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Numbness, no rash

Posted , 7 users are following.

bbroox
bbroox

I noticed last Thursday that I had a numb patch below my right breast. By Sunday, almost my whole right torso was numb. Went to the Dr. Monday, and he diagnosed Shingles. I haven’t had much pain, just discomfort and horrid body aches. I feel like I have the flu - chills, sweats, deep sore throat and mild fever at night. Still no rash. It will be a week tomorrow since this all started. Did any of you have numbness first? How long did it take to get the rash? I just want to get the ball rolling so I can get on the meds.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • claudette_62139
    claudette_62139 bbroox

    Posted

    If the doc diagnosed shingles then the antiviral meds should be taken ASAP...I did have a strange numb feeling and extreme itching for about a week prior to break out. Prayers...u will get through this...lots of rest and good food and water. ??🛐

  • Aunt_Sue
    Aunt_Sue bbroox

    Posted

    Dear b,

    I have had the same numb feeling  with flu like symptoms,  so understand. If your doctor did diagnose this as shingles, he should have started you on the antiviral medication at the time:

    FamVir or Acyclovir or other.  As I understand it, there is a 72 hour window to start the medication after the onset.  It doesn't sound like you are going to get a rash  if none has appeared after a week.

     The antiviral is actually used to try and reduce  nerve pain after the shingles rash goes away and to reduce the severity of the outbreak, but it can't stop an outbreak once it has begun.  Has the numbness started to go away? What about the flu like symptoms ? 

  • Hector78249
    Hector78249 bbroox

    Posted

    Hopefully the antivirals/other Rx medications you are taking will prevent you getting post herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can be devastating. Discuss with your doctor on taking the new vaccine Shingrix ( 2 separate doses), which has a 90%+ of preventing shingles or preventing the return of shingles. Wish you the best ......
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 bbroox

    Posted

    Dear Bbroox,

    If your physician diagnosed Shingles, he should have placed you on Famciclovir or Valcyclovir immediately. I would call him immediately and request that you start on the Antivirals. Sometimes, it can take a week before a rash occurs. Occasionally, a person may not have a rash. It is called Zoster Sine Herpete. It does not mean you suffer any less.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure bbroox

    Posted

    Sorry about the shingles diagnosis. It's quit a shocker at first and then learning all the medications signs and treatments. Be sure to read all the information about it as you can to stay informed .

    All Good solid advice above and I echo the Shingex,  it ok once you have had the first initial rash and it passes. With the Shingex immunization  it will lesson the severity and occurance of future breakouts and avoid the nerve disease called PHN. 

     

  • ernest52949
    ernest52949 bbroox

    Posted

    I know you don't feel lucky now but you were because your Dr. Diagnosed the Shingles right away.  This is important in shingles to  catch it early so it won't be so severe.  I know every case is different and I feel your pain or my pain.  Slow healing.

  • bbroox
    bbroox

    Posted

    So the rash has decided to show up and it’s huge! All across my belly, and maybe my back? I can’t see it on my back, but it feels sunburned. I get meds tomorrow. Any other suggestions to get through the next chapter?
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 bbroox

      Posted

      Hi Bbroox,

      ACUTE HERPES ZOSTER-SHINGLES

      I am so sorry you are going through this right now. I understand the agonizing, lancinating pain, sleepless nights, and suffering.

      I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

      I have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twenty-one years and twice in my right eye. It is now decided to also spread from my ear to half of my right scalp as I write this to you.

      This is a summary of the stages, signs and symptoms of Herpes Zoster-Shingles, and medical management of the disease.

      During the Pre-eruptive Phase, you may have some of the following symptoms:

      Duration 1-10 Days, but the rash occasionally takes much longer to appear

      Headache

      Photophobia

      Generalized Aches and Pains

      Fever, Chills, and Sweating

      Enlarged Lymph Nodes near the pain and rash

      Fatigue and Exhaustion

      Pain usually preceding the rash

      Description of pain: deep burning or aching pain, or electric shock–like pains.

      Acute Eruptive Phase

      Rash of grouped vesicle-blisters in a dermatomal pattern.

      Occurs in waves or crops over a period of 5-7 days.

      Vesicle-blisters look dissimilar and are of different sizes.

      The rash is on a red base.

      The pain may continue to increase into the second and third week.

      The clear vesicle-blisters cloud over, look like pustules, scab over, and turn black. This process may take between 2-4 weeks. Once every vesicle-blister has scabbed over, you are no longer infectious!

      You are considered infectious (contagious) if your rash is open to the air, ie not covered, to anyone who has not had chickenpox. This includes all pregnant women! Remember, not all women know they are pregnant!

      Chronic Phase (Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN)

      30 days after onset of rash. Definition varies

      Duration may last months or years after initial episode of Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

      The resolution of the scars can take up to a year to heal.

      Management and Medications

      ANTIVIRALS: THE CORNERSTONE OF TREATMENT

      Famciclovir 500 mg 3x daily 7-10 days, sometimes 14 days.

      Smallest Tablet

      Convenient dosing

      Least Resistance

      Valcyclovir 1000 mg 3x daily 7-10 days

      Large Tablets difficult to swallow for some

      Based on Acyclovir

      Acyclovir 800 mg 5x daily 7-10 days

      Inconvenient Dose Schedule

      Growing Resistance to Varicella Virus

      Acyclovir is the antiviral most often prescribed in the UK

      What dosage of the medication are you on? Sometimes, the Physician places the patient on a lower dose, but needs to increase it to help with the pain-itching.

      Sometimes, you need to be placed on a cocktail of medications, as they will work synergistically to help you. These are all by prescription. I have grouped them according to class. A clinician would start with one from the Anticonvulsant class, taper the dosage up, then one from the Antidepressant Class, etc. This list is by no means complete.

      ANALGESICS

      NSAIDS

      Ibuprofen

      Naprosyn

      Acetominophen

      OPIOIDS

      Oxycodone

      Hydrocodone

      Codeine

      CBD

      ANTI-CONVULSANTS

      Gabapentin-Neurontin

      Pregabalin-Lyrica

      ANTI-DEPRESSANTS

      SNRIs

      Cymbalta

      Effexor-Venlafaxine

      Heterocyclics

      Nortriptyline

      Amitriptyline

      2. I would find 100% cotton knit clothing. Make sure there are no seams to irritate your skin. The cotton knit is the most breathable, least irritating cloth to most individuals.

      3. Use Lidocaine Cream or Spray OTC topically to help with the pain- itching, eg, Solarcaine with Aloe or Bactine. Many on this forum feel either Lidocaine or Benzocaine help with the pain-itching. The cream might soothe the inflamed nerve endings better and last longer on the skin. You can only use Lidocaine 12 hours on and 12 hours off, as the usefulness will extinguish itself.

      4. Use ice or cool compresses. Do not take hot showers, as it will only increase the pain-itching

      5. You need to rest and sleep. You cannot power through this disease. Do not go back to work! This virus is way stronger than you are, and you will only get more pain, the more exertion you do.

      6. Most Importantly, get the Shingrex Immunization. It is a two phase vaccine, two months apart. It is given intramuscularly. It is highly efficacious in stopping Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN and recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

      Shingrex is available in the US at the pharmacy and covered by insurance if you are over 50 years of age. If you are younger than 50, and have had a documented case of shingles, it is still covered.

      If you are in the UK/Canada/Australia/NZ, I know it has been distributed there, but the national health insurance may not cover it until age 70, which is ridiculous. It is expensive, but I would have paid thousands not to have recurrent shingles.

      I hope this helps you. We are here for you. (BTW, I am on Famciclovir, Oxycodone, Venlafaxine, Topiramate-another anticonvulsant for Neurogenic pain, and am using Bactine and a Corticosteroid spray on my scalp rash, plus Benzocaine ear drops to help soothe the neurogenic pain.)

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • bbroox
      bbroox Merry19451

      Posted

      Wow! So much information. Thank you! The rash was gone this morning. I'm sure it will be back. I have a doctor appt. at 2:00 this afternoon, hoping they will start the meds. We have a European trip at the end of September, so I really just want to fight this thing out and get it done so I can enjoy vacation. It's crazy that I feel fine one day and sick as a dog the next.

  • claudette_62139
    claudette_62139 bbroox

    Posted

    I used cold wet wash rags to help the intense itching,also ice packs,cool showers,aspercream,aloe Vera gel,gold bond powder,extra virgin coconut oil,ibuprofen....lots of patience..it will take time but you will pull out of this....lots of rest because your body is fighting🛐

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