst pain I have ever been in and it is relentless because the disease is actually attacking nerves.

Tell your DH to hang in there.He probably has about another week to go before he feels a lot better.

Shingles is an AWFUL disease.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

It's been about 12 years since I had shingles... I broke out at WDW when I was 18! What a crappy way to end my vacation!!!

It was horrible! Unfortunately, there wasn't a whole lot to do for the discomfort. I remember feeling better in the shower, just letting the water run - I couldn't use my body wash or mesh because it was too uncomfortable... maybe it would feel good to soak in the tub??

Poor guy! Many thoughts in hopes of it going away soon!

 

[sndfan]

I'm so sorry for your DH...it's miserable, and unless you have had it, I don't think you realize how difficult it is.

It's good that he's on the drugs for the virus itself, and at least doing advil/tylenol for painkillers...I suggest talking to the doc to see how much advil/tylenol he can take. It may be that he can take 3 pills instead of two, and that might make a big difference. Personally, I know that traditional painkillers and I don't mix...I'd rather take advil or tylenol...if he can really keep track of the times he's allowed to take them and make sure that he takes them on time, it will help.

Keep in mind that the virus really is throughout his whole system, even though it's only visible on part of the body. Being able to get rest, etc is also very important, even if he can only take some extra power naps to get through the day.

Best wishes for a quick recovery!!

 

[wiggles02]

I feel so bad for your DH. My DH had them a couple of years ago, right on his bottom. He couldn't sit down without being in pain. It took a few weeks for it to go away. I think he did the advil thing, along with whatever the doctor gave him. good luck and I hope he feels better soon.

 

[lucyem]

Vicodin and a tight t-shirt that does not move underneath clothing. Just the movement of clothing over skin was horrible. The t-shirt made all the difference.

 

[v.t.]

Thanks for the well wishes and suggestions. He does the warm showers and I told him to up the advil. He will have to try the tight t-shirt. He already cut the right (and only the right) sleeve off two of his undershirts trying to get some relief. He has to wear nice shirts to work, so the tight shirt might help. Plus I don't know how many more shirts we can afford to cut up.
Thanks again for all the support , you guys are the best!

 

[donac]

I would call the doctor. I had shingles in Sept of 08. My doctor gave me Lyrica and the pain was cut down quite a bit.

 

[WEDWDW]

Thanks for the well wishes and suggestions. He does the warm showers and I told him to up the advil. He will have to try the tight t-shirt. He already cut the right (and only the right) sleeve off two of his undershirts trying to get some relief. He has to wear nice shirts to work, so the tight shirt might help. Plus I don't know how many more shirts we can afford to cut up.
Thanks again for all the support , you guys are the best!

Is there anyway his Employer would let him stay Home for several days?Total REST will speed the recovery time.

Also,he is probably past that point now,but people with Shingles can communicate the Chicken Pox virus for some time to people who have never had Chicken Pox.

 

[Sav&Seb]

I have found comfort in reading this thread, as I have had shingles myself since last week!!!!! I have been so miserable, dr. gave me the same thing....pills and a powder, but I am just in PAIN!!! All that keeps me going is my trip to WDW next month!!!!!!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I have found comfort in reading this thread, as I have had shingles myself since last week!!!!! I have been so miserable, dr. gave me the same thing....pills and a powder, but I am just in PAIN!!! All that keeps me going is my trip to WDW next month!!!!!!!!

Stay strong! I'd much rather have them now than on my trip... oh wait... that already happened to me. :lol

 

[Heidijs]

my friend had them and she said it was miserable beyond belief and she said she had it for a couple months...she went like a month before going in thinking it was something else...she said the fatigue and tireness got her the worst....

 

[v.t.]

I have found comfort in reading this thread, as I have had shingles myself since last week!!!!! I have been so miserable, dr. gave me the same thing....pills and a powder, but I am just in PAIN!!! All that keeps me going is my trip to WDW next month!!!!!!!!

I hope you are feeling better. Take it easy and rest as much as you can.
My DH started to feel better, went out and played with the boys, then ended up right back on the couch. If only we had a trip to look forward to........

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Another victim here-I had it flare up when my oldest ds was 5 months old. Horrible pain that was centralized on one side of my head that felt like I was getting an electric shock thru it. I had to end up taking a few days off work to get some decent rest & to just deal with the pain without being around so many people.

Yes, I would call the doctor & ask for a stronger dose of painkiller so it lasts longer. My dsil works at a doctors office & said that they often have to send patients to pain management clinics to help deal with the pain of shingles. The key is getting on the meds as soon as possible & heading it off before it gets out of control so he is ahead of the game right there.

Remember when Dave Letterman had shingles a few years ago--he actually had to take weeks off from his show to recover.

Just being there & supporting him is a great thing--I know many spouses aren't sympathetic since they have no clue how intense the pain is. Your concern for his pain says a lot about you!