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Exhausted post shingles

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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

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  • barbara16466
    barbara16466 MsM81

    Posted

    Hi there, I am 59 yrs old and was diagnosed with shingles 2/19/16. It started with what I thought was a back injury and soon after a rash developed. I was sent home with a pain med and nothing else. Two days later the rash wrapped from spine around the right side in the front and the pain was so intense I was shaking and ended up in the emergency room. The emergency room physician put me on any- viral and a stronger pain med to take more frequently and told me to see my primary in a week. My primary canceled my appointment and would not re fill or prescribe more ant viral med. I am experiencing a electrical buzzing feeling very frequently on the right side and I believe it is more frequent when I am doing more. I also am experiencing extreme fatigue. The doctor said there is nothing more they can do for me & prescribed me an antidepressant for the nerve buzzing. I have a reaction to antidepressants and can not take them. They cause heart palpitations continually.I told her this and it is on my record. I can't seem to find any info in regards to fatigue after this amount of time. I still have itching also and she did prescribe lidocaine patch for this. I get sharp, sudden pain and this buzzing that goes from the nerve effected and even down my front leg. It is so strange and I know the shingles is still in me. Is there anything else I can do? I have a business and I am so tired...
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 barbara16466

      Posted

      Dear Barbara,

      I am so sorry for your suffering. Your physician doesn't understand Herpes Zoster-Shingles with all of the symptoms, nor of the different treatment modalities available. Fatigue often occurs as a major side effect of the disease and can last 2-3--4 months in older individuals, up to a year in a few people. I would find another physician to prescribe either Neurontin or Lyrica. These are used as adjuncts to deaden the neurons from firing in response to pain. They are not specifically pain killers, but help to reduce the overall neuropathic pain or buzzing. As I have recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles every three to five weeks for the last 20 years, I take an anticonvulsant similar to neurontin, Topamax, which I am certain helps reduce the pain I experience. Neurontin and Lyrica have no heart arrhythmia producing side effects, including the palpitations, which antidepressants are notorious for. I have cardiac problems, including arrhythmias and palpitations, so I am well-informed about arrhythmogenic medications. If the pain is truly severe, find a pain specialist to prescribe Opioids. If you are experiencing severe itching, buy OTC benadryl. If your physician is not interested in treating you, it is time to find a better internist.

      I an a nurse practitioner in the States and have discovered that most clinicians are abysmally ignorant regarding Herpes Zoster-Shingles, both in the UK and the US, no offense. No clinician knows everything, but they certainly can open up their computer to learn the latest.

      Please let me know how else I can help.

      I am chronically fatigued by this disease, FYI and use Opioids, Topamax, Auralgon ear drops which has Benzocaine as a topical numbing agent. As I use the three meds, I don't require nearly as many Opioids. I also start the antivirals as soon as I feel the first twinge of pain. I spread out my physically demanding chores through out my day. I alter my lifestyle due to this disease, but I keep on going and going and smiling, no matter what...I've had to accept this as part of my reality and make the most of my life. Herpes Zoster is one of the most excruciating painful conditions of mankind, and has terrible accompanying symptoms that the physicians don't bother to inform the patients about.

      Please keep me posted.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • Ophiana68
      Ophiana68 barbara16466

      Posted

      My full sympathies are with you. 

      Over-tiring ourselves seems to rebound the pain etc of Shingles. Frequest rests are helpful too. 

      I'm still using cold-packs, and have medium to luke-warm shower or lie-in in the bath it gives some relief. You'll see in my photo before the hair-cut.

      Cold temperature does help. I have been through recently what you're going. Have you tried paracetamol or some sort of pain-killers? I just recently stopped taking them as the pain is a bit bearable now.  May be trying some of these things may help you too. I'm in the 6th week, it's a very slow waiting game. I too think that not all the doctors seem to understand these symptoms properly. 

       

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 barbara16466

      Posted

      Hi Barbara,

      This is a strange disease ...post shingles syndrome I call it, can hang around for months up to a year. It is a "viremia", a virus circulating in our system that keeps us feeling unwell. I was diagnosed 1/30/16 in excruciating, debilitating pain for 2+ months.

      Since...I am overwhelmed with extreme fatigue and weakness...frustration, agitatiin, irritableness and weepiness that comes and goes. Also every few weeks I have flu symptoms if I've over done it and pushed too hard.

      My only suggestion is get plenty rest. I started taking L-Lysene 500mg daily about two months ago, it is supposed to alleviate pain and I have no significant pain now.

      I too require an inordinate amount of sleep just to be able to function.

      Hope you're feeling better ... just remember this too shall pass!

      Peace and blessings,

      Joyce

  • avey
    avey MsM81

    Posted

    Hello MSM81,  Ihave had insomnia for the two years since I had shingles and even with the occasional Zolpidem I only sleep 4-5 hours. Lately i've been more unwell with most symtom Merry has mentioned and know it may be a cause of upper and lower intestinal problemswit me.  It appeas to be affecting my body anywhere that has preiously been weakend or compromised in anyway.  It is one of the nastiest illnesses i've seen as it continues to lie in wait for another attack.  I have not been given antivirals to take at the onset of new attacks and will start asking to see if they will help but am concerned about my intestinal problems.  I take pain patches for my pain wherever the pain is constant.  I have constant headaches and take a simple Paracetamol. as many other meds affect me.  I follow these pages and have learned so much.   Care for all sufferers and help hasbeen possible through this wonderful site and wonderful people. Thanks to you all!
  • sandi01178
    sandi01178 MsM81

    Posted

    ohhhhh so VERY sorry for you. fatigue has been the worst thing from my bout w/shingles (1/16). i am still not quite up to where i can say it is gonesad  i hope yours doesn't hang around as lomg as mine has!!
    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 sandi01178

      Posted

      Hi Sandi,

      I was diagnosed 1/30/16...you're right the extreme fatigue (and weakness) hangs on...I have a general feeling of malaise and unwellness, nervousness and brain fog...

      frustration... agitatiin, irritableness and weepiness...not all the time, mostly when I try to do too much. Also I have bouts of flu symptoms every few weeks. I just thank God that agonizing pain has gone! A new symptom occurred a couple weeks back...itchy eyes that has continued. My breakout rash was left side shoulder, arm and chest and not that bad, but the pain was unbearable for about 2 months!

      Do you feel you're about over the post symptoms? I sure hope so! I am so anxious to feel well again.

      Take care...

      Peace and blessings,

      Joyce

    • jane97743
      jane97743 joyce01872

      Posted

      Joyce01872, I have had itchy eyes for weeks now, shingles started 31st March, and just this morning I have been to M and S to finally get some eye cream to put on my eyelids, something that doesn't sting, The more i rubbed my eye the more I risk the pinkness and soreness lasting longer, i have been told it is dry eye and I have various drops to put IN the eye, but the eye cream i just bought is really good to keep eyeolids moisturised, it's Sensitive eye cream and it is only £4. it's easy for the dr to say don't touch my eye but the ut=itching is SO intense especially when I wake up and am tired.I had the woest type of shingles, forehead, head and eye, but the pain has gone now although my head is still tender to touch, my tewple doesn't hurt now though as it was so sensitive for ages. This is the worst illness I have ever had and hope it never comes back!! I do hope you feel better soon, and that goes for everyone who is suffering!
    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 jane97743

      Posted

      Hi Jane,

      I am blessed that I didn't have shingles on my face...but shoulder, arm and chest left side. The pain was horrible for 2+ months. I was diagnosed 4.5 months ago; the eye itching started about 2 or 3 wks ago. I have allergies pretty much year-round, but have never had itchy eyes like this! I do think my allergies (rhinitis) have intensified since shingles.

      Yes, the fatigue (weakness) and general malaise such an unwell feeling is awful. I've never felt like this before, can't seem to get anything done, and no one understands why I'm not well be now...few people understand this disease.

      I'm so glad you got relief from itchy eyes, it's maddening. I get so frustrated, agitated, irritated that I become weepy, probably some depression, too...I haven't been back to Dr since my diagnosis, but I may go back this wk for follow up. I really don't want to take any other meds. I started taking L-Lysene 500mg when my prescribed meds ran out. It is an amino acid that helps with pain. I am so blessed that I don't have pain b/c so many do!

      I sure hope you are feeling better; seems the overwhelming fatigue can last for months up to a year...get plenty of rest and don't overdo your activity...don't push yourself. When I push too hard I wind up with flu symptoms and get knocked back down for a week or so.

      This site is great for sharing and learning more about this strange disease...post shingles due to a "viremia", a virus circulating in our system, so that's why we feel so bad...if you have more pain you need to get back on an antiviral...not much can be done about the exhaustion, except rest and stay hydrated,

      Peace and blessings,

      Joyce

    • jane97743
      jane97743 joyce01872

      Posted

      Hello Joyce,

      Can you tell me if your eyes have gone red where they itch so much? Mine have been pinky red for 2 weeks now, I was told at the eye clinic that it is dry eye. I'm  getting really fed up with it all now as the drops don't seem to make any difference at all, and my eyes are also sore. I didn't wake up today until 11am. so  I must have needed that sleep, as I always wake early!!

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 jane97743

      Posted

      Hi Jane,

      I just lost my first reply...this app is aggravating!

      My eyes do get red and irritated from all the itching...I use Refresh drops that help some ...

      I wear contacts when I go out so this has been challenging! I haven't seen my doctor since diagnosis 1/30/16; I get frustrated with doctors b/c they know so little about shingles and post symptoms.

      There is an antihistamine eye drop OTC that helps with itching.

      Hope you're feeling better with each passing day...I have good days and bad days, the fatigue is so draining...

      Jane, you probably needed the sleep; rest is so important...sometimes I sleep 15 or 16 hrs waking only for BR, then right back to bed and sleep. I feel fortunate b/c some people have insomnia...and so many have pain. I can sleep and have no pain, so I am grateful for that! I realize it could always be worse...I'm believing this too shall pass...

      Peace and blessings,

      Joyce

      Peace and Blessings,

      Joyce

  • Ophiana68
    Ophiana68 MsM81

    Posted

    Well, I've had a serious bout of Shingles May Bank Holiday 02/05, which appeared partly under my Psoriasis. So it has been a double-whammy. Apart from that there was no clear dosage for Amirtiptyline. By mistake I ended up taking this tablet with Aciclovyr, that too confused funny enough was 4 a day with 5 a day of Aciclovyr.  I was reeling fromm pole to the post backward forward. When the Shingles began scabbing I was given Antibiotics. It seems Antibiotic+ Amirtiptyline was probably a lethal combination. All hwll broke loose on me. Rest is history.

    I'm out of all that as of today. I still get pins-and needles on the left of my left - ear, scalp, neck, back and front with severe pain. Don't know how long it'll take to go.

    As from what my husband found out from some of his golf-mates, Shingles boils/rash do appear even after it may completely go. But it takes long for some people to feel better completely.  And we just have to 'live' with it.

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 Ophiana68

      Posted

      Hi Ophiana,

      Sounds like you've had a really bad case of shingles. I was diagnosed 1/30/16 and the pain was off the charts, but the rash itself was not that bad on my left side, shoulder, arm and chest...never had such agonizing pain that lasted about 2 months. Since... I've struggled with extreme fatigue (weakness), nervousness and brain fog mostly, general malaise and a strong feeling of unwellness... sometimes to the point I can't function. I get frustrated, agitated, irritated and weepy...This past week I've not gotten anything done, couldn't even get to the grocery store. No one understands why I'm not well. It has been 4.5 months since I was diagnosed (rash breakout) but I was unwell with severe back ache and flu symptoms several weeks before...I still have bouts of glue symptoms if I try to do too much, so I try not to push myself too hard and get plenty rest...I require 10-12 hrs sleep to feel well at all.

      I hope and pray you're getting better and won't feel lousy much longer. This is a strange disease that few people understand.

      Merry Juliana explained that the virus is circulating in our system making us feel so bad; she calls it a "viremia". (I am elderly and have Graves' disease and allergies which are contributing factors.)

      You're right, this site is a godsend just to be able to share with those who understand ...and become more educated about post shingles or Herpes Zoster.

      Pray you will soon get over it completely, but some say it may take months up to a year.

      Hang in there and know that this too shall pass.

      Peace and Blessings,

      Joyce

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 Ophiana68

      Posted

      Ophiana, when were you first diagnosed? I don't understand what you say about 2/05?

      And your medicines got all fouled up? That is dangerous...thank goodness you're out from under all that!

    • jane97743
      jane97743 Ophiana68

      Posted

      I was diagnosed 10 weeks ago and still have lots of things have been caused by the shingles, I get tired more quickly too, and the itching is the worst thing, eye and forehead, I also get double vision when I wake up that lasts a few minutes, and again later in the day, I have to wait 6 weeks for my orthoptic appointment for an assessment on my eyes. I'm hoping that the double vision will have gone before then though, and that it is all connected to the other symptoms.ie nerves and muscles settling down! Luckily i have no pain now and still take one amitriptyline at night which helps me to sleep. I realise i might have to live with the neuralgia, but at least I have not lost vision which was the biggest worry for me!!

       

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 jane97743

      Posted

      Jane, I forgot to mention ... I've had vision changes, too.,,seems blurring comes and goes...I have poor vision (nearsighted) anyway and wear glasses at home and contacts when I go out, but hard to wear contacts with all this itching! I haven't seen an eye doctor m, I just attribute all my symptoms to post shingles syndrome (that's what I call it)..and this too shall pass...I am so anxious to feel well again, and I know you are too. Age has a lot to do with this, too and I am elderly, but normally very active and don't realize my age. But, this stuff has zapped me!

      Take care and feel better soon.

      Joyce

    • msfoy
      msfoy joyce01872

      Posted

      I was diagnosed may 2016...i have never felt anything quite like this...the rash itself is NOTHING compared ti the radiating pain i have now. Im 34 and a hairstylist i have trouble completing the smallest task im worn out and every joint in my body from head to toe is killing me sometime i cant even move what can i do
    • jane97743
      jane97743 joyce01872

      Posted

      How long ago were you diagnosed? I hate the itching, it comes and goes, I am 64 but young for my age, but this makes me feel 10 years older!!
    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 msfoy

      Posted

      Hi msfoy,

      Bless your heart ... Believe me I understand where you're coming from. If you were diagnosed in May 2016, you're probably in the worst part of the debilitating pain...I was in horrible pain for 2+ months, no pain now, but extreme fatigue and weakness, agitation and irritability, general malaise and just feeling unwell most of the time. If I do too much, push too hard...I wind up with flu symptoms.

      Sounds like you are working and I know how hard that must be for you. I guess you're on strong pain meds...and hopefully you took an antiviral like acyclovir. Also, try L-Lysene, an amino acid that helps with pain...I've been taking 500mg daily for over 2 months and I am pain free (I was diagnosed 1/30/16).

      It's extremely important to get plenty rest because we have a "viremia", a Herpes Zoster virus circulating in our bodies and the

      post shingles syndrome (that's what I call it)

      can last up to a year.

      I hope you are feeling better. This site is a godsend for sharing and learning, and good support system.

      Peace and blessings,

      Joyce

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 jane97743

      Posted

      Jane, I was diagnosed 1/30/16, 4.5 months ago. I know what you mean about making you feel older, it sure does! When were you diagnosed?
    • msfoy
      msfoy joyce01872

      Posted

      Thank you so much.....they gave me tramadol in the beginning for the rash pain but it doesnt work for what im going through now.....i did take the antiviral. I am currently not on any pain medications just the grin and bear it method. Dying inside
    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 msfoy

      Posted

      Please try L-Lysine some people take 500mg twice a day, I take one. It is an amino acid that can't hurt and may help.
    • jane97743
      jane97743 joyce01872

      Posted

      I was diagnosed on 5th April, but 5 days before that I had the most excruciating pain in the back of my head on the side the shingles were to start! It seems like agaes already, and my eye keeps going pink, and I'm told this is dry eye, and keep using drops but have had it over a week now. My eye and forehead were itching so much in the night that I hardly slept, and although it isn't itching all of the time, when it does it drives me mad. and nothing seems to stop it!!
    • joyce01872
      joyce01872 jane97743

      Posted

      Hi Jane,

      If you have dry eye, artificial tear drops should help. Have you tried Benadryl for the itching rash? You're right, the itching is maddening.

      You're about 2 months out so your pain should begin to subside soon. I started talking

      L-Lysine 500mg daily (some people take it twice daily) about that time and I will continue taking it. It's an amino acid and can't hurt. It might help.

      Hope you feel better soon. Try to remember, this too shall pass.

      Peace and blessings,

      Joyce

    • joyce01872
      joyce01872

      Posted

      Jane,

      You mentioned pain in the area before you broke out; we're all different ... I had itching on shoulder arm and chest with severe low back pain on the opposite side for several wks beforevI broke out. The night before I broke out I had chills and classic heart attack symptoms on the left side, very painful. I noticed the rash the next morning, went to UC and got on antiviral rightaway.

    • jane97743
      jane97743 joyce01872

      Posted

      I only noticed two small red bumps on my forehead but that day my eye hurt when I looked to one side, and then that evening my forehead felt as if someone had rubbed stinking nettles over it, awful itching and stinging and then that evening I noticed the rash starting so went to the dr the following morning and got aciclovir, but although I started them close to time i noticed a rash, i still have  the complications that have followed, unfortunately!! Poor you having the worry of your symptoms, it certainly does seem to be different for other people.  At one point I was in tears in the dr's surgery as i was in so much pain and would wake up in the morning and just cry and couldn't open my eye fully as it watered so much for at least 30 minutes!! I then had co-dydramol which made a big difference, and the amitriptyline  helps me to sleep at night.I hope you feel better very soon!
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