Posted , 5 users are following.
Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with shingles above my right eye. Luckily it was treated quickly with antiviral, prednisone and gabapentine. It did not spread or cause me much discomfort and seems to be healing. But today I found an itchy rash in a single line on my lower back, where I can't see it. Could this be a new appearance of the same shingles?
1 like, 9 replies
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tay56201 ziva43982
Posted
Hi, as far as I know shingles episodes "appears on one side of the body only!
Right or left! But If it's on both sides usually it's not shingles?
Merry19451 ziva43982
Posted
Shingles usually does not occur in another spot on your body. However, you took Prednisone, which made you immunocompromised, and could have caused a relapse. Shingles can do this, can cross the midline, and also recurs with maddening frequency in some of us.
You need to see a clinician today to get the rash evaluated. The Herpes Zoster-Shingles occurs in a dermatome pattern, like a belt encircling your back and possibly your abdomen.
When in doubt, the clinician should err on the side of prescribing another week of Antivirals, preferably Valcyclovir or Famciclovir.
Please keep us posted as to the outcome.
Best Regards
Merry Juliana
nancy49168 ziva43982
Posted
ziva43982 nancy49168
Posted
Thank you. The rash on my face is definitely shingles; I've had it for two weeks. My husband's chemo nurse (another complication) said this rash was also shingles. The urgent care doctor was not sure and referred me to my primary care physician who referred me to a dermatologist who refused to see me for two weeks. I hope I'm doing all I can to prevent my husband's catching it: that's my primary concern right now. Right now the stress connected to this disease is worse than the disease itself.
Merry19451 ziva43982
Posted
If the vesicle-blisters are more horizontal than vertical, and did not appear at once, but are cropping up in waves, and are on a red base, it is Shingles. You need to start/continue on an Antiviral.
If your husband already had chicken pox, you are not contagious.
No wonder you are stressed. As you are not being seen immediately, I would go to an urgent care.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
ziva43982 Merry19451
Posted
I can't see the rash but it is spreading. I went to the urgent care but the doctor was uncertain. He said that I could not take any more antiviral medication. Luckily I found a dermatologist who is willing to see me today. Thanks for your good wishes.
Merry19451 ziva43982
Posted
I am glad you are seeing a dermatologist, today. So many Physicians are poor are diagnosis and treatment of Shingles, and rashes.
Please keep me posted!
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
ziva43982 Merry19451
Posted
Thanks.
I saw the dermatologist who said that the new rash is probably not shingles. He said it is "highly unusual" for shingles to spread or recur so soon after the antivirals I had taken. He also gave me an antibiotic cream to put on both areas. The rash is still spreading, but mostly vertically. Hopefully his biopsy will clarify. Thank you all for your support.
MarthaSD ziva43982
Posted
Hi, I'm no doctor, but sure sounds like you should have it checked out!