#%#! Shingles!

[gregintenn]

I got em. I’m not old enough to have em. If you have any advice or magical cures, I’d surely be indebted to you if you’d share.

[GlockSpock]

My Wife had them at 18 or 19 when we were dating. Sucks. 

 

I feel for you but have no advice. 

[DaveTN]

My step-son had them in his mid 30’s. He went through a bunch of shots.

You may already know this but if anyone in your family (or close around you) hasn’t been immunized for chicken pox or already had them; you are contagious.

You need to get off here and quit watching the news; you are supposed to avoid stress when you have them. 

[Sunfish]

They are a virus that will run it's coarse. I think I'll get the vaccine and hope for the best because like most I've had the chicken pox

[Jeb48]

My wife and I had our shot for the first vaccine when we were first old enough, doctor made us sign a paper saying we would pay for it if the insurance didn't. We just got our second shot of the new vaccine. Heard claims the new one is 95+% effective, I hope so.

I have not heard of any effective treatment once you have it other than treat the symptoms.

[mikegideon]

I've heard they are pretty horrible. I got a shot. I had chicken pox when I was a kid.

[Jamie Jackson]

9 hours ago, gregintenn said:

I got em. I’m not old enough to have em. If you have any advice or magical cures, I’d surely be indebted to you if you’d share.

I'm sorry you are experiencing this Greg. They suck!

I had my first outbreak at around age 40 (I'm 65 now). Being a nerve pain they are their own special kind of hell. But like @Sunfish said, they'll run their course which is usually 10-14 days with lessening intensity.

For me, ibuprofen makes the pain tolerable. But after you've had them once, you can tell when an outbreak is about to start...that is a particular painful sensation (usually in the same area or region as the initial outbreak site...mine is almost always along the nerve pathway on the right side of my neck.)

For me, protracted exposure to direct sunlight (8-10 hours) can trigger an outbreak. So I try to avoid that if possible, or at least wear a covering garment (broad brimmed hat etc) if I have to spend that much constant time in the bright raw sunlight.

I've never found the anti-viral meds to be of much use. As I mentioned, I can generally tell when an episode is starting (and it happens to me at least every 1-2 years since my first outbreak). THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! A friend of mine back in New Orleans, a Cardiologist of Thai descent who had a solid understanding of "natural medicines" recommended L-Lysine ...more in a minute... you'll read various proponents and discounters of this "remedy" and probably not find any evidenced based studies, especially from pharmaceutical companies (since they can't make any money off of this treatment...) 

What works for me, and I stress this is not medical advice, is that when I first notice that particular nerve pain sensation, again usually in the same nerve pathway on the right side of my neck, I take two 1000mg L-Lysine (Spring Valley from Walmart), once in the morning, at least 1 hour before of after any caffeine consumption, and two 1000 mg tablets about 12 hours later. I do this for 3 days running and this usually keeps the area from breaking out. There is residual tenderness aka pain, but this works for me to greatly reduce (attenuate) the outbreak and discomfort.

I've shared this "plan" with several, many several, folks over the years and it's worked to one degree or another with them. Generally very positively. I can't promise it'll work for you or anyone else. But it works for me. I keep a bottle of the L-Lysine in my locker at work (12 hour shifts so I can't just run out and pick up a bottle).

Best of luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery and that you never have a recurrence.

 

Again... this is not medical advice. I'm just sharing my personal experiences with this cursed affliction. 

[E4 No More]

L-Lysine as Jackson said but also B-12. Both support the nervous system.

[gregintenn]

I first noticed it Monday. I went to the doctor yesterday. He gave me a steroid shot and some anti viral horse pills to take. He didn’t seem real confident as to their effectiveness. So far it has been tolerable, but I expect it to worsen. Hopefully it won’t.

[Dirtshooter]

Sorry to hear that Greg, my BIL had it near an eye and it gave him fits. I think a very large dose of Gentleman Jack taken with just a smidge of 7up and you will be on your way!! LOL I just had to add some humor to this. Praying you get better sir.

[mikegideon]

1 hour ago, Dirtshooter said:

Sorry to hear that Greg, my BIL had it near an eye and it gave him fits. I think a very large dose of Gentleman Jack taken with just a smidge of 7up and you will be on your way!! LOL I just had to add some humor to this. Praying you get better sir.

Now you're talking. I was gonna suggest vodka, Red Bull, and a handful of hydrocodone

[Sunfish]

That's rite, rub some on and then take a drink of it.

[xsubsailor]

Smack you thumb with a hammer, you'll forget all about the shingles (at least for a while) 

[gregintenn]

4 minutes ago, xsubsailor said:

Smack you thumb with a hammer, you'll forget all about the shingles (at least for a while) 

My mother in law has been over here all evening. That’s helped a lot.

[jpx2rk]

10 hours ago, gregintenn said:

My mother in law has been over here all evening. That’s helped a lot.

I'm absolutely positively sure you feel better now.  

[Defender]

Shingles scares me!  I got the 2 shot series earlier this years...hope it works for me.  Hope  your pain doesnt last...

Edited June 28, 2019 by Defender

[Shirley]

It will take a long time to recover, not just a week or two.  MY doc prescribed Lyrica.  It relieved the pain.

[gregintenn]

40 minutes ago, Shirley said:

It will take a long time to recover, not just a week or two.  MY doc prescribed Lyrica.  It relieved the pain.

A couple of weeks later and I’m good.

[chances R]

You guys are potentially playing with fire, especially if near the eyes.  There are potential life-long complications.  Steroids, antivirals, and specific nerve meds can be used.  The sooner the meds are started the better the result.  And yes I am a medical professional.

[Defender]

Had a co-worker get shingles a couple years ago, and after seeing her suffering, i do NOT want that!