Has anyone had shingles?

[lucy5]

My Mum's got it and was just wondering if there is anything she can do,take, eat etc. How long did it last for? Thanks.

[Lilymaid]

My DS2 had it a couple of years ago at age 13. He had fairly hefty antibiotics from the doctor and we did put some calamine lotion on the spots (not sure whether doctors approve of that). Your mum should not take alcohol, because of the antibiotics. DSs cleared up in 4-5 days, but adults and especially older people get it worse than children. A dose of tlc will help!

[Quootiepie]

mine lasted... a week or so, still get pain every now and again. I had a cream I think, it is something not to be ignored.

[lucy5]

Thanks, good to hear short time spans as the Dr said it could last up to a year which was a bit worrying.

[Bekks]

My mum had it. There is something you can take, but you have to get it within 48 hours apparently for it to be effective. The dr gave it to my mum though after 3 or 4 days cos her mum got it really badly (aged 80+) and so my mum was massively concerned, and my mum got rid of it fairly quickly and hasn't had any lasting pain, which can be an issue.

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[Goodasgold]

Where has your mum got it?
I got it on my torso when dd1 was 8/9 months. It is most excruciatingly painful. I went to stay with my parents in law to help with my dd.
It is meant to be the worst if it is on your eye.
I'm sorry I can't help with treatment, I think my gp gave me some topical cream, but said it is much worse in older people.

[lucy5]

Thanks all, she's got it on her shoulder and back of neck. She's been to the dr so just wondered if there was anything complementary [sp] that she could do.

[Whizzz]

I had it a good few years ago - not nice ! We had some lotion stuff that you painted on (really odd stuff because when you painted it on your back, you could taste it - ewww!)
I think it lasted 7-10 days ish

[olivo]

i had it on my neck, kind of under my chin. felt really rough, shattered with swollen glands for about a week. was prescribed zovirax cream for the spots and painkillers and bed rest till i felt better.

[Miaou]

You're not wrong, Goodasgold. Dh had shingles in his eye. The scarring on his retina was so bad that the hospital took photos of it to use in training sessions as an example of just how bad it can be! He was given eye drops which unfortunately he suffered an allergic reaction to and developed glaucoma . He then had to take high doses of steroids for almost two years afterwards to counteract the scarring in his eye, which caused him to suffer severe depression and put on four stone in weight (he was already several stone overweight). Thankfully it hasn't affected the sight in his eye but he can never again wear contact lenses or have corrective vision surgery.

Sorry, of no help to you at all lucy, but a cautionary tale to those who think shingles is not a serious illness.