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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask if you know what this is/was?

14 replies

palavapie · 01/11/2021 17:25

My doctor's surgery is useless and I need to switch, that's a given in this scenario but not what I'm asking. I wfh and get the impression that because I don't need to be signed off work this doctor cba with me.

Around 2 months ago I developed a rash on one side of my neck and red eyes. Called the doctor and they said I probably had shingles and conjunctivitis and to stay home, covid etc.

I looked it up and the details seemed to fit, I just expected it to get better.

The rash got bigger and was really hot. Eventually it went right around the back of my neck and it was burning hot and painful to even turn my head as the skin was so sore. Then it went down the other side of my neck, across parts of my face, down my chest and torso and progressed to my arms.

I had to get up multiple times a night and stand outside to cool the skin down as it was so uncomfortable.

It has now started to look pink rather than red and stopped burning but I do wonder what this can have been as it seems to not fit with shingles. Both eyes got very messy and my ears really suffered, red, burning and the skin being visibly very damaged.

Obviously I know people can't diagnose me on the internet and the ship has somewhat sailed now. I would just like some idea what this was. When I go to a new practice I think I'll need to explain it to them as it ended up being so bad. This rash was not over a small area, just to be clear.

The doctor essentially fobbed me off and I let that happen and then there was a sudden acceleration. I still don't feel tip top but that may be something doing the rounds as my dp said he feels pretty bad at the moment too.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 01/11/2021 17:26

Could you have been allergic to something?

palavapie · 01/11/2021 17:46

@Bluntness100 I've thought about that but I haven't done anything differently in the time frame, that's not to say that wasn't it. Also with the timeframe I think it would be more than one exposure.

OP posts:
FlorenceNightshade · 01/11/2021 22:05

Take pictures and insist your practice give you an address to email them too. Yes the rash has changed but they may still be able to identify it

PeachesPumpkin · 01/11/2021 22:07

Shingles like the doctors said.

User310 · 01/11/2021 22:26

I’ve seen this with shingles. Sounds like the right places too.

jimmyhill · 01/11/2021 22:28

Doctors eh, what do they know?

Feelingofftoday · 01/11/2021 22:33

Your doctor was negligent, the right treatment given in a timely manner can help lessen the severity of shingles. Sorry this happened to you. It's not your fault the doc fobbed you off, some of them are experts at it. The good ones are worth their weight in gold.

JustFrustrated · 01/11/2021 22:56

And this is why telephone appointments don't make up for face to face appointments.

Tbf, it sounds like a nasty case of shingles. But poorly managed by your supposed medical care team.

Full sympathy, I had a weird ass rash that no doctor would look at, just kept asking for photos, which didn't actually show it properly.

9 prescriptions in two weeks, and still no one would see me.

Eventually went after I had surgery in a different country, where they bathed my torso in iodine, had me on IV antibiotics for 24 hours and then oral antibiotics for a week. Still don't know what it was.

Sorry, I digressed, just sympathy and throwing my two cents, and no medical knowledge just anecdata, to say also think shingles. But poorly managed.

MrsTulipTattsyrup · 01/11/2021 22:57

Definitely sounds like shingles, but that’s not to say they couldn’t have done something more to help - but did you tell them it was still there and was progressing after some time, or did you not speak to them again after the first time, two months ago? They won’t know that it didn’t go away quickly unless you’ve told them…

palavapie · 01/11/2021 23:51

@JustFrustrated I see, sounds pretty unanimous then. I was just told that it would only stay on one side so when it spread I had my doubts. I didn't think it could last this long either.

I'm glad you're better now btw!

Thanks everyone, I'll be able to tell the new place that I'm pretty sure it was shingles.

OP posts:
justabigdisco · 01/11/2021 23:55

If it was on both sides of your body then very unlikely to be shingles. It doesn’t ‘cross the midline’.

chergar · 02/11/2021 00:36

Shingles usually stays to one side but it can cross in some cases, or it could be impetigo, that spreads very easily

Tealightsandd · 02/11/2021 00:43

Whatever it is you need to be seen by a doctor.

Long Covid can cause a rash mistaken for shingles (it can also cause eye problems like conjunctivitis).

covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-symptoms-skin-rash

COVID rashes can be stubborn and may require prescribed medication. They can last a long time, sometimes up to several months.

junebirthdaygirl · 02/11/2021 06:10

Surely if it was shingles the doctor should have prescribed something straight away to limit its spread. I always thought that the quicker you took this prescribed tablet the better. Also thought it was essential it not reach the eyes. And that its important not to be in contact with pregnant women. I have had shingles twice. Can you get back on to that doctor and demand more answers.

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