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is it shingles?

Posted , 9 users are following.

sa_morgan
sa_morgan

sad i suffer with bouts of shingles about twice a year. i have the usual, sweating, tiredness, swollen calves, familiar burning in my left calf, and then the rash, which gets infected by the 3rd day then slowly goes down within a week. they dry off an leaves a permanant reminder.

I'v always gone to my gp who have looked at it in the stages when its infected and told yes it is shingles, and was also told that i can get it when my immune system is low or if im very stressed!

Going to my gp today, i saw a locum who looked at it and said that it were'nt shingles, as shingles does'nt come up on your leg and is localised to your midriff!! So i asked what it could be, and he said he did'nt know!

He gave me the usual anti viral cream but refused to give me the anti viral tablets i've had before, just incase it harmed me!!!

I do not fall in the catergory of over 60, i dont have hiv/aids, im being checked for diabeties, im not on any treatment for cancer or anything, im waiting to get my hypaparathyroid out, could this be causing my shingles? I just dont know.

How can so many doctors tell me its shingles and 1 locum tell me its not because its in the wrong place, i've looked up shingles and it states shingle can be anywhere on your body. So what do i do??

Has anyone else had the same or similar? sad

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • doof
    doof

    Posted

    You poor thing, it's bad enough feeling so rough with whatever it is that you have got but even worse not knowing who to believe.

    I can't advise you what you have but I can tell you that I have suffered from shingles in the past, I've had it across my forehead and also close to my eye ....... you don't just get it on your midriff (silly doctor)!

    Maybe you should go back to see your own doctor or another one - not the locum. If it is shingles then leaving it untreated, along with the additonal stress of not knowing what it is will make things far worse.

    Hope it works out for you

    Doof

    • mukund39511
      mukund39511 doof

      Posted

      I am also one of the same suffering like you but it is not clear that what happened with your eye is it working OK or what ? please reply early as I am visitor to californiya & caught in such bad illnes, so that I can see good doctor

      Mukund

  • stwj.suze
    stwj.suze

    Posted

    Hi

    I had shingles last year (stressed I was!). My doc was brilliant and gave me the tablets to help clear it up. My shingles started in my right lower back, over my bottom and down my right leg. I got really worries when the pins and needles and stiffness and pain got to my feet and I had trouble driving. My doc said it was following the nerve (can't remember the name of it).

    So - insist on treatment- shingles can be unpleasant.

    Good luck!

    Suze :wink:

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I have experienced this same thing. The rash came up several times over 6 months and all my GP could suggest was a visit to the sexually transmitted diseases clinic....even though the sore was on my leg.

    When it came up the fifth time I went to the STD and they swabbed and confirmed. They can swab the sores to confirm the virus, GP's are just lazy and have been stripped of facilities to to swab and confirm infection.

    Shingles only effects one nerve at a time....but can be in any one; sounds like yours is sciatic like mine. Go to ER; you have tried the locum and they have declined treatment, you are within your rights. You will find they are likely to swab you there and make referrals. Insist when your gp is back on a firm and proven diagnosis.

    Or do as I was forced and go to the STD clinic . :twisted:

  • drash87
    drash87

    Posted

    Hi

    shingles can affect absolutely any area of the body - but yes most common on trunk and face - this vaccination issue at the moment is of great interest and I am not sure if the accurate statistics are avasilable for publicdigestion?? Does anyone know ??

    John Ashworth

    Consultant Dermatologist

  • drash87
    drash87

    Posted

    PS - early and full dose treatment is imperitive to minimise future pain etc and cut short the blisters - ideally you should have a prescription to hand at all times - that is, if the diagnosis is definite !
  • barrie10
    barrie10

    Posted

    i started with shingles on 6th Sept, went to urgent care at a/e and they prescribed anti viral tablets. Rash appeared from belly button across to right hip and then up my back. Pain had been torrid, mainly abdomen,, but also lower back because I suffer from herniated discs and this is a weak area. Into 13th day and rash is scabbing, but pain is not subsiding. Co-codamol helps but does not remove pain totally. just wonder how long it will be before I get some respite.I have a high pain threshhold thankfully otherwise I would be out for the count. GP says I should rest otherwise there is a risk of neuralgia occurring. It is so debilitating. Cant remember when I had a good nights sleep. Tend to see every hour.
  • skybluepink
    skybluepink sa_morgan

    Posted

    I suspect  you can be born with chronic cellulitus made worse by hormones, low thyroid ,infections, weather and when active needs catching before becomes septic so testing crucial.

    As a result in 1969 had research  a spina bifida was found in my 20s.

    I also get a rash under my boobs thought it was  the wiring   but realise it is erip....Now I can't get my shoes on I am continually on antibiotics  for utis out of control causing temporary spinal spasicity & severe pain  .Because no monitoring  3 weekly acute.On one occasion the A&E gave me shingles medication it worked,

    Realise there is also a genetic cancer,vascular ,obesity, diabetic  component & multi infart dementia.It should be overseen by a researcher trying to balance medication.What is going on? It can be very dangerous.

  • jennifer66893
    jennifer66893 sa_morgan

    Posted

    Yes had the same experience 2 doctors saying different things. Also get it regularly on my left thigh. Probably 3-4 times a year either before I go on holiday or on my return. Wish I could have the injection to see if it stops the recurrence.
  • jennifer66893
    jennifer66893 sa_morgan

    Posted

    Your experience is nearly identical to my own. So good to hear someone else out there understands.
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