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Shingles pure exhaustion

Posted , 13 users are following.

Mitzygirl1973
Mitzygirl1973

Last week I had lower back pain and thought maybe I had somehow bruised the area than I felt a small bump a few days later which was painful by the next day the pan was unbearable ask hubby to take a peek and he said it looked like a heat rash.  Well by day four I could barely move.  Went to the doctors feeling very embarrassed over such a small thing but I had constant migraines, so tired that I could barely lift my head and the rash was like lil knives in my back.  Well was diagnosed at 44 after a second dr took a peek too with shingles and was swapped for strep throat and blood drawn for mono.  They put me on an antiviral and bed rest.  Both the intense pain, migraines, nausea and exhaustion is crazy.  I can barely lift my head.  I am a mom and can't be down and out like this.  

Did anyone else have similar symptoms?

I am honestly worried I will end up in the hospital.  I am auto immune suppressed.

2 likes, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • hannah-mar25522
    hannah-mar25522 Mitzygirl1973

    Posted

    Hi ladies and Mitzy 

    im just getting over my second lot of shingles in life and I had it on my forehead I've also had nothing but problems with my ear since I started a new job in the hospital labs for a week and has now been off 4 weeks with this I still feel drained and can't stop sleeping I feel dizzy and sick plus it's a heatwave I don't think I can go back Monday and I'm terrified il lose my job but it was my department that sent me home and diagnosed me, does anyone else feel drained and weak still after a few weeks and what has anyone else's work said on the matter I'm interested to know .

    also I've just started taking multi vitamins and the berroca drinks they seem to help and calamine lotion helped with my rash.

    thanks Hannah-marie

  • caress87717
    caress87717 Mitzygirl1973

    Posted

    Hi Hannah! I started with shingles at the end of April and was still not feeling like myself at the beginning of July.  So much sleeping and aching.  There was absolutely no way I could have worked.  For sure for the entire month of May at least.  I am fortunate not to have to work outside the home so at least I didn’t have that to worry about.  I know it seems like this will go on forever and it’s scary but you will feel better. Slowly but surely.  Take care of yourself.

    Caress

    • hannah-mar25522
      hannah-mar25522 caress87717

      Posted

      Hi caress87717

      yes I don't think il go back till Wednesday when the temperature drops a lot I found I got better when it was cooler and as soon as we hit 32 degrees again I was laid up again I'm spending my weekend in bed with two fans and a cooling pillow lol , you have to be so careful as you feel better then you are suddenly bad again I'm hoping the berroca will help and the multi vitamins just at the mo I'm 36 and feel 76 and people that haven't had it don't understand why you are always ill.

  • caress87717
    caress87717 Mitzygirl1973

    Posted

    Yes!  It was way worse than I ever imagined.  I was really scared for awhile and thinking I would never feel good again.  When I found this forum and heard everyone’s stories I felt so much better.  And you’re right- you start to feel better and then bam!  It comes right back.  The only advise I can give is relax, and understand this is long but temporary.  Have you tried meditation or soothing nature sounds?  Both helped me.  My shingles were ocular so I couldn’t even read so I got an audiobook which helped a lot too.  
    • hannah-mar25522
      hannah-mar25522 caress87717

      Posted

      I heard shingles can cause depression after too prob from the exhaustion I think it takes a good month to start getting about but your immune system is still low for a long time mine was when I had it as a child , maybe you should try the berroca tablets from boots too they help with fatigue and are packed with vitamins.
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 hannah-mar25522

      Posted

      Dear Hannah Marie,

      I private messaged you about your blocked Eustachian tubes, pain, but here is a message about your recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles that I have composed for everyone. Not every thing applies to everyone, but....you certainly are under stress.

      I have removed toxic individuals from my life, and do practice what I preach here.

      I empathize with you regarding the agonizing pain, fatigue, exhaustion.

      Also, not all your friends and family understand the excruciating Neurogenic pain and flu-like symptoms that accompany Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

      Here is what I recommend to reduce the frequency and severity of pain of episodes.

      1. Get the Shingrex Immunization. It is a two stage vaccination one month apart, intramuscular injection. It is highly efficacious in stopping recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

      It is available in the US at the pharmacy and covered by insurance. If you are younger than 50, and you have had shingles, it is still covered. You might need a note/ prescription from your Physician. If you are in the UK/Canada/Australia/NZ, I know it has been distributed there, but the national health insurance may not cover it until age 70, which is ridiculous. It is expensive, but I would have paid thousands not to have recurrent shingles.

      2. Google High Arginine Low Lysine Diet and Herpes. The amino acid Lysine helps prevent Herpes Zoster-Shingles, and Arginine triggers Shingles. Chocolate, Nuts, and Legumes are all high in Arginine.

      3. Avoid the sun, UV radiation, as it triggers Shingles, big-time!

      4. Try taking either Valcyclovir or Famciclovir as a maintenance dose daily. It does help some people. Do not take Acyclovir, as the Herpes Zoster-Shingles virus has developed resistance to this Antiviral. It is the oldest, and does not work, especially on people with recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

      5. Remove stressful ie toxic people from your life! Easier said than done, I know, but...if you have "so called friends" that are just using you, get rid of them. Family members who are entitled? Learn to say "No!"

      6. Is your job poison? Change it!

      You need to examine your life, delegate what you can, and rid yourself of the stress when you can.

      Stress is your enemy! Hannah Marie, I know this doesn't apply to you!

      7. Do you have any medical conditions predisposing you to Shingles ie,

      Autoimmune Disease-SLE, Psoriasis, ITP, RA; IBD, Cancer; DM, taking Corticosteroids or DMARDS?

      Make certain you are in control of your health and get top-notch Physicians you can trust!

      I feel for you so much, as I know how painful and how lonely it is to suffer with no end in sight.

      Please let me know if this helps you.

      I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • sheila24138
      sheila24138 Merry19451

      Posted

      Hi Merry 

      Concerning the Shingrex immunization. , I was told here in Canada that I could get my booster after two months but no later than six months. It cost $300 total for both .. no coverage here but I decided it was worth the money for a 97% chance of never getting shingles again !!! I too like you would have paid more than to ever suffer the shingles pain again 

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 sheila24138

      Posted

      Sheila,

      I have another shingles episode currently, and am on the waiting list for Shingrex in the States. I want to get the Shingrex!!!! My insurance will cover it, and I am hopeful of not having the scourge every three weeks.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

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