My son had shingles when he was about 22,usually in young people it is not so bad, the pain i mean, he was one of the lucky ones,but it is the pain afterwards that can be left in the nerve endings i think that is the worst, but if you are lucky enough to get medication quickly, you should not have that problem, he is 25 now and has not had any problems, i do feel for you though, it is not nice at all, i wish you a speedy recovery, have you been under stress lately, apparently the doctor told my son that could be the cause of it, of course it is because of the chicken pox virus i believe that lies dormant,something along those lines, don't be quoting me, just going by memory, take care and i hope you are well again soon, do look after yourself really well ok.