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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or is this shingles?

45 replies

LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 17:49

Hi
2 days ago I woke up with excruciating pain on my rib cage (left /back) which eventually spreaded to the side and front (still just left).
The pain is pretty much constant and alternate between feeling like I'm being stabbed or spasm / "contraction" type of pain.
I saw my GP who believes it might be a nerve / muscle and gave me some co codamol.
To help with the pain I used some tiger baume and hot water bottle.
A rash appeared yesterday afternoon after my GP appointment and I've tried to look it up and it could be a reaction to the tiger baume that you should never use in conjunction with a hot water bottle (who knew?)
Now, I somehow ended up on the NHS' page for shingles and I feel like the rash I have could be consistent with shingles.
I'm particularly worried because I volunteered to help in my son's class but obviously if there's a risk I might be contagious I won't go.
So what do you think? Allergy / burn Urticaria or shingles?

Or is this shingles?
Or is this shingles?
Or is this shingles?
OP posts:
DaysOfCurlySpencer · 09/01/2019 17:56

If you have Googled, have you seen this?
www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/shingles-other-skin-conditions/

If the rash appeared after you used the balm and heat source it is probably not a virus. Wash it and keep it cool, don't use anything perfumed and keep an eye on it.

Natural treatment for shingles is a mix of essential clary sage oil and a vegetable base, just a few drops. This is also good for stress but not to be used before bed.

Original poster
LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 18:02

Thanks for the link @DaysOfCurlySpencer
The rash is located in the areas where I applied the tiger baume so I thought it was hive at first. I haven't had any of the other symptoms listed for shingles but because I'm just recovering from cancer I know I have a weakened immune system so I'm a bit worried.

OP posts:
Original poster
LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 20:06

Anyone else?

OP posts:
fluffysticks · 09/01/2019 20:10

Looks like shingles to me. I had it a few years ago and the pain was as you described, with the rash appearing a few days later. I believe you can be prescribed anti viral drugs as long as it’s less than 72 hours since rash appeared. I’d go to the gp if I were you.

GrandmaSteglitszch · 09/01/2019 20:13

I'd go to the GP just in case. As fluffysticks says you do have a short time when medication will be effective, if it is shingles.

mrsglowglow · 09/01/2019 20:19

Yes it looks and sounds like shingles. I had it years ago on my forehead/eye area. The pain was severe and very tender when touched. I got the anti viral medication quickly but still had residual pain some months after. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 20:20

OK thanks will go tomorrow morning

OP posts:
Shadow1986 · 09/01/2019 20:22

Definitely shingles OP I’ve had it about 5 times. You can get some anti viral mediction to stop it escalating. Rest up.

DramaAlpaca · 09/01/2019 20:28

Looks like it to me as well. I had exactly that on the inside of my upper arm, of all places, which is unusual apparently but the GP had no doubt what it was. Your GP will probably give you anti-virals, but as others have said you need to start them quite soon after the rash appears.

SneakyGremlins · 09/01/2019 20:31

Definitely - I've just come off a course of meds for shingles! Also this is the advert at the bottom of your thread..

Or is this shingles?
Fortybingowings · 09/01/2019 20:34

It's shingles. The pain was the precursor and now the rash has appeared. Keep. It covered.

divadee · 09/01/2019 20:35

Yep that looks like shingles to me. I feel for you. It's a horrible horrible thing. I had burning and a very sunburnt type feeling on the skin. And then the itching started. I tried a lot of things but I had to let it take it's course. I hope yours heals quickly.

Fairylea · 09/01/2019 20:37

Shingles. Deffo.

NicoAndTheNiners · 09/01/2019 20:39

Totally looks like shingles. It's only contagious via the liquid in the pustules though so as long as nobody touches the rash (and you wash your hands well if you've touched it) then it's not contagious. Colleagues of mine in the nhs have had it and Occy Heslth have said they could carry on working even with small babies.

Original poster
LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 20:39

Oh wow I thought it wasn't! was hoping it was just an allergic reaction. I don't have any temperature just awful bone pain on my rib cage. Thanks a lot

OP posts:
blackteasplease · 09/01/2019 20:41

Looks like when my exh had it. That was excruciatingly painful too.

Original poster
LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 20:41

Thanks @NicoAndTheNiners I have 3 children and I was worried about making them ill
so as long as its covered it's not contagious?

OP posts:
NicoAndTheNiners · 09/01/2019 21:02

Yep, just cover it up and make sure you wash your hands well if you've touched it and you'll be fine. Some GPs aren't sure and get it wrong and sign people off but our hospital occy health are shit hot and refuse to allow anyone to be off unless they actually feel unwell obviously.

fiorentina · 09/01/2019 21:04

I had shingles and my DC didn’t catch chickenpox from me, even though it was in my forehead and eye area and he was a toddler. Hopefully they won’t catch it and you will be better soon.

Original poster
LeukaeLucky · 09/01/2019 21:06

I've just called 111 I'm waiting to hear back from a doctor.
Plus I have a hospital check up tomorrow re: cancer and I want to make sure I don't endanger anyone
Thanks a lot

OP posts:
Willbeatjanuaryblues · 09/01/2019 21:06

How does one avoid getting shingles!

Thewifipasswordis · 09/01/2019 21:09

Looks like shingles to me - in the right place too. Avoid pregnant women. They can catch chicken pox from you while the sores are still wet.

I still get nerve pain 15yrs later when I'm especially run down. See if they can give you some Voltarol tablets to reduce the inflammation if it's safe for you to take Flowers

Thewifipasswordis · 09/01/2019 21:11

@Willbeatjanuaryblues anyone who has had chickenpox can develop it. It's the dormant herpes virus affecting the end of nerve pathways when someones immune system is very low.

Avoid getting run down and live/eat healthily and that's normally enough.

You can't catch shingles. But you can spread the chickenpox virus from them.

MorningsEleven · 09/01/2019 21:17

Yup, shingles.

You need to rest, it really takes it out of you and can make you very emotional. Like PPs I get pain along the nerve lines (I've had it twice) when I'm run down.

The anti virals gave me side effects so I had to stop taking them. Some people swear by them, I swore about them.

Willbeatjanuaryblues · 09/01/2019 21:17

Thanks. Sorry op it looks awful.
. I had this strange scratching across my collar none the other day. A flash went across my mind... Shingles.. I had some Puriton and it went away. Hope you feel better soon op.

Better to have chicken pox vaccine I think!!