Shingles In Half Of The Head.
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone.
My dad has been suffering from shingles for almost a month now. It started with severe headaches, and literally overnight he started having terrible blisters all throughout his hair and half of his forehead. He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with herpes zoster.
He was given a bunch of medications and antibiotics as well as creams. Fortunately, 2-3 days after taking the antibiotics and creams the blisters have started to heal. However, since it effected half of his head, his eye became terribly red, and he became sensitive to light. He can't properly open his right eye.
He was then taken to more than 2 eye doctors who said that his eye is completely fine, and that his vision is good. But still he find it difficult to open his eyes and go out in the sunlight.
Two days ago, we took him to yet another doctor who said that the nerve which was infected and caused the shingles, is now "relaxed" that's why he's having trouble opening his eye properly, and it will take a while for the nerve to heal again.
He's also been having terrible headache episodes to the point that he's in tears due to the pain. These episodes lasts for about 5-10 minutes, after that he feels that his eye opens up a little bit.
I've been reading a lot about singles, and how to treat it, yet I haven't found anyone with the same symptoms as my dad. So, if anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences, please feel free to share.
Thank you so much.
0 likes, 10 replies
colin1147 brooke52120
Posted
Hi Brooke - I too have had it on my right cheek, and right forehead. I too have had a half closed right eye. The episode started last October, and I still have PHN symptoms. About 4 weeks in I got what others call the `Taser' phase, which lasted about a week. That period was the worst, as I often wound up on the floor, creased up with pain. I still take CoCodamol 30/500 pain killer, which is a mixture of codeine and paracetamol, which helps a bit. I also take 50 mg amitryptyline at night. I don't have the same degree of pain these days, but the skin around my eye still feels tight and sore, and sensitive to Sunlight. My Doctor still tells me it will subside eventually, it just may take a while ....... he declines to say for how long. I hope your Dad gets better soon. Regards, Colin, England.
brooke52120 colin1147
Posted
I hope you feel better soon. Stay strong.
Merry19451 brooke52120
Posted
I am so sorry your father is suffering so. He has Trigeminal Neuralgia, and I get it when I have Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear and right eye. It is agonizing.
Your father needs to see a neurologist STAT. S-he can place your father on anticonvulsant medications, depending on his health such as Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Tegretol, or Trileptal.
I specifically take Topiramate-anticonvulsant and Venlafaxine-SNRI daily and Benzocaine Ear Drops, topically and Opioids, as needed.
Which country do you live in? Your father may need to see a cornea specialist. I have had specific issues with my eyes, and needed a cornea specialists. He made a huge difference in the treatment and outcome of the disease. A few of the individuals on this shingles forum have seen cornea specialists, and were glad they did.
Please let me know if this helps you. I am sorry for the delay, but my internet has been spotty.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
brooke52120 Merry19451
Posted
Hi, Merry.
Thank you so much for your reply.
We actually went to more than 3 eye doctors, and they all seem to say the same thing - there's nothing wrong with his eye. They just gave him some lubricants, and an ointment.
The doctors put him on Neurovitan for three months, as well as some pain killers. The last doctor we went to seems to believe that the pain will last for a while, but the muscles in his face will eventually get better with time. He only has trouble opening his eyes when he first wakes up, or when his face is relaxed.
We've been thinking about seeing a neurosurgeon, but my dad seem to feel that his eye and the skin around it is tightening up - and he sometimes seems to feel better.
He's doing better these days. I'll keep you posted if anything changes.
Guest brooke52120
Posted
Welcome to my world! I was at lost as your dad. My shingles are on my head too and it’s painful! I got shingles in February and still now am suffering! I have had two bouts since February and have taken anti-vitals both times! I had to go last week because the nerve pain was bad and I am very sensitive to the light! My eyes this time was a little red and my eyes hurted too
I am taking Zovirax twice a day for 10 days and also took antibiotics! Does your father have the itch after the blisters healed? Cold compressors help the pain and itch! I don’t get creams because it’s hard with so much hair! The doctor as in the CDC say this can lasts months, years and if you don’t take anti-virals there can be permanent nerve damage! Did your dad take the anti-virals within the required 72 hours?
Hope he feels better! Remember he may get bouts but always have the anti-virals on hand! Let me know what kind of anti-virals is he taking?
Myrna
brooke52120 Guest
Posted
Hi Myrna
The blisters in my dad's head stopped itching immediately after taking the antibiotic and cream that was prescribed by the doctor.
My dad was on Voveran Tablet twice a day as well as Fusidic Acid Ph. Eur 20mg/g (That's exactly what's written on the box)
The blisters healed and stopped itching after using these two things. The skin however does itch because after it healed, it became dry. He uses QV cream to deal with the dryness.
His eye still waters, and is sensitive to the light.
It has been exactly one month since he was treated.
Hope this helps!
colin1147 brooke52120
Posted
Hi, Brooke. It was suggested to me to use eye drops, hypromellose 0.3%, as a lubricant, for me. I think it is also used for reducing irritation with contact lenses, and in England is available 'over the counter', without a script...... Colin
colin1147
Posted
Guest colin1147
Posted
I believe that shingles work different in each individual!
I don’t know how some people get it once and they are over!
I have had it since February and had two bouts, mild ones! I have been taking anti virals twice and antibiotics! So
colin1147 Guest
Posted
Yes, it seems to be a disease that is different in each person. My allergy Consultant said `they don't really know what to do about it' re Shingles. All the Doctors I know are now retiring at 62 or 63. Morale is low in the UK NHS right now........It looks like many new UK Docs pull out after about 5 years. Where they go I know not :-( Then we import a bunch of foreign Docs, sometimes with language problems.