Help! I have shingles!

I have had shingles for Four weeks.

Started off with pain in my shoulder blade going under my arm and round to the front.I too was put on the meds before the rash appeared. The thing is the rash was nothing but the pain is unbearable and I have to work and I'm right handed and all the pain is on my left side and when I finish work it is horrendous. The feeling I get is that when you touch the infected area it feels quite numb to the touch obviously this is the nerve endings. My rash is more or less away.

I know this doesn't give you much comfort but I hope things get better for you soon.

Don't know where you are but I'm in Scotland and I've been telling everyone I know who has an elderly relative please get the vaccine which is available as this is something you don't want an elderly relative to deal with

I didn't cover my rash.  I certainly wouldn't want tape around it as this would just aggravate it more, in my opinion.  I was told that emu cream helped a lot by someone who has just had an attack.  The length of the attack varies from one person to another.  The pain for most of us is much worse than the rash.  Rest is the best thing you can do for yourself.  Some others here will suggest diet changes.  

I am so sorry! Your timeline and experience is almost to the date exactly the way mine started 3 years ago. It took about 2 weeks for my rash to go away, and unfortunately the pain eased only a bit. A month later I went back to the dr due to the pain. She put me on gladentropin and that did give me some relief. I have been fighting shingles symptoms ever since!!! The good news is I am off all medications and I am managing it all with diet and supplements. I will let you in on my regimen if you are interested. Take care

I am not an expert by any stretch.  It seems you are doing all that you can to address the shingles.  I used oatmeal paste to ease the skin irritation.  I also used a lidocaine cream.  I did not dress my rash because it would have caused irritation and pain.  I took a lysine supplement which seemed to help but the nurse said it was just a placebo effect.  There are some great people on this forum that helped my through it.  My shingles onset was also in the summer so I avoided sunlight. Hang in there!

Hi Purplepraise,

Your shingles rash is in exactly the same place that mine was. First, please try to stay calm. Stress is a trigger for shingles and for pain. The shingles blisters/rash can last two to six weeks. Everyone reacts differently to this disease. What works to ease pain for some, may not work for others. We all want shingles to go away quickly but unfortunately some of the symptoms may last for months. The blistering rash doesn't usually last long. However,

if you feel pain, have lack of energy and are tired you should not resume your daily activities. 

As I have learned the hard way, no one should power through shingles and nerve pain. Even though your summer may be ruined, your long term health is what matters most. If you take time off from work, rest, try to avoid stress, eat a healty diet and try not to be anxious you may be able to avoid long term complications like PHN. Good luck!