Do all rashes erupt?
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi, I feel bad writing, because compared to most posts I have read, I am having it easy.
My Shingles started with a sharp pain right to the right of my spine, mid rib cage. the pain then wrapped around my rib, albeit more diffused. I have Fibromyalgia so i just thought "great a new pain!" But it was different enough that somewhere in the back of my head I must have thought Shingles so when the first 3 small bumps showed up 4 days later, on a Saturday, I went right to urgent care. Shingles was confirmed and I started Valtrex within 24 hours of the rash appearing. It is now five days later... I have a few more tiny spots, but none, even the very original bumps have ever had pustules or blisters. They are just raised bumps over red. and some are not even raised. they are all itchy/ burny as is some area that have no rash. I know you can have shingles without a rash...but can you have a shingles rash without blisters that erupt?
Is it possible that I just caught it so fast, that a dodged a bullet? My symptoms other than the tiny rash and odd pain has been a headache and sleepiness, all I want to do is sleep which is very odd for me. Thanks in advance for your input.
0 likes, 7 replies
joseph_73900 Kudzuslipper
Posted
Hi sorry to hear about your pain, I have had shingles a couple of times, but never blistered. I have red blotches on my body so if I swim this summer I will probably wear a top, my wife says it's nothing to hide ,but I will anyway. I hope you get some relief, all the best.
babs99203 Kudzuslipper
Posted
First, your story is very similar to mine, but I didn't get to the doctor fast enough, so no antivirals. Yes, you can have shingles without a rash or eruptions. I had just a couple of tiny bumps. Between your own immune system and the antivirals you may have well dodged a bullet. I certainly hope so! My husband has had shingles with only a tiny rash/itchy and barely any pain and we got him the antivirals right away and he never got full shingles. Lucky guy. 2.5 years later, I'm still dealing with it, as I had a complication called PHN, where there's nerve damage so the pain lasts. But for me, it's dissipating. Good luck, but still take it easy, just in case.
Merry19451 Kudzuslipper
Posted
You were smart when you immediately went to urgent care and were placed on antivirals.
The meds fortunately have altered the disease course. You can have fatigue and exhaustion, and sleepiness with Shingles, as it attacks your entire body. Please do not try to overdo it. Listen to your body and rest and sleep! The fatigue and exhaustion can last for weeks or months, depending on the individual....
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
ruth12256 Kudzuslipper
Posted
sorry to hear this. yes some people can get away without the rash blistering but even the rash can be painful and still cause the lethargy and feeling of being run down. if im honest i would rather not having the blisters erupt on my face but i seem to get full blown shingles everytime and on a place that i cannot hide, you know what its like when people stare at you? its really upsetting and feel self conscious about it.
please tell me im not the only one who gets agitated and bad tempered with this virus. i cant help but snap at people for no reason, maybe its because i feel so tired and am not getting any sleep or rest with this or maybe its the virus making my system angry?? to put up with these outbreaks for so many years is starting to really grate on me i feel like ive had enough and want to give up! depressed as hell!!!!!!!
Kudzuslipper ruth12256
Posted
Ruth12256 I totally get what you are feeling. Before this, I would get allergic rashes on my arms and legs all the time and each one would last for 2 months (it's possibly why this is not so bad for me) They would start on one side move to the other... and the itch was impossible. I was short tempered with everyone! And if Dr's were to prescribe Prednisone (which did nothing to halt the rash) forget about it... I thought faster than I could speak and really blew up at unsuspecting folks. I would have to leave work at lunch to take a hot shower and then turn the itch into sting with Goldbond powder to continue working. When the rash was visible I felt like a total leper.
Kudzuslipper
Posted
Thank you all for your replies. I am so sorry to hear your stories. Ruth12256 I totally get what you are feeling. Before this, I would get allergic rashes on my arms and legs all the time and each one would last for 2 months (it's possibly why this is not so bad for me) They would start on one side move to the other... and the itch was impossible. I was short tempered with everyone! And if Dr's were to prescribe Prednisone (which did nothing to halt the rash) forget about it... I thought faster than I could speak and really blew up at unsuspecting folks. I would have to leave work at lunch to take a hot shower and then turn the itch into sting with Goldbond powder to continue working. When the rash was visible I felt like a total leper.
ruth12256 Kudzuslipper
Posted
kudzuslipper that sounds awful for you. the itch is insane isnt it?? want to pull my hair out from it and the facial numbness from head to neck is unbearable. i dont get prescribed steroids i just get acyclovir tablets and sometimes co-amoxoclav antibiotic for secondary infection. ive been admitted to hospital before on a drip which made me hallucinate tiny elves running around my hospital room it made my head go weird it was strong dose of drugs and antibiotc to clear virus and my purple face and eye looked like is been beaten up it took months to heal. just sick of this virus sick of getting it over and over. its nice to know im not the only one who snaps at people i thought i was going insane! its hard to keep going on living like it though , once all healed im always thinking please dont come back please go away but never know when its going to reappear,no warning signs or anything! i want a cure im damn sure theres one out there somewhere????!!!
its turned me into a germaphobe!!!!!!!