Recurring Shingles Hell anitvirals don't seem to stop them
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Hi all, hoping someone may have some help or advice as feeling very alone with this. I first got shingles in Dec 2019, just a few small blisters above my left eye with some eyelid swelling, then had it again in the same area but less severe in March 2020. Both times not nice but healed pretty well with antivirals.
Flash forward to (Feb) 2021 I get another outbreak again over the left eye/side of the forehead, felt mild again took antivirals, maybe didn't rest as much as previous times. Literally, a couple of weeks later (March 2021) shingles break out again but this time over the RIGHT eye!! There were lots of blisters this time even down to my chin and with severe ear and neck ache. Took antivirals again, at this point I have always taken the 5 x day 7-day acyclovir. I start seeing scars lot of little crater type ones from where the little blisters are erupting over my face. Flash forward to another few weeks (April 2021) it feels like I'm getting them again... but think oh no maybe it is just PHN, it CAN'T be shingles again, call GP for meds just in case but then notice lots of dried up blisters so it was too late but I did have it again after all...
Then flash forward to now the last week or so (now in May 2021) complete horror story, I get it again but this time on my tongue!! even few blisters on my gums, and by my ears and neck, hearing affected, tongue bleeding from sores knocked. I believe when in the palette it is referred to as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. I am on the last day of antivirals (this time requested famciclovir instead 3 x day) and still breaking out in blisters on my face despite a week on meds, can feel it on the scalp too, the worst thing is it is for certain bilateral which normally can only happen if someone has weak immune system.
Doctors ordered blood tests to look at HIV (had test last year after shingles twice and was neg) and for immunoglobulins (normal I believe) and for ESR (my ESR was elevated it was 27 should be less than 20), otherwise no flags.
They have also done a swab to send to the infectious diseases dept at the local hospital.
I'm so upset and worried. Has anyone got any thoughts on why all this is happening to me ongoing 4 x shingles since Feb/what I should do or ask of GP further? Surely AINBU to want more help from them over this?
Thanks in advance
If it helps I am 38, female and a single mum to 2 kids.
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