Shingles.!!!

[Chili327]

Now I wish I had got the vaccine shots!!

The back and left side of my neck, & ear are in bad shape right now. I broke out on Thursday (first feeling was Sat, but I wasn’t sure if I needed to see a doctor or not), it wasn’t terrible just small rash, and a little pain in my ear, but now it is full blown and it’s a cross between poison oak, the flu and Covid. lol

I started taking the meds on Thursday and I got a few other things to help, but any advice you may have is appreciated, & I’m wondering how to keep it from spreading further than my neck/ear?

Did you have it?
Did you shower daily?
What did you put on the rash directly?

 

[Clifton Tesh]

The vaccine doesn't help one bit (it's only like 60% effective) and Lord forbid you have an outbreak after having the vaccine, you'll want someone to drag you out back and put you out of your misery.

I don't have much advice on this except to just tell you that you'll have to suffer through it.

I find cold baths and showers to be a small amount of relief but other than that nothing helped. I literally sleep naked on the coldest surface I can find when I have an outbreak. Like I'll put bed sheets in the freezer just to wrap them around my back.

I'm only 41. I had my first outbreak when I was 19. I've had 5 or 6 more since then but I never had another outbreak until a doctor convinced me to get the vaccine.

I am in no way an anti vaxxer but I'm 100% positive that that vaccine is evil!!!

 

[Chili327]

I'm only 41. I had my first outbreak when I was 19. I've had 5 or 6 more since then but I never had another outbreak until a doctor convinced me to get the vaccine.

I am in no way an anti vaxxer but I'm 100% positive that that vaccine is evil!!!

What age did you get the shots?

Yea I can understand the cold sheets, but actually last night I went to bed at 5pm shivering like I had the flu… weird.

 

[HopperFan]

What age did you get the shots?

Recommended for
Ages 50+ or immunocompromised adults

I suggest checking with your insurance to see their requirements. I had mine about age 60. DS#1 had chicken pox twice and the second time was so bad we had to keep him sedated. He has now turned 40 so I'm going to ask since he is considered immunocompromised.

I had shingles while pregnant with #2 and I was miserable. I didn't want any drugs. Had some topical cream. I just wanted to take a knife and cut that area all out. AWFUL!! I can't imagine having on neck, head.

 

[kymom99]

My husband had the shingles after having a lipoma removed from his back. The rash radiated from the incision and started a few weeks after the surgery. The incision is right on the spine midway up his back. The rash ran from there, around his right side. He would hold a pillow against his side when the pain got bad. He was miserable. He said he still gets some nerve pain from the virus.

I got the vaccine after seeing how much he suffered. The side affects were pretty rough but I’m glad I went ahead and got it.

 

[Disturbia]

I’ve read about Manuka honey. Costco sells the medicinal grade (the more expensive version UMF 20+ (8 ounces for around $70?), the lower UMF/relatively cheaper version doesn’t have healing properties)

https://healthmatch.io/shingles/shingles-cream#natural-remedies

The Terramin clay (California earth minerals) had some reviews where people used it topically for all sorts of things to draw out bacteria/venom.

 

[princesscinderella]

I hope you find relief soon I have no experience with shingles myself so I cannot offer any advice.

 

[Chili327]

Recommended for
Ages 50+ or immunocompromised adults

I suggest checking with your insurance to see their requirements. I had mine about age 60. DS#1 had chicken pox twice and the second time was so bad we had to keep him sedated. He has now turned 40 so I'm going to ask since he is considered immunocompromised.

I had shingles while pregnant with #2 and I was miserable. I didn't want any drugs. Had some topical cream. I just wanted to take a knife and cut that area all out. AWFUL!! I can't imagine having on neck, head.

Yea my ear is in pain, and back of my neck and top of my spine (maybe not top but that upper area, just below that knot on the back of your skull) are the worst.

right on the spine midway up his back.

Yea top part of my spine is bad.

I’ve read about Manuka honey. Costco sells the medicinal grade (the more expensive version UMF 20+ (8 ounces for around $70?), the lower UMF/relatively cheaper version doesn’t have healing properties)

https://healthmatch.io/shingles/shingles-cream#natural-remedies

The Terramin clay (California earth minerals) had some reviews where people used it topically for all sorts of things to draw out bacteria/venom.

I may have to look into that!!

I hope you find relief soon I have no experience with shingles myself so I cannot offer any advice.

Thanks.

 

[gatorlisa]

The old vaccine wasn't super effective and is no longer given in the US. The newer vaccine, Shingrix, is over 90% effective. I had shingles last year at the age of 44 and it sucked! It was so miserable we ended up postponing a planned trip. I tried the oatmeal baths, but that diidn't really help much. Just had to let it run its course. Took about 3 weeks for the rash to run its course, and that was with taking a course of antivirals. Mine was on the left side of my trunk, starting right at my spine, wrapping all the way around. I had muscle spasms all along the area of the rash for a few weeks, but thankfully that did resolve. You can end up having nerve pain for weeks, months, or if really unlucky, years after shingles.

 

[disneychrista]

The vaccine doesn't help one bit (it's only like 60% effective)

From the CDC Website:
In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles; in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Multiple times in my eyes on medication for shingles and I’ve had the shots - my outbreaks were being caused by stress - once the stress was removed the shingles stopped - nothing made the pain & itching stop - nothing and I tried everything anyone suggested - not on eyes of course but on my back as I had shingles in several places the eyes were the most painful it was like having glass in your eyes - glass that was on fire

 

[NC Belle]

I am so sorry to hear you getting the shingles. I have to plan it with my new doctor along with auto immune testing. I am so worry with my stress level since last month that it could pop up.
Not so dear husband had it 4 years in the eye and we had to pay out of network for a retina specialist that was taking patients in 2020. We got him cooling eye masks and ice packs to help a little bit.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I had shingles when I was 26. I had just started a new job that ended up being very stressful. I had a painful spot on my lower back and was so busy that I mostly ignored it, until I couldn't. I showed it to my mom (an RN) and she said it looked like shingles! I went to the doctor who confirmed the diagnosis. At the time (around the early 90s), there was no medication they could give me. I recall the doctor saying there was one, but it had side-effects that an active person like me probably wouldn't want to deal with. The rash was right where my waistband hit and I wore either nice pants or skirts for my job, making my workdays very uncomfortable. I recall applying calamine lotion several times a day. That's really all that helped. I also took Tylenol or Motrin, took cool showers and waited it out. I think I was fortunate to have a fairly small outbreak. I had both doses of Shringrix a couple year ago, so hopefully that was my first and final bout with Shingles!

 

[kyton]

The best topical relief my family has used is calamine lotion with menthol added. Here in Australia our local pharmacist is a compounding chemist so he was able to make it. Used it often to help cool the area and ease the prickling sensation.

I have only had 1 attack, my Mum has had 2 whereas my older sister seems to get them yearly. Here we are unable to get the free vaccines until we get to age 65 unless immunocompromised or First Nations.

 

[robinb]

I had shingles about 10 years ago in my mid 50’s I figured out what it was and started an antiviral med I had on hand for cold sores right away before I could see a doctor. I had it on one arm and it followed the nerves all the way down my fingers. Not sure if the Zovirax helped or I just had a mild case, but it wasn’t so bad. Some pain, some itching, some open sores but not anything too terrible.

I had the new Shingrix vaccine which is supposed to be better than the old one. Although my last case was mild, I’d prefer not to have a second one.

 

[Earstou]

After the rash has stopped oozing and has closed/healed, you can use Biofreeze for the pain. My doctor told me to use the cream in the jar, as it's the most effective.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I started taking the meds on Thursday and I got a few other things to help, but any advice you may have is appreciated, & I’m wondering how to keep it from spreading further than my neck/ea

Aveeno sells an oatmeal bath product that is very soothing.
Sorry, no idea how to keep it from spreading

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Oh no!! I’m sorry to hear this @Chili327 !! I’ve had shingles twice - both times in my 30’s - one time was pretty awful.

Seconding Aveeno oat baths and just a ton of rest. My nerve pain felt like it was on a cycle - the waves would be particularly painful from 7 PM until 4 AM (bizarre that I’m being so precise but that’s how it felt!!) so I found sleeping during the day essential.

Also - and forgive me for mentioning something you already know - having shingles in your eyes can be very problematic. So given the location of your rash, if you see it start to spread on your face, definitely go back to your doctor ASAP.

Hang in there - hoping you get some relief soon!

 

[Kitty 34]

Just jumping on here to give you a big Chili327. Shingles aren't fun, I know. Hang in there.

 

[jo-jo]

I had no idea you could have shingles more than one.