Exhausted post shingles

Catherine,

What you are experiencing is allodynia, the hyperexcitability of the pain to the slightest provocation ie breeze. You might try debucaine cream or ointment to deaden the nerve endings on the skin.

I use Auralgon in the ear which has Benzocaine, and it helps to lessen the intensity of pain when I get Herpes Zoster Oticus. I need less Opioids.

I feel your physician should consider trying a different Opioid as Codeine based Opioids are notorious for causing nausea. Some doctors like that narcotics cause nausea as then patients won't abuse the narcotics. My feeling is when a patient has severe pain, that she should receive the appropriate medications to relieve the pain.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Dear Catherine,

I would suggest going to our equivalent of Urgent Care. A&E? Perhaps a physician there could write a prescription for oxycodone that would not cause the nausea and vomiting. I don't think that a physician who didn't change your prescription of cocodamol knowing it caused you distress is necessarily representing your best interests. If I knew a drug was causing nausea and vomiting, I would immediately switch to another drug. First Principle of Medicine: Do No Harm. Please Go to A&E and get another medication.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Thanks Merry 19451, I'm on my own today but over the weekend my hubbys here if this continues I will get him to take me to A@E in saying that I'm not exactly over the moon about that our local hospital has a bad reputation and I have experienced this myself on several occasions it's the only option I have though the next nearest hospital is over 100 miles away just remembering there is another small hospital unit close by think they do A@E I have more faith in them. Haven't been sick today but then I haven't eaten much either only a bowl of cereal I'll see how it goes over the weekend this is a nightmare ....one good thing God must have guided me to this page the other day for that I'm grateful thanks for being there Merry. Xxx

Catherine,

It is my pleasure to help you and others. I went through my first episode alone, undiagnosed. The first two ENTs thought I was drug seeking, even though I could hear nothing and my tympanogram was abnormal. The vesicles-blisters had not yet appeared. Fortunately the otoneurologist I saw diagnosed it and treated me well. I am so aware of the agonizing pain and other symptoms people suffer from the disease.

As a nurse for over 40 years and Nurse Practitioner for 17 years, I am highly attuned to suffering.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Haven't made it to the doctor yet felt too unwell to go really, was sleeping a lot over the weekend haven't been sick again thankfully had an oatmeal bath today that helped a little, then I tried to do a little housework and ended up stressed with cold sweats then diarrhoea now back in bed again 😨 As for the mind lol it's like yours and others it's gone AWOL probably out there in the universe somewhere trying to figure out what's the matter with me and will I ever feel "normal" again. Hope everyone else is doing okay xxx

Catherine,

I feel like you in that it is a roller coaster ride, but I now know what to expect, and I just hang on for the ride...My identical twin was commenting on words and phrases I use as fillers, Whatever, and others, not to be rude, but when I cant think of what I wanted to say. similar to ummm. As I have had 2 strokes, I am doing quite well. I love your comment about your mind going AWOL. Keep your sense of humor.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

I'm beginning to loose the will to live lol you get a reasonably good day and then wallop back in that bad place again.  I'm trying hard to see what this is all teaching me...the only thing i can see is its teaching me to slow down and stop doing so much. It's amazed me how little I really need to do think we make work for ourselves at times Instead of just enjoying life. Had to get the doc in at the beginning of the week felt so ill ..he reckoned I'd picked up a sickness and diarrhoea bug, I've already had a urine infection as well along with the shingles. So I'm now staying indoors and keeping away from people as my immune system is obviously struggling to cope with the shingles virus I'm picking up other bugs when I venture out. I did venture out shopping a couple of times i know I shouldn't have but I had to get birthday gifts for my Grandaughter and daughter in law and boy did I feel ill when I was out even my husband realised then how ill I was. So what do you do in these circumstances ....I couldn't live with myself if I didn't get them gifts, suppose I could have shopped online. 😕 realised that right now I have to put myself first my wellbeing but I'm not very good at doing that for some reason. It's so frustrating though to be put in a position where you need others to help you.....possibly they are learning something as well.....who knows. I hate being needy doesn't sit very well with me somehow, I'm a very independent person at least I thought I was. I am realising I'm a hard task master as well and don't always listen to my body, that's another thing I'm learning is to listen to myself. Like today I wanted to get up and do something but my body wanted to rest so I rested.  Sorry to see that your going through it once again Merry hope it's better soon. I don't know if I'm getting paranoid or not but I keep finding spots in various places, behind my ears on my temples etc is this the norm with shingles ...I'm not a one for getting spots really or maybe I just didn't notice them before. All I'm  hoping for a good nights sleep tonight hope and wish everyone else the same xxx

Hi Catherine. Your journey through shingles sounds much like mine and many others I believe! Before I started with it last April, I knew very little about it. It's surely been an education to me, learnt a lot about myself, my body and how others manage it. So many people it's hard to believe as I've rarely spoken to anyone apart from this forum who has it or has recurring bouts. I've noticed lately that certain fabrics make me itch like mad and I have to remove the clothing responsible and apply eurax anti itch cream or similar. (lidocaine). It's like an allergy has started but having read these post I've come to realise it's probably the nerve endings coming from the dorsal part of the spine where Zoster  lies dormant until awakened in the form of shingles. I don't think mine has gone dormant again, still active hence these itchy places which keep coming. Worse if I get hot and bothered as when trying to do various chores in house or garden. I have Osteo Arthritis in the spine and it's my view that is the reason for me having shingles in the first place as the OA has been getting steadily worse for some years now. The dorsal nerves must be raw by now and can't seem to recover. I wish someone who really understands these things could read all these posts and do some more research into the why's and wherefores of this illness.        

Catherine,

It is indeed different when you experience a setback. I am exceptionally independent and have had to learn to accept help graciously when necessary and realize my health comes first. Consequently, I do most of my shopping on line.

My family is very understanding, but I don't do any complaining. I stumble when I have Zoster due to Ataxia. I am forever holding onto things during this period as I can't afford any more head injuries.

Unfortunately, unless you have shingles, you can't appreciate the full extent of the disease. Physicians and family might be understanding, but only up to a point. My identical twin and I have been going through breast cancer treatment together, identical tumor, same time of diagnosis within two weeks, same tumor markers, same location in the breast, same size tumor, same everything, so in a way, we understand everything that is going on with each other. The partial mastectomies, the side effects of the radiation, the chemotherapy, etc...are identical.

Fortunately, we have an excellent prognosis.

Most people do not understand Zoster-Shingles.

It is not just the excruciating pain, but the myriad of symptoms that accompany the disease which alters one's quality of life.

Please let me know if I can help you.

I wish I could make house calls all over the UK and US to help people such as you...

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Youve had your fair share Merry, how on earth do you cope with all that going on glad you have a good prognosis with regards the breast cancer...I can understand to a point I had cancer of the bowel had to have a sigmoidectomy think that's what it's called but never needed radiation or chemo, my sister she had Leukaemia and had chemo I can't begin to imagine what that's like I wasn't long out of hospital myself when she was diagnosed so I wasn't up to visiting her much at the time she was having chemo but I saw the results not very nice. Why do some get so much on their plates....I get over one thing then something else pops up. But that's life as they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, when I look back I think how did I manage to come through all that didn't have much support either compared to others....but maybe I didn't need it 🙂I'm  sure I didn't choose all of this lol I was getting back on my feet after the last illness I had and was getting of medications I'd been on for one thing and another and now this...I know what your saying about shingles and people not understanding they look at you and all that most say is oh yes that's a sore thing to have then they proceed to tell you all their petty stuff ☺️ It's a pity there's not much support out there only the gps, could do with someone like you merry calling to give some support etc. I managed an oatmeal bath today that has helped a bit was pouring with sweat at the same time and felt exhausted with the effort .....got my hubby to give me a haircut as well lol it's not what you'd call fashionable but it's shorter and tidier and makes me feel a bit better, I don't like hairdressers much they don't always do what you ask them so I usually cut my own but right now I can't manage to do it so got hubby to do it...😀 Feeling tired now ...hope you keep on smiling merry hugs to you  xxx

Hi Pollyanna...I noticed when I wear artificial fabrics it tends to make things worse too..I've been trying to stick to wearing cotton next to my skin and find its not so bad, cotton sox, pants, tee shirts etc plus cotton bedding as well. Prior to the shingles starting with me I'd had a lower back X-ray because of back pain was getting physio for that they said it was just wear and tear of the spine. I was in the chemist one day looking for a pain relieving cream for the genital area as I get pain in that area as well they gave me haemorrhoid ointment it contains lidocaine, the chemist commented that there's a lot of people just now being struck down with shingles for some reason....just thought it a bit strange tbh. Even my GP when she first saw the rash down my leg she said that's bizarre ....I didn't say anything just felt she must have seen shingles before....I don't know I get the feeling something is going on but that's just me and my suspicious mind ....as you say Pollyanna the why's and the wherefores I'd like to know as well. Xxx

 

Hi Catherine. I have to agree with you on all points! I too am trying to stick to wearing just plain cotton, no polyester but I find even pants and bra's have polyester trimmings and elastic which is also a problem. I seem to spend most days when at home in loose cotton pyjamas now. Talk about the pyjama game, lol  I found that haemarroid ointment down below helps too. Eurax helps upper regions but not for long. Is all this because we ARE living longer or just more aware than previous generations? I think the people who do the research need to look at all angles, including illness which might not be fatal but definitely affects the quality of life in the elderly. I'm assuming you are too? Sorry if you're still a bright young thing!  Also, the polluted atmosphere might have something to do with all this in my view. (Not wishing to sound paranoid but........)!

Hi Pollyanna I'm an elderly adult 😊 Think that's what they call us now. I'm 68 going on 16 although some days I feel like 90.  I'm not sure about us living longer maybe we are. I was saying to my hubby I don't recall elderly people when I was young having so many illnesses never heard of half the illnesses they have now makes me wonder if they've created the illnesses to keep the drug companies happy or to rid the planet of us Elderly Adults or do they want to drug us to keep us quiet. Just as a matter of interest have you been on Omeprazole or any other PPI these ones they give you for the stomach? I used to be a bright young thing even though I was an elderly adult but between illness and drugs I mean prescribed drugs my sparkle has gone slowly but surely all due to the medical profession. I shudder now when they say I need to see someone I always come away feeling worse than when I first went there. I've to see my GP this week I've got lots of questions to ask .....if I can remember what the questions are lol they don't like me much I don't think at the medical centre I question things and they don't like that. They think I have a problem and I think they have a problem lol 😊 I won't give in to them not yet anyway lol you mentioned pollution where we are there's very little pollution but when I was first stricken down with shingles at Xmas my husband said it's something airborne why he said that I don't know but he's usually not far of the mark ....call it intuition that inner voice that tells you somethings not right ....it's usually right. Xxx

Hi Catherine. I'm an elderly adult too (72) and also lost my sparkle in the last few years. Yes, I have been taking omeprazole for some time now as I have acid reflux. I'm currently trying to reduce them after reading on here, the problems they can cause in some people. I also take Tramadol, paracetamol, cetirizine and Fostair, a steroid inhaler for osteo arthritis and allergy related asthma respectively. I don't think GP's or any doctor like to be questioned. They seem to think they know best but I've noticed that they do check online now before diagnosing or prescribing. Just a brief check so not enough to take in all the side effects and problems some of these drugs can cause. It does make me wonder if we are over prescribed and this may be causing cross reactions with the drugs we take. My surgery are currently attempting to get patients off certain meds, I was taken off Diclofenac, (for OA) recently as it's not recommended for elderly patients now, can cause all sorts of problems! Possibly your hubby is right. All the muck which is belched into the atmosphere may be lowering our immune systems which could be why we've had shingles. I live in the "mucky midlands", very industrial as you may know. Lots of smog in days gone by but a bit better now we don't burn coal. It's industry and traffic causing the problems now and not as easy to see as smog was in the fifties! Best stay indoors and wear a gas mask outdoors maybe! lol Eastern Asia folk do go around with masks on I've noticed, particularly in China. Good sense?  

Hi Pollyanna....I'm on Omeprazole a consultant at our local hospital told me I had to take it for the rest of my days. I never asked him why but last year I asked my GP why this was he told me it's because I have esophagitis and duodenitis if I don't take it I could bleed 😢 He said the down side is it depletes you of magnesium and other vital vitamins and minerals. When I got home I researched depletion of magnesium it causes all sorts of probs so I started taking supplements of magnesium and slowly I began to manage to do more, it also causes osteoarthritis and only last week I read that it's being blamed for causing dementia. I'm going to talk to my GP about this he did mention last year about giving me something else for the acid reflux which doesn't cause all these probs. I was also on tramadol a couple of years ago on one occasion when I was in hospital a nurse was asking what meds I was on when I mentioned tramadol she shook her head and made a comment with regards to elderly people being given tramadol for anything and everything she wasn't in agreement with them dishing them out like smarties. I've managed to get of most of the meds I was on except for the Omeprazole but taking supplements of magnesium made a world of difference for me, my hubby noticed how I was more alert and managing to do more that was until this attack of shingles, I mentioned to another nurse I was seeing about Omeprazole and she said if you think that's bad try taking one they give you for incontinence probs they're the worst ever. I notice in our surgery they're being more aware of side effects before they dish them out. At the moment it's NSAIDs that's getting looked at. Think Diclofenic falls into that category. It starts of with one pill which leads to another and then another and another. We're quite lucky where we are in a rural location by the sea so there's not much pollution around us plenty wide open spaces and skies. I've been staying indoors with the shingles ventured out twice and picked up a bug so have decided it's best to stay at home with a low immune system rather than risk getting other viruses or bugs. Your right with regards wearing a mask makes a lot of sense. Hope your doing okay. Xxx

Pollyanna and Catherine,

You both may want to try taking Pepcid, an H2 blocker.

Pepcid, of the H2 blockers, has the least side effects.

The physicians wish to cover you if are taking arthritis medications as they are notorious for causing gastrointestinal bleeds. Each medication has its own side effects.

Merry Juliana

Hi Merry. Thanks for the info. I'm currently trying to get an appointment with doc to review my medications. Almost impossible at the moment as I think the 'flu bug' is around and I can only get an appointment if I call and ask for an emergency one on the day.. I'm reducing the Omeprazole slowly and use Gaviscon if needed as it's dual action. Watch this space1  

Hi Catherine. I was prescribed the 'O' for acid reflux due to hiatus hernia some years ago, presumably before the consultants and GP's new about the problems they cause. Same applies to Diclofenac for OA, I have stopped them except occasionally when pain in spine is very bad, a last resort sometimes when even Tramadol doesn't help as I don't want to prescribed anything like morphine and am allergic to codeine and aspirin! Believe me, my spine is so painful I just can't move at times, bed's the only answer then. So much for keep moving!  I stayed indoors when shingles started too for sometime. I had no energy anyway and even when I went hol with my family to Wales a few weeks later I wasn't much better. Also currently having scans for ovarian cysts which may be O C! My mother had it so I asked to be checked last year when I was feeling really low post shingle and could have been another reason for shingles. It's never ending. Not sure about magnesium, heard that causes problems for some people too so would have to ask doc, (when I can get an appointment!) As I just said to Merry, 'watch this space"!

 

You Crack me up... LOL!!!! I am watching for you and over you

All the best

Merry Juliana

Funny we were discussing 'pollution' in the atmosphere. Did you see the news today. It seems the 'powers that be' have come to the same conclusion about the muck we breathe on a daily basis. They're now saying it's thought to be responsible for a number of illness's especially in children and young people who've been brought up in the worst or industrial places. Plus elderly and more vulnerable and possibly a cause of dementia and other afflictions we're prone to like breathing problems! Didn't mention shingles but.... immune system!  Maybe they read our posts! lol

 

Wouldn't surprise me Pollyanna if they read our posts lol the ringleader is Merry so we'll send them after her 😀 They don't like if you question things etc it's a case of do what I tell you....and the powers that be only tell you what they want for reasons only known to them, they lead you to believe they're helping you but they're not really. There's also electro pollution it's all around us interfering with our own natural energies....things like wifi broadband phone masts etc. Maybe that's what's breaking down our immune systems leaving us susceptable to bugs and virus's and goodness knows what else. I was at me GP yesterday he changed cocodamol to tramadol it's suiting me much better. not feeling so distressed today with the pain. My appetites a bit better as well but then again all that can change tomorrow, the shingles virus seems to have a mind of its own lol pity it would go AWOL lol hope everyone's doing okay xxx

should be wouldn't go AWOL 😜

I think we should go awol too! What with Big Brother and Merry I'm feeling persecuted now!  My last post went to moderator, don't know why? Can't see anything in it which was wrong, just banter really.  I had to stop co codamol some years ago due to stomach pain and nausea etc just like you. I cope well with Tramadol but don't take one if going out, I wait till I'm home as they make me sleepy. They do dish these things out willy nilly and we are all so different they can't possibly suit everyone. I agree that Docs don't like being questioned on the whole. I've found a lady doc who is brusque but efficient I think and treats me like a 'grown up'. Unfortunately she's part time and hard to get hold of in a hurry, I have to be 'patient' to see her so not much use if it's an urgent appointment needed. I think I've started another bout of shingles this week. Been feeling a bit fluey and aching limbs and joints. Yesterday I found one blister on my abdomen and have a stomach upset and headache too today.  Rest day tomorrow after a walk round the town with daughters today. Coffee and bun were good in C**** though!

 

Dear Pollyanna,

I hope I don't make you feel persecuted.. the moderator is rather strict...I believe I developed shingles before I had a cell phone. I never hold the phone near my head anyway. Shingles has been around long before the pollution and extra energy floating around from WiFi, etc. I know my recurrent Herpes Zoster is due to autoimmune diseases, which my mother and father gave to my twin and me and breast cancer. One can't choose one's parents. ..LOL...

It was just a little banter Merry! Catherine and I were just joking a bit about all the pollution and possible causes. She and I are opposite ends of England I believe but both a bit fedup I think. What with shingles, bad weather and all, we need a giggle now and then. No offence meant to you Merry, just us being a bit daft and trying to solve the country's problems! lol  PS, I've been checked for auto immune diseases, ovarian cancer, (current ladies probs plus my mother passed on with it in the 70's). I said the same to my daughters today, we can't be held responsible for our forebears, we have several genetic problems but nothing related to shingles as far as I know. Ta ta for now, I'm off to bed.

Hi Pollyanna ...I've made posts and they haven't been allowed either like you I didn't say anything untoward just maybe to close to the truth. 🤐 I've had another bad urine infection passing so much blood I called the doc in I thought I was haemorrhaging ....don't know if that's shingles related or not. Maybe we went a bit off topic talking about pollution etc lol xxx

I've just answered your query about shingles being infectious. Not been on forum for awhile as rather tired and feeling off colour again I think I might be having another small flair, just one spot on abdomen but feeling awful, tired and achy, throaty cough etc. All the usual symptoms in fact. I hope your urine infection is getting better. I've heard other people say about 'internal shingles'! not sure what this means though. Hope the Doc sorted you well. Maybe the virus is still very active in your body so rest up and just be kind to yourself. We did get a bit off topic but what does it matter? A natter with people helps us feel better. Does me as I live alone now and my kids are far too busy to listen when I have a moan! lol  Take care, Pollyanna.

Hi Pollyanna ...I am feeling a good bit better thanks at least for the now I am.  Been resting and trying to stop myself from worrying etc if I could switch the brain off would be good. I keep thinking its not a urine infection I have the bleeding started suddenly and stopped suddenly lasted for about 4 hours. I think it was a kidney stone I was passing, at one point I felt a sense of relief just as if I'd passed something...it was like giving birth 😳 Anyway it's better now and the tramadol is working much better than the cocodamol ....my GP upped the dose of Gabapentin as well keep getting cold sweats whenever I get up and try and do something like making a cup of tea etc. My family are a bit like yours Pollyanna they're away from home and in my case it's out of sight out of mind lol. I'm not sure about the shingles not being contagious since speaking to my neighbour I was googling a lot and I did find one page who explained it but I can't remember where I saw it or what they said. 🤓 Short term memory problem as well lol. Hope your feeling better Pollyanna and all the others that are suffering out there. Xxx

Hi Catherine, I've sent you a Private Message as I can't give you links on here. Re shingles and chickenpox. Hope you can get into it, if not reply to this and I'll try something else. I've had the cold and hot sweats since this dreaded virus struck. The Docs don't seem to know much about shingles, plus all sorts of other seemingly unrelated problems. More info from other sufferers on here. Pollyanna

Yes I got it thanks Pollyanna.....I'm getting the cold sweats as well all day everyday. 😰 One thing that was concerning me was I noticed when I emptied my bowels the pain lessened. I mentioned it to the doc as I was thinking that there was something in my bowel like a tumour as I'd had bowel cancer before. He said that when the bowel is full it's pressing against the nerves hence causing more pain, then when you empty the bowel the pain subsides, he said it's important to keep your bowels moving and that's not all that easy with painkillers like cocodamol and tramadol I've got sachets of stuff to take to make sure the bowels keep working. So it does affect the goings on inside I suppose depending on what area of the body is affected by the shingles, in my case it's lower back, hip, leg and foot, for someone who has shingles on their upper torso they may not be affected by the bowel problem could be the same with the bladder maybe when it's full. 😳 Anyway I'm listening to my body and taking it easy and resting ....hope your doing the same Pollyanna xxx

I'm definitely listening to my body. Pyjama day today listening to my audio books as it's more comfy than sitting reading. I'm currently having checks on ovarian cysts which have similar effects to yours, re pressure on the bowel. Coupled with OA of spine it's not very comfortable to say the least. Don't think I like old age much. I eat greek live yogurt every day it helps put the good stuff back in the bowel and stay 'regular'!  

That's the one thing I have learned with all of this is to listen to your body and be kind to yourself 😌 Yes I had a feeling there was something swelling up inside me causing pressure, I've had most of my body X-rayed except for down below but I'll go along with what the doc said about the bowel pressing on the nerves if it continues think I'd like to have it investigated further. It's horrible when your in pain and can't get comfy I find myself sitting rocking back and forth a lot of the time when I can't sit or lie in comfort. I don't like old age either I still feel young inside  it's only when you go to do something and rest of you doesn't correspond or when you pass a mirror that it sinks in 😜 Or when I go to buy clothes and my OH says don't forget your 68 now 🙄    I was taking Actimel and Complan trying to strengthen my immune system I take Greek yogurt too must go back to taking porridge as well I find anything with oats in helps me....😊 Xxx 

Sounds like me and I'm off to help my brother who has had surgery.  thank goodness for the forum and Merry!  Please, please pay attention to your body and rest.  That helped today and soon i'll be back to bed again.  so much to do and no one to help me ..My daughter says she does what she can but it's outside the house and another here who has Parkinson's who doesn't understand anything that isn't visible.  We have a lot of training to do for the public!!