Numbness around torso with shingles
Posted , 6 users are following.
So I got a case of shingles on my back three weeks ago - on my left side about midway down my back. I caught it fairly early and was given the antibiotics to treat it, which fortunately halted its spread. I got a lot of itching, but curiously, no stabbing pain like others have gotten. But one very odd symptom that occurred about a week after getting this was a numbness wrapping around my torso, starting near the backbone and going around to the front, close to the midline of my body and about six inches from top to bottom. It's like someone has shot that side of my body with novacaine. It's really unnerving and at times it twinges with sharp pains, but not often. I have to take Ibuprofin regularly through the day and before bed, since I get a significant backache if I don't. Has anyone else had these numbness symptoms with shingles? Is it normal?
0 likes, 8 replies
yogi12221 Crunchyhippo
Posted
Yes, it's normal. I have had numbness on my head, forehead, scalp, and eyelid now for well over a year. It's IRRITATING.
Merry19451 Crunchyhippo
Posted
Hi Crunchyhippo,
The numbness you are describing is classic Herpes Zoster-Shingles, accompanied by spasms of pain. Usually the pain and other symptoms increase in the second week of the illness and start resolution by the fourth week.
It is important to rest and sleep. Take time off from work, housework, chores, etc. You cannot power through this disease.
Often individuals feel exhausted and fatigued. They suffer from malaise. The exhaustion and fatigue can last months, BTW.
I hope you start feeling better soon.
If you are in the States, you are eligible for the Shingrex Vaccine. I would highly recommend it.
Best Wishes,
Merry Juliana
renee1960 Crunchyhippo
Posted
i have been getting shingles for 30 years...i am not a doctor or nurse..but i am in the health profession..I have really research shingles and immune...doctors want to prescribe thats what they are taught in college..i have been lucky i found a doctor into nutrient...i have totally changed my diet getting rid of inflammatories ..added flax seed...added lots of fresh food and veg...no process foods..no red meat..and exercise...walking..try 3 miles a day...i still get shingles but they usually tell me before they are comming i take magnisum lacte and l-lysine 2x a day..and i have made up a mixture of essentials where i feeel they are comming up...it is amazing the difference..people do research...
Mac6743 Crunchyhippo
Posted
Hello!
Yes, I too had numbness from my back to mid torso and if I bent down I would also feel a sharp pain in my abdomen which was associated with it... an odd feeling, but luckily only lasted about a month. (Then lower back pain on the side of the rash commenced!)
Hope you are feeling better now!
Crunchyhippo Mac6743
Posted
Yes, I'm much better now. The numbness is going away, as well as the itching on my back where the shingles was. The whole shingles episode lasted about 4-5 weeks. I was very fortunate that I never had the sharp, stabbing pains when the blisters were touched. They just kept me up at night sometimes with the itching. Once I got my doctor to prescribe some anti-itching pills, that went away. I've been very blessed that I seem to have caught it early.
Rocco1965 Crunchyhippo
Posted
Sent you a message just now asking how you are! Didn't see this post. So glad you're doing better!! Gives me hope!! 👍
Rocco1965 Crunchyhippo
Posted
Sounds JUST LIKE my shingles!
Looks like it's been a few weeks since you posted... How is it now?
I was diagnosed with shingles about a week and a half ago. Numbness, burning, worst pain I've ever had.
Hope yours is better.
Crunchyhippo
Posted
Mine is almost completely gone. The numbness has virtually disappeared as well. All told, about six weeks of dealing with it - the first three being the worst.