Have Shingles with severe pain
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi,
I just wanted to post that I was diagnosed last Sunday with Shingles when I noticed a rash on my right side the day before. I had been having some pain that felt like the flu for at least a week before the rash appeared. Before that I had been very fatigued, and the week before the rash I woke up in the middle of the night from a dead sleep with my heart racing so bad that my beats per minute were 128 bpm! Needless to say I was scared, especially since I live alone. The racing heart seemed to subside some, and finally that horrible feeling went away 8 hours from the first moment I woke up. Had no idea why this happened, and hasn't happened since. To back track even more, a week before that I was in the urgent care clinic with the worse migraine I've ever had or even imagined every having! I thought my head was going to explode! So when the Shingles rash appeared it made me wonder if all of these other things going on were possibly related to my body getting ready to have the Shingles, or was already in my body?? When I was told I definitely have shingles they gave me an antiviral medication and Gabapentin for the pain. The Gabapentin was not working so the Dr. prescribed Tramadol, which has helped until today (one week from diagnosis). It seems to be helping the nerve pain, but I've been having pain in the front right part of my stomach, and also directly on the rash. The rash finally looks like it's starting to heal and is fading slightly, but having more pain. I never had the blisters pop up, although the Dr. said it was about to when I went in. I'm wondering if because I started taking the antiviral immediately if that's why I never got the blisters? And this other pain I'm having in my stomach (probably 12inches from the rash), is that normal, or could something else be going on? I know this is all stress related, and I've been trying hard to rest as much as I can, and trying to eat better as well. Another question I have is, when someone gets shingles does that usually mean there is another underlying condition? Sorry, this is so long, but wanted to give the whole story of what's going on with me. Thank you!
0 likes, 10 replies
sylvia65281 Tpar09
Edited
I had 2 weeks of pre-shingles starting early May. General malaise, wierd headache, GI upset. Was afraid to call doc. Later she said 'i would have told you you were coming down with a virus.😂 I took Gabap..600 mg a day. 300 was at bedtime. Barely touched pain. I added high quality CBD Oil under tongue at bedtime to enhance Gabap. If i craved something i ate it. CBD oil gave me my first nite of straight sleep after 10 nites of pain.
Hopefully blisters heal within 10 days of start. There could be post pain as nerves heal. Relax and rest is SO important. ( I really didnt believe doc) I found Noxzema ( now called cleansing creme) and cold gel paks/ moist cloth helped most. I tried everthing on the pain relief list.
DO NOT fight the pain, you tense up muscles which works against the healing nerve.
I finally admitted doc was right and rested 5 days straight as if in hospital. I did bare minimum. Listened to quiet music with earbuds. Almost always fell asleep. After FIVE days, i woke up and pain was gone. I still REST every other day for 5-6 hours or mild pain returns.
Theres a reason docs call the nerve pain "hells fire"...
From my reading, shingles virus attacks when your immune system is weakened for whatever reason. I had to really think what my stress factor was since Im retired and live a simple life.
Oh, i was also advised to take L-Lysine, 1000mg a day. Split am/pm to boost immune.
Your shingles progression sounds normal. Since i would get stomach cramps for no reason, i tied it to the shingles.
And as with any virus, lots of fluids!!! ( The solution to pollution is dilution!)
And REST!!
Girlfriend said "set your vaccum where dropbys see it and leave the get well cards up so resting is excused.". I ran the dishwasher even if half empty so no stress of dirty dishes. Hair was medium length, got it cut to a pixie so didnt have to deal with it! !!
Shingles isnt for wimps! Feel better soon!😉
Tpar09 sylvia65281
Posted
Hi Sylvia,
Thank you so much for your reply! I truly appreciate it! The info. is helpful! I will get some of the L-Lysine. I didn't know it helped improve your immune system. Good to know! I have the CBD capsules I bought to help with my knee joint pain, but havent taken yet. The Dr. had given me Gabepinton, but it did nothing for my pain, so he gave me Tramadol, which helped a lot, including my knee pain! I Figured all of this started due to stress, so I've been working really hard to destress. I downloaded the AURA App, and i listen to it when i go to bed, and helps me to go right to sleep, which is very unusual for me! And I also listen to the stories and meditation during the day which helps a lot to destress. When theres drama at work or from friends and i take deep breaths and if i can excuse myself, so I don't even have to hear it. I try to get more rest, but just hard sometimes working two jobs, but rest does help I've noticed! Again, thanks for your info.! Hope you are feeling better!
sylvia65281 Tpar09
Posted
Walked 18 holes golf today in 80°sunshine. Played well, its been 2 months. One small area of nerve pain after!! Gone within 2 hours. There is an end, but i now firmly believe true rest puts you over hump. Its what your mom would have done! Banned you to bed or the couch 😉
sylvia65281 Tpar09
Posted
Drama at work: time for slow walk to restroom! 😂😂 The long way.
Tpar09 sylvia65281
Posted
That's wonderful!! I think it's just an eye opener for me to slow down and smell the flowers, as I was just going non-stop. I work in the mental health field with all ages in a psychiatric hospital as the Recreation therapist and also do Rec. therapy contract work with special needs young people, so I'm on the go, and generally pretty active. Working in the hospital is where most of the drama is.... The good thing is my office is way in the back away from everyone, which is nice, so I can escape! lol I agree resting does seem to help more than anything. Glad to know there is a light at the end if the tunnel!
katieRN Tpar09
Posted
hey girl sorry to hear of your recent shingles. i have been dealing with recurrent shingles Since 2015 now. for me, the symptoms that come prior to the rash
i live in canada luckily mj is legal here. there is a product called sweet jane edibles, their thc cookies are the only thing that help the pain for me. if youre interested i can suggest a few sites that sell them for ten bucks a pack
just remember, be kind to yourself, avoid tanning or sitting out in the heat, take the lysine, stay hydrated and rest! SERIOUSLY icant sit still well but a shingles outbreak is always a reminder to myself to rest and care for my body. so im stuck on the couch for a week or two in order to rest up!
HUGS
katieRN Tpar09
Posted
also, i should add, there is a guy on youtube who has a great meditation for pain relief at bedtime. his name is michael sealey
ill post the link below. it has been helpful when i wake up from pain in the middle of the night
Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.
katieRN Tpar09
Posted
in terms of underlying conditions, the medical community used to believe it could be an underlying malignancy but recent studies have proved otherwise.
then again, my own dr said you only get shingles once. ha! I WISH that were true
Tpar09 katieRN
Posted
yes, that was a fear of mine, that something else could be going on. 😦 It dies scare me that there could be some other underlying problem waiting to develop. I have read that this is not true, but who knows.... I have heard that you can get shingles again, but that it is rare. I did download the AURA app, and LOVE it!! It helps me get to sleep much quicker and helps me to relax during the day. Ive also been conscious of my breathing, as I've noticed I hold my breath a lot. Katie, do you have Shingles now, or had recently?
Tpar09
Posted
Katie,
OMG, your symptoms sounds almost identical to mine! Good to know I'm not the only one having these symptoms! Did you have the racing heart too? That scared the crap outta me!! And pain in my stomach had me worried that something else is going on. It's just crazy how our bodies react to things, especially to stress!
May I ask how old both if you are? I am 58 which I thought was young to get shingles... Katie, how many times have you had shingles? Have either if you ever had cancer? Thats a huge fear of mine too. I know they say that used to be a concern of people, but studies show it isn't so much the case, thank goodness, but still worries me. Like i really need something else to worry about!!
I did get the L-Lysine and took one as soon as I got it. It's 1000 mg tablets. Should I break in half, and do half in the morning and half at night, or just one in the morning, and how long should I take them? Like forever?
I truly appreciate yalls feedback!! And hope yall feel better soon!!