You knew this was coming...Does anyone know anything firsthand about shingles?

[NoHall]

I'm trying to figure out what to expect, how to plan the next 3-5 weeks, etc.

I went to school a half day today and was almost passing out from the pain and general ill feeling by lunch. Tomorrow I HAVE to be there--not because anyone is making me, but because no one can replace me! (I'm not being arrogant...we just don't have anyone to lead the band, and it's homecoming...)

My doctor gave me Lortab for the pain, but it doesn't really help (if I take enough of them, it knocks me out and I don't care anymore.) He told me to spray it with something like Lanacaine, but that doesn't help, either. The Valtrex was supposed to stop it from spreading, but it's spreading.

The good news is that I don't look as bad as the pictures I found when I googled "shingles." (I liked the terra cotta ones, and the slate ones, and the cedar shakes...I've had too much Lortab...)

Has anyone had this %$#@! mess? I wanna know if I'm gonna feel this bad for 3 to 5 weeks, or if I'll just have the rash...Doc says this came on because of stress...go figure...
http://www.sowal.com/bb/[url=http:/...mgs/smile/jumping/jumping0045.gif[/img][/url]

 

[TooFarTampa]

Ugh!!! I am SO sorry. I hear it sucks, but you already know that. I have nothing else to offer. Do you know if there are other ways to ease the pain? I think different meds work for different people. Don't be afraid to talk to the doc.

Hang in there. I hope someone has some good info for ya. If you want to make yourself so uncomfortable you forget about the shingles, come on back to the political forum. :sick:

Just kidding. I'd bring you some ice cream if you weren't far away.

 

[Miss Critter]

I found this online:

One typically eastern method of treatment which has been widely accepted by western [COLOR=#3976c1! important][COLOR=#3976c1! important]doctors[/COLOR][/COLOR] is a Capsaicin cream or ointment. Capsaicin is the chemical in red pepper responsible for heat. Ointments made with Capsaicin and rubbed into the affected area (usually after the blisters heal) are frequently used and have proven effective in relieving the lingering Shingles pain of some patients. Zostrix, an over the counter medication made with the red pepper extract, has been developed for this purpose.

and this:

Not everyone has the same amount of pain from shingles. Over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) and ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin) can help ease the pain. A liquid medicine that you put on your skin (brand name: Domeboro) can help cool the rash and stop the itching. Your doctor can give you pain medicine if your rash hurts a lot.

and this:

http://www.durhamsbeefarm.com/shingles-treatment.html

You poor thing. I've heard having shingles is less than no funn. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[NoHall]

Ugh!!! I am SO sorry. I hear it sucks, but you already know that. I have nothing else to offer. Do you know if there are other ways to ease the pain? I think different meds work for different people. Don't be afraid to talk to the doc.

Hang in there. I hope someone has some good info for ya.

I went to my allergy doctor (because he's awesome, and because I thought they were bug bites at first) and when I called him back to ask about whether or not I was contagious/safe to be around people, he admitted that he didn't know as much as he should about it. (Don't y'all knock him--I'd rather hear a doctor say that than to hand me a load of misinformation!)

I may call my GP tomorrow, but the only things I've seen in my Googling is Benedryl/Caladryl, Lanacaine/Solarcaine, or steroids. I don't want to do steroids--they screw up my sleep too much.

It's funny--just about everyone I see says, "I have an aunt/uncle/grandmother/wicked stepsister who had that," but not many people actually have had it themselves.

If you want to make yourself so uncomfortable you forget about the shingles, come on back to the political forum. :sick:

Having my skin crawl is rather painful right now..

Just kidding. I'd bring you some ice cream if you weren't far away.

Aww...

My sweet Daddy got me some Chocolate Marshmallow last night!

 

[mossyhead]

My husband had them several years ago, he says, they hurt like the devil! He caught them early fortunately. His Dr. gave him some sort of a medicine but he does not remember what it was. He only needed one prescription but I have friends that have suffered for a long time with them. I just hope you caught them early.

 

[NoHall]

Thank you Miss Critter...I will check up on that stuff!

 

[NoHall]

My husband had them several years ago, he says, they hurt like the devil! He caught them early fortunately. His Dr. gave him some sort of a medicine but he does not remember what it was. He only needed one prescription but I have friends that have suffered for a long time with them. I just hope you caught them early.

The best description I've come up with is that my entire back and right side feels like it was stung by yellow jackets. It's not swollen, but it has that tight, burning, tender feeling. Similar to swimming through jellies...or a bad sunburn... The pain is only severe in bursts, but it is a general pain for such a long time that it wears you down.

I think I caught them very early, but I'm frustrated that the huge dose of Valtrex didn't stop the spreading.

 

[Rudyjohn]

ask, no, tell your dr. that your meds need to be changed as they are causing an "antagonistic drug reaction." You should be receiving at least some relief.

good luck & feel better soon

 

[Miss Kitty]

I found this online:


and this:

Not everyone has the same amount of pain from shingles. Over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) and ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin) can help ease the pain. A liquid medicine that you put on your skin (brand name: Domeboro) can help cool the rash and stop the itching. Your doctor can give you pain medicine if your rash hurts a lot.



You poor thing. I've heard having shingles is less than no funn. Hope you feel better soon.

NoHall...I was told to use Domeboro after a horrible rash from Neosporin (I'm allergic) It is a powder that you mix with water. I soaked a washcloth in it and put it on the rash. It was soothing. Poor thing...it just sounds awful.

 

[mossyhead]

ask, no, tell your dr. that your meds need to be changed as they are causing an "antagonistic drug effect." You should be receiving at least some relief.

good luck & feel better soon

Sounds like good advice. It may have been Valtex my husband took & he got relief from it. You should probably be getting some relief. I hope you find something soon.