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Anyone else with bilateral pain? Shingles on L side, pain on both

Posted , 4 users are following.

babs99203
babs99203

I've either been dealing with this since the end of October or mid-November, as first I had a few very minor spots on my back, then two weeks later a true cluster on my chest, following the same nerve. I've posted previously and I am finally seeing progress from the Gabatentin 800 mg 3 times a day, extra-strength Tylenol and Lidocaine pain cream 4X a day and twice daily prescription anti-infammatories and REST!. I try not to sit too long, or lift much of anything, so, as I said, I'm improving.  However, despite having the lesions on the left side of my front and back, I will get pain radiating to the right side, both front and back.

I know the theory is that the pain follows the nerve on the side that's affected, so what's with this? The right side pain is not as frequent as the left side, but does flare up several times a day.

What about the rest of you?

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname babs99203

    Posted

    Although shingles can occur anywhere on the body they most typically manifest in a single line from the back where the nerve root begins towards the front on the torso.

    Four times I have had them on my right torso from under the armpit to the waist. Once on the entire left half of my head and neck. I am told by my physician that mt head was four times it's normal size.

    I am delighted to hear that you are healing. And absolutely rest is extremely important so that we keep nerve transmissions quiet.

    For me, I prefer Lyrica-pregabalin.

    Have a Merry Christmas

  • babs99203
    babs99203

    Posted

    The side effects of Lyrica concerned me so I did consider asking my doctor about it, but will still with the Gabapentin. I know what you've said is conventional wisdom, but I do wonder if it's correct for everybody. I keep checking to see if I have any outbreaks on the right side either front or back, and there isn't any that we can see. Maybe it's just muscular and the pain is similar no matter what the cause. Perhaps it's muscle strain from trying to protect the other side.

    But don't for get all that "wisdom" about not being able to get shingles more than once, that you must have a rash etc.

    I really wish there was more research about it. There was a shingles support group in the US called National Shingles Foundation or VZV Foundation, but it appears to be defunct. Get this there's a link to it under NORD the National Organization for RARE (can you believe it?) Diseases!! Since when is herpes or shingles rare? At least doctor's don't think it's caused by Ill Humours or Spirits.

  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname babs99203

    Posted

    My bidy is living proof you can get shingles repeatedly...three on the right side obvious...once left side also obvious ..and once right side internal that showed on ultra sound and cat scan.

    Some doc had to graduate at the bottom of the class...wink wink

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