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shingles started on right shoulder, now on both bum cheeks?

Posted , 6 users are following.

looloo43
looloo43

Hi all. 16days ago on a sunday, i started to get intense headache that wouldn't budge & had a burning feeling just like sunburn (i wasn't) on my right shoulder. over the next 4 days, the intense stubborn headache continued, I felt like i was coming down with a cold, & the burning feeling on my shoulder got more intense & extended to my neck, front of right shoulder & top of right side of chest & behind right ear. after my shower on the thursday (5days after the initial symptoms) i found a very red bumpy lesion on front of right shoulder, & suspected i may have shingles after talking to my mum. i went to doc same day & she confirmed shingles & put me on anti virals valciclyvor for 1wk & gave me amitryptilline to take at night to help with nerve pain. i had continuing burning pain from back right shoulder which stopped just before my left shoulder, & same pain round front of right shoulder, top of right arm, neck & behind ear. i finished the anti virals last thursday(5days ago). the pain is a little better at time of writing, but has also spread down right arm, & i only had 3 clustered lesions appear around the right shoulder,neck, top of back,behind ear, with additional red areas that were VERY sore to touch, but no lesions. however on saturday - about 2 days after finishing the anti virals, both my buttocks are COVERED in loads of spots with very dark red centres(like scabs) on a pink spot background & they are itchy - not burning like the shingles i had on my right shoulder & surrounding area. they feel rough if i put my hand over them & i have avoided scratching them by applying antiseptic cream over both buttocks after my showers before i put my knickers on.  thing is, i thought shingles only affects one area/one side, so i am wondering whether i should go back to the doctors as the spots on buttocks have come up AFTER finishing the anti virals?  i do not know if my immune system is below par or not; i have been off work since mid may with chronic bowel issues currently under investigation - colitis, & crohns/small intestine problems now being tested for, so I am having a period of chronic illness at present. Could that weaken my immune system & have caused shingles?  Does anybody know how a doctor or specialist of any kind can check if your immune system is under par/compromised? (that may answer some of the cause of my other health problems at present).  Look forward to any replies, experience or advice anyone can give me. x

1 like, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • looloo43
    looloo43

    Posted

    Hi everybody. thankyou so much for all your very informative replies. this is my 1st bout of shingles ( I am 45), & from what i read it didnt seem like "text book" shingles as its not on one side. After taking in all the info you've all kindly given me, I've decided to check myself in depth daily to check its not continuing to worsen. today i have a bit of a sore throat & it looks a little like there are a few more new spots on both buttocks going slightly higher than actual bum cheeks heading towards lower back. i have felt a little itchy again across both shoulders tonight too. so i will check myself again tomorrow. i will go to the emergency doc or phone doc same day if i really feel its worsening. perhaps i need another course of anti virals???  thanks again everyone. xx

  • thinsport
    thinsport looloo43

    Posted

    Please take care of yourself and let us know how it goes.
    • looloo43
      looloo43 thinsport

      Posted

      Thankyou thinsport. Your replies show such empathy for people with much worse to contend with with recurring shingles than me.  Your information was very informative. Can they not keep people with recurring shingles on anti virals all the time, or give them intravenous high doses with steroids to reduce outbreaks & severity? I am pretty sure my outbreak is caused by my current chronic period of ill health with my bowel conditions that are currently under more investigation by my gastro consultant. x

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 looloo43

      Posted

      LooLoo,

      Unfortunately, everyone who takes these medications runs the risk of side effects/adverse reactions. Every medication has adverse reactions. Antivirals lead to kidney disease. Steroids are notorious for the myriads of side effects they cause. I have sustained kidney damage from the antivirals and overused corticosteroids, just so I could breathe.

      I know your current bout is caused by bowel disease...The first premise of medicine is do no harm.

      Merry Juliana

    • thinsport
      thinsport looloo43

      Posted

       Unfortunately, Mary19451 is correct.  You will have to weigh-out the pros and cons with your doctor and find out what would be best for your body and situation.  Work with your Doctor(s) to find the best course of action that will provide you with the best quality-of-life possible for you  and your situation.
    • looloo43
      looloo43 thinsport

      Posted

      Hi, I didnt mean long term anti virals/ steroids etc for me, this is my first bout; its just having read these other posts, i felt so sorry for the other people that have recurring shingles, & wondered why they couldnt have more treatment. sorry for the confusion. compared to othes on here, it feels like i am getting off relatively lightly (as long as it doesnt keep coming back of course). Thanks again. x

    • looloo43
      looloo43 Merry19451

      Posted

      Hi Merry, thankyou for your reply. i just felt awful for all the people on this forum that seem to have it recurring & wondered if there was any regular treatment they could have. if you have time, please could you look at my other post   about 10hrs before this one on same "page" as  i asked you a couple of important questions in your nursing capacity if you don't mind. many thanks. xx

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 looloo43

      Posted

      Hi LooLoo,

      Sorry, it took so long to answer, but I was out all day yesterday on business, and simply exhausted when I returned.

      As I stated before, you are at risk for Herpes Zoster-Shingles as you have a bowel disease. If you wish further testing, the physician would check to start with:

      Complement, HIV, Immunoglobulin Levels,

      Protein Electrophoresis Serum, T-lymphocyte count, CBC with Differential. This list is by no means all inclusive. Based on whether anything is abnormal, it goes from there. This is general and does not include your own personal history of bowel disease.

      Regarding my own history, I am immunocompromised as I have Intermittent Thrombocytopenia Purpura ITP, Psoriasis, and SLE, and was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, excellent prognosis...the point is though that when I first started getting Herpes Zoster-Shingles 20 years ago, I had none of these diagnoses, officially, although I had these conditions. (Exception: Breast cancer usually takes 6-7 years to grow before it is found or imaged).

      My platelets are low and so are my white counts, but otherwise, the above tests are normal for me.

      I hope this helps.

      Best regards

      Merry Juliana

    • looloo43
      looloo43 Merry19451

      Posted

      Thankyou Merry for your detailed reply. i will keep it saved if i need it for future reference to mention to my doc.

      xxx

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