Shingles...has anyone had it.

I am going to the Dr. today because I have Shingles.  I know it's this virus because I've had it before and it's really very painful.  I know only people who have had chicken pox can get this but getting it twice within 4 years is really just not fair.

Have you ever had Shingles??

Carol, I'm sorry.

Mom had it and it was just nasty. She had it on her torso and it got so bad she couldn't wear a bra because of the intense itching being so painful. When she got into the nursing home, they gave her baths in Epsom salts, I think it was, to help with the itching. I think there's some kind of shot that, if you can get it soon enough, it will help with the itching?  They tried it with my mom, but she had waited too long to get to the doctor and it didn't take effect. It took her a long time to get over them, too. 

No, getting them again isn't fair. Is there some kind of shot you can get to help not get them again?

Winchester said:

 
Carol, I'm sorry.
 
No, getting them again isn't fair. Is there some kind of shot you can get to help not get them again?

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Thanks Pam, yes I just found out there is a shot to prevent this virus from coming back.  It works like the flu shot.  Now of course it's too late, I already have it again.  I'm just glad I was able to get an appt. today with my Dr.  I don't have the itch like I did last time and no rash either yet, I just have the pain and it's even effecting my ear. 

Can't wait to get the meds to get rid of this, thanks again.

I've had shingles twice, several years apart. I feel for ya.

Yes I had shingles last  year on my back near my left shoulder. No meds for it and it didn't last more than a week. It was sore and very red. Didn't  go to the doctor either.I just kept it covered with a big band-aid.

I had shingles about 10 years ago.  It was very painful.  It wasn't very bad. A few lesions on the front left side of my ribs, and on my right lower leg.  I went to the doctor within 24 hours of them appearing because I knew what it was and was put on an antiviral medication which helped it from increasing or spreading more. 

They were extremely itchy, and the pain was like needles when I tried to scratch or if anything touched them.  Thankfully because I was put on an antiviral so soon, I wasn't left with any lingering pain.

No I have not had it. My husband and I both went earlier this year and had the shingles shot. I have know people who got shingles. My cousin can no longer play the piano because she has nerve damage. I hope the shot will prevent getting it.

I haven't, but my mom has. And she keeps getting it again and again. You have to be outbreak-free for a certain amount of time before you can get the immunization, and her non-break-out periods are never long enough. It's been going on for around 5 years now, and it was on the right side of her head, near her eye, so it is really bad.

Not much I can say other than condolences, but to others out there: get the shot when you can. Unfortunately, you normally have to wait until you're sixty, or I'd have gotten it already.

My mother had it a year and a half ago and is still having symptoms. The pain has never truly left.

I have never had chicken pox so had to stay away from her during her outbreak. I did get the chicken pox vaccine this year.

Hope you have a very mild case!

dejolane said:

 
Yes I had shingles last  year on my back near my left shoulder. No meds for it and it didn't last more than a week. It was sore and very red. Didn't  go to the doctor either.I just kept it covered with a big band-aid.

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I'm just wondering, if you didn't see a Dr., how do you know it was Shingles.

LaRussa said:

 
I'm just wondering, if you didn't see a Dr., how do you know it was Shingles.

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For those who have had Shingles, it's pretty unforgettable, especially the pain part of it.  When I got Shingles, I had never known anyone who had had it. I was a nurse so I knew the symptoms and had seen pictures of extreme cases.  But I only had a few spots. It was the itchy pain that I couldn't ignore as a simple rash, that got me to the doctor.  I would have seen a doctor faster than I had but I was working nights, and the ER staff didn't have time to see me so they said that given the area (my side, under my clothing), to cover it up with a bandage so I didn't spread it around!   The blisters weren't weeping, so it was safe to remain at work.

I actually had it about 15 years ago when I first moved back here. I think I was 29. I didn't know what it was until I went to the doctor. It appeared on my mid back. It was about the size of a quarter & itched like crazy!!

I thought it was a spider bite or something sense it was round, & I had no experience w/ it.  I don't remember it being painful at all like everyone says, just SOOOO itchy!!!!  When the Dr. looked at it he also noticed 4-5 small dot size spots wrapping around my side & to the front of me. He then told me what it was.  He gave me some of that menthol lotion to help the itching, but it really didn't help much at all. I think he also gave me some antibiotics.

When I asked how I could have gotten it, he said that stress can bring it out, sense the virus lays dormant in your system. I had chicken pocks when I was in kindergarten.

LaRussa, Sense it's viral, You could double up on Olive Leaf supplements & it will help I'm sure. (Olive Leaf is antiviral, antibacterial, & antifungal. It's great stuff!!  It helped me when I did that after an abnormal pap years ago).  It's a great supplement to take to keep cold, flu, & more away!

Well we are a very stressed lot.
I've had it twice a few years ago. First Round the bottom of my right thumb and down. I didn't know what this painful thing was so I went to my skin doctor. A
he lolooked at it and then lifted his head to tell me what it was we both said shingles together.
My manager hadn't had chicken pox so I was banned for work. Oh dear oh dear. How I wept.
The second time was also on the right side of my face very near the eye and one big pox on the end of my nose. My goodness it hurt so much. He gave me very strong painkillers. Nada. I had to go back for a check up and he got a bit worried as there was a pox right on the inside corner of my eye. He sent me to an eye doctor who said it was ok! I don't think he knew what he was dealing with and not aware that if one popped up in the eye say goodbye to seeing from that eye again. I had to miss a family wedding. The bride hadn't had chicken pox.i think I had retired by then. The real embarrassing thing was the one on the end of my nose. I went to the supermarket and however much they tried not to everyone kept looking at my nose. I should have put a plaster on it.

I've had shingles several times.  On the side of my face was probably my worst experience with them.  Once, when I was a teenager, I was prescribed a topical solution by an old "country" doctor.  It was wonderful.  I still have no idea what it was.  In my years as a nurse, I don't recall ever seeing anyone prescribed a topical solution as a treatment for shingles.  I hope you get well soon.    

LaRussa I haven't had shingles but my Mother has twice and they were horrible for her. I hope you have a speedy recovery