Newly diagnosed with shingles
Posted , 9 users are following.
i am so pleased to find this discussion as there is very little on the Internet. I just got diagnosed with shingles on my scalp. I thought I was coming down with an ear infection last week but the sores hadn't come out then. I am in a lot of pain, it's like a tours and bee stings throbbing on my head and my neck is swollen.
i have the medication but can you tell me when it starts to work? I am due to go on holiday in four days and don't know what to do about it. Thanks everyone x
2 likes, 11 replies
susan26904 nicola97696
Posted
nicola97696 susan26904
Posted
Thanks for your reply Susan. I certainly don't feel any better yet, so lethargic.
looloo43 nicola97696
Posted
Hi Nicola. i got shingles 3wks ago felt like sunburn & severe headaches for 5 days, then rash started. went to doc when rash started as suspected shingles after talking to my mum. doc confirmed shingles & gave me anti viral meds for 7days & amitryptiline to take at bedtime for the nerve pain. 2days after finishing the anti virals, it came out in other places on my body both sides, so went back to docs friday just gone & got a 2nd course of anti virals. if i were you hun I wouldn't go on holiday if its abroad. if you are going away in this country, maybe, but be aware while you have the rash you can give people chicken pox & its particularly bad coming into contact with pregnant ladies or people on immunesuppressing medicine. i was told shingles lasts upto 4wks, but i've had it 3wks already & on 2nd course of meds. i personally wouldnt go on hol, but its up to you. you could "postpone" it???? xx
nicola97696 looloo43
Posted
It's a dilemma as we are supposed to be visiting my husband's daughter as she is working in Spain and we haven't seen her since March! Bad timing. Is there any chance I keep thinking I may feel better by the end of the week but listening to you guys, it doesn't seem to work its way through that fast and I do feel awful at the moment.
i have also read somewhere that the sores aren't contagious after about a week, I suppose each person is different?
The way I feel now, I don't feel like flying x
jane97743 nicola97696
Posted
Hollymama2 nicola97696
Posted
No way!!! Those sores have to pop on their own scab over & fully dry up before you are not contagious.... I would never fly with shingles and even chance putting children, elderly & immune compromised people at risk for my own desires.
susan26904 nicola97696
Posted
looloo43 nicola97696
Posted
Yes Nichola, its draining isn't it. Ive been sleeping 8hrs a night & still needing a couple of hours sleep in the day. just feel zapped. even on the 2nd lot of anti virals since friday, i still have some suspect patches starting to show on the opposite shoulder to the first lot. I really think you should let your hubby go to spain alone, & go with him another time. Apart from feeling crappy yourself, it's really not fair on other people who could catch chicken pox from you. all the best, hope you get well soon hun. xx
jane97743 nicola97696
Posted
You will be contagious to young children and pregnant women, so it's not really fair to put people at risk for the sake of a holiday, especially if you will be on a plane with strangers! Shingles can't be caught but chickenpox can! I had shingles at the end of March on my forehead, head and eye, and apart from my head it all still itches every day, as I had PHN (complications that can occur after the shingles has gone) i wouldn't wish it upon anyone, let alone people who don't know that you have it , Apart from that, you will feel pain and tiredness so it's unlikely you would enjoy a holiday being ill, I wish you the best of luck with your recovery, as it can take a long time.
Merry19451 nicola97696
Posted
Nicola,
The antivirals that you received are to stop the virus from replicating more. It does nothing regarding the damage already done to your head, already.
The following symptoms usually occur with the pain, then rash:
Headache, fever, chills and sweating, malaise and fatigue. The vesicle-blisters take up to a month to scab. You are considered contagious until the last one scabs.
It is important to gain excellent pain control. If you
didn't receive strong analgesics such as Opioids,
see your physician. If the pain is not well controlled the first month and lingers, you are susceptible to Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN.
I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twenty years and twice in my right eye.
I hope this helps you.
Best regards
Merry Juliana
Hollymama2 nicola97696
Posted
I have shingles on my scalp & neck right now and gave new blisters still developing. I was hospitalized 3 weeks ago and given Antivirals and yet I am still getting new blisters now. This is a tough virus and I would recommend not going on holiday. You will appreciate your own bed and surroundings much more & it isn't fair to put others at risk being contagious while traveling. You are very contagious right now! Hang in there!!!!!