Shingles? Anyone ever had that?

[cyber-sibes]

I got them in the middle of my back when I was pregnant at age 29. Ugh, horrible pain. Although it cleared up, I still have nerve damage there 25 yrs later. Can't stand anything going across the middle of my back. ("convenient" for us gals, huh? )
My mom had them when she was going through chemo, couldn't stand anything on her skin. I felt soooo bad for her. She said it hurt more than anything she'd ever gone through.
Unfortunately, it is cause by a virus and once it's in your system, it's there. They can be dormant for a long time, but you can develope outbreaks again. I believe it's related to chicken pox (but don't quote me on that one)

[CountryWolf07]

That is scary to think that I'd might get nerve damage in my arm. I just brought it upon myself to get this. It is not fun; it's starting to tingle, and scabs are forming, but it's very small, not big, just the size of a nickel on my arm and the size of a quarter in the middle of my chest (you know, in between my... yeah.)

[Daisy and Delilah]

Rachel,

I'm so sorry to hear you have this. I have an older friend that has it every few years. She was in excruciating pain for quite a long time. No matter what she did, she couldn't even get any sleep. She was really in bad shape. It was on her back. I think she took Tylenol 3 and it's the only relief she got.

I hope you feel better soon! {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[emily_the_spoiled]

Rachell,

First you did NOT bring this upon yourself. Anyone who has had chickenpox or been exposed to chickpox has a risk of developing shingles (it is the same virus). The only difference is that in shingles it is stored in the nerve endings (so that is why it is so painful) but with regular chickenpox usually the virus is contained within the skin.

By taking the pills and the ointment until they are FINISHED it will help shorten the attack.

For some people excessive stress or a compromised immune system can induce an attack of shingles. Unfortunately you are not at risk for the rest of your life. But the attacks will generally follow the same pattern, so if you get medication early enough (i.e. recognize the symptoms) then you can really shorten the length and painfulness of the attack.

Good luck (and Vicodan can help)

[critter crazy]

Oooo....I am so sorry. My Gramma got them in the middle of her back, one year. she was absolutely miserable!! I sure hope you heal quickly!!

[Catsnclay]

Rachell,

First you did NOT bring this upon yourself. Anyone who has had chickenpox or been exposed to chickpox has a risk of developing shingles (it is the same virus). The only difference is that in shingles it is stored in the nerve endings (so that is why it is so painful) but with regular chickenpox usually the virus is contained within the skin.

By taking the pills and the ointment until they are FINISHED it will help shorten the attack.

For some people excessive stress or a compromised immune system can induce an attack of shingles. Unfortunately you are not at risk for the rest of your life. But the attacks will generally follow the same pattern, so if you get medication early enough (i.e. recognize the symptoms) then you can really shorten the length and painfulness of the attack.

Good luck (and Vicodan can help)

EXACTLY!

My husband also was given a patch, Lidoderm 5% - your doctor has to Rx it, but it covers the bumps and provides relief. The only problem with this is you need to know and ask about this, they do not give it out.

Do NOT touch the opened sores, that will spread it more, wash your hands and use seperate towels, etc.

Ask your doctor about the patch, it saved our marriage!!! .......plus it also works!

[lizbud]

My daughter called me the other day to ask if she had chicken pox when
she was a child. She didn't. She was going to the Dr. as she thought she had
shingles. I've always heard the you can't get shingles if you had never had
chicken pox. (same virus)

[carole]

Sweetie DON'T be so darn hard on yourself, of course you DID NOT bring this upon yourself, neither did my son or anyone,everyone is right once you have had the chicken pox virus you can get shingles,and one cannot help get stressed in life, it is just a fact of life,plain and simple, just take real good care of yourself,do all the right stuff and i sure hope your pain and discomfort goes away and real soon, HUGS, i always thought it only affected old people, so i was suprised when my son got them too at the same age as you, but when i learned more about it, it all made sense.

[jennielynn1970]

Shingles and chicken pox also in the herpes virus family. Not that it's herpes... it's just like with the fever blisters/cold sores. They're a herpes virus, and the virus travels in the nervous system when it breaks out.

I get the cold sores, and have for about the past 18 years. I take L-Lysine, which is an amino acid, and you can buy them at any pharmacy or grocery store if they have vitamins and such.

Try to stress less. Emotional, physical, psychological.

Try to not get too much sun. Sunburn or too much sun can cause a break out.

Eat less acidic food or spicy hot foods. Again, they can stress the body.

You can also eat more foods that have L-Lysine in them. I remember chicken was a good source. I haven't done a search lately about that, because I haven't had an outbreak recently (knocking on wood now, lol).