Shingles
Posted , 3 users are following.
i am 75 years old...previously healthy except for shingles. i was diagnosed two weeks ago after having a very, very, very, very,severe stabbing earache. i also had a slightly sensitive occipital area on my scalp. since I was unable to get into see ANY doctor went to the ED and was diagnosed. i was started on VALTREX and given some Vicodin. even with the vicodin the pain was agonizing. finally got into seeing my FNP and started on prednisone. forgot to mention earlier started on lyrica. anyhow the prednisone made a huge difference. the usual MEDROL pack, decreasing doses over seven days. After about five days pain started coming back but not as bad. now off the prednisone and definitely getting worse again. not horrendous yet. the right side of my scalp is very sensitive and I can feel some lesions on scalp but hard for me to visualize and i live alone. never any lesions on face, ear or neck and yet the majority of my pain is on the side of my neck...from the ear on down...i guess i thought the severe pain would be in the actual area of the shingles and it is not. OR am I going to be awaiting a second outbreak which I understand can happen? Hoping MERRY might see this post and provide more information. thank you.
0 likes, 3 replies
heather29740 autumn30875
Posted
Hello I live in Scotland and I too had shingles two years ago and coincidentally had advice from Merry. I had them round my bra area at the bottom but my shoulderblade was the place where all the pain came from, so it's not always in the spotty area but all i can say is stick in there it will get better.
If you do get a message from Merry she will know what to do and please give. her my best wishes.
Hope you feel better soon and remember there are thousands of us out here to message with.
Heather x
Merry19451 heather29740
Posted
Hi Heather
My Best Wishes to you!
Scotland was one of my favorite countries to visit when I lived overseas. The people were wonderful!
I hope you are doing well!
Happy Spring
Merry Juliana
Merry19451 autumn30875
Posted
Hi Autumn,
Sorry, I am going through my own episode of recurrent Shingles, now. Sorry for the late reply, and sorrier still that you have this horrible disease. Also, you may find that Oxycodone helps better for the excruciating headache and burning.
As you seem to have it in your ear and on your scalp, you may be one of the atypicals, like me, who gets it in more than one dermatome.
I would see your FNP and get on a slower taper of medrol and get on Famciclovir for a recurrent episode. Famciclovir is more efficacious than valcyclovir.
If your scalp is burning-itching, this may help:
Flonase spray on dry clean scalp followed by
Bactine spray.
The Flonase has corticosteroids and Bactine has Lidocaine, and do wonders for my burning scalp with vesicles. Fortunately, Flonase is OTC, now.
Autumn, also, don't forget to rest and sleep, as this disease attacks your entire body. Let the housework go.
My heart goes out to you.
Best Wishes
Please let me know how you are doing.
By the way, I had the Shingrex Vaccine, and the Shingles came back anyway. Oh well, at least I tried! Cheers!
Merry Juliana