I have shingles.

[murielm99]

This really sucks.

[questionseverything]

1. I'm so sorry, hope you heal quickly 🙂

[mwmisses4289]

2. Sending a healing hug 🫂 your way.

[SheilaAnn]

3. My heart goes out to you, I remember that pain. It truly is awful. Heal soon.

[AllyCat]

4. Oh no. I'm so sorry.

I’ve tangled with this foe twice.

If you are open to suggestions, Valtrex to slow the virus and gabapentin for the nerve pain. Rest. Keep lesions covered as they can cause chickenpox in those not vaccinated or otherwise vulnerable. They can scar. I used Mederma since they were on my face.

If the pain becomes chronic, I have other suggestions. But for now, wait it out. REST….

[marybourg]

5. Muriel, I found this soothing with my

mild/moderate case mainly on my chest and back: A + D Prevent Original Ointment.

[Earthrise]

6. Shingles really, really suck. I got lucky...

I rushed to the doctor the morning the first 2.4 popped up and got an anti-viral (?) injection that stopped anymore from emerging. I was told that the injection has to be given in the first 24’ish hours after the first shingle emerges. It worked in that I didn’t get any additional shingles. I stayed in bed for a few days with the original 2.4 shingles anyway.

[mucifer]

7. Ask your doctor if Gabapentin would be a good option for the pain. It probably would work

much better than opioids would because your pain is neuropathic and gabapentin works well for neuropathic pain as it is a seizure medication. It really helped a family member of mine who had a very severe case. He had to be hospitalized. Morphine did nothing for the pain so they stopped it. Gabapentin helped.

[Silver Gaia]

9. I have been unable to tolerate gabapentin, unfortunately.

It makes me so loopy that I can't function, and did not do much for my pain. There are few alternatives, though. I have had neuropathic pain for 6 months now.

[mucifer]

12. That sucks. Yeah, there are other ones that can work. I know Amitryptaline is one. Best wishes to you!

[Silver Gaia]

8. I am so sorry.

I came down with Shingles in October following an abdominal surgery, and I still have nerve pain. Mine was conplicated by additional medical problems that did not allow my Shingles to heal properly. I am starting physical therapy soon in the hope that they can help. I hope it will heal eventually.

I'm not telling you this to scare you. My case is unique. I'm just saying I know what you are going through! I hope your case is mild and heals quickly.

[murielm99]

10. Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions.

[highplainsdem]

11. I'm so sorry to hear this. Hope you're better soon. My mom

recovered quickly from shingles decades ago, and I posted about that in the Lounge last October.

See reply 91 and the few additional messages in that subthread:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10182239951#post91

As I said there, people should check with both their doctor and pharmacist before taking supplements, so they can avoid interactions with whatever meds they're on.

[brer cat]

13. I'm so sorry, Muriel. You have gone through

so much, having shingles is a real insult! I hope you heal very quickly.

[LoisB]

14. I am sorry to hear this.

[Danascot]

15. This post should serve as a PSA to get your Shingrex vaccine

It's two doses spaced some weeks apart and prevents 90% of potential outbreaks. It's good for 5 years or so.

You do NOT want to get shingles!

[murielm99]

16. I had those several years ago.

The doc seemed indifferent as to whether or not I continued to get them. I did not continue them. I hope that changes in my future.