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Shingles

Posted , 6 users are following.

Gillian433545
Gillian433545

Third week of shingles now. Side and groin still ache and feel washed out. Managed to wash my hair and bath but still dizzy when putting my head forward. My BP is low is that normal and heart rate 106. It must be the shingles or maybe antivirals they gave me at the time as my heart rate has never been above 78. Never felt like this before. Could the antivirals wipe out my thyroid medication. Just wondered if anyone else has had this.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • andrea43257
    andrea43257 Gillian433545

    Posted

    I was flat on my back for 3 weeks.  It’s been 6 months now and I still sleep 10+ hours each night.  Have to force myself to get out of bed.  I feel like this is my new normal.  rolleyes
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 Gillian433545

    Posted

    Gillian,

    Are you on Synthroid (Levothyroxine)? If so, are you taking it early in the morning without other medication or food? Otherwise, it loses its efficacy.

    Shingles certainly can make you feel fatigued and exhausted.

    The virus is wicked and has attacked your entire body. When you have been sick and lying mostly in bed for two weeks, then start to move around, you will have orthostatic changes, ie, a low BP, and high pulse, but the BP and pulse should normalize within a few minutes.

    Are you drinking enough fluids?

    I would definitely see your Physician/endocrinologist and have a thyroid panel done.

    I am so sorry you are feeling this way.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • Gillian433545
      Gillian433545 Merry19451

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice. I saw the doctor on Tuesday and she did not seem too concerned. I am sure she has never had shingles as she seemed to brush it off as if I had a cold. Very odd. The locum who diagnosed me and put me on antivirals seemed more concerned. Thank goodness for this forum. It is a real lifeline.
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Gillian433545

      Posted

      Gillian,

      Your Welcome!

      You really need a two hour interval between taking levothyroxine and coffee or food.

      Many Physicians just brush off complaints, instead of actually listening, taking a history, performing a physical exam, giving some thought, rendering a diagnosis, ordering tests when necessary.

      If this continues, I would see an endocrinologist for your thyroid management, and consider changing your primary care clinician.

      Best Regards,

      Merry Juliana

  • barbara42085
    barbara42085 Gillian433545

    Posted

    Hello Gillian,

    I'm starting into my 4th week of this awful virus.  Like you it is my side and groin area that is the worst affected, the pain has been unbelievable, and so has the exhaustion.  I still have trouble touching my side and groin as the skin is so very tender, my waist at the back is numb most of the time, but at night i get this awful creaping burning/itching sensation that just wont go away till it is  ready to do so, I have only had a few hours sleep a night since I came down with the shingles, fortunately I am retired so I am catching up with sleep during the day when I can, otherwise I wouldn't be able to function.

    As for the anti viral drugs interfering with your medications, perhaps you should check with your Dr.  I take a Beta blocker every day, plus a tablet for my BP and a Blood thinner but I didn't notice any difference whilst I was taking the antiviral drug. The only problem with side effects I am noticing is that the CoCodamol tablets i take for the pain cause me to have the most dreadful constipation, so I have upped my Fiber intake to try and compensate, and I am trying to limit my dosage of painkillers as much as I can.

    I hope we both start to feel better real soon - all we can do is to take care of ourselves, eat healthily, take our vitamin supplements, drink plenty of pure water and rest/sleep as much as possible.

    All the best Gillian.

    Babs x

     

    • Gillian433545
      Gillian433545 barbara42085

      Posted

      Thank you. I certainly hope you feel better soon. It is a truly horrible virus. I too am retired so rest is no problem and also putting on clothes hurt the skin too much. Before I had shingles I never knew how bad it could be. Now I seem to have developed a cough.
    • Gillian433545
      Gillian433545 barbara42085

      Posted

      I know before the shingles rash appeared the pain was so bad in my groin I thought it was something serious like bowel cancer. Until you have it you cannot believe the pain. I was extremely dizzy to start with and feverish with pain and then the rash. Three weeks for me and spots scabbing over but numbness and itchy pain and tiredness still persisting. Also BP down with heart rate up to 105 which it has never been. I suppose my body is trying to right itself.
  • r._f._09034
    r._f._09034 Gillian433545

    Posted

    You could be right that the antiviral or shingles itself could mess with your heart rate and even bp but better to be on safe side. I would go back to see the doc and let him check you out. Could be nothing...could be you're dehydrated from not eating right. A doc visit for sure though. 🙏 for you to feel better soon

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