35 year old woman recurrent shingles help!
Posted , 8 users are following.
hey there im a 35 year old female who has had recurrent shingles since December 2015 .
I seem to get an outbreak once every month sometimes if not more . I have been put on Valtrex and famvir . I have had luck with the Valtrex but nit famvir.
my doc thinks im nuts and half the time wont prescribe it until the rash has appeared, problem is I have the following telltale symptoms before an outbreak :
- crying spells, over emotional, agitated
- low grade fever
- deep ache and burning feel in area ( have had back , hips, breast , shoulder but my hip is predominate.
- tinnitus ( ringing in the ear)
because my doctor generally won’t prescribe anything until the rash has occurred i sm left suffering . it’s almost as some doctors don’t believe that a 35-year-old women can have shingles more than once let alone how often I have them . if I stay on the Valtrex im good but again my doc wont prescribe until the rash
i’ve been told by one doctor it is dermatitis herpetiformis which I don’t agree with
i have tried lysine supplement, b 12 vit c and I am aware of the lysine arginine issues with diet.
i also have been diagnosed with interetitial cystitis, polycystic ovarian syndrome
Has anyone house had any luck on a maintenance dose of an antiviral?
im losing my marbles right now thanks to the pain in my hip this time around and most family and friends dont get it. I also am a single mum through this.i want my old self back!
0 likes, 8 replies
Merry19451 katieRN
Posted
Dear Katie,
It sounds as if you should see a dermatologist for a definitive diagnosis and treatment. Shingles does recur, but usually recurs in the same or adjacent dermatomes, on the same side, and always in a dermatomal pattern. If it is dermatitis herpetiform, it would be triggered by a gluten sensitivity. You would certainly be sensitive 100% of the time, and antivirals would not help you.
Regarding shingles, I do get them every three weeks. Only Famvir works. Maintenance therapy did not help. I also had the Shingrex Vaccine, which did not help prevent the recurring episodes. I also try a diet of low arginine high lysine, and my episodes are not quite as painful.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
katieRN Merry19451
Posted
hi there thank you for your response. I have been seen by a dermatologist and told I do not have dermatitis herpetiformis . I also had a biopsy taken to ensure I don’t have coeliac which I don’t ..
Right now I’m in the midst of am right now I’m in the midst of an outbreak and its horrific. I know my triggers are caffeine, chocolate, gelatin and avoid them at all cost. I hope your pain eases up a bit as well.
Guest katieRN
Posted
hello katie
Welcome to my world and some here who think we are going nuts, but really you are not! I have had reoccurance shingles since February 2018 and keep getting them every 4-5 months on my head! I take zovirax when i see the rash! The antivrials help very little because they do come back! My family dont believe me! My GP checks me out and gives me the zovirax when the rash is out!!
So you see katie you are not alone!
My license pharmacy gave me a home remedy and i shall tell you like i did my friend here Ruth! Its chamoline leaves which you normally drink to ease your nerves, but you wont drink the tea, you will after draining the tea you will with a clean cloth place it over the blisters or rash and that will ease the pain and rest the nerves! It works! Keep it in the fridge so you apply it cold!!
HOPE you get better! You are not alone!!!
Myrna
samginger katieRN
Posted
wow, reading your email, I could have written it myself! !
I've had recurring shingles since my 20's, I'm now 45 and cheesed off with it. I am getting it mostly in my hip and have a nice bundle of scars. I haven't taken the meds I was offered (zovirax ) as it's too late by the time I collect them. I was denied the shingles jab as I'm considered too young. it seems to tie in with my monthly cycle.
gonna see about having the shingles jab privately.
good luck with your own struggles.
Tuscandreams katieRN
Posted
I currently have been dealing with shingles, now PHN since February 25th of this year. The outbreak lasted about 3-4 weeks. I had them on my lower back, left buttock, left side and thigh, lower left side of my abdomen and the left side of my lady parts. Initially I was prescribed Valtrex, Gabapentin, hydrocodone and lidocaine patches. The pain is constant but at times it is absolutely debilitating. There are days when I barely leave my bed and others when I can get up and go to work. I am now taking all the medications except for the Valtrex. I am also taking fluoxetine since I have started feeling very depressed. I have always been very independent and now I rely on my husband to do most everything. My pain in the past few weeks has seemed to have gotten worse and I can not stand to wear clothes when I am feeling the intense pain. The pain is also worsened by cold air. I am so sorry you are dealing with this and hope that you have relief soon.
Guest Tuscandreams
Posted
HELLO
I got shingles since February 2018! A little over a year now! I like you suffer pain and a small bout like every 4-5months! Many people and doctors dont believe you can reoccurance of shingles. I only take zovirax when needed! I take advil or tylenol for pain! My husband helps me with the house shores or my daughter. Its getting warmer here in the island and I dont go out in thesun....never!
As I got shingles on my scalp its terrible to get direct sun on my head so I dont go out!
My life has changed! I TRY to relax and dont eat peanuts!!!
I hope you can be well and have less stress because that triggers shingles! I dont believe in the vaccine because many people here gave taken it and still they get bouts of shingles! So I just want a real cure!!
Best regards,
Myrna
Mary78383 katieRN
Posted
hi katie-
my situation sounds so similar to yours. i was on a maintenance dose of valtrex once a day and as soon as i tapered to every other day the shingles came back for the 4th time in 4 months. i am so defeated. my doctor doesn't know what could be causing it-they have run a ton of lab work and i dont have any underlying conditions. have you had any luck since last posting? do u have a weakened immune system or other condtions? i wish i had an explanation. im only 39
thanks,
mary
katieRN
Posted
hey thanks for the reply. my crappy canadian health care doesnt see recurrent shingles as an issue yet its slowly robbing me of my life! I currently have an outbreak on my face! AND MY INNER THIGH! no idea how this is possible but i wish i knew the anwser.
my other medical conditions are: endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, lupus, ptsd
im on a low dose of famvir despite the current outbreak. i applied cbd oil to the shingles on my face hoping it will help? Its my right side of my body, i am still itching in my rib area from last outbreak.
edibles high in thc help the pain , i bought lysine again and am trying to to take it by the handfuls
do you have any underlying conditions ?
WHEN DOES THIS MADNESS END?!