Haven't had it - but an uncle did many years ago. You're right - it's not pleasant.

A good reminder to all of us who have had Chicken Pox - get the shingles vaccine (Zostavax).

Currently, one in three persons who have had chickenpox will develop shingles sometime in their life. It is possible to prevent getting this disease by way of a vaccine that was approved for shingles in 2006 called Zostavax. The recommendation is people who are 60 years of age and up get this vaccine to protect themselves from this very painful condition.

Shingles, or Herpes zoster, is caused by the same virus (varicella zoster, VZV) that causes chickenpox. It is characterized by pain, red rash, and painful fluid filled blisters. The virus is never eliminated from the body, but instead lives in a dormant stage in the nervous system. The virus can be reactivated when the person is subject to prolonged stress, or through the treatment certain illnesses such as cancer. Getting vaccinated with Zostavax, a chickenpox booster, can help prevent it's painful occurrence, as well as reduce the risk of complications such as posterherpetic neuralgia.
As of this moment, Medicare does NOT cover this vaccine. So be sure to get it before you turn 65 - or have good secondary insurance that will cover it.