1. Community
  2. Infections
  3. Shingles

Exhausted post shingles

Posted , 107 users are following.

MsM81
MsM81

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

453 Replies

Prev Next
  • Ellie1943
    Ellie1943 MsM81

    Posted

    Hi Kate. Yes I still feel exhausted at times two months after I was diagnosed! The virus remains in the system for some time I believe. I read that it's called viremia. I found I needed to sleep longer and nap often. I'm 72 so maybe it affects older people more in this way. You didn't mention your age! I didn't have much rash but still getting PHN, (neuralgia). It's well worth reading up about it on here and looking at the forums too. I'm beginning to improve slowly now but can't overdo things like housework or gardening yet. A little often is probably the answer. Take it easy Kate! rolleyes
    • mandy28278
      mandy28278 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Im 32 and sleeping 12 hours a day and spending the other 12 mostly on the couch. im no sure whats worse, the shingles or the boredom that comes from having no energy
    • sara28314
      sara28314 mandy28278

      Posted

      Hi Mandy, I am a similar age to you and I was so bored and fed up after a couple of days. Once the tablets kick in and the pain gets under control the boredom is really bad. I couldn't work and had no attention span for anything either. I just tried to set myself different tasks, really little small things like washing hair etc to do, and I alternated between tv, reading, games and chatting to people. Try and have windows and doors open as you don't feel so totally cut off from the world as well

    • mandy28278
      mandy28278 sara28314

      Posted

      thanks for the advice Sarah. I had big plans for my summer off (I teach) but im trying to remember to be grateful that this didnt happen during work. I feel so bad for the people that have to work through this or care for small children. Luckily I have a teen so she is more of a help.
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 mandy28278

      Posted

      Hi Mandy. I found reading or listening to audio boks while resting helped me most. No effort required. It is important to rest as much as possible anyway as it helps you heal from this awful virus. I'm now 14 months post shingles and still have some PHN, usually if I try to overdo things. It can be boring if you do nothing all day, just pace yourself and relax as much as you can in the way which helps you most. Lots of us have said they watch TV catchup or films and programmes pre recorded. I've done that too but running out of stuff to view now. I still like my audio books best and download from Amazon regularly. It's better than the library for me as I'm 73 and have some mobility problems. I'm not bored and my elderly dog loves coming on the bed for a cuddle when I rest! Best wishes, Pollyanna. rolleyes

    • mandy28278
      mandy28278 Ellie1943

      Posted

      I didnt think of audio books. Thats a great idea. I love to read but it strains my eyes after a while. I have amazon prime. maybe they have audio books. Thanks
    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 mandy28278

      Posted

      Go to Amazon kindle books page. Then on left hand side column, look for audio or whyspersinc and click on that. Some of the Kindle unlimited which you get with Prime have audio but otherwise I look for the Daily/monthly deal in books and then sort according to price. some are just £1 + the extra charge for audio, whispersync. This, if you download it to your device syncs the audio with the book so you can swap and change between the two. If you don't have a Kindle you can download the app. My eyes get sore when I read too so it's a boon for me.

    • kimberley77664
      kimberley77664 mandy28278

      Posted

      Oh I am so glad I found this site. I just finished my 7 days of anti viral meds and I feel worse than when started. All my blisters, which weren't many, are dry scabs now. But I am nauseous and exhausted all the time. And the diarrhea is unreal.

      The urgent care or my primary doctor didn't tell me any of this would happen.

      I go to work and can't concentrate and am so tired.

      I thought I should be over this by now. I was in the heat Sunday for 2 hours, in the pool and I was sick later. I wish I saw this site before then. I have been forcing myself to do things because I just thought I should be over it

      I am 55. I have had a recurring fever blister on my lip for decades. I had no idea these 2 things are connected.

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 kimberley77664

      Posted

      Hi Kimberly,

      Where was your rash and are you having pain, now?

      The nausea and diarrhea are from the antiviral medication, not from the shingles.

      The fatigue is definitely the Herpes Zoster-Shingles, however. People find it difficult to concentrate and feel fatigued for sometimes months after onset of the rash. Healing from Herpes Zoster-Shingles is a process. Give yourself permission to rest. We often tend to push ourselves instead of listening to our bodies. Sleep and rest are necessary ingredients in recovery.

      Please feel free to ask questions, as everyone is in a different place.

      Best wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • kimberley77664
      kimberley77664 Merry19451

      Posted

      My rash is on my right arm and my chest and the back of my neck. It was never real bad. But the pain in my arm and neck before the trash appeared was awful. I though my herniated disc from 8 years ago was back. And it started in late June.

      I came home to rest today. I am going to get some oregano oil today and start using it to help get recovered quicker.

  • maxine0952
    maxine0952 MsM81

    Posted

    So great to read all your replies - reassuring that my weariness and strange tinkling in throat, tongue and limbs is all part of this terrible virus. I'll be so glad when I can get myself back to normal - I just don't feel well - I've had the virus now for about 6 - 7 weeks
  • sierramar
    sierramar MsM81

    Edited

    I realize that this forum entitled "Exhausted post shingles" started 7 months ago. Today is 10-19-15. My husband, 91 years old, is experiencing a great deal of fatigue, PLUS bouts of lightheadedness, plus some tingling in feet and legs. The outbreak on an upper arm would be considered mild, and caused only mild discomfort. (He had the vaccine 2-3 years ago.) It is now two weeks since the eruption plus one week of Valtrex. There are times when he feels his "normal self," however two days ago we went to the ER with severe fatigue, sweating, and lightheadedness. He has prostate cancer, and I surmise that his compromised immune system and medications (including prednisone) had a lot to do with this situation.

    Our main concern is the lightheadedness, and wonder whether others are experiencing any of this.

    We appreciate the contributions of others on this forum, and thank MsM81 for starting it. Wishing the best for all of you!

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 sierramar

      Posted

      Hi Sierramar,

      I am so sorry for your husband's suffering.

      Shingles is a viral disease and can cause fatigue, fever, malaise, weakness, sweating, chills, aches and pains. Prednisone, especially when tapering down with shingles and the immunocompromised state with prostate cancer, would cause fatigue. The excruciating pain of shingles obviously in itself can cause fatigue.

      I hope this helps.

      I have shingles every 3-5 weeks in my ear for the last 19 years. I am a nurse practitioner in the States and also am knowledgeable about treating Herpes Zoster.

      Please let me know how your husband is doing. I too have cancer.

      Merry Juliana

    • sierramar
      sierramar Merry19451

      Posted

      Thanks, Merry, for your support. Fatigue is still a problem for my husband, but lightheadedness is diminishing. Once, this week, he was so stressed, he was shaking, but things are improving as he paces himself. 

      It is no surprise that those with other challenges such as cancer have a weaker system to start with. I wish the best for you.

      Thanks again. Sierramar

  • loafcake
    loafcake MsM81

    Posted

    Wow this thread is for me!  I am 46.  I had shingles 3 years ago.  I had a rash but the main troubling symptoms were and continue to be Fatigue, Restless Sleep, Innratibility, Anger and Brain Fog.  I've had many bouts since.  Mostly the bouts follow heavy exercise.  I used to race mountain bikes and had to give up my hobby.  After shingles I was never able to workout, to build fitness or even ride casually for anything more than an hour.  I've been to many doctors, flew myself to the Mayo Clinic in MN and everyone says I am healthy and that I have a mood disorder with some level of depression.  Ok sure... you would be depressed and have a mood disorder if you were on the couch all of the freaking time.  

    I was yelling at at Phychiatrist today saying this is all bull and I believe this is not rooted in a mood disorder but is related to when I got shingles.  

    So here is my question.  She suggested that she has patients who have herpies and who keep a stock of Acyclovir and some take it daily like a vitamin while others take it when the herpies raises its head.  Anyone doing this?  

    I am surprised that none of you are writing about this here and that we are all simply "toughing" this out.  I am so tired of meing told I am a healthy man with depression.  

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 loafcake

      Posted

      Dear Loafcake,

      Actually, some of us take antivirals daily or when an episode of Herpes Zoster strikes. The fatigue that occurs should only last 1-2 months maximum. None of us is just simply toughing it out. Every time I develop the first inkling of pain, I start Famvir, a better antiviral than Acyclovir. It shortens the course and decreases the intensity of the Zoster. I also take Topiramate, which also decreases the pain of the Zoster. I have had Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 19 years. I remain active and have not changed my life style. Yes, I need to rest those three initial days when the Zoster starts. But life moves on. I keep participating in life's adventures and challenges. You can get active again. I did after two strokes and more recently, breast cancer, and am still going strong. I think of all of these health issues as blips on the radar, issues I have to overcome, and I have overcome them all. We are here to support you. Believe me, I also understand severe depression, and conquered that, as well.

      Just because Mayo physicians did not find a physical cause does not mean that a physical cause does not exist. Sometimes, please know, that a person can have depression and the physical disorder of Herpes Zoster. What physicians, including psychiatrists, fail to appreciate is the accompanying symptoms of Herpes Zoster.

      You truly have a viremia, causing the fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, fever, head aches, etc prior to the pain at the site before the rash appears. The fatigue, in combination with the severe pain, can contribute to a depression. Please remember I am trying to help you here.

      It sounds like you are having trouble with the "depression" diagnosis. Depression truly is a physical disease of the brain due to depletion of certain neurotransmitters. It does not mean that you are crazy.

      When you have Zoster many times a year, the doctors need to realize that you are physically ill. Ask for Famvir instead of Acyclovir. It works more effectively and faster. Take it daily to prevent reoccurring episodes.

      Please let me know how you do. I know what it is like when the disease is controlling you. You need to control the disease.

      I am truly sorry for your suffering.

      Merry

    • loafcake
      loafcake Merry19451

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your understanding. I will report back when i have any info and next steps. Great to have found you all.
    • melanie14716
      melanie14716 loafcake

      Posted

      loafcake, how are you?  

      I won't bore you with my medical history - the short version is that i suffered shingles in eye/face with only a very few blisters 2006, and a few years later after suffering real fatigue, mystery flu like viruses, and finally pins and needles in roof of my mouth/over scalp, i was referred to an ME/CFS specialist.  took me a few years to get this far, made difficult because suspected SINE HERPETE, ie without lesions.  

      exhaustion after sometimes normal exertion, muscle weakness, brain fog...look it up.  

      my diagnosis is shingles related ME/CFS, if i get run down/tired/pick up a cold, feels like immune system sets on fire and shingles symptoms pile in very quickly.  I keep acyclovir at home, and on start of symptoms I have to start the meds.  my specialist recommends NOT taking constantly, you can build intolerance.  

      apart from that, know that your inflammatory response in body is 6, 12, 24hours after activity.  track your activity/life for  a few weeks,, look for patterns.  helpful in any case.  I take multi vit, coQ10, vit D, good vit B... bloods show normal.  

      I hope this might help you.  It took years for me to wade through all the possibilities.  

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.