Ouch shingles!

[Travelcrazy]

I have had shingles for about 4 weeks and the pain doesn’t seem to be improving. How long does it usually go on for and does anyone have any tips to help please.
I am taking paracetamol and ibuprofen. Sometimes it seems to be a bit better then flares up again. I have no rash.
Also how long is usual to be off work?

Can a gp not prescibe more effective pain relief?

You need other painkillers because it's nerve pain. Contact NHS Direct and ask about emergency pain relief.

you need the strong stuff. I was given codeine, ask for some. Paracetamol and ibuprofen won’t touch shingle pain

Have you spoken to your gp? They often prescribe antivirals as well.

Go to the pharmacy and ask for Cocodamal (sorry probably spelt wrong!). My son was given this when he had Shingles back in May. The pain is horrible and he had pain for over 4 weeks. You can't take the medication for very long though.

Definitely ask for better pain relief. Did you take antivirals when it started?
The pain lasted a fair few weeks for me but thankfully wasn't so bad that I needed time off work, perhaps because I got antivirals straight away before it got bad but it did linger for quite a long time.

Did you manage to get anti virals. The quicker the better. Luckily chemist can give them now with pharmacy first.

I had cocodamol and amitriptyline for my shingles and was still in pain. No way could I have managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen! You poor thing! I would advise you to speak to your dr and get some better treatment.

Thanks everyone, I didn’t get anti virals because I didn’t get the rash and son I missed the window. I called my doctor and he has prescribed codeine.
How long does this pain usually last for?

You should be coming to the end of it now @Travelcrazy if you've had it for four weeks.

I found it much worse at night when there were no other sensory inputs.

Thanks yes 100 times worse at night, it seems never ending!