Can you have Shingles with a negative BLOOD TEST?

Hi Merry,

Thank you for your reply.  I really appreciate it.  My prior shingles outbreak was on my lower back when I was 29.  It was a very mild case with virtually no symptoms.  I got a rash and asked my doctor about it because it looked odd.  I did not know anything about shingles at the time.  He told me it was shingles and attributed it to the stress I was feeling from our child coming.

I was not and am not immune compromised.  No current health conditions that I am aware of.  Similiar to the outbreak when I was 29 I think the current outbreak is stress related but the systemic symptoms are much worse.

I am currently 47.

Now that I am 13 days from first symptoms is it worth pushing for an antiviral medication or is it too late to do any measurable good?  

My worst days were last week.  The symptoms that were/are the worst were/are the flu like symptoms.  My face felt/feels funny but the warm/burning sensation on my face was/is very mild and the sensation of pain on my face only happened on day 7.

I am starting to feel a little better.  No where close to 100% but not like I felt on days 5 through 8.

 

Hi Richard,

The antivirals stop the virus from replicating, and need to be started within the first 72 hours of the onset of the symptoms or ahem...rash. As your symptoms are improving, and you are experiencing a mild case, there is no need at this point to start the antivirals.

You should be tested in about three weeks from the last IgM & IgG test for Herpes Zoster-Shingles. Even then, the antibody test is not that sensitive, meaning there are many false negatives.

Many physicians are abysmally ignorant regarding Herpes Zoster-Shingles, including diagnosis, treatment, testing, pain management, risk factors, etc. I would consider finding another physician who is interested in treating the person with the symptoms, rather than relying on an inaccurate blood test taken too early in the course of the disease. I would prefer a physician or clinician who is interested in looking up the latest information on Herpes Zoster-Shingles, rather than outdated information he learned many years ago.

Best regards

Merry Juliana

Merry,

Thank you for the reply.  I seem to be feeling a little better each day.   The flu like symptoms seem to be getting better.  I do have a question for you about symptoms. I have two that puzzle me and am curious if they occur with shingles.  One is an impact to the taste buds on the right side of my tongue.  As a reminder, my shingles symptoms are on the right side of my face.  Is it common/possible to have an impact within the right side of your mouth from shingles on the same side of your face?

Second, starting on day 8 I noticed that my feet were sweating very badly.  The degree of sweating has deminished from day 8 to today (day 14) but my feet are sweating more than normal.  Is this also a symptom of shingles?

I really appreciate the time you take to post on this site.  You are an incredibly valuable resource to the many people that encounter this health issue.  Thank you!!!

Richard

Hi Richard

The tongue is innervated by the Trigeminal V, Spinal Accessory XI, and Hypoglossal XII CRANIAL NERVES.

Yes Herpes Zoster-Shingles can definitely cause numbness and lack of taste of the tongue.

It can also cause the feet sweating as the virus has attacked your central nervous system.

I need to send this, but wish to know how you are doing in a week or sooner if you have any problems.

Best regards

Merry Juliana

Hi Merry,

Thanks for your response.  It really helps to understand what is happeing within me.

First an update.  Yesterday and today (day 14 and 15) have been pretty good.  I worked from home and was productive both days. The flu like symptoms have diminished greatly as compared to last week.

I have experienced one new symptom today and am curious if you can help me understand.  As you can read above my shingles is on the right side of my face.  The sensation for the past two weeks has been from the back of my cheek to the mid point of my face with sensation also within my mouth (numbness and impact of taste buds on right side of tongue).  This morning I woke up and started to have a strange sensation within my right ear.  It is an occasional pulsing sensation.  The sensation is not painful, just very distracting.  The pulsing was intermittent early in the day and has increased in frequency as the day has gone on.  I have also felt more run down as the day has gone on so I don't know if that has a correlation. You state above that you get Shingles in your ear.  How would you describe the feeling/sensation you get in your ear?

Also, do you recomend any level of excercise while recovering from Shingles?

Thank you so much for being a resource.  I can't express how much gratitude I have for you taking the time to respond to my questions.

Richard

Hi, Merry.  Even though this thread was a year ago, I read your response to Richard's questions with great interest.  I feel horrible for you, suffering through so many bouts of shingles.  Are you still active on this site?  If so, I'd love to run a few questions by you myself, as I'm finding it very difficult to get answers anywhere.  Thanks!

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

I am very active on this site... I have learned to deal with Herpes Zoster-Shingles and other illnesses...I am resilient, to say the least....

Please let me know what is going on with you....I always love updates!

Best Regards... again

Merry Juliana

Hi Merry

its Christine in New Zealand

I feel a bit like Lynn.

my brain is still fuzzy, after nearly  three years.

My  balance is still  not very good and  my memory is terrible.

Since I last spoke to you I have had cancer in my bladder which is on going, with 6 weekly treatments. I have had an awful rash on my hands since before the cancer was diag osed . I cant touch any weeds or grass outside without the itching starting up .

My brain is so tired trying to make sence of it all.

my skin doctor said toxins in my bladder or kidneys could be causing the rash. Do you think that is possible?

The only time I feel ok is when i am still and  not walking around . I think I have aged 10 years in the last 12 months.

It's lovely to see you on line helping  so many people

I hope you are coping with your own problems and haven't had any more upsets. 

Hugs Christine 

My Dearest Christine,

I am so sorry you have bladder cancer! Are you being treated with BCG? I am assuming they did an MRI, Ultrasound, and biopsies, and found no invasion of the muscle wall?

The bladder cancer may explain why you developed Herpes Zoster-Shingles. While I had/have autoimmune diseases going on for decades, the Herpes Zoster-Shingles was recurrent every 2-1/2 to 3 weeks. I was diagnosed with breast cancer (with my identical twin sister at the same time, same tumor type, markers, size, breast, location, everything...)

Fortunately, the prognosis is excellent for both of us. Once the cancer was removed via partial mastectomy, the frequency of episodes decreased. I also attribute that to a High Lysine low Arginine diet.

I became extremely allergic and itchy to a lot of substances and medications (13 or 14 meds.)

I am still on "mild" chemo, and still an allergic, itchy, itchy girl, BTW.

You get chemo brain or fog, where everything is hazy and dull, and you can't remember facts.

My balance is off from the two strokes that affected the cerebellum and cerebrum, and the Herpes Zoster-Shingles that affects my inner ear.

I do not know what medications they are using for the bladder cancer, and if they are instilling it via the bladder. Hopefully, yours is a low grade tumor.

Cancer and chemo certainly alters your immunity so that itchy rashes are not unusual.

Has your dermatologist prescribed excellent ointments and pills to take? If not, let me know, as I am knowledgeable about itching and what works.

Avoid warm, hot water. Cold and ice soothes itching. Oatmeal creams and baths can be very soothing.

I cannot remember where your original Herpes Zoster-Shingles Rash was and your age.

Again, I am so sorry for this news. You are such a sweet person.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Hi Merry

I am so glad I wrote to you.

yes I am on BCG  the second 6 weekly course . The first tumor was a  bad one and this second one is not as bad.

I think I will be on 3 monthly checks after this round , but not sure . I did have an MRI on my kidneys but no where else. I was beginning to worry, bjt after reading your l

etter I feel much better about it .

I had the shingles on my face and shoulder,  Ramsay Hunt

and palsy .

thank you so much for your info , I really do appreciate it

we must keep in touch . You really have been through the mill and are amazing the way you have coped.

hugs Christine xx

Sorry forgot itchy meds, first one was baby strenth 1%  Cortisone and prednisone for 5 months, I just came off it . My doc has just given  me an ointment for the itch. It is quite strong and my skin is very thin. 

I will send the name tomorrow, I dont have it with me  ,

using the tablet computer is on the blink .

hugs xxx

Christine,

The one medication that helped me more than any ointment was Doxepin. It is a poor antidepressant, but is the best anti-itch medication known. As you had Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, your balance is going to be way off, unfortunately. I still fall quite easily and can never right myself. My semicircular canal is dehisced or ruptured.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Thank you so much Merry, I will see if the doc will prescribe it for me.

the ointment  he gave me is Aristocort "Triamcinolone" 2% cortisone. I can only use it up to three times a day, but not with any other moisturizer.  My hands are so  dry and cracked  and I  need to use it .

Thank you for all your help

take care 

Christine xxx

The BCG is put right into the bladder,, I have to stay there

 for two hours. it takes about 7 hours before the stinging goes away

As far as I know it hasn't gone through the  bladder  wall

Non of my doctors has linked the balance problem to the Ramsay Hunt, makes you wonder....and they dont like it when you look on the computer  Lol

the first tumor was a bad one, this one not so bad, but both in the same spot.

Sorry that was disjointed, I couldn't move the page up

silly tablet, I need a new  computer xxxx

Christine,

I always know I am getting Ramsay Hunt as I start becoming off balance, before the pain, headaches, etc. I also get orthostatic changes such as lightheaded when I go from lying to sitting to Standing.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Christine,

My hands are really bad, as well. I only use Baby Magic Wash on my skin to wash my face, hands, and bathe, or Liquid Dove for Sensitive Skin.