Shingles

[Doug627]

This is my first time with shingles. I am miserable. Itching constantly and if I touch the sores on anything it is excruciating. Wearing a shirt is very painful. Touching the rash results in intense burning and sharp pain. I understand it lasts three to five weeks. Drinking Benadryl and taking acyclovir every five hours. It is interesting that it only affects one side of the body. Mine is on the left just above the belt line. How have you dealt with this?

 

[PatriotX]

I have used Lidoderm patches for back pain, all literature on/in box is for shingles.

I hope you're able to get relief.

 

[rick1085]

Have you seen a doctor?
If not, go now!
Shingles caught early can be greatly helped.

 

[Ducky2002]

I feel your pain, Brother. A couple of years back my GP convinced me to get a shingles shot. My wife and I each had a shot from the same bottle. 7 days later I had full blown shingles. The doctor said It was just a freak coincidence that I was coming down with shingles at the time I had the shot. It sure stole a month from me that summer. Hang in there, Buddy. As they say - This too shall pass.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Comrad]

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.

 

[Jingles]

I had what I am told was a very mild case of Shingles. Started on my right-side below my chest and wrapped around my back. If my case was mild I can't imagine what full-blown Shingles must be like! My md suggested I get the vaccination to make sure I was safe - no problem convincing me!

 

[jack the toad]

Nothing to mess around with from what I'm told. A local guy around here reportedly has them in one eye and is now blind. Don't know of that's true or not. I got the shot about 3 years ago. Insurance paid for the vaccine but my doc wouldn't write a Rx unless he administered the shot. Cost me a co-pay for office visit. Kinda unnecessary since the pharmacy will do it at no charge with his authorization.

 

[Doug627]

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.

 

[Targets Guy]

This is my first time with shingles. I am miserable. Itching constantly and if I touch the sores on anything it is excruciating. Wearing a shirt is very painful. Touching the rash results in intense burning and sharp pain. I understand it lasts three to five weeks. Drinking Benadryl and taking acyclovir every five hours. It is interesting that it only affects one side of the body. Mine is on the left just above the belt line. How have you dealt with this?

The wife had it last year. Very painful and she was told she had a mild case. Sometimes it circles the body. You have some painful days ahead but it will heal. Watch for infection.

 

[ancient-one]

I went to the Doc today and found out that what started as a little bump
and got bigger quick was shingles. It itches a little and I have had no pain so far. Got the same kind of medicine. It is my lower back right at the belt line.
Sure wish That I had been smart enough to have taken the shot.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I'm pretty sure I haven't had shingles, but I damn sure had chicken pox. I never really knew what shingles was....sounded like some old wives problem. Then my wife got a mild case and a guy at work had a hard case. I got the shot even though it wasn't covered. Just get it even if you have to go out of pocket.

 

[ditrina]

Go see the doctor NOW!!.. The prescription drug VALTREX is sometimes used..( It worked for me ). No i'm not a doctor but Shingles is a herpes virus.


From Drugs dot com
Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus to help the body fight the infection.

Valtrex is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including , cold sores, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults.


Valtrex will not cure herpes and will not prevent you from spreading the virus to other people. However, this medicine can lessen the symptoms of an infection.

 

[rick1085]

FYI from Mayo clinic
There's no cure for shingles, but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. These medications include:

Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Famciclovir (Famvir)

 

[walter o]

It is nothing to mess with .The wife had a mis diagnosed case of shingles on her neck face and ear area finally 3 weeks later another M.D. diagnosed it as shingles . The pain was so intense that they were going to start on oxicotten ,finally got pain under control . It did affect her hearing and the taste in the right side of her mouth.Yes it can go into the eye if it is in that area an give more trouble.Don't mess with SHINGLES .If you can GET the shot after it clears up, or before you get it.

 

[Absalom]

When I got shingles the first time, it happened on the left side of my head behind my ear running down my neck. I thought at first it was poison oak or something like that, but a nurse friend immediately chased me to the doctor, who diagnosed the shingles and put me on anti-viral medication (one of the -cyclovirs, don't remember which), and prednisone as an anti-inflammatory. The doctor said we caught it early, and it cleared up after being itchy for about two weeks. Shortly thereafter, I got the shingles shot; had to pay myself since I wasn't 60 yet, and my insurance at the time only paid over 60. Oh well. Best 200 bucks I ever spent.

About two or three years later, I felt some itching behind my right ear. Checked in the mirror, and wouldn't you know it, looked exactly like the last time, except on the opposite side of the head. Called my physicians center that night, my doctor happened to be the on-call doctor, and didn't even have me come in, just faxed the same prescription as last time to my pharmacy. I was on drugs by next morning, and it never progressed beyond the mild itch and cleared up after a few days. No big deal at all; the doctor gave all credit to the shot.

So get the shot. Especially if you've had shingles, definitely get the shot.

 

[steelslaver]

I was one of those guys that poo hawed shingles having never seen it and thinking it was just a mild reoccurrence of chicken pox. Then my lady got it. She went right to the Dr and started treatment. I took one look at it and went in and paid out of pocket for the shot. I think about $130.

She had to take pills and I put a medical salve on nasty looking sores all over her body for a couple weeks. It didn't look enjoyable at all.

 

[Papaw]

My wife and I got recently shingles shots at a Walmart pharmacy. With my wife's insurance they were free.

 

[rjm6120]

....and I'm annoyed by a mild case of hives I woke up with this morning! I am pausing a moment to count my blessings.

I agree with the others who have advised to go to your doctor----surely he/she will give you something for at least some relief. Might make your "sentence" shorter as well. I hope you get relief Doug, I feel bad for you.

 

[joeintexas]

You have my complete sympathy, I have not had it but both my parents did and I watched them suffer through it. It shall pass, keep the faith. Yes, after watching them I got the vaccine.

 

[Stevens]

I went for the shot as soon as my wife got shingles, on her hand only. At first we thought it was poison ivy. I never did catch it!