Shingles.!!!

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

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

Same...until it happened to me. Thankfully the second time around wasn't nearly as bad (plus, I knew the signs and could get on the antivirals in enough time). Huge advocate for the vaccine.

 

[jo-jo]

Same...until it happened to me. Thankfully the second time around wasn't nearly as bad (plus, I knew the signs and could get on the antivirals in enough time). Huge advocate for the vaccine.

I'm not sure, I might have had a super mild case. For about a week, I had an area about my waist that felt like a slight burn. You know you barely touch the oven rack. It hurts, but not awful...... I thought it from a waist band irritation but then it moved. I keep flexible ice packs tucked about my waist. It was a bother, but not enough to contact dr.

We have had the vaccine since then.

 

[Genie+]

DH’s best friend was complaining about spider bites on his stomach last weekend. Went to work on Monday and showed a co-worker who told him that is shingles. Next day he went to doctor and is now on antivirals. Hopefully that works to heal it soon. Another friend had in his mouth last year and that was horrible. Both are early 50s. Neither had vaccine.

Hope you have a speedy recovery!

 

[Clifton Tesh]

What age did you get the shots?

I was in my mid 20s. Somewhere around 24/25 years old.

It was recommended that I get the vaccine to lessen the chance of future breakouts.

It did not work for me.

Now everytime my back gets itchy I start to freak out. Shingles sucks!

 

[robinb]

I was in my mid 20s. Somewhere around 24/25 years old.

It was recommended that I get the vaccine to lessen the chance of future breakouts.

It did not work for me.

Now everytime my back gets itchy I start to freak out. Shingles sucks!

Have you had the new vaccine, or just the old one? I’ve heard the new vaccine is better.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thankfully, the current 2 shot vaccine protocol of Shingrix, has been clinically shown to be one of the most effective vaccines available to us. I think the measles vaccine may be tops.

Wishing you well, @Chili327. 's

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have 4% Lidocaine cream which works for all sorts of things but for this I'd probably pick up Dermoplast Lidocaine Spray because there is no touching the spots so that might help.

Drs can prescribe a combo lidocaine prilocaine cream that is even better so maybe Urgent care, might have other medications.

I believe it hurts really bad but I'm not getting a vaccine for discomfort and that was before I realized it's not that reliable. Maybe I'll reconsider at an age where I can't take care of myself for lesions because the wounds could probably be serious in some people including diabetics.

 

[Chili327]

Thanks all!!

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.

Sounds like I should get it, is the effective rate based on getting it any time or only prior to getting shingles?

calamine lotion with menthol added

Already got it!!

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.

Hasn’t even started oozing yet, just painful (not even really itchy yet either)

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Oh, Chili! I'm so sorry to read this. I can't offer any tips as I've never had Shingles and got the Shingrix vaccine so I hope I never do get it. Just wanted to wish you well, and soon.

 

[lisaviolet]

Advice - lean into the heavy painkillers. They work. I still remember the relief to this day with percocet, and it had to be twenty years ago. I was on cloud nine. It is very unfortunate that doctors are often erring on the side of addiction and not treating intense pain in the ways that are needed.

I fully understand that the chance of addiction is there and is ugly. But so is mind-bending pain.

For everyone reading it is absolutely imperative to get the antivirals in before the window closes. I *think* one has about 48 hours to do that. It is the difference between "Shingles isn't that bad" to the most hellish experience. So if you see a one-sided rash or simply blotches, because at first there will no pain, immediately get care.

And I have had endometriosis most of my life, so when I talk about the severity of shingles pain - when all of us say it - it is not being dramatic.

Chili, I am so sorry.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’m sorry you’re going through this. My aunt got shingles around her eye. Couldn’t see out of it and she got encephalitis which led to seizures, prolonged IV antibiotics and a long hospital stay. And she’s in her 50s, so not that old. She said ice packs on the area helped more than anything else with the pain.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I am so sorry for you. I haven't had it and neither has DH, but both my folks (now late 80's) had it. Mom lost hearing in one ear from the WRONG medication, so be careful taking anything and ask lots of questions.

Sleep as much as you can. I hope you get over it soon. Hugs.

Edit: I did have Shingrix vaccine a few years ago at my doc's insistence. She said is it totally different from the other vaccine.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Have you had the new vaccine, or just the old one? I’ve heard the new vaccine is better.

I have not.

I honestly didn't know there was a new vaccine.

 

[kerry1379]

My husband got it really bad on his forehead and in his eye. The doctors monitored him very closely and gave him several different eye drops and other meds to prevent damage. Thankfully, they worked to prevent eye damage. But during the outbreak, I recall him using icepacks heavily to help the pain.

You mentioned it is around your ear. I have no idea if it could cause damage to your hearing but you might want to let your doctor know in case that needs to be watched.

 

[Chili327]

lean into the heavy painkillers. They work. I still remember the relief to this day with percocet, and it had to be twenty years ago. I was on cloud nine. It is very unfortunate that doctors are often erring on the side of addiction and not treating intense pain in the ways that are needed.

Yea they don’t give out Percocet anymore. lol
I had them one day after I crashed my ATV & got helicoptered to a Las Vegas hospital and I do know exactly what you mean, and would love one to help me sleep tonight.
But that’s exactly why they don’t give them out, I got prescribed Gabapentin (or something) and I’m going to get a full dose tonight to see how that works out.

You mentioned it is around your ear. I have no idea if it could cause damage to your hearing but you might want to let your doctor know in case that needs to be watched.

I saw the doc today and they referred me to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist to have a look at the small affected part of my ear… just to stay on top of it.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Yea they don’t give out Percocet anymore. lol
I had them one day after I crashed my ATV & got helicoptered to a Las Vegas hospital and I do know exactly what you mean, and would love one to help me sleep tonight.
But that’s exactly why they don’t give them out, I got prescribed Gabapentin (or something) and I’m going to get a full dose tonight to see how that works out.


I saw the doc today and they referred me to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist to have a look at the small affected part of my ear… just to stay on top of it.

Gabapentin has to be titered up, so if it isn't long term, it may not help you much - that how it worked for me sorry. I think they should be able to give you something stronger than that. I do agree they have gone overboard with being overly cautious about these meds on a short term basis.

When I had a TKR, in post op they put me on one after another high test meds, only one of which worked toradol. You can only be on it for a couple days, so once that wore off I was screaming in pain and throwing up. They switched me to oxy which I then tried not to take and ended up screaming in pain again. I had to take it for about a month, but had no issue stopping it cold turkey when I decided I had enough.

Have a good talk with your doctor and insist on having something that will help. Again, so sorry you have to deal with this.

 

[Genie+]

Yea they don’t give out Percocet anymore. lol
I had them one day after I crashed my ATV & got helicoptered to a Las Vegas hospital and I do know exactly what you mean, and would love one to help me sleep tonight.
But that’s exactly why they don’t give them out, I got prescribed Gabapentin (or something) and I’m going to get a full dose tonight to see how that works out.


I saw the doc today and they referred me to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist to have a look at the small affected part of my ear… just to stay on top of it.

If you’re unable to get a pain killer, maybe try asking for ambien (zolpidem) to help you sleep. Rest is important.

 

[Earstou]

I had the pain way before I got the rash. After suffering for a few days, I went to a walk-in clinic since my doctor couldn't get me in quickly. They xrayed my back because of the pain, then sent me home, not knowing what was wrong. The rash appeared two days after that visit, and I sent my doctor a photo because I suspected it was shingles.

 

[Minnesota!]

I had it on my right chest back in 2020 or 2021? I could not sleep well for a week or two, just cuz I am...well endowed...so any way I laid, things didn't stay in place and either crushed the shingle-ed area or flopped on the area.

No fevers or anything, and the rash "only" extended from midline, across my chest, to just under my armpit. Not the best feeling in the world and I cannot imagine having them anywhere on my face...OUCH!

Hope you are on the mend soon without any damage..

 

[NYCgrrl]

I believe it hurts really bad but I'm not getting a vaccine for discomfort and that was before I realized it's not that reliable.

You do NOT want to deal with the discomfort of shingles.
I’ve a high threshold for pain but the urge to scratch is mind boggling and can even wake you up in your sleep. My mind ran a constant refrain of “What fresh hell is this?” and that was “just” for a bad case of temporary side effects .

The experience reminded me of a mature woman I knew years ago, who was a vibrant and independent person until a bout of shingles (also on her face) left her a shell of her former self; she became a social hermit and that is not a road any of us wants to take willingly.

The current vaccine is at least 90% effective (effacy based on age and other factors).