Had headaches due to shingles?

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shouldazagged

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Currently I'm experiencing my first-ever attack of shingles. The lesions are on my head and face, and one mean one inside the left ear.

While I very rarely have headaches--occasionally from sinus infection, more likely due to arthritis in my neck causing constriction of blood vessels--I've had one non-stop since the shingles fired up. Also pain in the jaw muscles and mandibular joint on the left side.

Anybody else had this problem? I'm taking only acetaminophen for pain (yes, I know the risks), as I can't take codeine or hydrocodone and the ibuprophen products tear up my stomach.

I'm on acyclovir for the shingles and prednisone, which I loathe, for inflammation. The prednisone, or maybe it's the shingles, is making me weak, shaky and mildly anxious.

If you've had headaches or other weirdness with shingles, how have you treated the symptoms? Any tricks not involving more meds?
 
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Thankfully ive never had Shingles but, my Brother in Law did and lasted for I think 3 weeks? Anyway, in 45 years of working, he never took any sick days off til that happened. All I remember is my sister said he came home, showered and curled up in bed not leaving for days cept to eat and such.

I feel bad for you and hope the shingles trouble quickly ends. Also, for headaches, I take Ibuprophen or Anicin 3, Tylenol never worked for me. Anyway, I take Ibuprophen, headache is gone in less than 15 minutes. Only thing I understand when taking it--just eat a little of something to have in your tummy.
 
I try not to give advice on medical problems, legal matters or anything to do with plumbing but I'll make an exception for you.

Please go to your doctor and get his advice. You'll likely get more and better advice than you can get from us here. Hope you get to feeling better soon.:)
 
I know folks who have had shingles and they have nothing nice to say about it. See your Doc sounds like good advice here.
My Doc advised me to get a shingles shot and I did.
You guys who have not had a shingles shot might also want to check on it.
 
Headaches

Years ago I got terrible headaches. Fortunately, I rarely get a headache nowadays. When I did get headaches no pills would touch it. Excedrine helped some, but I found that an ice pack on my head while laying down gave excellent relief.

Whatever you try . . . I hope that it works for you.

Best Wishes,
Tom
 
I've seen the doc, and that's why I'm on the meds. It's not unbearable--I'm long accustomed to pain. I'm not asking for medical advice, just wondered if other people have had the headaches, how long they lasted, and what non-medical tricks helped.

It appears I saw the doctor early enough that so far the outbreak is relatively mild. I was warned that if the lesions get near my eye I should go to the emergency room.
 
I'm an old school basic guy and aspirin is what I take, safe and effective.

As far as the shingles shot goes, not many are aware of this but it's not a forever shot and wears off in a few years.

The good news is if caught early there are some pretty good treatments to lessen the misery. I know many who have suffered and it's not good.
 
I’m actually in a medical book somewhere because I’ve had shingles 3 times and the third time was a textbook perfect case that made for really good pictures. So, if you see a picture of a guy in sweats with his face covered and shingles all over his ribs in a medical book it might be me.
That said, shingles can cause both deafness and blindness follow your doctor's advice to the letter
 
Sorry about your affliction Mike. My heart goes out to you. It's no joke.

From what I know, shingles manifests itself differently in different folks. Symptoms and durations vary vastly. So there are no 100% hard-fast rules! I would listen to your MD explicitly.

My F-I-L has beens suffering for over 18 months with flair ups. He has been in agony, but never complained about headaches. Just the blisters and body and joint pains. He's 89 and it has totally kicked the tar out of him.

I hope your case passes quickly my friend.
 
Smoke said:
I’m actually in a medical book somewhere because I’ve had shingles 3 times and the third time was a textbook perfect case that made for really good pictures. So, if you see a picture of a guy in sweats with his face covered and shingles all over his ribs in a medical book it might be me.
That said, shingles can cause both deafness and blindness follow your doctor's advice to the letter
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Dang, I've had them once and it was enough for me. My hat is off to you.

I never had headaches that I associated with the shingles. It sounds like you are limited in what you can take. Don't assume that the HAs are associated with the shingles, it could be something else going on.
 
Thanks, folks.

I did some more reading and found that headaches and muscle pain are very common in association with shingles. The doctor I saw thought mine was due to the flare-up.
 
Sorry you are having to go through this. Miss Pam has had shingles a couple of times but hers was on her back both times. I wish I had some information that would help you. You will be in my prayers for the duration. Hope you get better real soon.
 
Zagged- I'm new to this forum... hello! And I feel your pain.

I was on a motorcycle trip in late October, and the last day (a Friday) I was in misery. Pain and ache for me localized in my right leg, and trunk. When I got home, I just thought I was coming down with a bad cold with the associated fever aches. This led to the weekend, and by Monday, I started to break out.

I'll stop right there with my own description, but to say they ran their course.

In answer to your question- thinking back, I had huge headaches the first several days. Again, I thought it the 'flu. And on Day 1, I was enduring getting home in cold weather on a Harley, which I imagined had turned into a paint shaker.

All the best!
 
shouldazagged said:
Thanks, folks.

I did some more reading and found that headaches and muscle pain are very common in association with shingles. The doctor I saw thought mine was due to the flare-up.
Click to expand...
been there, done that. had this wretched affliction 15 years ago. Affected the left side of my face and head. left a heck of a scar under my lip. I took some anti viral stuff, which did little if anything to relieve the pain. you have my true sympathy.
 
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