Chicken pox in adults

[BipolarSunset]

Right I know this is the wrong section but I need a quick reply as I'm in agony.

I'm 26 and have got chickenpox. DS had it last week.

They are all in my throat and my head is pounding. DH is at work so can't get him to get painkillers.

The only ones I have are soluble co-codamol or calpol Does anyone know if co-codamol are safe to use with chickenpox?

Can you phone your GP or are they shut?

I know ibuprofen is not recommended for chicken pox.

Do you have Piriton? That has been the most useful for CP here. PoxClin or ViraSoothe are both good.

Would ice cubes help?

You should be ok if you’re not breastfeeding. Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you for your replies.

I haven't got piriton. Only basic hay fever tablets which I doubt will do anything.

Not breastfeeding DS is 6yo.

GP closes at 5.30.

Internet seems to say codeine is fine for shingles which is a variant of the CP virus.

phone the nhs helpline

Can you phone 111 for advice?

Had chicken pox at 19. Majorly sucked and had them down my throats too so I couldn't eat.

Only got relief when I went to the gp as I got given antibiotics. After that I was fine, just looked like a human dot to dot for two weeks!

I'm 35, had chicken pox in March. It was everywhere.
I was taking piriton, and cold and flu tablets. I was using Eurax itch relief cream as any other creams didnt work.
And also I was having cool baths with oat meal (just ordinary oats milled in a grinder).

You poor thing. I can still remember having it aged 21 which is why I have had my DS12 vaccinated against it now.

No advice but hugs.

(And I had them on my lady bits. OMG the pain!)

Phone 111 for advice. I had it 10 years ago and was taking paracetamol and Nurofen plus applying emollient cream that had calamine in it as calamine was so drying I was in agony

Co cocomol is fine, it's ibuprofen thats not recommended anymore. And if you're itchy then take your hayfever tablets. They'll be a type of anti histamine that will help a bit.

I had it age 28, and it was everywhere. If you go in early enough they can give you an antiviral, which makes it shorter and less severe.
I needed about a month after theu dried off, to be able to go out in public again. It was the worst illness I ever had. Ended up at A&E and was given antibiotics.

Just had a call back from NHS 111. Co-codamol is absolutely fine.

Thank you all for your advice. Feeling horrible xxx

I sympathise.
I had chicken pox at 40 for the first time.
OH was working abroad, no family help and I had a 2 year old and a breastfed baby- all three of us had chicken pox at the same time.
I felt awful, but also had to look after two poorly children.

You poor thing, I’m so sorry! I don’t have any advice but a friend had it as an adult and he was so ill. So have some tea and sympathy from me. I hope you’re feeling better soon.

hows your breathing? Pox in the throat can be really dangerous if your breathing becomes bad. You may need a dose of antibiotics

Adults are often offered antivirals for CP.

@stargirl1701 wasn't offered any antivirals, Just given advice on how to care for them?

Woke up this morning with even more spots. Round my eyes and actually inside my lady bits. Plus the bottoms of my feet. Never in the world thought it would be this horrid.

😭😭😭

Sympathy! Must be even worse in this hot weather. I got it aged 23 and have never felt so ill. Came down with it at Sadlers Wells, could actually feel the pox start to pop up. I think I used gallons of calamine lotion (it was a long time ago) and cool baths, but to be honest you are ging to be feeling like shit warmed up for the next few days, and yes, the little bastards do get everywhere............. Wear very loose clothing, drink plenty of fluids and remember to feel sorry for yourself, it's allowed!

And don't scratch ! cut your nails as short as they will go so if you scratch while asleep it doesn't do too much damage.

A friend caught CP at the end of her first year at university and almost died. She was 10 days in intensive care, so please be vigilant about your breathing, keep your temperature down and rest! Let everyone else look after you. Don't worry about eating, but drink lots. Oatmeal in a bath can help soothe (had a DD who was allergic to calamine lotion). If you are still feeling bad and have new spots tomorrow, then get back on to the GP. In adults, CP is very, very serious.

I had it as an adult too.

Felt terrible like I had a really massive dose of the flu and I had millions of spots - in my ears, inside my nose, inside my bum, ladybits, throat, eyelids, edges of eyes. So so awful.

I used to Eurax and cool baths too.

Wait until the ones on your head dry out - you have to slide the scab down your hair shaft to get them out!

I used to wake up with millions of scabs on the bed with me too in the morning when they started to dry out.

You have my deepest sympathy!

OP I had it at 28 and it was awful. oat baths, calomine lotion and dare i say it alchohol. I know its not recommended but it made it less awful for a while and helped me get some sleep.

just be really careful if you are also taking codeine... just seen your update today and more !

I would phone your GP today and ask for an urgent phone appt. Ask if a course of antivirals would be possible.