Clothing nightmare due to shingles - help needed please!

[Squiff70]

I have problem. I have shingles and the rash is under my left breast and on my back. Both of them are exactly where my bra would be and I can't stand wearing a bra at the moment as it's excruciatingly painful in terms of sensitive skin and inflamed nerves. I need breast pads as I'm breastfeeding my 9 week old baby but obviously they don't hold themselves still in just t-shirts and tops. I've tried those strappy tops with a bra support built in but have the same problem with those in regards to pain. I have 3 appointments today and need to be reasonably tidy.

Even my softest, most stretchy bras fastened as loosely as possible are too painful.

Any ideas please?

Oh god what a nightmare! I really feel for you. Could you use tit tape to hold the breast pads in place?

3 appointments and a 9 week old baby and shingles. Your body is telling you that something is too much. So unless your appointments are midwives coming to the house to see you....can you cancel them all. Just stay home and rest with pj's and a dressing gown. Your body need to rest and heal.

Thank you. Not a bad idea but the first appointment is at 10am and I can't get hold of any before then.

Honestly, you can cancel last minute. You aren’t well enough to go

Ouch, I remember the pain of Shingles all too well, it's awful, you poor thing

You can use plasters to tape the breast pads in place. If your DH/DP is around, taping a loose dressing over the Shingles on your back will help stop your clothing touching it.

I agree with you completely. Since my little one was born I've had so much stressful shit to deal with that if I listed it all, nobody would believe me. I'm not in the slightest bit surprised I've ended up with shingles to be honest. I'd like nothing more than to spend a day cuddling and playing with my baby and also my two year old but it just never happens these days (not a full day).

This morning I need to take one of my rabbits to the vet for booster vaccinations. She is due the boosters this month and cannot go into boarding unless vaccinated. We have no plans to go away or put the rabbits in boarding any time soon but if they need to go in an emergency then they won't be able to unless both jabbed. The other is covered until June.

Later this afternoon I am going for a blood test as I have a telephone consultation with a hospital consultant later in the week and they need those blood results beforehand.

Lastly, the third appointment is my daughter's 3 year vaccinations. She is 3 next month.

All appointments necessary. Nothing on tomorrow, Thursday or Friday so hopefully a more chilled out week!

Thank you. I'm sorry to hear you've had shingles too. I had no idea how awful it was!

I might have to use plasters for the breast pads. All the medical advice is not to cover the rashes with dressings. I don't think I'd cope with it anyway as the nerve pain is quite widespread and putting the dressings off afterwards would be too much.

Cancel the rabbit vaccination.

Get your partner to take your 3 yo.

Explain to the HCP who is taking your blood your predicament, they will be understanding.

Are you not too early for the vaccinations for your dd? They are done from 3y 4months and your dd is not 3 yet

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm sure you know this already but just in case....your LO could potentially catch chicken pox from contact with your shingles rash, due to the location of your rash contact may be hard to avoid. Breastfeeding will certainly provide some protection for them but please be as careful as you can.

Have you tried putting breast milk into your shingles rash? The milk is amazing at promoting healing

Sorry to hear it's been stressful.

Cancel all but the blood test.

Your daughter can have the vaccinations slightly late - they will still be effective. (Explain to the surgery.....if you are kucky enough it's the same place as the blood test they might do them all together....)

Rebook the rabbits for another few weeks away.

Do your blood test with a large baggy jumper and tshirt.

When I had shingles, I put Lidocaine (local anaesthetic cream) on the rash. (I had no broken skin). Made touch bearable, and tided me over until the GP gave me antivirals/antibiotics which eased the rash within about a day. You can buy Lidocaine over the counter at chemists. Hope you feel better soon.

You can cover the rash with non adherent loose dressings. Where is your dh/dp? Can he not deal with the rabbit/your dd?

I could do those things but as it stands I'm not feeling desperately unwell. I was two nights ago but much better now. Delaying appointments means I need to squeeze them in later when next week and the week after are already busy with other appointments 🤦‍♀️

Actually I think you're right - I've got mixed up. It's actually the flu vaccine she has later today. She was born extreme preterm so particularly vulnerable to Winter viruses like RSV and flu. Sorry for the confusion!

The boosters are done at 3y 4m so you're too early for them if your dd is still 2y

Sorry xpost

Yep I am aware and it worries me. The doctor told me the shingles rash is only contagious if fluid from the blisters comes into contact with another person. The rash under my breast never actually blistered (I'm on day 8 since the first symptoms) but the one on my back did (see pic).

When I'm feeding my baby I put a clean cotton muslin under my breast so he isn't in contact with my skin where the rash is. That muslin is only used once then goes in a sealed bag then on a boil wash. I'm doing what I can to protect both my children from this but know there's still a big risk.

Actually, I haven't tried putting breast milk on the rashes but I'll definitely do that! I've been using calamine lotion on the doctor's advice.

Still stuck with the clothing issue though. Even if I cancelled all appointments and stayed at home, I still have the problem of keeping breast pads in place.

So many companies are making period pants now as many people become more conscious of the effect of sanpro and other waste has on the planet. Why is nobody making (affordable) tops for breastfeeding mums with padded, absorbant, built-in breast pads?!?!

Have you got any vest tops with lycra that might hold your breastpads in place? Or even close fitting ones?

Not really. I have strappy tops but they all have the built-in bra support which has the elasticated panel inside 🥺

This will sound very strange but near with me - cut the waistband section off a pair of tights and pull it right up like a bandeau. It'll be tight enough on the top to hold breast pads in place but hopefully loose enough at the bottom to not be sore. Used to do this a lot when wearing strappy dresses and tops back in the day!

Even if you are feeling well you really should rest. You have shingles!

Ha! I love your creativity. I'm 5ft 9 and never come across a pair of tights which would come up so high they'd cover my boobs 🤣

Also never come across a pair of tights which I haven't managed to put my fingers straight through just by pulling them up.

Rest with a newborn and a toddler?

Yes! Don't go to non-emergency appointments. Don't do anything unnecessary. Rope in your husband/parents/etc. for a few hours. The more you prioritise rest now the quicker you will recover.