Shingles

[chief38]

Doug627,
Hope you have a quick recovery! Both my parents had the Shingles (years ago) but I remembered how badly they suffered. Two of my friends also had them last winter - one a mild case, the other a devastating case that affected his eye (not permanently thankfully).

My wife and I both got the Shingles vaccine but they told me at best it only works 50% of the time. I hope I'm in the lucky 50%!

 

[Capt Steve]

Get the shot!

There's a medical textbook out there with a picture of me the last time I had Shingle (Herpes Varicella Zoster). Apparently I literally had a textbook perfect case.

So when I was in College I did a term paper on Herpes Zoster. There are a couple of misconceptions in this thread I'd like to clear up.

Shingles does not ever encircle the body. It occurs along a single dermatome and only affects on side of the body.

Depending on where you get it shingle absolutely can blind you. If it gets into your eyes it can damage your sight for life it it gets into your auditory nerves it can make you deaf.

Shingles normally resolves in 3 to 5 weeks BUT if you're older (65+) you can develop a condition called postherpatic neuralgia that can last for an indefinite period of time.

Bottom line if you can get the vaccine you should

X10

My severe bout with shingles about 6 years ago just about as bad as it gets. No amount of pain meds {including large doses of opioids}, could even take the edge off.

I developed postherpatic neuralgia in the bottom of my right foot {my Shingles had started there and progressed up my right side, back of the knee and hip}. Ever since and for the rest of my life I will have severe pain with every step I take. Feels like sharp gravel in my shoe 24/7. Not many get this complication, sort of a parting gift from the Shingles but it illustrates just how critically important it is to get the vaccine and hopefully prevent the Shingles altogether.

Much like a flu shot the shingles vaccine does not absolutely prevent the disease but if you do get Shingles likely it will be mitigated by having had the shot. Get the shot!

 

[wingriderz]

The doc yesterday was going to give me the shot with the tenanuts and phnemoina but was out of it going back in two weeks will try and get then

 

[Watchdog]

Keep it simple.

Get the shingles vaccine, even if you have to pay for it yourself.

If you get shingles, you'll spend more on doctor visits and meds than you would've spent on the vaccine.

 

[Hawker800]

It's important to get treatment early. I waited a couple of days too long. How could I possible get shingles at age 54? Well I did, on my left side neck and face. A couple of years later I got the vaccination even though it's not a guarantee. I think it also affected my left side hearing. [emoji57]

 

[straightshooter1]

I was blessed with the shingles a couple of years before I retired. It was on my left side and started with an itch in my left eye. I thought it was a stye. But, of course it wasn't and I was off work for two weeks (never, ever took that much time off work until the shingles) and the pain lasted for about 6 weeks.

One of the meds, and I can't recall which one, made me nauseous and I was driving down the street, on my way to the doc as I recall, when I had to stop and puke. People sure look at you funny when you are puking on the side of the road.

I was very fortunate that my eye was not damaged and I got the shot at the VA later.

Don't want no more of that stuff ever again.

Bob

 

[joe44va]

Got the shot. Didn't help the roof shingles when the big hail came. As we sit here I'm getting a new roof. Sounds like a war going on.

 

[bjrjar]

I went to the E.R. the second day I noticed the rash. I am going to check out the Lidoderm. The Benadryl helps but I have to take a lot of it. It makes me drowsy. It will pass but will not be forgotten.

When i had it the best thing I found for me was Gold Bond Ant-itch cream. It will take time, an anti-viral medication might help, antibiotics are useless. I got the shot, after I recovered but too late by then. Just hoping not to get it sgsin, it cost me $200 and the Safeway pharmacist sdministered it. Medicare might help...

Bob


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doug627]

The E.R. Doctor told me not to be around anyone pregnant. This is very dangerous for the fetus. Pass this on so pregnant women are not exposed. The E.R. Doctor was pregnant and would not come within three feet of me. I told her to leave and send someone else to treat me.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Doug, a while back, I asked my PCP about the shingles vaccine and whether I should get it. He said "do you remember the pain of the 2nd degree radiation burns to your face, neck and throat"?

"Yes."

"You would rather have that."

I got the shot.

 

[Ogandydancer]

I'm waiting now for insurance approval for the shingles shot and will get it as soon as approved. I was told it's about $200 bucks.

Mrs. Ogandydancer has had the shingles lots of times. Several years ago Walgreens was giving the shots she had to show her Ins. card but it was basically free. It has helped curb hers but with some people they will recur. She is on Acylover all the time.

For the OP I hope when yours it over it will not recur.

 

[susieqz]

after the last shingles thread, i ran to my doc n got the shot.
mild flu symptoms for a couple days, but a small price to pay.
i like avoiding pain.