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Original poster

To ask you how you managed the pain of having shingles

35 replies

Allelbowsandtoes · 06/07/2024 02:50

I'm lying here unable to sleep and my face is an itchy, painful mess. Holding a cold, wet wash cloth to the area is providing a tiny bit of relief but genuinely, this is horrible.

Is there anything that eases it 😭

OP posts:
MarmitePizza · 06/07/2024 03:32

If you call 111 in the morning you can probably get an out of hours appointment if your local hospital has that service. They can then prescribe something for you.

porridgecake · 06/07/2024 03:26

My sister got antivirals after 72 hours having been misdiagnosed in A and E. I just looked up the guidelines and it says they can be given up to 7 days after the rash appears, especially if rash is on the face or head. Ditto pregabolin (sp) for the pain.
DH got antivirals prescribed urgently as his rash was on his forehead.

Original poster
Allelbowsandtoes · 06/07/2024 03:25

My eyelid definitely feels itchy, it doesn't look noticeably inflamed though. I'll keep a close eye on it (lol) and call 111 if it gets worse. I might call them in the morning anyway as my GP will be shut and I need something for the pain.

OP posts:
porridgecake · 06/07/2024 03:20

Is your eye sore or inflamed? I am sorry you got fobbed off by the pharmacist. I think there is too much of that going on tbh. Monitor the rash closely and if more blisters come up and are getting closer to your eye call 111 for an urgent appt.

Original poster
Allelbowsandtoes · 06/07/2024 03:14

porridgecake · 06/07/2024 03:03

If the rash is anywhere near your eye you should ring 111 now.

How near is too near the eye? I saw the GP on Tuesday and she said it wasn't too close to my eye but another bump has come up a bit nearer....

OP posts:
Original poster
Allelbowsandtoes · 06/07/2024 03:12

porridgecake · 06/07/2024 03:01

You can buy zovirax cream otc. Have you asked for antiviral medication and nerve pain medication from your gp?
I know that doesn't help right now but you can ring 111 or a private gp first thing.
Maybe try an icepack wrapped in a clean pillow case.
I am sorry. Shingles pain is awful.

Thankyou, I'm holding a couple of ice cubes wrapped in a tea towel now and it's very soothing.
I wasn't in the 72 hour window to get the antiviral meds unfortunately, I saw a pharmacist first (as advised by my GP) who told me it wasn't shingles. By the time I got a GP appointment it was outside of the 72 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allelbowsandtoes · 06/07/2024 03:10

MarmitePizza · 06/07/2024 02:57

Amitriptyline. That’s the only thing that stopped my pain. I had it on my head and it was like being attacked with an axe, but they switched the pain off. You should ask your GP to prescribe you some if you are in a lot of pain as shingles causes nerve pain and these drugs specifically work on that.

I don’t know why, but my pain also reduced a lot if I went out for a walk/run. I personally also felt the pain in bed was much better if I slept on the side where I had the shingles (counterintuitively!)

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks, I'll see if I can get hold of my gp tomorrow though I don't know if they'll be open on Saturday.

I have a dog so have still been getting out for walks, not sure if it helps the pain but it helps me not go mad being cooped up 😄

OP posts:
porridgecake · 06/07/2024 03:03

If the rash is anywhere near your eye you should ring 111 now.

porridgecake · 06/07/2024 03:01

You can buy zovirax cream otc. Have you asked for antiviral medication and nerve pain medication from your gp?
I know that doesn't help right now but you can ring 111 or a private gp first thing.
Maybe try an icepack wrapped in a clean pillow case.
I am sorry. Shingles pain is awful.

MarmitePizza · 06/07/2024 02:57

Amitriptyline. That’s the only thing that stopped my pain. I had it on my head and it was like being attacked with an axe, but they switched the pain off. You should ask your GP to prescribe you some if you are in a lot of pain as shingles causes nerve pain and these drugs specifically work on that.

I don’t know why, but my pain also reduced a lot if I went out for a walk/run. I personally also felt the pain in bed was much better if I slept on the side where I had the shingles (counterintuitively!)

Hope you feel better soon.