Recovering from Shingles but feeling unwell again

Hi Caron,

I am sorry you went through this episode of shingles. Has the pain/itching resolved with the rash?

You are spot on regarding the flu-like symptoms that occur before the rash and pain. If the pain Or rash occurs, seek medical attention ASAP and get on antivirals immediately, preferably Valcyclovir 1000 mg 3x daily for 10 days or Famciclovir 500 mg 3x daily for 10 days. You didn't mention your age, the previous location of the rash, and if you were immunocompromised in any way that you know of.

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States. I have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three weeks for the past 23 years and twice in my right eye.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Hello

Hope you feel better! I went through shingles February 2018 and had reoccurance shingles till 3-4 months ago! The aftermath is just as horrible with PHN

I had to cut my hair short for the same reason and this way I can manage my hair with less pain!

I take zovirax 400mg only when I get the bouts! I place cool water over the rash and also chammoline tea over the rash calms nerve pain.

Be well

Myrna

MY STORY: Shingles Started with malaise and just feeling unwell 5/1/19. Doc (is also a friend) says "you're probably coming down with a virus." 5 /20 sharp pain in elbow & shoulder. Thought tendonitis and possible increased mico-tear in rotator cuff due to moving a 60" flower pot. 6 days later woke up with burning tiny blisters from hair line down right arm to 2 fingertips. Knew right away: shingles on Ulnar nerve. Got to doc within 2 hrs and got anti viral for 1 4 days & Gapapentin for pain.

After doing lots of reading at NLM, NIH, PubMed, and 3ks of intense firey pain after blisters, Ive decided 2 things:

1-no research for Shingles support/ relief being done in USA. NONE. One research project in UK.

2-Found a vet research site for DOGS enhancing Gabapentin with CBD oil. Called everyone i could think of " what about humans? " no answers. Had not slept soundly more than 3 hrs at time for weeks. Added very small dose of CBS from RELIABLE source UNDER THE TONGUE, and massaged in thoroughly CBD salve on hot spots. Slept til morning the first time. Now weaning off Gabapentin. Too tired? Hot needles return.

Gabapentin has bad side effects. Read up on it at Mayo Clinic website.

YOU CANNOT QUIT COLD TURKEY. Research why. I am decreasing 100 mg per day per week. Actually, research GABAPENTIN in general.

Assume anxiety, depression, sense of doom, and "cotton brain" from Gabapentin is soon relieved and energy returns. (Have 6 diff flower beds, usually golf 3xweek and water aerobics 3xweek, now doing nothing, but reading in recliner & minimal housework.) Lots of fluids and NOXZEMA (!!) to cool hot spots. Also, gel paks cooled in frig, not frozen. Put damp cloth underneath.

Quivers...yes. Imagine thats what Parkinsons feels like. I paint miniatures. Hope to restart in two weeks. Squeezing childrens modeling clay for hand strength so can lift a mug of coffee. Quivers are receding.

Hope to graduate to Tylenol in a few weeks.

Friends who haven't had it say " you just need to power through it! " NO, you need to rest through it and defend the need.

My doc checked in on me today. Said "there's a reason they call Shingles Hell's Fire!" Yes!

P.S. Forget capsaisan! That pain is supposed to distract you from shingles pain 😆. If you do apply, use a glove and tiny tiny amount. Lest you get it in your eye later!

The End 😉

Hi Sylvia,

You are correct regarding the paucity of research done. I find that Bactine, which contains Lidocaine, followed by Flonase spray, which contains corticosteroids, topically, helped me immensely with the scalp lesions. I also use ice packs. Frankly, for acute pain, opioids are necessary for the excruciating pain that shingles.

You feel as if you are on fire! These physicians need to grow a back bone and and start prescribing it when necessary.

I also get it in my right ear every three weeks for the past 23 years and twice in my right eye.

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

I have Rx lidocaine ointment, burn spray, aloe with benzocaine, even tried the gel for gum pain. Quite an array on bathroom counter. Tried dusting with cornstarch...helped some. Cortizone 10 didnt help, but Flonase has diff form steroid. Will try that. Gabapentine doesnt like Benadryl so gave that idea up. Down to two spots: elbow crease and top of shoulder in rotator cuff.

Oh, i also purchased a TENS Unit from Omron, the 2x model. That is great temp relief during the worst pain!!

Everyone(inc me) remembers an injury of some sort to the area where the shingles started. Every place the pain focused on i had had an injury, etc in years past. Inc where it went up into my hair ( i cut it short, also)--i had a skull fracture when i was 11yrs. Ulnar nerve root in C1 so thought that strange, but maybe small branch?

If everyone who survived shingles wore a tshirt that says "I SURVIVED HELL'S FIRE", would anyone do some research.There are a lot of cases on horizon without good supply of Shingrix and so many baby boomers. And husband got Shingles, 3 yrs after Zostavax on his sciatic nerve, from root to his ankle. But no PHNP.

Last day of REST today.