OT-Shingles????

[tinker&belle]

Lucky me...I went to the doctor today with a lump on my neck. Ended up being a swollen lymphnode from shingles (thrilled it wasn't something more serious). The Dr. gave me a shot of some sort of steroid adn some meds to take.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew any home remedies (hopefully budget) to help with treatment/comfort for dealing with shingles. I only have one shingle so far. I remember with chicken pox taking oatmeal baths...I wondered if there were any home treatments to help with dealing with shingles.

 

[bridget]

My daughter got shingles from the chicken pox vaccine. Once they put her on anti-viral meds it stopped spreading.

I believe we just did children's ibuprofin for pain.

 

[Halle]

DH had shingles (diagnosed at WDW) and he took whatever meds are prescribed and ibuprofen.

 

[disneychic2]

Sorry, I didn't use anything but what they prescribed. I think the aveno powder that is used for chicken pox would probably be helpful.

 

[fkj2]

Shingles can develop some significant sequelae.

I've had them on my face. My vote is to obtain a script for an antiviral; Valtrex was my choice.

I looked like a burn victim for a month. Don't take the shingles lightly.

 

[tinker&belle]

Shingles can develop some significant sequelae.

I've had them on my face. My vote is to obtain a script for an antiviral; Valtrex was my choice.

I looked like a burn victim for a month. Don't take the shingles lightly.

The doctor I saw today prescribed me an antiviral and a steroid. I went to my old doctor's walk in clinic because I couldn't get into my new doctor until Tuesday. I have a follow up with my primary care doctor next Thursday for a follow up when I run out of these meds. They said then they can check how I'm doing, get me more meds if needed and check my white counts if needed.

 

[mwatson011]

I got shingles in my ear this past March. My Dr. said either they are really painful or they are not painful at all. Luckily, mine were not painful. I took anti-virals, and then steroids too because the swelling in my ear caused a pinched nerve to my face, and half my face was paralyzed for three weeks. Not fun. But at least I had no pain on top of the whole thing. Here's to hoping you staying pain free!

 

[dznystar]

I had them on my lower back earlier this year. I almost passed out when the dr told me what it was. And of course now I'm terrified that I'll get them again because I get stressed out so easily. I had a topical cream that I used, plus antibiotic, steriod, and pain meds. Hope it heals quickly. I know how uncomfortable it can be.

 

[smokeyblue]

My mom just had them and it was terrible. She isn't one to sit around and wallow in pain and misery, but it was absolute torture. She had so much pain and so much fatigue and she didn't want to slow down, but she had to. She didn't want to take the pain meds, but it got so bad that she had to. It started out with a small rash that hurt a little for two days, went into the doctor and he diagnosed her with shingles. The next day she had lots of pain and the day after she was in misery. She was sick a good two weeks and still not feeling good for about a month. Best advice, take it easy and make sure you have pain meds including a narcotic to take the edge off. If you have any problems over the weekend and don't already have some Vicodin or something else similar I would not hesitate to call your doctors service and have a script phoned in.

 

[buzz5985]

My DS 14 gets a flair up every year on his back. He is old enough now to recognize the "tingle" of the early stages. At that time I call the Dr. and get a prescription.

Janis

 

[Gigi22]

OP, you have my profound sympathies. My bff's DF got shingles (in his 80s) and had a very rough time. Whatever you do, OP, get the prescription for shingles. You may be fortunate enough to have a relatively light case, or you may have a bad one. Seems to depend on the luck of the draw.

For the rest of us, there is a vaccine available. Not cheap, $195 each (we're in Canada, US prices are likely different).

 

[kacaju]

My DS 14 gets a flair up every year on his back. He is old enough now to recognize the "tingle" of the early stages. At that time I call the Dr. and get a prescription.

Janis

Does your ds get them around the same time every year, and in the same area?
I am curious because my dd11 got them last year at the end of June...just wondering if it is something I need to look out for!!

 

[tinker&belle]

OP, you have my profound sympathies. My bff's DF got shingles (in his 80s) and had a very rough time. Whatever you do, OP, get the prescription for shingles. You may be fortunate enough to have a relatively light case, or you may have a bad one. Seems to depend on the luck of the draw.

For the rest of us, there is a vaccine available. Not cheap, $195 each (we're in Canada, US prices are likely different).

Hmm...good to know. My younger DD hasn't had her chickenpox vax yet (due to a couple surgeries she needed some of her vax got held back and chicken pox was the least risky disease to catch so she was due for that vax at her next appt.) I am crossing my fingers she doesn't get it. I wanted the chicken pox shot for her mainly for the shingles protection, so glad to know there is another alternative.

 

[kacaju]

Hmm...good to know. My younger DD hasn't had her chickenpox vax yet (due to a couple surgeries she needed some of her vax got held back and chicken pox was the least risky disease to catch so she was due for that vax at her next appt.) I am crossing my fingers she doesn't get it. I wanted the chicken pox shot for her mainly for the shingles protection, so glad to know there is another alternative.

Ifyou are talking about the shingles vax for your dd..it is not available to children...we asked since my dd11 had shingles last year

 

[tinker&belle]

Ifyou are talking about the shingles vax for your dd..it is not available to children...we asked since my dd11 had shingles last year

When did they recommend getting it for her? My brother had shingles in his early 20's and I am thirty, so I wonder if it would be a good thing to do before they go to college or so?

 

[kacaju]

When did they recommend getting it for her? My brother had shingles in his early 20's and I am thirty, so I wonder if it would be a good thing to do before they go to college or so?

not even college age, I was told this vax is for elderly people only. Right now we just wait and see, if she breaks out again then we need to talk more.
DD had chicken pox when she was 6 months old. I assumed they were cp because her sister had cp and the baby got them within the time frame of her catching them. She only had 10 spots and they looked more like pimples. I did not have her vax for cp. We waited until she was about 9 and did the blood titer. Her blood results showed she had indeed had cp. then a year later she got shingles.
I was told if you have cp under a year, the likelyhood of singles as a child is greater.

 

[bridget]

Hmm...good to know. My younger DD hasn't had her chickenpox vax yet (due to a couple surgeries she needed some of her vax got held back and chicken pox was the least risky disease to catch so she was due for that vax at her next appt.) I am crossing my fingers she doesn't get it. I wanted the chicken pox shot for her mainly for the shingles protection, so glad to know there is another alternative.

Just and FYI- my daughter actually got shingles from the chicken pox vaccine.

 

[mtblujeans]

Is shingles the one that can give chicken pox to anyone who hasn't had them yet if they are exposed to you?

 

[bababear_50]

Hi Hon
Hugs to you
I got them last year--still went to Disney but had to stay out of direct sunlight. I remember the customs guard asking what in the world I had all down my arm right down the nerve to the tip of my thumb. I used alot of calamine lotion to sooth the irritation and itch. One month after recovery i got a second bout--this time i was in that dr office getting the anti-viral in minutes. My Doctor prescribed a narcotic for pain.Aveeno oatmeal baths helped and baking soda paste applied directly to the rash (spots) also helped.I work in a school so ,,the likelihood of the virus being reactivated is high (lots of chicken pox in the spring).Rest and a healthy diet does speed the recovery.
Best wishes to you
Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Is shingles the one that can give chicken pox to anyone who hasn't had them yet if they are exposed to you?

My doctor said no---The Herpes Zoster Virus in chicken pox can activate shingles but it does not activate chicken pox in people. Hope that makes sense

Hugs Mel