Shingles.......OUCH!

[Daniel Howe]

I'm pretty much 24/7 in a leather recliner because of health problems. Was up most of the night Saturday because my left butt cheek hurt. Sunday fiancee took me into urgent care, both of us thinking I had bed sores. Nope, not that lucky, Doc took a quick look and yelled SHINGLES!.

This has to be the most painful and uncomfortable thing I've ever had to deal with. None of my pain meds will touch it, I'm bed ridden so I can't keep off it for more than a few seconds. Can't drink my bourbon for the pain because of the anti-biotics. This stuff just ain't right.

Thanks for letting me rant.....and be a cry baby.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Sorry to hear that your so miserable. I hope you can fight it off soon.

Reading of your misery makes me hope for the effectiveness of the Shingles vaccine.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[Babysitr]

my mother in law had them last year.....after that I went straight out and got shot.....maybe that will prevent them....wishing you to get well soon!

 

[Absalom]

.....after that I went straight out and got shot.....maybe that will prevent them....

Getting shot will prevent shingles only if you were fatally hit

After a full-fledged attack (on the left neck/shoulder), fortunately without subsequent neuralgic pain, I got the old shingles shot, which didn’t prevent two further incipient occasions, both of which however were easily nipped in the bud with a combination of anti-virals and prednisone.

I just got my first of the two-shot sequence of the new shingrix vaccine. Hopefully that’ll be that.

 

[Camster]

Getting shot will prevent shingles only if you were fatally hit

After a full-fledged attack (on the left neck/shoulder), fortunately without subsequent neuralgic pain, I got the old shingles shot, which didn’t prevent two further incipient occasions, both of which however were easily nipped in the bud with a combination of anti-virals and prednisone.

I just got my first of the two-shot sequence of the new shingrix vaccine. Hopefully that’ll be that.

My mother dealt with PHN for many years, always needing narcotics.
Needless to say, I've received both the older shot and new Shingrix vaccine.

 

[NYlakesider]

Good luck OP!

I had it years back (on my chest area) and its quite nasty. My doctor prescribed the decent narcotic of the day. That was the only thing that allowed me to sleep. (Tylenol 3).

 

[doublesharp]

Ouch! I'm getting my 2nd shingles shot next week just because of stories like yours. I remember having chicken pox as a child and maybe measles too and after hearing all the shingles misery stories I went to the Kroger doc in a box and got round one shingles and the pneumonia vaccine. 2nd part of the pneumonia is a year later and 2nd shingles is 60 days after first shot.

 

[Doug627]

I'm not sure which is worse, shingles or kidney stones. Kidney stones are constant until passed. Shingles hurt if touched. But, boy, howdy, when they are touched it is a new pain experience. It is nothing like anything else I have experienced.

 

[mooosie]

There is a new shingles shot out now, it is two part and much more effective

 

[THE PILGRIM]

My Doc recommended that I get the new Two Stepper Shot so I got it.
I always take precautions.
And I avoid Kryton.
Hope you get some relief, Daniel.

 

[NYlakesider]

I'm not sure which is worse, shingles or kidney stones. Kidney stones are constant until passed. Shingles hurt if touched. But, boy, howdy, when they are touched it is a new pain experience. It is nothing like anything else I have experienced.

The worse one; the attack your now having!

I have also had Gout and that one is very nasty also. I could also type, to paraphrase you I'm not sure which is worse, shingles or Gout!

 

[Doug627]

Gout may sound funny, but believe me, there is nothing funny about gout. I had it one deer season. I couldn't get out of bed.

 

[Gaffer]

Mt company provided healthcare insurance will not pay for the new two shot shingles meds and here they are darned expensive. We don't know whether to risk it of bit the bullet and pay for it out of our own funds. Its a tough call, for us at nearly 88 years of age. It seems as if all of our time is spent either at the doctors or calling the doctor.
I got a letter regarding a recall on a prescription drug I take that now has been determined to have carcinogen ingredients. I have been taking that recalled drug for over a year. Whoopy pickle! It appears that you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. This growing old is not for sissies!

 

[mauser9]

Got the shot a while back myself. Long time back my mother got shingles and it went into the eye. horrible for sure.

 

[bgrafsr]

The worse one; the attack your now having!

I have also had Gout and that one is very nasty also. I could also type, to paraphrase you I'm not sure which is worse, shingles or Gout!

Had shingles, even after getting the old vaccine. My VA Dr. said I should get the new Shingrix vaccine, after the Shingles went away. Haven't done so yet.


GOUT? Have had a few attacks. Usually in the right big toe, which eventually led to having the toe amputated, as the bone got infected also.
Had a recent attack of Gout in my left elbow, hurt like the dickens. Area was red, swollen, and Gout crystals were oozing through the skin. Dr. put me on a dose pack of Prednisone and Allopurinol, whick I now take daily. I also take Colchicine every other day as well, and Tart Cherry caspsules twice a day.
Have to watch my beer intake, which is now very infrequent, and cut way back on shell fish.


I wouldn't wish either one on my worst enemy.

 

[NYlakesider]

Had shingles, even after getting the old vaccine. My VA Dr. said I should get the new Shingrix vaccine, after the Shingles went away. Haven't done so yet.


GOUT? Have had a few attacks. Usually in the right big toe, which eventually led to having the toe amputated, as the bone got infected also.
Had a recent attack of Gout in my left elbow, hurt like the dickens. Area was red, swollen, and Gout crystals were oozing through the skin. Dr. put me on a dose pack of Prednisone and Allopurinol, whick I now take daily. I also take Colchicine every other day as well, and Tart Cherry caspsules twice a day.
Have to watch my beer intake, which is now very infrequent, and cut way back on shell fish.


I wouldn't wish either one on my worst enemy.

Back when I had shingles they said after a shingle attack the shot was not helpful. Then they changed their minds and said to get the shot which I did. When the 2 times shot came out I got it and so far so good!

Gout my nephrologist put me on Uloric which I take daily. As I only have one kidney (one removed due to cancer) most any drug I get gets approved by that doctor. I only drink about 6 drinks a year(different occasions). I kept Cherry Tart extract in the refrigerator but have not used it in about 5 years,threw it away long ago, all is well. Shrimp and steamed clams on occasion

Do get the new shingles shotS

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My sympathies to the OP. I experienced shingles for the first time in my life a couple of years ago. Three things helped me get through it:

1. Doc gave me a prescription for anti-viral medication that limited the progression of the infection and shortened the duration.

2. Wash the infected area every 4 or 5 hours using hot soapy water. Keeping it clean helps and the heat relieves the itch and discomfort.

3. Icy Hot ointment with Lidocaine. About $10 at Walgreens. Applied liberally to the infected area after washing (above). The lidocaine relieves the itch and discomfort for 3 to 5 hours, allowing you to get some rest. I suspect that a prescription-strength lidocaine ointment would be even better (check with your doctor).

Worst part for me was not being able to sleep due to the constant irritation, itch, and feeling like I had worms crawling around inside my skin. I hope you get some relief soon.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I've never had shingles nor have I had chickenpox. I get the vaccine because my PCP told me: "The shingles vaccine is recommended for everyone regardless of whether they knew they had chickenpox. Many are exposed and don't know it."

I'm not taking any chances. I saw what it did to my FIL.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It is an option if you think you need the shot.
Sort of like playing a **** game................ "Skake Eyes " !!

I get Gout now and then with what I eat but staying off beer, sea food, asparagus and anchovies on pizza has made life a little easier.

It is not a good idea to take gout pills every day.

My VA doctor advised me about taking these type of pills.

Good luck.

 

[hsguy]

You might want to ask your Doc about Gabapentin. It helped me with my last bout of Shingles. Gabapentin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings - Drugs.com