Sharing my experience - recurring shingles
Posted , 285 users are following.
I'm a 35 year old female and have had recurring shingles for about 7 years which occurs anything from 3-7 times a year and occasionally back to back. It is always a small cluster of itchy/stinging spots at the base of my spine and thankfully, the only other symptom can be overly sensitive skin down the back of my thighs. It is the only 'illness' that I ever suffer from - I never get colds or other 'bugs' that seem to plague everyone around me. So, the main guidelines about shingles are very general and should not discount anyone who suffers from this if they fall outside the norm for the condition i.e. over 50, poor immune system, you only get it once, spots appear on the sides, chest or face etc. as I don't fit any of these but have had tests and confirmation.
My advice to anyone else who suffers from this is - do try to get antiviral medication like aciclovir as it will minimise the frequency of outbreaks, try the coldsore patches from the chemist (Compeed is the brand I use) - they can be costly but keep the area clean and covered to prevent spreading and definitely seem to clear it up more quickly and with less scarring and, finally, try not to touch the area at all outside of treating it. I have become good at recognising the early sysmptoms and the earlier I act on it, the less troublesome it is. I have also made a connection with using sunbeds as a couple of outbreaks have occurred shortly after using one so minimise UV exposure of the area (not usually a problem when it's on your bottom!). Hope this helps.
35 likes, 501 replies
gdub Guest
Posted
I have been having shingles outbreaks for the last few years. The first year I had it 8 times. Not a lot of help from the dr except for the usual prescriptions i.e. Valtrex and Gabapentin for the nerve pain. For me, I had to take a look at the way I was living my life. I have a very stressful job, if I could quit I would, but that is not in the cards for me. So I do aromatherapy/meditation at night, yoga, walks. Anything to help clear my mind and not focus on it. The nerve pain is starting to be on the daily, and at this point I am not sure it will ever go away.
Does anyone know if the new shot helps, or just makes it worse. Any input is helpful. I am glad to have a forum like this to discuss this problem. The Dr's at first just thought that there was no way I was getting it more than twice. It is helpful to have medication on hand to take immediately during an outbreak. I also have gotten very good at reading my body and knowing when one is coming. Other problem I have are the meds make me so sick.
I do hope they find a cure. I am wishing all of us suffering with this only good thoughts and quick healing.
mary05897 gdub
Posted
I am recovering from shingles and I just got some great advice from a holistic friend. She recommended that I take L-Lysine and that I probably was not getting enough of this essential acid. I researched it and is used for outbreaks and anxiety. I am on my way to recovery, as many outbreaks as you have, it is worth a try. Outside of this great discovery, the only thing that helped my recovery was prednisone. Most doctors won't prescribe it, but it has worked for me both times. My outbreaks were severe.
jenwren22 Guest
Posted
I have just suffered (to me the worst pain ever!) Shingles on right side of my scalp, neck, ear and face, 4 weeks later I feel so much better thank god! I am usually quite healthy have a good diet usually organic when possible etc. But when I came across the Keto Diet Lifestyle(Its my first diet ever as I am fortunate enough to keep a good weight) I really liked the philosophy of the diet and learning how it helps with all sorts of ailments. Two months after starting the Keto lifestyle I got this shingles outbreak. I am in London and when I went to the ER at the hospital as I was in so much pain, I saw a notice that said chicken pox/ shingles outbreak in London (where I believe the Keto diet is popular!!)! After I researched that Shingles is part of the Herpes Zoster Virus family, and that high levels of the amino acid Arginine in the body, is a precursor for the Herpes virus in some people, I started to research how much Arginine is in the Keto diet foods. OMG. Loads. Its very disappointing as I still believe in the low carb, low protein, High good fats which is the Keto diet. But I feel now there is a connection! So please look at your Arginine foods to see if that's why you have Shingles and or its recurring. And yes loading up on L-lysine, Vit D and C helps to avoid it.
Thank you for reading my story and I hope that it helps someone out there who is struggling with this horrible Virus!
alexy28638 jenwren22
Posted
renee1960 alexy28638
Posted
Ricottacheese renee1960
Posted
i would like to know more detail for your diet . i used to be super active but this constant shingles everymonth stopped ne to exercise.(cuz it get back right away when i back to exercising) i cant get any more medication so only diet and life style is my last hope.
Ricottacheese jenwren22
Posted
do you think keto was the reason? for me going vegan was the probelm cuz most of food are high in argenin. keto can be high in lysin if i eat more cheese and chicken, fish and avoid nuts. so im kinda of keto-low carb now. but tbh i dont know what to eat to not get shingles.
jenwren22 Ricottacheese
Posted
Hi....I do believe so as basically because of the high ratio of Arginine as I mentioned previously especially in the almond flours, coconut flour. I thought I had a virus problem with almonds and peanuts before but for some reason i ignored that for this diet. I am just one of those people that if something is wrong with my body I have to find out what caused it so as not get it again I never resort to medication as usually its what WE put in our bodies and in our mind thats creates the illnesses we have!
So, because of this research it has led me i believe to a more healthier lifestyle. I looked into the fruiterian diet (although I don't like to call it a diet as such). Very interesting what I learnt from the information on line especially from. But have moved on to a combination of fresh fruit, fresh cactus juice (great for viruses) which i pick myself as I live in Spain, and vegetables and fresh herbs. So now I guess its the Plant Based Diet that I am following and I feel pretty good on it as its 80% raw foods from Nature and some healthy cooked foods occasionally. Thanks for asking my opinion, hope that inspires you a little to look further....namaste
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c73058 Guest
Posted
I am so frustrated I don't know what to do or what specialty of medical professional to see about this. These "episodes" started for me when I was 22, after a bad car accident & lower back surgery. After the surgery, I got a blister type thing on my lower back, I was already in pain from the surgery, and chalked it off as a staple or stitch working it's way out. Over the years, and multiple doctors, all they can tell me is that it is recurring shingles. I have been on the anti-viral meds, and even had the shingles injection. But, it keeps getting worse & worse. With me it attacks the nerves in my lower back, down my legs, and now my hips. It puts me down! Right now, I'm really struggling. A couple of months ago, I woke up and couldn't hardly move. My hips wouldn't hardly allow me to walk. Just to breathe hurt. It feels like my hip joints "catch" if that makes sense. I went to the Dr., had MRI's & x-rays, they say I have bad arthritis in my hips & bulging disc's & scar tissue. I've totally drained, no energy & extremely tired. I've seen a rheumatologist, (oops spell ck), no help. I've been through a series of steroid/cortisone injections, very little help. I'm still working every day, and commuting 3-4 hours a day, and it's killing me. And then, aha! I got two little spots on my back. The pain mgmt doc told me it was shingles (again) and that 30 percent of people have recurring shingles. When this episode with my hips started 2 mo's ago, I didn't know what was wrong with me, and thought it was arthritis, or I just over did it. Now, I'm at my wits end. The pain is getting worse instead of better. I started the anti-viral pills that I had on hand, because the Dr that prescribed them for me about 10 ago, on a daily basis, didn't think I needed to be on them any longer. I just don't know what to do or what specialty of Dr to see. Has this happened to anyone else? Can anyone tell me what type of Dr can help me????? I'm in so much pain, I'm desperate at this point. I'm an active person normally, and not a pain pill head. I just need relief from all this. The doc's just aren't getting it right.
john96482 c73058
Posted
I can't say this enough--spray the skin infections with apple cider vinegar mixed 50:50 with water. let it dry then coat the whole are with plain Yoghurt. this mixture lays an acid base over the skin. Start the application four time per day to start with and then at least once per day. Sleep on a coat of the dry mixture over night.
Cosmogirl c73058
Posted
Can understand your frustration as I have struggled with shingles outbreaks for 18 years now. Medication didn't help me at all. I have more control of the outbreak now by balanced diet, no coffee near no chocolate, immune supporting supplements, Saint John wart and less stress. My immune system is much stronger now to fight the virus to much shorter outbreaks. Have learned to keep the area of outbreak clean and free of sweat in warm weather. The best thing that work for me on the first tingle to the outbreak of blisters is Aleo Vera, the iner gel straight from a fresh plant. I have tried many thing and this soothe, heals and is a gentle anti viral gel. You can put the gel onto Cotten wool pads and put sticky plaster over or bandage over blisters, changing 2-3 times daily. Hope this is helpful. Never give up, you can have the Controle, it doesn't Controle you.
hope4cure c73058
Posted
in my 20 years with this disease i was given the zostavax for shingles after initial out break cleared . i have had very little recurrent outbreaks or phn since. also received the new shingex injection due to the old shingles immunization looses its efficienty. had the shingex which consists of two injections 3 to 6 months apart. shingex is recommended by the cdc.
Cosmogirl hope4cure
Posted
HI Hope4cure
I was giver Zostavax for my shingles by my doctor, took it for three years, i kept a diary and it did not lesson the outbreak or control the length of the outbreak. No point taking a medication with bad side effect to my health when i clearly could see that the amount and length of outbreak did not change at all in that three years. I then started to researched and put into practice a correct diet, natural treatments and started to see a change for the better.
angela40075 Guest
Posted
I first got shingles on my face about 15 years ago 10 years later got them om the back of my upper arm they now occur about 3 x a year on same site otherwise perfectly healthy people are mentioning to avoid seed nuts and sun beds. I dont eat seeds or nuts and havent used sun beds in years.
wen2222 Guest
Posted
Wow, I thought I was the only one that has reoccurring shingles every year! I first got shingles when I was 17!!! The doctor was shocked, he wondered what kind of stress I was experiencing. He prescribed Percocets and acyclovir. Both were a Godsend.
I have 2 autoimmune diseases but i rarely get sick with colds/flu. I usually get an outbreak of shingles on my right thoracic spine 6x a year!! Maybe more. The PHN is brutal. I have been treating it topically with a cortisone cream quite effectively. Sometimes I have the PHN for months.... so painful. Gabapentin has worked quite well with the nerve pain. Diet and a low stress lifestyle help as well.