Mild shingles on knee for 5days. Today having sour throat and extreme weekness

Posted , 6 users are following.

I am 42 years old female. I got little itchy feeling on last Thursday which turned into 4-5 small blisters by Friday evening on the inner side of my right knee. Went to my skin specialist he prescribed me ribazole, synflex , tegral, neogab and zovirax cream. My pain become bareable from sunday and i could feel my blisters healing. Till yesterday i was feeling very good just little itching and occasional pain specially while standing. Today morning i woke up with sour throat. Called my gp he suggested to stop ribazole and prescribed viracure ( famciclover USP) and azomax for my throat. There is little improvement in my throat. My knee is better thn yesterday and blisters are having little scale on them. But i m feeling totally drained and fatigued. I wanted to know is this sour throat and extreme weekness is normal. 

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Dear Farheen,

    I am sorry you are going through this. The ribazole is a medication usually prescribed for Hepatitis C, could be a source of your sore throat, and must be used with caution. The Tegral is often prescribed for severe Neuralgia, but must be used with caution. The Synflex is for joint pain, and medical research indicates that it would not work for shingles.

    The Neogab is one pain medication approved for use in Shingles, along with Famciclovir. The others are stressing your body ie liver and kidneys.

    The Azomax, unless you have a history of strep throat, positive test for strep throat, pustules in your throat, or history of rheumatic fever, I fail to understand the rationale for the prescription. Usually, Azomax is not prescribed for sore throats. Are you febrile or have a fever?

    Sore throats are not symptoms of Herpes Zoster-Shingles, unless you have the actual vesicle-blisters in your mouth.

    Exhaustion and fatigue certainly are. You were also placed on heavy duty medications, however, which concerns me. The Ribazole, Tegral, Synflex and Azomax are not a standard of care in the US for Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

    The philosophy in the States is first, do no harm, so I am concerned with the number of medications you were prescribed. While I understand your dermatologist did not wish you to be in any pain, which is great, certain drugs can have major adverse reactions. Also, the more drugs you mix, the more interactions you may have.

    I hope you feel better soon, Farheen.

    Sometimes, a cool icepack or compress helps to relieve the itching and pain.

    Also, a cream or spray, applied topically, containing Lidocaine will help soothe the nerve endings.

    I hope I have helped you. I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for such a detailed answer. So u suggest i only take famciclover , neogab and leave rest of the medicines. 
    • Posted

      Dear Farheen,

      Please, I do not know your medical and surgical history. However, if you are a relatively healthy individual, and do not have any indications for these other medications, I would stop them all, except Famciclovir and Neogab. I would see another physician for a dermatologist, as the medications prescribed were inappropriate for shingles and dangerous. If you have Hepatitis C, then that is a different matter, but you should be followed by a gastroenterologist, have had extensive lab work and follow-up. Combining Tegretol(Tegral) and Neogab for initially, for shingles pain, was bizarre.

      Tegretol needs lab work initially, and careful follow-up.

      The simple answer is, you should have only been prescribed Famciclovir and Neogab.

      Also, as you are of child-bearing age, many of these medications cause birth defects. I hope you were instructed to use birth control, if indicated.

      My best wishes to you. I hope you feel better soon.

      Merry Juliana

    • Posted

      I am 42 years old healthy woman. Only issue is i have hypothyroidism. Other wise i am healthy. 
    • Posted

      Farheen,

      I am glad you are healthy. When Shingrex, the new immunization comes to your country, I would get it.

      Best Wishes.

      Merry Juliana

    • Posted

      Hi. Thanks for your reply. Showed myself to another doc now i am inly on famciclover 1+1+1 and neogab 0+0+1. Pain killer on as per needed basses. Feeling much better. I have one more question which i forgot to ask to my doc. My family had planned a summer vacations and we are suppose to go in 6th of july. Is it advisable for me to go on vacations though my shingles are alot better and i m feeling no pain cause of it. Just over all feeling week   But that is also better thn yesterday. 
    • Posted

      Dear Farheen,

      It is fine to go on holiday. I do not know your country, culture, or customs, ie, type of clothing you wear. The rash should be covered at all times until the vesicle-blisters have all scabbed over. Then you are no longer contagious eg infect a person with chickenpox who never had chickenpox before.

      If you go on vacation, and are a mother, remember, it is more stressful, more activity, and can precipitate the pain.

      Have a Happy Vacation!

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

  • Posted

    I dont know but i got a strep throat 3 times prior and during my supposrd shingles .like you i got a few blisters on outer side of right knee.but alsi it started with tingling there and numb and then like a truck had hit my thigh.no over 20 months i get burning and cold patches on body and face and tingly extremities .im so over it all see neurologist monday week . Good luck for you
    • Posted

      Your immune system is compromised while your body is attacked by shingles. Many  other bacteria’s and virus’ , like strep, can take action when this happens. The medications are also supressing our immune systems. We all need to be helping our bodies fight these bacteria and viruses. Raw fruits and veggies and natural viral fighting herbs are a must!!! All day long. I have been practicing this for a year and a half and after 3 years of reoccurring shingles, I have not taken on prescription med and my flare ups have been mild and quick (a few days).  Also I have only had two in a year and a half when I was getting symptoms every month prior to this lifestyle change. Feed your body the fuel it needs to do the job God has designed it to do. Your body is working for you, help it.

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