Recurring shingles

I hope someone has the answer. Just came back from my GP after yet another bout of shingles. The pattern of mine has changed. Before it was on one area. Now I have 3 flares one after another. GP suggested low dose of aciclovir for 3 months and a low dose of amitriptiline to reduce the pain. The sad thing about amitriptiline - you have to take it regularly , as it needs to build up in your system. The question is - does one want to go on antidepressants or tolerate the pain? Meanwhile, going to see a homeopath.

Hi Katrina I am 55 and have been dealing with shingles for the last three years. I get them on the back of my right leg and pubic area. As you say pain is terrible and sitting can be excruciating. Forget about wearing pants and even dresses can be annoying from rubbing. GP basically said that I would have to make do. Take pain pills and wait until done. Three to four weeks sometimes longer. I do drink Zeal every day for immune system. It is a natural multivitamin it has helps in building up system.

Hi katsin50. I had shingles in april and have PHN at times, when feeling off colour with a cold or similar. I had two more patches of rash after initial outbreak. I read on here that taking 1000 miligrams of L-Lysine a day would help fight it off again and help immune system. I've been taking them since about June now and so far so good! Obtainable online or at health food shops like HnB. Also I take some B vits and folic acid + selenium ACE. They all help you battle illness/virus'. Hope you're soon better. Best wishes, Ellie UK

hi Katsin50,sorry to hear you are suffering.like you i suffer recurring shingles.i too had vaccine but didnt work.i now take daily Aciclovir 400mg twice a day as a suppresent, so far 4months since i started this ive not had an attack.ive tried all other medication,hope this helps,take care

Hi Katsin,

First, I am sorry for your suffering. I would also suggest that you can take preferably Famvir 500 mg 1 tab daily to supress the virus. There is medical literature,scientific studies that shows it is beneficial in certain people. Famvir is more efficacious than Acyclovir.

I am on an anticonvulsant which attenuates the pain and helps prevent the dreaded post herpetic neuralgia. I have Herpes Zoster Oticus/shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 19 years. You need to see a neurologist who understands the disease and pain and is willing to work with you.

It is possible to have such a mild case of chicken pox with only one tiny blister that your parents or you would not have known you were ill.

I hope this helps. I am a nurse practitioner in the States.

Best Wishes,

Merry Juliana

Hi katsin:

This is Kevin from Canada also had resurring shingles for a few months (April to August) due to an exhausting trip and an illness. You have already received plenty of good advice. I think I may be able to add a couple more (I broke the vicious shingles cycles by strengthening my immune system rather than medication).

1 - Take L-Lysine as stated by one poster. Great advice

2 - Take green tea (2-3 a day). Very inexpensive and effective. Thanks to my mom for this and I pass around the advice.

3 - Take multi vitamines in particular vitamines D, B complex, A and C.

4 - Eat lots of fruits and vegetables in particular Orange, apples and berries.

5 - Eat high protein foods like meat, soya, cheese.

6 - Get plenty of sleep. I took even sleeing pills to sleep 10 hours a day.

Hope it works for you too.

Kevin

Oh I forgot to mention in my post above (I don't know how to edit my post....

Watch out for the new shibgles vaccine due in 2017. It has been enhanced so that it is 97-98% effective in preventing shingles and even for elderly (regardless of age).

To all those sufering from recuring shingles. Watch out for the coming much more effective vaccine next year.

http://palmbeachhealthbeat.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/07/13/new-shingles-vaccine-expected-in-2017-wont-weaken-over-time/