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Help....I need some advice

Posted , 4 users are following.

Chili123
Chili123

I woke up Sunday with a rash on my right hip. I thought it was bed bugs bc I travel for my job. Monday I was having a hard time swallowing. Tuesday I was really having a hard time swallowing so went to an out of town doc. Was told I had shingles but not given meds. Went to a different doctor on Wednesday and she gave me predisone. Then went to my regular doctor on Thursday and she gave me liquid Acyclovir. Rash has improver and never oozed or crusted and tingling in throat is now spells of burning. Used a make up wipe on my eye last night and hurt so worried in my eye.....could be my imagination but eyes seems blurry. Any advice? Words Of wisdom? My level of anxiety is ridulous. Can I get a rash actually IN my throat? Almost feels like heartburn.

0 likes, 25 replies

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  • jen53477
    jen53477 Chili123

    Posted

    Go to an eye doctor to get your vision checked out & go back to your doctor to have your throat checked out.

    Good luck!

  • Shoe_Lady
    Shoe_Lady Chili123

    Posted

    It is really scary because the symptoms are so alike, but very different for everyone. I have come to the conclusion that this disease has a mind of its own. What I have found out so far since I have been struggling with it for two years: 1) the mild pain, intense pain, burning, tingling, numbness, is not in your imagination. 2) the quicker you can start the antiviral from your first symptom is better for controlling the life and intensity of (some say that if you don't get the antiviral within the first 24 hrs than it won't help. I would take it anyway). 3) boosting your immune system is a must. rest, nutrients, decreased stress, supplements (olive leaf extract, silver, lysine, B12, vit c) are all ones that I have researched as helpful. 4) finding a dr that believes you when you tell them that you are having pain somewhere and gives you the antiviral immediately.

    I hope this helps and I feel your pain.

    Michelle

    • Chili123
      Chili123 Shoe_Lady

      Posted

      So I can take my vitamins and prednisone and the antiviral med at same time? I bought airborne.....thought that might be good. I just have high anxiety for things that go wron worth me outside a cold or normal illness. sad I pray that I am spared are the horror stories I have read.

      You sound like u have had a hard road......no fun. I love these boards because there is nothing like talking to people that genuinely can relate smile

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Chili123

      Posted

      Chili,

      If the rash on your hip were small blisters that developed in crops, meaning that they came out in waves, not at the same time, and they are not uniform in appearance, that is Herpes Zoster-Shingles. Usually they are on a red base. The other symptoms that I described accompany Herpes Zoster-Shingles. You usually feel much sicker with Herpes Zoster-Shingles than with simplex. You have flu-like symptoms, except the respiratory tract symptoms. With simplex, you have none of those. Simplex can be spread to different parts of your body by another person, whereas Herpes Zoster-Shingles is usually a result of your having chickenpox as a child, and hibernating on a nerve root on your body. It waits until you are terribly stressed, then you feel like you have a viral infection with the aches and pains, headache, fever, fatigue, chills and sweating, malaise, weakness, etc, then the pain, then the rash as I described. A sore throat can feel as you described with a viremia, especially if you are a very sensitive person. If you are very anxious, you can develop difficulty swallowing. It is extremely scary to have Shingles, especially the first time. Symptoms are not the same in every one. I wish we had the ability to exchange pictures of the rashes on the post. I hope you have excellent pain control. If not go back to your doctor. Ask for an Opioid such as oxycodone.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 Chili123

    Posted

    Chili,

    I am so sorry for your suffering and also for the delay in treatment of the Herpes Zoster-Shingles. Please see an ophthalmologist STAT, and also return to the physician who actually gave you the liquid Acyclovir. The Acyclovir will help you. It will help reduce the symptoms of shingles, just not as quickly as if you had received it immediately when you went to the first physician. Herpes Zoster-Shingles can strike in different parts of the body, just not as often. It also causes associated symptoms of the viremia circulating in your body including photophobia, chills, sweating, fever, aches and pains, headache, malaise, weakness, fatigue.

    Usually, Herpes Zoster-Shingles strikes in one dermatome, but can strike in adjacent dermatomes, as it has in me. It usually only occurs on the right side or the left side of the body, not both, but in certain individuals, it will occur on both sides. This is Herpes Zoster Multiplex. It usually does not strike in the throat, the eyes, and the hips together. You may be having associated symptoms of the viremia with some blurry vision, or the Prednisone can cause some Blurred vision. However, I would see an ophthalmologist, especially if your eye pains you, your eye has a rash around it, etc.

    As far as the difficulties swallowing, usually that is associated with Herpes Zoster Oticus (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome).

    May I ask how old you are, if you have taken your temperature, and if you are normally in good health?

    Frankly, your symptoms worry me, as you should not have these multiple symptoms with a "simple" case of Herpes Zoster-Shingles. You should not have difficulty swallowing. Do you feel any shortness of breath? If you have any trouble breathing, talking, or walking, call for an ambulance, immediately.

    I cannot explain the symptoms in disseminated (spread out) places. Yes, you can have lesions in your mouth as I have them with Zoster Oticus. And I have had both my eyes and ears on one side affected. The nerve roots are on adjacent nerve roots.

    Please let me know how you are doing and answer my questions.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • Chili123
      Chili123 Merry19451

      Posted

      I am 48 years old and I am a female. And usually when I get sick I get weird stuff like this. Stuff that is out of the ordinary. It is starting to feel more predictable. I genuinely appreciate your response. How quick does it take for the symptoms to Peak? I mean how many days usually for the burning, numbness, pain? I am overall healthy other than I had AJ pouch. I had ulcerative colitis like 7 years ago until they took my entire colon. I am on no medicine. Overall, very healthy
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Chili123

      Posted

      Chili,

      As you had UC, you are at high risk for Herpes Zoster-Shingles. You have been through a lot in life, now this, too! While the gentleman posted regarding Simplex, and that is always a possibility, if the lesions on your hip were as I described and you felt ill before the pain and rash, it would be Herpes Zoster-Shingles. You are at the high risk category, again, due to UC.

      You certainly may take all the medications together.

      Excellent questions....I hope you feel better soon!

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • Chili123
      Chili123 Merry19451

      Posted

      So is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome always the throat?  I just read up on it briefly and it sounds not nice.  Does anyone recover within a shorter period of time or is it dooms day?  sad  This worries me.  I will say that I feel that the progress of the whole thing is moving slow......the rash that came on Sunday has yet to ooze or do anything.  I PRAY that I am spared the worse of this.  PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Chili123

      Posted

      I doubt that you have Ramsay Hunt Syndrome as you would have excruciating ear pain to the point that you would want to cut off that side of your head. That is the way I felt the first time I had it. I could not sleep. The pain lasted for three solid weeks before the lesions appeared on my outer ear. Then I was finally diagnosed by the third ENT surgeon. I lost my hearing in my right ear.

      Usually the rash takes five days to fully appear. The rash and pain take 15-20 days to slowly resolve.

      I am not certain that you have Ramsay Hunt as you need to have ear involvement, and you don't.

      As this is Friday it has now been five days, so the onset phase is over.

      You can try to relax....rest assured that the areas that you have is all you that will be affected.

      Merry Juliana

    • Chili123
      Chili123 Merry19451

      Posted

      Last question and thanks for your patience with my questions......if the rash on my hip came Sunday and the issues with my throat on monday, is it possible, or how likely, that I will get any more rashes? I was under the impression with what i have read that where there is numb/burning/tingling will eventually have a rash. I wish I had a magic ball that could show me the future...... at time when it doesn't display the typical pattern, I second guess what it is. Again, thank you are your direction
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Chili123

      Posted

      Chili,

      The initial onset was Sunday. It is now six days. The period for new areas or spread has officially closed on you.

      I am here on this site as a friend. The people who are struggling with the disease for the first time have limited knowledge, and I am he re to offer support and information about the disease process. I cannot replace the physician or nurse practitioner regarding a comprehensive history, thorough examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

      I know that you have acted weird to stuff, and with Ulcerative Colitis , have an altered immune system.

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451

      Posted

      Chili,

      Oops! I sent the reply before I was done. The process of the disease shall now continue. I am hoping that you can rest, not travel for your job.

      What kind of work do you do?

      Are you in significant pain?

      Where do you live?

      Again, you need to rest. Hopefully, your husband can take care of you this weekend!

      Best regards,

      Merry Juliana

    • Chili123
      Chili123 Merry19451

      Posted

      I thought I responded but I don't see it so I'm re posting.......

      I do training at car dealerships so I spent majority of my time in hotels. I live in michigan.

      As for pain, all I have had has been tingling, numbness and mild burning in my throat and some in chest.....almost felt like heartburn. Tingling in my lips and mouth and my teeth on the left side feel sensitive when I brush them. I thought I may have in eye but that hasn't progressed so I'm thinking not. My throat has been the constant with the numb feeling but that seems to come and go.....more come than go sad. I really have been waiting for debilitating pain but had yet. Glad to know that I won't get a rash on my face or in my thtoat.

      Again, thanks for listening. I have super high anxiety worth my health. My husband came hone last night as he travels as well.... just having him here made me feel better.

      Could it all just end or is it enviable that there us more to come. Again, thst magic ball...lol

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Chili123

      Posted

      Chili,

      As you are on Acyclovir now, that would stop the Herpes Zoster virus from replicating. Continue to take it as prescribed and finish the bottle. I doubt that your symptoms are going to spread or worsen, but I cannot predict the future. Usually the pain has started by now. I am glad your husband is home.

      All the best,

      Merry Juliana

    • Chili123
      Chili123 Merry19451

      Posted

      So, an update......Rash is clearing, never "oozed ". Never had pain outside of throat and rash tingle, numb and occasional burning. Although throat and tongue is still numb, it seems less every day. Still taking the antiviral and last dose of prednisone was yesterday. Hard to believe I was so sparred.......almost makes the think it wasn't shingles. The rash looks like it may scar, maybe. Is there any probability that there is more to come?
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Chili123

      Posted

      Chili,

      I really don't think any more is coming. Relax and rest.

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