For over a week I had terrible pain in my right arm and was wondering what was causing it, I was blaming it on everything from moving to opening tough windows. Finally I saw a bunch of ugly welts on my back and right shoulder, went to the Dr. the same day and walla....I have shingles. I am now on a very strong med that I need to take daily for 14 days. The pain and itch are really horrible and I have taken pain pills but they are not helping. I heard that once the welts go away you can still have pain, geez I hope not. Would like to hear of your bout with shingles and how long it lasted.