Posted , 107 users are following.
I was diagnosed with shingles 2 weeks ago. Compared to some, it was a mild case with just a small rash on my back. I caught it early and was given antibiotics which I finished last week. The rash has pretty much cleared but now I have overwhelming bouts of fatigue. Yesterday I literally couldn't move. Is this to do with the shingles and if so, how long does it take to be 100% better?
13 likes, 453 replies
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jane61984 MsM81
Posted
Hi! My boyfriend was diagnosed with shingles about 3 weeks ago. We didn't suspect shingles so by the time it was diagnosed, the rash had wrapped around from his back, across his armpit and chest. The pain has been awful and he is unable to sleep from the pain, discomfort and itches. The pain is somewhat subsiding but is left fatigued, flu-like and with a terrible headache. It is so debilitating! I'm reading these posts and see how awful this illness can be. Is there any relief in the near future, or recommendations of what has worked for others? Thanks!
babs99203 jane61984
Posted
I assume that like me, he didn't get the antivirals in time. Is he taking either Lyrica or Neurontin? Those are the two main drugs used to deal wit the nerve pain and possibly help with healing. I'm so sorry he's having such a difficult time. If he can get either he'll get some relief, possibly that same day. Unfortunately, this condition takes weeks, or months for full recovery. REST is extremely important. Trying to "suck it up" doesn't work. This is a nasty virus. For itching calamine may work, for pain either of the drugs are the recommended meds, head or more often cold packs can help. Mine were/are also in my chest and back so showering gave me short-term relief. He can also use lidocaine pain patches or cream. On my own I also used Tylenol. Take this seriously, it sounds like he has quite a nasty case.
Also, right now everything hurts for him I imagine, so he may not realize that lifting, twisting, leaning etc. will irritate those nerves . My Doc said if it hurts, don't do it. I believe that was good advice. Good luck to him and you.
Merry19451 jane61984
Posted
Jane,
I am sorry for your boyfriend's suffering. He should see a neurologist who has the expertise to prescribe and taper up, then down, meds such as Neurontin, or Lyrica, Cymbalta or Venlafaxine, perhaps an Opioid for the headache, and a medication with an antihistamine effect such as Benadryl, Atarax, or Doxepin-the most efficacious for itching. All these meds have side effects, of course, and should be prescribed by a physician who knows what he/she is doing.
I am sorry for the delay in responding to your post. My internet provider was down.
I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles every three to five weeks for the past twenty years in my right ear and twice in my right eye.
Best wishes
Merry Juliana
joseph34465 MsM81
Posted
MsM81, I heard the time for recovery can be from 1 month to a lifetime. Most it seems to last toward the one month but a lot of people it's closer to 1 year. The Fatigue is very normal and they tell you not to try to power through it, it's not going to happen. If it last for a long time you might need to take an antidepressant. I take 150 milligrams of Lyrica 3 times a day and I was taking Cymbalta that I'm going back on. The pain doctor said it was to help the pain, but I noticed after not taking it for a couple of weeks that couldn't even stand myself. Good luck
dawnw MsM81
Posted
I'm exhausted!! I started with the pain last Saturday. I thought I had a rib out. The pain was getting worse everyday. Deep down I figured it was shingles. I finally went in yesterday. I have 2 very small spots which are not even raised. I'm in some meds but feel extremely exhausted. Can't hardly keep my eyes open.
Sissycoalminer dawnw
Posted
dawnw Sissycoalminer
Posted
I'm not on any antidepressants. I hope you have luck with that. Great idea u have!! I have heard some of the antidepressants are hard to come off of. Are your shingles active
marjo93296 Sissycoalminer
Posted
Antidepressants are lowering your immunity which is not good when you have shingles. I was on them for a while 7 years ago and decided to change my diet. No more sugar and very little carbs as that turned into sugar. I got my shingles when I was on a sugar binge. It is so addictive and sugar is in everything. It is hard to stop again however necessary. Homeopathics it good, I take a product that increases my immunity and it is very helpful. Marjo
barbie67588 MsM81
Posted
My story is almost identical to yours. 2 weeks later I'm exhausted. Not able to sleep due to the pain even though it's not as intense as it was in the beginning. The lack of energy and the fact that nothing really helps with the pain is so frustrating to me. Going into my 3rd week of this can anyone tell me how long this can last? Thank you
babs99203 barbie67588
Posted
The truth? It can be 3-6 months. My story is also very similar. I'm starting my fourth month now. My dose of gabapetin has slightly decreased from 2400 MHz to 2200 mgs, but I am doing better. You don't mention what meds you are on any, but it can be a while to get to the level that helps the most. But you also need to rest and avoid whatever makes the pain worse.
donna48911 MsM81
Posted
Did you get less fatigued in time? I am hoping so...
babs99203 donna48911
Posted
Donna. If you got The antivirals within 72 hours, they should help combat the shingles. So that's the first question I have for you is when did you get the antivirals? Don't forget, the shingles is a virus, you can have all kinds of other symptoms particularly fatigue possibly nausea, headaches headaches, bodyaches, and all kinds of other odd symptoms particularly severe pain in the area of the rash. The fatigue is not unusual sadly. Are you also on any other medication, such as gabapentin, the generic of Neurontin. that can lessen the pain and possibly shorten the duration of your illness. However it also causes again sleepiness, and confusion. This is a serious illness, you need to rest as much as possible. Most of us came to this for him seeking answers and truly did not understand how serious this was and what impact it can have in our life. Take care keep asking questions, but you might want to start your own forum thread where it says start your own discussion down below, to get some specific information regarding your situation. Please excuse any typos. I am five months out from my first and hopefully only bout of shingles, and I'm using speech to text to type this as it's much easier for me.
marjo93296 donna48911
Posted
Mindyw1998 MsM81
Posted
I was just diagnosed about a week ago with shingles.. Not a bad case, just a small patch on my rib.. I am being treated with an antiviral and antibacterial medication.. I no longer have the burning sensation at the rash spot, but my muscles hurt everywhere.. It's like I over did it at the gym.. And I get extremely fatigue and weak (physically weak, no longer lift small amount of weight).. My friend just told me to stop complaining and suck it up.. Smh
Merry19451 Mindyw1998
Posted
Dear Mindy,
I am sorry you are going through this. Your friend is not empathetic. Herpes Zoster Shingles affects the entire body, not just the area where the rash is. The generalized aches and pains can last for a couple of weeks. The fatigue and exhaustion can last for months. The area of Herpes Zoster Shingles can start burning again with a vengeance, so be careful.
You should have been told to take analgesic medications for the pain. Naproxen is good.
You need to rest and sleep and sleep and and rest. No?, that was not an error. You have to do nothing except rest, and eat nutritious foods. That "friend" isnt going to help you.
Hopefully, by the end of one month, the lesions will be scabbed over, and you will feel better. Please consider taking time off from work.
I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have had Herpes Zoster Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twentyone years and twice in my right eye.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
Mindyw1998 Merry19451
Posted
I was given NARCO for pain but I really don't function well on pain meds, so I haven't taken them but at bedtime.. I'm also stubborn so I am still working in an auto parts store..
babs99203 Mindyw1998
Posted
Tell the "friend" that once they have shingles, they can then tell you what to do! Seriously, the rash is NOT the virus, it's just one of the many, many symptoms that appear from its assault on our body. You can have shingles with no rash and have just as much or more pain than someone with one. I had two tiny areas, yet was almost debilitated by the pain. It's so very hard to understand, like Merry said, that you are ill and have a systematic infection--just like the flu or a cold etc. Yes, rest is the best thing you can do.
Take care, we're here for you.
BrandyMcNeill Merry19451
Posted
Dear Merry, thank you, thank you for all the useful info. I came to site because I feel worse today, two weeks AFTER first dx. Of course, grateful stabbing pain is gone. I was lucky to recognize it was shingles from the commercials and was given steroids, antivirals, Tylenol 3, and Lidocaine cream within 72 hrs. The blisters are 75% healed. But starting yesterday, I was having muscle aches, chills, nausea, burning and itching where the blisters used to be, etc. Just relieved to know "it's not all in my head". I was pushing myself to keep up with my exercise routine and today, I just couldn't do it; not even walk the dogs. Thx for talking about shingles being a systemic virus, not just the blisters. I'm going to take it easy. I found relief from Solorcane spray with Aloe and lidocaine. Actually seemed to worked better than the 5% lidocaine cream. Brandy
Merry19451 BrandyMcNeill
Posted
It certainly is not all in your head. The worse thing you can do is power through Herpes Zoster Shingles. Unfortunately, we all have tried to do it, and we pay for it later. You need to eat nutritious foods and rest and sleep. The varicella virus has infected your entire body, and it can literally take months to get over the systemic effects.
Your absolutely right about Solarcaine spray with Aloe helping more than the Lidocaine 5% patch, at least for me, with another ailment....
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
BrandyMcNeill Merry19451
Posted
In some ways I may have been lucky; I was already going to Accupuncture for another health issue. I was also taking Pristiq for a head injury. Those were two bits of advice I read in this forum. I also knew from the head injury that Gabapentin was not good for me. The codeine worked better and I knew to be very careful. I made a 5 day prescription last 10 days and mostly used it at night so I could sleep. I am frustrated with this heath set back. The head injury was serious and included torn muscles and trapped nerves. It took me 26 months of recovery to be able to exercise for two hours and run a few errands. I can't believe you have had to deal with this every 5 weeks for decades. Thx for sharing what you have learned.