Is close to full body numbness normal with shingles?

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So I first noticed a patch on my belly button for about 4-5 days. I thought I got bit by something in my sleep. then I noticed what looking three more bites to the side if my belly button then I broke out into the full shingles rash for a couple of days by the over handle. I went to the er because I started getting numb below the waist and in my hands. they immediately looked at the rash and said shingles so now I'm on valtrex.

but, while I actually feel better and the shingles haven't gotten worse, my mid to low stomach is numb, my legs are partially numb along with my feet and my hands are partially numb. I've only been on valtrex 2 days now and the numbness is now disappearing and reappearing throughout the day (but never below waisted and abdomen - always numb and can't even feel when I urinate.

when the numbness was just down below I called my urologist thinking it might be prostate related but he took forever to get back to me and when he did call back I was already numb all over, he told me I shouldn't be numb almost over and only at the rash spot.

The pharmacist said shingles without question can cause numbness all over even if the rash is only in one spot.

I the called a neurologists office and they said the same thing (numbness is common to be all over the body) and that it will come and go until the meds have ran their course.

Has anyone else experienced close to full body partial numbness?? my head, arms, upper torso, and back are not numb.

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Edited

    get the shingex vaccination. my dr recommended vaccination even after rash . it helps ith less recoccurance and severity .

  • Edited

    i had a few days of numbness all down my left side but then it settled down & just hurts now where it originally did/ where the rash is. my symptoms started 3 weeks ago 😦

  • Posted

    a nerve specialist can test for nerve pain from shingles

    It’s called postherpetic neuralgia, and it’s a complication of shingles. You might feel intense sensations of tingling, burning, and shooting pain that don’t let up. This could last for 3 months or longer,and your doctor can prescribe medication to help treat the symptoms.

    I strongly advise anyone with shingles to check with your doctor for the vaccine called Shingex to help lesson the the severity and recurrence of this disease.

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