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Sharing my experience - recurring shingles

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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

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  • bethany57692
    bethany57692 Guest

    Posted

    I have a question for everyone.

    I get my shingles on my face just above my left eye. I don't feel a lot of the pain associated with shingles, and I only get the tingling sensation once the sores have healed up.. but the weird thing, is that I keep getting the shingle tingles in my back on the left side. Is it possible that I'm experiencing shingles symptoms in a location that's not with the sores?

    • Amy_in_agony
      Amy_in_agony bethany57692

      Posted

      Hi Bethany, hearing things like what you've said sure helps me feel some sort of normal... Yes, I get the symptoms with no outward blisters. Sometimes there's a very small bump like a bite that doesn't seem like a "blister" but I can tell it's definitely shingles from all the other symptoms. I find that I get the same recurrant tingling/numb sensations in the same places every time and usually happens directly after a full blown outbreak... sounds weird but it's happened enough times now that I'm starting to know what it is and relax a bit knowing it will eventually subside... but thought I was going crazy in the early days. You will see a lot of people have writen in about shingles with no blisters... there's a name for it. "Zoster sine herpete" look it up - you'll feel better knowing.

      Good luck to you. Learn about the Lysine/Arginine element of foods. It has helped me a bunch ! 

       

    • bethany57692
      bethany57692 Amy_in_agony

      Posted

      That's really interesting Amy! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. My fiance's grandma also gets recurring shingles, and she taught me a great way to treat the blisters almost over night. It's called camphophynique. It's an anti itch and astringent gel you can put on your blisters. It healed mine almost completely in about 2 days.

    • jen13278
      jen13278 bethany57692

      Posted

      I am using a lotion called Sarna that has camphor and menthol. It is ok but I am going to try camphophynique. My grandmother used it for everything and I am glad that someone else has had a good experience with it.

       

  • wagadoddle
    wagadoddle Guest

    Posted

    I got the shingles about a month ago.  It was on my right side and was from front to back about 6 inches wide with large blisters.  I also have another spot on my right buttock the size of a quarter that occurs about 2 to 5 times a year.  That spot broke out about 3 weeks into my shingles episode.  I went to the doctor when I first got the shingles and told her that I have had a spot on my butt occuring for the last 40 years.  She told me it was not shingles but another type of herpes.  Only testing will identify what type of herpes it is.  I haven't done this due to the cost.  Sorry you get these, but unless your doctor has done the appropriate testing, you may not know for sure what type you have.  Regardless, there isn't a cure and whatever treatment that works for you, keep taking it.  Good luck.
  • suzinne53503
    suzinne53503 Guest

    Posted

    New or kind of new to the shingles "party."  Actually since last year have been having outbreaks, and thought it was hives.  Now I'm realizing it is really shingles now, and maybe before hives?  Have had eczema off and on since 1 year old.  So, not new to skin issues!

    Question:  is shooting pain a hallmark symptom of shingles.  Although I believe have a rather mild case, there have been times that I get very sharp shooting pains in my forearms where I do have an intensely red rash.  So bad that I can't hold a book or phone.  Have to wait for them to subside. 

    Is shingles easy to diagnose, and what exactly distinguishes hives from shingles.  If I do a google image search on both, they look virtually identical.  Is it the amount of pain or what?  Am confused, but always knew I would wind up with shingles.  Have actually had chickenpox TWICE.  Once as a kid (with mumps at same time), and then the horror of chickenpox as an adult.

    Any responses are greatly appreciated.

    • wagadoddle
      wagadoddle suzinne53503

      Posted

      Hi Suzinne,

      Sorry for your pain.  You can read all the replies in this forum and you may find one that fits you.  I assume you have seen a doctor since you have had eczema for some time.  I suggest you see a Dermatologist. That type of doctor usually handles this type of issues.  Shingles is a herpes and there are 8 types of herpes.  Yours may or maynot be the Shingles virus.  I have two types of herpes with one being the Shingles.  Both affect the nerves.  My Shingles gave me nerve pain in my skin on my right upper inside of my leg and knee area, my right side of my head and inner ear, my right side of my back and stomach. After the rash and blisters subsided, the skin pain got worse in the area I had the rash and blisters but the other areas subsided.  I also have nerve damage in my stomach and have a bulging are on the right side my stomach and lower stomach.  Thought it was a hernia but a surgeon said it was from the shingles nerve damage to the muscles. The other herpes comes on with the same nerve pain feeling in my skin and happens about 3 to 7 times a year.  Also have a blistering area on my butt that itches like hell for about a week.   After the blister goes away so does the nerve pain and itching.

      So, good luck with your problem.  You can get all the advice you want here, but I suggest you get some real professional medical help.      

    • suzinne53503
      suzinne53503 wagadoddle

      Posted

      No not currently in pain and not even sure I'm having eczema.  Have had nerve pain with eczema now.  My main concern is a bad outbreak because I assume outbreaks may worsen with time?  That certainly was the case with my eczema.  Used to just have on legs or arms, but at one point even had in scalp.  Not appealing to look at, and am waiting to see if this gets worse because do not drive and going to the doctor or any doctor is a HASSLE and am so often disgusted with treatment that does NOT treat.

      When I had really bad hives all over my FACE (!) last year, went to a dermatologist who gave me script for your typical hyrdrocordisone.  Told him it wouldn't work, but of course he disagreed.  And no it didn't work.  Anyway sorry about situation, and the heat only seems to exacerbate any and all skin conditions.  YIPPEE!

    • wagadoddle
      wagadoddle suzinne53503

      Posted

      Sorry you experienced bad results with a dermatologists.  Not all of them are as calous as the one you saw.  Do some hard research and find a good one.  I would hate to know I had do deal with something like this the rest of my life with no real help in site.  This website lets you know what others are dealing with, but don't look for anyone to diagnoise your symptoms and prescribe you the correct meds.  Home remedies and

      over the counter stuff sometimes sounds good, but most don't work for everyone and if they do it's for only a few.  Some can even do more damage or cause you to incur more damage due to lack of professional help.  Nearly everyone reacts to the same thing alike.  Do the research and get the proper help.  It may be a pain in the rear, but it may minimize the pain in the future.  Good luck.

  • kathy64290
    kathy64290 Guest

    Posted

    Omg i am so relief to see these posts.. i had 2nd shingles recurrent like 2 months after a first which lasted 4 weeks.. my second one lasted a week... i do feel the ache and all... and cos there's the rash at the lower left of the cheek of my bottom.. i went the doctor.. and she said it's not likely i get shingles a second time.. and that would happen unless i got a weakened immune system... and so she deem my case as genital herpes.. am someone who is not active sexually.. i was so depress to hear that i have that.. and it happened during the time that i spent a few days not much and was very stress due to work... i was feeling hopeless in life and stayed away from everyone... now i see a dash of hopes that it could still be shingles.. i should probably get a blood test for it..

    Did any of you went for the test for genital herpes? After having a recurring shingles?

    Thank you so much for sharing all your experiences!

    • Shoe_Lady
      Shoe_Lady kathy64290

      Posted

      If that was the case, that means I have genital heroes on my back and neck! They never even recommend that I be tested for that.
    • kathy64290
      kathy64290 Shoe_Lady

      Posted

      Yea the doctors did not even suggest me to get tested and just said it's impossible to have shingles more than once... i was so worried that i got genital herpes.. i broke up with my bf and.. now that i know people might get shingles more than once, i feel a little hopeful..
    • kathy64290
      kathy64290 Shoe_Lady

      Posted

      Yea the doctors did not even suggest me to get tested and just said it's impossible to have shingles more than once... i was so worried that i got genital herpes.. i broke up with my bf and.. now that i know people might get shingles more than once, i feel a little hopeful..
  • wagadoddle
    wagadoddle Guest

    Posted

    Before you come to a conclusion about what type of herpes you have, do your own research on the web about herpes.  Shingles is only one type of herpes as is genital herpes.  There 8 types.  Without testing you really don't know which one you have and don't know the treatment for it.  And, by the way, you only have to have an intimate relationship swapping fluids to get genital herpes.  It could be the first, last, or any one time.  Guessing or taking someone elses diagnoisis of what you have is wrong.  Get a good doctor and get the appropriate treatment.  The right meds will help where guessing or the wrong meds will make you miserable and even make you go crazy from the pain you will or currently have.  Good luck.
    • kathy64290
      kathy64290 wagadoddle

      Posted

      Yeap, i have scheduled a blood test and waiting for my appointment to come. the only slot available is in a month's time. it is quite a long wait to me. Thanks! i hope nothing really happens.

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