Shingles griping pain

Hi there, I am so sorry to hear you are in the grip of Shingles, it is the most horrific thing. Others will come forward who have more knowledge than me who will be able to explain exactly what is happening to you from a medical point of view - our friend Merry, who is a Nurse in the States has a world of knowledge, and practical experience when it comes to Shingles, she is a repeat sufferer so knows the pain and also the mental suffering that you are going through, she has supported so many of us on this awful journey, she is wonderfully supportive. From my point of view, I am now 7 weeks in,and starting to see positive signs of normality returning - I had a Shingles outbreak on the left side, front and back of my torso, it was so bad at times I thought I would end up in hospital. Merry explained everything too me, advised on a course of action to fight back against the virus, empathised and generally walked me through this awful virus. There were times I thought I couldn't go on, I was in so much pain - I had painkillers from the Dr but they gave me awful constipation so I was reluctant to take them at first, and then I was in a world if pain and discomfort, but Merry advised me to take the painkillers, and deal with the constipation as another symptom and fill myself up with fibre to get things moving, and she was of course right - but when you're in the grips of the illness sometimes it is difficult to think straight. There are so many of us who have been where you are now, it does get easier to cope with, but as others will agree it is a process that you have to get through as best you can my friend - listen to the advice you are given and take action accordingly - but no matter how bad it gets don't give up, or give in to it, fight back. The Dr should have given you anti viral medication to take for the first 7 days - make sure you take them. You will need a strong pain killer- please be careful how you take them, NEVER take more than the states does, these are dangerous drugs. Try and eat well and healthily, drink plenty ( and I mean plenty) of water. Start to build up your Immune system again as it is taking a mighty battering at the moment, and you need a strong immune system to fight back and prevent further outbreaks if you can. Vitamins B12 - vit C - Omega 3 @nd D3 are essential - but Merry will fill you in on what you need to take, if she hasn't already she will be along soon. Just know one thing and concentrate on it - you will feel better, but it is going to take time - how much time differs from person to person, but it will improve and get better. The pain you are feeling is what we all feel, slightly different in all cases but basically the same- from severe stabbing pains to waves if burning, stinging and scathing pain - I felt as if I had a metal band around my waist and tummy that someone kept tightening abd releasing hour after hour - like a form of medieval torture, it was so bad it brought me to my knees in tears at times - but slowly and surely it got easier, and so will yours. Give in to the tiredness, don't fight it, you need all the rest and sleep you can get to survive - if you have family and friends who have never suffered they will not completely the terrible plight you find yourself in - bring up one of the many articles online that describe Shingles, get them to read through it, it will help them understand better what you are going through and how they can help. I hope this has helped you my friend - I wish you good health and the knowledge that you at not alone - we are all here, and will help and support you as much as we can.

Babs xx

Thank youyes u was given antiviral tables but as I am going so dizzy all ready and the tables said could cause dizzyness I didn't take them I live alone and being very dizzy is bad enough but I did not want to add anything that would make me more dizzy I could not cope with the dizzyness in the first place so adding something that could make it worse was a definite no noI know shingles takes a while to go just wish it eould hurry up I've had te rash now for 4 days and they still have not changed to blisters so it doesn't look like it's on its way outo of my body yetI am so fed up I can just about put up with the pain but not being dizzy

Hello again - I think you will find those blisters will be with you very soon now - you really should have taken the anti viral meds, they are given for a specific reason, I just hope you dont suffer even more because of it. If taken within the first72 hrs of the blisters appearing they can protect you from any more breaking out, so it may be wise to think seriously about changing your mind and taking them, it only says they may cause some dizziness' nothing definite, if you start taking them and you feel really dizzy you can always stop. When the blisters emerge whatever you do don't mess with them or they will get even worse, use cold compresses or oatmeal cool baths they will give you relief as will Aloe Vera.

As you probably already know loose clothing is the order of the day - I basically lived in oversized cotton nighties for the first 2 weeks, fortunately I am retired now so i was able to stick to home when it was at its worst. I wish you all the best, if you want to chat or have more questions, just shout out.

Babs x

Ouch thanks I'm going crazy now don't think I can cope for 3 months