Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all, could anyone tell me if there shingles look like this...as I said in my post, I don't get much pain at all...just itching and the fatigue, and feeling lathargic!! It has been a little over a year ago in February and seem to have them more often than not...thanks...have a great eveing all!!
0 likes, 11 replies
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Texas1976 pattitracy
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pattitracy Texas1976
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So sorry to hear that....I never have had alot of them. That is why I posted the pictures...was wondering if it could be somthing else. If you don't mind me asking do you get them quit often..or is this your first outbreak of them? Prayers your way that you heal quickly!! Thank you!
Texas1976 pattitracy
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This is actually my first time. It's been 21 days since my first initial shingles breakout. The blisters finally dried up and skin is peeling. It's still looks a little red, but not as red as 3 weeks ago. Im hoping it won't scar since my shingles was under my chest forming like belt going to my back. The good news is the pain had gone away, I still feel a little sensitivity when I wear shirts but I can finally go to sleep without sleeping in a certain way
I'm looking at your pictures, maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't look like shingles. More like a pimple or bite. Normally shingles form a pattern or belt like form. Have you gone to a dermatologist or a doctor to make sure it's not something else?
pattitracy Texas1976
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Texas1976 pattitracy
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I'm really sorry that you are going through this. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Are you always stress? I know for me the stress from my job is probably the culprit of my shingles. I took a one month leave from work because I was so stress then after a couple weeks when I was suppose to go back to work on that Monday, I was having major anxiety going back to work and when I woke up the next day, I started having the preshingles symptoms like headache, the stabbing or prickling needles in my body. So I had to extend my leave and didn't go back to work until today.
I know it's hard having the symptoms of Shingles or PHN. During the first week, I was in so much pain where I was getting only 2-3 hours of sleep every night.
I hope you feel better and try to go to a dermatologist and get a second opinion.
pattitracy
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davideastchurch pattitracy
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Hi Pattitracy,
It certainly sounds like shingles, and I'd say it looks like shingles too. I have had recurring shingles since June of last year.
My my first outbreak was almost exactly as you describe, with just a small area of rash. I had very little pain - initially it felt like I'd pulled a muscle in my side. The recurrences have been mild and virtually painless, except the last one in January when there was a delay in getting me on antivirals (my doctor decided, rightly, to try a different prescription and for longer, but there was a delay in getting the meds). The result was that I developed post herpetic neuralgia and I've only recently stopped taking amitriptyline for nerve pain. Thankfully though my level of pain has been mild compared to what many others have described.
With the fourth recurrence, however, my doctor was concerned to find out why I was getting recurring shingles since it might indicate an immunity issue. I am otherwise healthy, apart from athsma and the general issues of getting older, and not stressed. Blood and urine tests were mostly clear but one flagged up something that could potentially be nasty and revealed the cause of of my reduced immunity and recurring shingles. Thankfully, I don't have the 'nasty' but I do have a condition that can occasionally lead to the nasty. I am being regularly monitored and without my doctor's intervention we would never have known about my compromised immunity and possibly discovered too late if I subsequently developed the 'nasty'.
My reason in telling you this is that I think it would be advisable to find out why you're getting recurring shingles. Recurring shingles can indicate a compromised immunity. Like me, your recurrences are mild, so your immune system is probably doing something but, if it's compromised, it may just not be getting on top of your shingles. I had a whole series of blood tests and a urine test.
The medical profession seems to be generally very ill-informed about shingles. Thankfully, my GP was very much on the ball. She even requested a test that another doctor at my surgery told me he'd never have thought of - a 'Bence Jones' test - which was the one that flagged up my immune problem.
The other thing that might help could be a different antiviral and for a longer period. My doctor changed the prescription last time and gave me 10 days supply rather than the usual 7. At the moment, that seem to have knocked my shingles on the head as my last recurrence began in early January.
I hope you're able to get some good advice, find out why you're getting such frequent recurrences, and knock it on the head.
Best wishes,
David
Jane1618 pattitracy
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Shoe_Lady pattitracy
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That's what mine looks like!!
pattitracy Shoe_Lady
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Shoe_Lady pattitracy
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I have never had mine tested either because mine do not always blister and weep. When they do it is a very small window, and I can't get into the dr. My dr does not show any interest and has not offered to test for shingles. Because of this, I am always researching of what else I could have, not it always comes back to shingles. I have recently read a book that talks about there being 31 different strains of shingles. If this is true, it would explain all our different symptoms. I will IM you the title of the book. It's a little "out there" but I believe there is a lot of truth to it and the diet is helping me tremendously!