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Eye shingles will not go away...

Posted , 6 users are following.

mike28440
mike28440

Hi all, about 5 weeks ago my right eye started to feel extremelly painful to the point I ended up to A&E, The diagnosis was that I had a cornea cut and I was given some eye cream, over the following couple of days thigs go much worse, again back to A&E and stil cornea cut, finally I was able to go to an Optometrist who quickly told me that the cream I was given were absolutely no help as I had Eye Shingles, and she prescribed VIRGAN,she also made a follow up appointment as I am half blind (left eye)..... 2 weeks passed and started to feel better, however follow up app and apparently shingles were still there. I was given tablets against the viral infection.....now after 10 days I feel it has gone worse where I am unable to look in the light at all and I am at a loss..... I would go back to the Optometrist on Monday but losing faith and not sure what else they can do as obviously I am pretty much at a loss (no punt intended).... anyone has had experience with eye shingles and what were the best "products" provided?

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • linda65569
    linda65569 mike28440

    Posted

    Sorry to read of your troubles but I'm learning misdiagnosis is common with Shingles. I saw 3 docs who told me I had poison ivy. Having had Shingles before I knew they were wrong. Needless to say I got no antivirals, but the ophthalmologist did give me a prescription for FML Steroid drops to be used 4X daily for a week which helped my eye considerably. After 3 months I'm still dealing with the itch and praying this doesn't start right back up like it has been doing. Hope you feel better soon!
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 mike28440

    Posted

    Dear Mike,

    First of all, I am so sorry for your pain, suffering, and frustration with the medical care you have received.

    Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus needs to be treated by an ophthalmologist, (that is an MD eye specialist.) I would insist on a referral to the ophthalmologist.

    How is your vision when the room is darker?

    From your description, it sounds like you have photophobi, which is agonizingly painful. I had Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus twice, as it traveled to my eye from my ear.

    Fluoroscein stain is used to diagnose shingles (Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus) as the clinician will see dendritic lesions on the cornea. Did the initial physician not do this?

    You should be followed closely by an ophthalmologist for this.

    I am also an NP across the pond.

    You should also be on strong analgesics, Opioids, if necessary, as Herpes Zoster is excruciatingly painful, ( no kidding. )

    May I ask how old you are, if you are immunocompromised with autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, ITP, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Sjögrens Syndrome, have Cancer, or are on Corticosteroids?

    Frankly, you really need an excellent ophthalmologist to follow up re your vision re complications. Herpes Zoster is a viral illness and takes time to recover. Because one's eyesight is so precious, it is that much more anxiety ridden. Also, as the eyes are so exquisitely painful, it causes severe pain with shingles.

    I hope this has helped.

    Merry Juliana

    • mike28440
      mike28440 Merry19451

      Posted

      Hi Juliana, 

      Thanks for your message. I am 43 and my health is very good (well it was until 6 weeks ago......) as I do sport as much as I can (zero at the moment obviously).  The eyes are obviously sensitive to the light and end up often with sunglasses inside the house.  I ll definetely speak to someone on monday (again) and see the next steps, Thanks again.smile

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 mike28440

      Posted

      Mike,

      My pleasure. ..

      Please let me know how you make out. If the shingles gets to your eyes, please insist on seeing an ophthalmologist immediately, the same day...

      All the best,

      Merry Juliana

    • lisatisa
      lisatisa Merry19451

      Posted

      I have been dealing with reoccurring shingles for 3 years. After treatment for Lyme disease my immune system is fragile.  I currently have tiny rash on scalp, left ear, with ear ache, small rash appears random on left and right of body.  Not painful.  Forehead, cheek, back, stomach so no pattern?  I was taking tons of herbals, lysine, monolaurin, C, on and on... added Valtrex 1gm 2x a day 1 week

      Iago.  Symptoms are chills, weakness, extreme tired flare ups, and photophobia

      Big time.  My main concern is eyes again.  I went to eye doctor 2x in past 4 weeks and said not showing on eyes but not sure if she used the right drops? I have had lyme type symptoms with bloodshot eyes, swelling lids and similar symptoms to shingles on/off for sometime so I have trouble figuring out what it is?  Lyme our Shingles?  You seem very experienced with this so I thought I would reach out to you.  Any insight? The photophobia happened almost 4 months ago.  It came on quick.  Was outside in Sun and suddenly I felt nausea, couldn’t take the sun and had to go to my room and lie down in the dark.  It has varied over past few months and now better but not gone.  Driving at night, lights spray out so difficult for me to drive.  Thanks so much for help!

  • kriirk
    kriirk mike28440

    Posted

    Hello, since my shingles moved to eye lids, I can no longer zap them with vinegar.

    I dread them moving into the eye itself.

    I used to clear my shingles very fast with vinegar, but thats not an option for inner eye lid, so now I just record how long they last. I found that the bigger ones can last around 3 months.

    A break from alcohol and physical exercise, is my most effective remedy so far. Especially back exercises seem to trigger/worsen shingles for me.

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 kriirk

      Posted

      Hi Kriirk!

      As the shingles are in your inner lid, I feel strongly that you need treatment with Famvir 500 mg three times a day for seven days at the first hint of outbreak. You do not wish the Herpes Zoster virus in your eyes. It can lead to chronic infection, post herpetic neuralgia, or severe pain all the time and blindness, plus encephalomeningitis. I assure you that none of the complications are desirable.

      I have had Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus and Oticus or Shingles in my ear and eye as the dermatomes are very close, and encephalomeningitis. I was very ill.

      I get photophobia when I have shingles in my right ear. I am immunocompromised from autoimmune disease, as it turns out.

      If you take the antivirals, the disease is less intense, pain is decreased, and duration is shorter.

      Best Wishes for the New Year

      Merry Juliana

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