Facial shingles
Posted , 5 users are following.
A week ago I had what started as a slight irritation in my right eye. 4 days later things were bad enough to make a GP appointment. By then I had slight swelling and a few blisters on my lip and redness all on the right side of my face. The GP took my BP and it was almost 200 but he was most concerned about my eye and said I needed to see an eye specialist that day.I had to go to hospital 60 odd miles away, had swabs taken then blood and urine tests, ECG ..all ok but BP still too high at over 200. The eye chap was more concerned about that and not happy I'd been sent there with it that high. No one ever mentioned it could be shingles or anything else. Eventually got home and I just got worse with blisters all inside my mouth and lip swelling even more so made appt to see another GP and she diagnosed shingles right away. I felt such relief as I didn't know what on earth was happening. Have been put on a course of tablets and ointment for the eye. Was told it could take a few weeks before I look normal again ( I look like the elephant man right now) and probably take a couple days before I feel some benefit. I've been in bed the past 2 days feel so weak and tired plus nauseous from the tablets I presume. My eye is so swollen and closed up but what's concerning me now is today I've got the same feeling in my left eye I had a week ago with the right. I thought the shingles would be confined to just the right side of my face . The thought of this spread ing fills me with dread. It's all so painful. Has anyone else experienced facial shingles that have moved to the other side? Grateful for any info.As weak as I'm feeling I guess I'll have to drag myself out of bed to see the doc again soon...just incase.
1 like, 12 replies
Merry19451 Debra1954
Posted
First, I am so sorry for your suffering with this disease. Shingles in your head is the worst experience.
Shingles can, on occasion, cross the midline and go to the other eye. The nausea you feel may be related to the shingles affecting your eye, rather than the antiviral medications, or it certainly could be the antiviral medication. The weakness, malaise, exhaustion and fatigue that you feel are all part of the Herpes Zoster Shingles. The varicella virus circulates throughout your entire body.
Hopefully, you have been prescribed a strong Opioid such as Oxycodone, as you are going to need it. When shingles affects the eyes and ears, the pain is even more exquisite, if that is possible.
As the other eye seems involved, you will need to be seen by an ophthalmologist, again. Ask for an Opioid when you return. The pain usually worsens after the first few days. If the pain is not well-controlled the first month, you run a greater risk of developing Post Herpetic Neuralgia, PHN.
I would also use cool compresses (or ice in bag with cloth wrapped around ) to facial rash twenty minutes at a time several times daily.
Some individuals find Solarcaine with aloe beneficial, as it contains Lidocaine to numb the nerve endings. Please be careful avoiding your eyes, obviously.
Debra, do you have any underlying autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, RA, ITP, Psoriasis; or IBS, or Cancer, or taking corticosteroids or immunosuppressive therapy?
Are you a 1954 baby? I am a 1951 baby..
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 in healing
Merry Juliana
Debra1954 Merry19451
Posted
Hi Merry,
Thank you so much for replying. What a nightmare it must be for you coping with shingles for all that time! Yes, I do have rheumatoid arthritis...although have been off the meds for that for over 6 months now as have been told I'm in remission.Last night my husband rang 111 the non emergency helpline for some advice. They arranged for a nurse to phone and 2 hours later I spoke to her explaining I basically wanted to know if it would be ok to put the ointment in the left eye also..and concerned about wether it would spread. She said a doctor would need to speak to me so because it was so late (11pm) would put me down to be contacted "within the hour" .By midnight I got call from a doc who said it would be ok to put the ointment in the other eye. He said shingles doesn't usually spread from one side of the face to the other...but can do. Most likely it won't spread out from the left eye..but could. If things got worse over the weekend to go to A&E. And that was that.Ive woken this morning with a very slight improvement in my right eye..it is slightly more open so that's good. The left side ..so far doesn't look any worse. So I will continue over the weekend if I can putting the ointment in both eyes, taking the tablets and will do what you suggested with the cool compress.Im taking paracetamol 4xday which seems to be helping with the pain and headaches.
Good luck to you too. Yes I am a 1954 baby.
Regards Debra.
Merry19451 Debra1954
Posted
Dear Vintage 1950s, (Miss Debra,)
Having RA puts you at the higher risk of getting shingles, and involving more than one dermatome ie the other eye, even when you you are off all immune modulated therapy.
Regarding the high frequency of episodes of Herpes Zoster Shingles, I have learned to deal with it with a huge dose of humor and perspective. The great news is I get to help individuals like you cope with the pain and other debilitating symptoms.
Some patients, as you already know with your RA, also deal with arrogant and abysmally ignorant physicians. I tell them to find a physician who actually cares about them and knows medicine.
I am very serious about the pain of shingles. I know you know pain with RA. You don't wish to be chasing the pain.
Shingles, as it is neurogenic pain, is considered to be one of the most painful afflictions of mankind.
Your husband sounds very supportive, and therein lies the difference, I think.
I do very well, despite a host of medical issues, as I have a wonderful family life.
My identical twin has SLE and RA and I have Sjogrens, ITP, and Psoriasis. My twin and I are very close, naturally.
Please keep me posted as to how you are doing, Dear Debra.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
joseph34465 Debra1954
Posted
Debra, I had Shingles about 10 month ago or so ago. On my forhead, in my hair, and around my eye. it put me in the Hosipal. I was diagnosed with Shingles right away. They told me to go asap to an Eye Specialist, which I did 3 times. Don't mess around with it Shingles is no game. I got nerve damage with it and I am still going through it. Make sure you get the Shingles Vaccine as soon as you get rid of it, because you can get it again. You can still get it but it won't be as bad "so they say" If your doctor didn't know you had shingles I think I would be looking for a new Doctor, but be sure you keep seeing an Eye Specialist. I'm no doctor but I have been dealing with this for almost a year and some of the stories on here are bad to say the least. I have seen just about every specialist you can think of for this pain and none of them seem to understand how bad it gets, but my GP does. She is the best. Good luck and if they haven't told you yet do try to power thorugh it.
Merry19451 joseph34465
Posted
Your advice is the Best! Find another doctor! I am sorry you are going through this process still, as am I, 21 years later with recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster Shingles. You are certainly a compassionate supporter on this site.
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all you do on the site!
Best Regards
Merry Juliana
joseph34465 Debra1954
Posted
Debra, hi again. I just wanted to tell you that the pain that I got at first was Unbearable. I thought I was having a stroke because I never had pain like that before. I was on percocet 10/325 mg. and Dilaudid 2 mg. for 3 month, which I think was to long. I stopped on my own because I couldn't get off the sofa. Although the Shingles will take the fire out of you anyways the pain pills compounded the problem. I was put on Gabapentin from my GP, but it was to early and they didn't help. they tryed Lyrica, again it was to early and that didn't help. Now many month later my GP tried the Gabapentin again and it seems to be helping as long as I take 300 mg. every 3 hour. Debra just because I got nerve pain doesn't mean you will have it. fact is you probably won't have the complications I have, but just in case you do, don't get depressed eather way you will get better.
Debra1954 joseph34465
Posted
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for your replies. Oh dear what an awful time you've had and paints a very grim picture for what having shingles could mean.It ends on a positive note so that's good..and what I'll focus on. The second GP who diagnosed me did say that in the early stages it wasn't always easy to diagnose but then I guess being at the same surgery as the other GP she wasn't going to say anything bad about him! I think I must be experiencing far less pain than you did because I have managed to cope on just paracetamol 4xday. What has been really sore are the blistered lips and inside my mouth and moreso since they have broken.Makes it hard to eat or drink anything hot.
Good luck with your recovery.
Regards Debra.
michellelongak Debra1954
Posted
Hi Debra,
Thank you for your post. I was just diagnosed with Shingles yesterday. I believe the symptoms started 3-4 days ago.
I actually thought I was getting acne but it kept feeling like I had glass pieces in those areas. I couldn't sleep due to the pain and work up yesterday morning and said "I have Shingles!"
I went to the doc and she diagnosed Shingles but is also sending a sample to the get tested. She gave me the Shingles med but NO pain meds. I am taking Advil but not helping with the pain.
I have more swelling and rash but no blisters yet. It spread into my nose and down to my lip. It's also located about and inch below my eye. It's so painful the stinging and stabbing pain. But the headache is just horrible and I no energy.
I am a dental hygienists and I am hoping to work on Monday, but I am scared I am not going to be better by then.
How long am I going to suffer? I've been reading and reading and it sounds like I am not even to the blistering stage.
I may have to go get pain medicine today at urgent care : (
I hope anyone can provide me with some information because I am already feeling depressed due to pain and fatigue.
How are you feeling? I hope you are on the road to recovery.
Hugs,
Michelle
Merry19451 michellelongak
Posted
Dear Michelle,
I am so sorry for your suffering with this disease. Advil is not going to help you with Shingles. I suggest you go to urgent care and ask for an Opioid as NSAIDS are like sugar.
Shingles is one of the most painful afflictions of mankind. Unfortunately, with the epidemic of overdosing on Opioids, it is individuals with severe pain who are denied opioids. It is a physician's duty to relieve pain and suffering, however. You also increase the risk of developing Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN if the pain is not controlled within the first month.
I recommend that you also use cool compresses or ice in a plastic bag with cloth wrapped around the ice on the area several times per day.
Some people like Solarcaine with aloe topically as it contains Lidocaine to numb the nerve endings. Just be careful regarding your eyes.
You are also contagious as long as you have the vesicles-blisters until all of them have scabbed over. You can transmit the disease chickenpox to anyone who has never had chickenpox.
The severe agonizing headache, fatigue and exhaustion certainly are part of shingles disease spectrum. Depression occurs when the pain is unremitting.
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
michellelongak Merry19451
Posted
Hi Merry,
Thank you so much for responding to my email.
I will go to urgent care tomorrow at 8am when they open, today I just did not have the energy. I did find some old Vicodin from when my kids had their wisdom teeth out so I've been taking a half of one with an Advil and it definitely helps.
It is comforting to know that their are forums like these to help answer questions when you have no one to turn too.
I am sorry to hear about how much you are also suffering. I hope you get better soon and can be Shingles free.
Have a great weekend.
Michelle 💜
Goodwater_Betty Debra1954
Posted
Merry is probably the most knowledgeable one on this site due to her personal experience and her training as a nurse. I would advise anyone with shingles to rest as much as possible. You really can't go to work in the early stages or you will pay a huge price. The stabbing pain is the worst I can remember. At 73, I am retired and am fortunate to be retired so I didn't have to miss work when I was recovering but I don't believe I could have handled trying to get dressed and go to work for the first couple of weeks. Take Merry's advice. Good luck!
michellelongak Goodwater_Betty
Posted
Hi Betty,
Thank you for your comments.
I have been resting but I did have to go to Urgent Care this morning for pain meds. They would not give me opioids, only Ultram. I do agree with Merry that doctors are hesitant to give pain meds due to the opioid problem. Even though I am in pain. The ultram does not seem to help much with the pain. I've taken 2 and they only gave me 10! I have Kaiser Permanente health insurance and I have heard complaints from patients regarding their care.
Thanks again : )
Have a great Sunday.