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Can anyone help???

Posted , 7 users are following.

margaret89960
margaret89960

I was diagnosed with shingles 1 week ago, had horrific back pain and

then the spots. Was prescribed anti viral and painkillers. Think iv had every symptom imaginable. Spots gone but am numb around the area and still have pain and fatigue. Any suggestion to help with this. Thanks

1 like, 19 replies

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  • jane97743
    jane97743 margaret89960

    Posted

    It's very early days for you then, I had it over 5 months ago and my eye still itches every single day, but I had it in the worst place, forehead, eyebrow and eye, All you can really do is rest as much as possible and get the right pain killers that work for you., I was given amitriptyline to take at night, still do, as it helps me to sleep as it calms the nerves that are causing pain etc. I wish you good luck and hope you get no complications!

    • margaret89960
      margaret89960 jane97743

      Posted

      Thanks jane, got the docs again tomorrow so will see what he says. Hope to get different painkillers as im not great with what iv got.

      Works always a problem as they want you back no what.

      Hope things improve soon and settle down for you too.

    • jane97743
      jane97743 margaret89960

      Posted

      Thank you, I remember crying in the dr's surgery at one point  when I was in so much pain and the pills I had were not working, I just felt so depressed and rough. I was given a different type and they worked wonders and it was wonderful to get some sleep!

    • jocelyne44618
      jocelyne44618 jane97743

      Posted

      Hi  yes i agree amitriply  helps you relax and sleep, Im on a hundred now plus patches been on for a year now, mine is under my bust and round up to the shoulder blade.  I wish you well  Jocelyne  UK Cambridge
  • jocelyne44618
    jocelyne44618 margaret89960

    Posted

    Hi Margret, Im so sorry to hear this,  there are so many  people having this,  and they will all feel for you.  I hate to say this but so many of us have had this for over a year.  I even lost my job over this, I am no longer able to go into the class room. a new company has taken over our school and because I have become unable to attend, it was agreed that I leave.U do hope your shingles /PHN is more controlable.  I have now been attending a UK pain clinic, which at the moment is not helping. I have been recommended to having a nerve block in my spine, if its like a block for having a baby  IT DID NOT WORK. iM ALSO TAKING A LOT OF HIGH DOSE MEDS FOR ARTHRITAS.  Im now on Oxynorm meds which has taken the edge off the pain.

    You dont say which  area you live live in  I from Cambridge in the UK

    Contact me if you wishs  I find Ice blocks in a towel helps with pain.

    I wish you well  Jocelyne  Cambridge  UK

    • jane97743
      jane97743 jocelyne44618

      Posted

      I also think that ice helps, when my eye is really sore from the rubbing of it, I put an ice cube in a piece of kitchen towel and just move it around the eye area gently, it numbs the pain a bit but can obviously only be done when I'm at home. Every morning when i wake, my eye is itching like crazy!! My firehead feels tender from scratching it, hard to believe how long this can go on for!!

    • jocelyne44618
      jocelyne44618 jane97743

      Posted

      Jane are you living in the UK?   If you are you could ask your doctor about  a liquid med called oromorph  or "mine" Oxynorm  which helps me take the pain off in minutes  which I use every 4 hours and Ice packs (you can in the UK  buy ice packs with a wrap called Hot/cold reusable packs as hot or cold packs) look on line, I dont think I can print the company name but I would tell you as a private message.   the liquid takes the edge off the pain while the meds you take in tablet form work.I wish you well.

      Jocelyne  Cambridge  UK

    • margaret89960
      margaret89960 jocelyne44618

      Posted

      Thankz to everone who replied, cant believe what you all are going through. Only hope things improve quickly. I have the dos today so wilk see what he says.

      Btw, i live in south lanarkshire, scotland.

    • jane97743
      jane97743 jocelyne44618

      Posted

      Thank you, but it's not so much pain but the itching that drives me CRAZY!! There is nothing to stop it, I have asked the dr and those at the eye clinic. I just hope it stops eventually. I wish you well too.

  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 margaret89960

    Posted

    Margaret,

    I am so sorry for your pain and suffering.

    I would suggest that you ask your physician for amitriptyline for sleep and Neurontin. Both help decrease the excruciating neuropathic pain you are experiencing. Unfortunately, nothing takes it away completely. Hopefully, you are on strong analgesics, including Opioids for the severe pain.

    Herpes Zoster-Shingles pain is one of the most severe pain of man, and deserves appropriate treatment by your physician.

    You have a viral disease in which the Herpes varicella virus circulated in your body, causing the severe pain, rash, but also the following symptoms:

    Headache, fever, chills and sweating, aches and pains, malaise, and fatigue.

    If the pain is not managed well and gone by the first month, it runs the risk of becoming Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN.

    The other individuals' suggestions of ice is excellent...

    As you are suffering from a viral infection, you have the fatigue and exhaustion that can last for months. You did not mention your age, occupation, other responsibilities, etc, but please try to rest and sleep. This is the time to swallow your pride and ask for help with shopping for groceries, laundry, housework, etc...

    I have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twenty years and twice in my right eye.

    I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

    Please let me know how I can help you.

    Best regards.

    Merry Juliana

    • margaret89960
      margaret89960 Merry19451

      Posted

      Hi, thank you so much for your post, i cant believe what people are going through. My husband has had shingles twice and has not had any problems so i am taking this very hard. It 2 weeks now and i have had all of the above symptoms whuch i have to say are horrific. My doctor has given me strong painkillers and i now have started neurontin so hopefully this helps.

      I am in the healthcare sector in the uk and am 60. Dont know about the states but tge preasure to go back to work just adds to the stress.

      Thank you so much for your words, everyone has been so helpfull and i only hope that eventually you feel better.

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 margaret89960

      Posted

      Margaret,

      The pressure to work is paramount in the States, as well, as most of us inherited our work ethic from the Brits! I would work unless I was in the ICU, sad to say... it certainly did not help my health....I finally retired earlier than I had thought I would due to health constraints and stress at work (politics and administration, not the patients.)

      Please know that I am thinking of you and hoping for your speedy recovery.

      Best wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • margaret89960
      margaret89960 Merry19451

      Posted

      Merry, thanks, im quite positive so fingers crossed. I really feel for you and others on this forum, i think i have problems but when you read about people like yourself who have suffered for so long its just awful. I sincerely hope things improve for you.

      Take care, margaret.

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