Shingles

[Veem]

I think I may have shingles.

Last Monday I developed severe pain on the right side of the back of my head. It has since changed to severely painful shooting pains up the right side of my neck. About the same time I thought that a gold chain which I never take off had somehow caused a couple of sores - (like rope burns) around my neck and several pox like lumps had appeared on the right side of my chest and across my shoulder.

Suddenly this evening the penny dropped. Shingles.

I telephoned my doctor earlier in the week and could not get an appointment before 19th August. I know that if you catch it early enough, it's possible to take something which clears it up quickly.

Anyone have any ideas how I get it confirmed and treated without a MT appointment?

[Blaze]

Poor you Veem, that sounds awful. I believe it's a virus that can occur if you've already had chicken pox as a child. I had it in a mild form when I was about 12 (I'd already had chicken pox ). Both my parents had a hard time with shingles.

I would physically go to your doctor's surgery and show them your symptoms and if you don't have any joy, try another doctor. Failing that, try SOS Medecins - they should certainly be more helpful. Our local one is based at the hospital.

I've been dithering for a long time about whether to be vaccinated for shingles ....

[Pathca]

Definitely need to see a Dr ASAP Veem the long term effects of shingles can be nasty very nasty
As Blaze said the virus lies dormant in a nerve root following chicken pox and then something causes it to recactivate
Just under a year ago I developed a wierd rash on my shoulder. It wasn’t painful but the doctor gave me anti viral meds as she said the side effects if it were shingles were worse than those of the med if it wasn’t

[Graham]

As an aside, our MT recently recommended we have shingles jabs as it can be quite nasty at our age (early 70s). We got the vaccines from the pharmacy on ordonnonces but the MT has to administer it. You have 2 jabs a couple of months apart.

[exile]

I had shingles a few years ago and while it was not overly severe, I would not wish it on anyone. My sympathies @Veem .

I got no real treatment. Just told to rest. Rather difficult if you can neither sit nor lie without pain.

It is said that one reason it occurs is stress and I am mindful of the horse that suddenly became ill and had to be put down.

For all of you if you can get the vaccine, grab the opportunity with both hands and remember that just because you have had shingles does not make you immune from getting it again.

[Chappers51]

Take care Veem and do seek medical advice even from a pharmacist if your MT isn’t available.

I had the vaccine at the beginning of the year, recommended by a friend in the UK.

There are 2 parts to it, 2 months apart, and it was our village pharmacist who administered it.

[Blaze]

My thanks to everyone for the advice re the jab.

[Lori]

Veem, you've probably already looked up all this information, but the link below gives a good overview of the treatment for Shingles. It also gives a variety of self-treatment options that may help.

I've never had it, but husband got it several years ago. His doctor prescribed Lyrica and it seemed to help a bit. Certainly not a pleasant thing. I hope you are feeling better soon.

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and ... -treatment

[MAD87]

Hugs, Veem

[Sparkle]

Rest not stress that's what my friend was told when in May he was made redundant. He took no medication and rested up, decided to retire (he was just 60) and basically laughed his way through it although I'd stupidly bothered him when he showed me the ring going around his waist and I said better hope it doesn't join up - it cleared up in 4 weeks. Look after yourself and rest not stress.