Posted , 6 users are following.
i have had shingles for nearly 5 weeks. The rash has almost gone and the pain is bearable. I’ve been on antivirals and also amitriptyline. Just beginning to feel I can do things again, when to my horror I woke this morning with blisters on my arm and a rash on the right side of my torso (the first was on my left). Does this mean I have to go through the whole miserable process again?
0 likes, 11 replies
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Merry19451 Jadefish7
Posted
Dear Jadefish,
If the rash and pain are similar to your shingles rash, I would definitely see a physician today, if possible, if not, tomorrow morning, for diagnosis and treatment. I am so sorry you are going through this.
If it is Shingles, and you were on Acyclovir, please ask for either Valcyclovir or Famciclovir, a TEN DAY SUPPLY, as Acyclovir obviously did not suppress the virus. I prefer Famciclovir, as it is easier to swallow.
I do get recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles, so I do know how you feel.
You didn't state your age, but I would like to suggest two things.
Have your Vitamin D level checked. It should be 40-50.
If it is low, take Vitamin D3 2000IU daily, as it will improve your immune function.
Also, Google High Lysine Low Arginine Diet and Herpes. Lysine helps prevent Shingles and Arginine triggers Shingles. Nuts, legumes, and chocolate are high in Arginine.
By taking Vitamin D3 daily and by avoiding nuts, I have decreased the frequency and pain intensity of Shingles episodes.
I hope this helps you.
Best Regards
Merry Juliana
Guest Jadefish7
Posted
r._f._09034 Jadefish7
Posted
Hi Jade. I apologize for my delay. I see below that Myrna and Juliana have advised you of what you are possibly facing and and what you need to do. With great confidence, I can say they are both correct in their advice to you. It is unfortunate but it is true. Do not delay and follow their advice given. Both if these wonderful people and many more you will meet in this forum have been where you are right now. I have been there myself for 8 long years. They know what they are telling you and would not do you harm. Act promptly on their advice. I can truly add nothing more to their wise medical instruction.
All else covered, i will add the following...
First, you have come to the right place. Shingles can be and IS a lonely illness, even when surrounded by attentive loved ones. You WILL need people to talk to and people to listen and who TRULY understands. And no one can understand unless they have actually suffered from shingles. They simply can't, as it is life altering. I found this forum when I had reached the lowest of lows and I immediately found peace that THESE people understood. These wonderful people, whom i've never even met, know EXACTLY what I am talking about. That was huge!
Away from here, you will hear various stories about this thing called "shingles", even those that say that, "Oh yeah, i have shingles sometimes...no big deal." They DO exist and their nonchalant casual remarks will make you want to ring their necks because those people DON'T understand. THOSE are the lucky ones. Good for them.
But their are many others not so lucky and you will find these people here and you will need them...and they will need you too.
I thank God above that I found this forum. I have suffered with shingles for 8 years, had well over 100 outbreaks. We actually stopped counting around 140. Because my shingles is in my face and eye, it normally requires hospitalization and I've been admitted more times than I can count. Now, I am sedated in my home, which is all they can do for me. So many times, i've watched my family break down and cry at my bedside as i'd drift off into sedation. Many months ago, i started getting shingles every week to 10 days. Many times, i would begin to have new outbreaks, even before the others fully healed. I even told my sweet, wonderful loving husband that maybe I needed to be put into a nursing home and i'm only a couple years past 50 years old. BUT... my story does not end badly as you will soon read.
NOW, "with knowledge comes power". Time to power up! So here goes.
*Follow the advice these wonderful ladies just gave you. They know their stuff.
*Do not rely on ER doctors or Med-stops for your care. Get a private doctor if you don't have one. Shingles is unpredictable and you need medical care for shingles AND the effects it can leave behind, such as PHN.
*Other things can bring on an outbreak. Be watchful around your monthly cycle because you are vulnerable then. Also, UTI is nothing to take lightly anymore. Infection, illness, flu will make you susceptible to an outbreak.
*THIS is a biggie! Watch your stress level. Lifestyle change NOW. Stress WILL bring on an outbreak in mere minutes. Literally minutes. Stay calm, relax, breathe, walk away if you have to. Listen to your body and control your surroundings or shingles will control you. Life happens but with shingles, you don't have the luxury of reacting to them as you once did. Practice calmmmmmm : )
*Exactly like you did here today, get it out. Talk to people that understand. Spouses, children, friends...they are your rock. But ONLY people who have truly suffered with shingles will understand. So keep talking. It helps.
*Have your doctor write you a prescription for the new shingles vaccine "Shingrix". It's a two-dose vaccine, taken 2-6 months apart and covered by most insurance. It was just recently approved this past January 2018. It has a 97% success rate, which is high for ANY non-live vaccine. And it DOES work...I'm living proof!
Told you my story doesn't end badly : )
I had my first dose of Shingrix on April 2nd and scheduled to return this coming Saturday on June 2nd for my final dose and i WILL be there when they turn the key to open. It has been a loooonngggg 8 weeks. My body was going haywire and felt like i was under attack by shingles. I had them in many places i had NEVER had them before, even in my mouth. Everything was going nuts and truthfully, a few days ago, i
had given up that it was going to work for me...until 2 days ago. Two days ago, i found myself with full blown shingles, blisters, the works...but NO pain. Yesterday no pain but the blisters were still there. Today, no pain but now the blisters are healing. I don't just take antivirals during outbreaks. For years, i've taken them 365 days a year. Daily, it's 3000 mg Acyclovir and 1500 mg Famciclovir recently added, thanks to advice from Merry Juliana. I am still taking my antivirals everyday but i've had nothing for pain in 3 days. Needless to say, i am pretty excited about it. This second round might put me back down...i truly don't know but it will be worth it if i get my life back. If my family gets our life back. Many on this forum are about to take their first dose as well. Many for prevention have also taken the vaccine. I did have some rough side effects myself with my first dose, but most are saying side effects are generally mild to moderate.
There is hope, friend. I am truly sorry you are going through this and you will be in my prayers. Don't give up. Take care : )
Merry19451 r._f._09034
Posted
What a beautiful post and supportive sweet advice. This is why I love this particular forum, the shingles forum, as we are so supportive of one another. We find out new ideas to help one another, but ultimately, we understand how it is to have this disease that most current Physicians, but not all, are so poorly diagnosing, treating, and managing.
I am cheering you on that you finally find some relief from this odious disease.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
r._f._09034 Merry19451
Posted
You are a sweetheart Juliana. Thank you, friend. It is YOU and all the rest of you beautiful people here in this forum that make it such a peaceful retreat, even in an hour of darkness. I meant what I said that I was at my lowest of low when I found this forum and I will be forever grateful for the love, genuine concern and the precious time you spent to offer me comfort. Thank you. Yes, things are FINALLY going well with this new vaccine. It had me worried for a while that it wasn't going to work. Thank you for being there when I needed you. I just had another day of no pain and i've taken no pain meds. The blisters are continuing to fade. I even wore makeup today, which I haven't done in three years, for fear of having an outbreak while wearing it and the unimaginable pain it would've been to take it off, during an outbreak. I felt pretty, Juliana. I haven't felt that way in a very long time and it really felt good.
See, these are the things that no one else could understand, unless they've experienced shingles themselves. Thank you for that.
I am hopeful that I will have more good news to share. Not sure if the next dose will knock me back down like the first dose but I'm ready to face it. I will keep all of you posted, even if the news is not good because I know you would all be honest with me too. We all need that.
Hope you have a wonderful night of rest. You take care friend and I will be in touch soon : )
~Rhonda
Merry19451 r._f._09034
Posted
Rhonda,
Men don't get it about wearing makeup, but I sure do... They think you have to going somewhere, "to be seen!"
When I put on makeup, my son will ask, "Where are you going?"
It is about how you feel inside! These notes make me feel great, to hear your heart sing, after your struggling.
I have had profound depression, not from Shingles, but I do know how it is to struggle from excruciating pain and depression, to feeling the warm sunshine, seeing verdant green, spotting the riotous colors in the garden and laughing, just because you can!
Fondly,
Merry Juliana
r._f._09034 Merry19451
Posted
Quite true. It's a gal thing. It feels great to feel pretty. So many times I've grown tired of being a patient. I want to be a woman and a wife and feel glamorous and strong, like broken down and in pain.
I'm sorry friend, that you have battled depression. Shingles itself will drag you down. You have such a wonderful way with words, Juliana and what you say in this forum to others and to me, is so heartfelt and the way you say it is beautiful.
You're always such a sparkling breath of sunshine on here, toward everyone, that it's hard to even imagine YOU ever being sad or down or depressed. You give alot of yourself. For what it's worth, it shows and it means ALOT : )
Merry19451 r._f._09034
Posted
You too, even when you are struggling, say things so eloquently to people. It is obvious you have suffered, but can appreciate the emotional and physical pain of others on this site. Thank you for being so warm and supportive on this site!
Many hugs!
Merry Juliana
Guest r._f._09034
Posted
I was thinking how you were after the second shingrix! I had another mild bout and went to the ER and this time a great doctor attended me and gave me the anti virals for the 7 days like back in February! The pain is mild and I did get a blister or two and they heal fast! Do you think that the anti virals are working?
Do you think I should take them only when I have a bout?
Please let me know how long you took anti virals? Did you take them for more than a week? Or continuously? I finish a full 7 week yesterday and today I felt a little small blister but healing fast, by tomorrow it can be gone, so do you think the anti virals are working for me or do you think I should keep taking them and if yes how long, thank you my friend because I know how much you have suffered and so glad that the shingrix is working for you! That vaccine doesn’t have the live disease right? Tell me how you are feeling and if after your 2nd vaccine you are free of blister or the bouts ok? I am depress Rhonda!
Blessings
Myrna
Guest
Posted
I had to miss all the graduations of my grandkids and my daughter’s masters degree!
I don’t have a life and miss my old life style with family and friends!
Guest Jadefish7
Posted
I am guessing that reaccurance is possible! Five weeks before you had it on your left side and now on the right! Were you taking anti virals the full month?
Hoping you are feeling better!
I had shingles four months ago and I just recently had another bout but milder! Got it on my scalp and the second time was mild with just a small blister or two but on the same area as before! I took anti viral in February and just last week started them again for 10 days!
They say that taking a lower dose for a longer period can stop reoccurrence!
Let me know how you are doing!
Myrna