Recurrent Shingles - can I keep it at bay?

[anonymousbird]

In the past 20 years, I have had shingles maybe 8 or 9 times. I had it in both my pregnancies and since having children, have had it once each year/18months roughly. Most recently was January of this year.

I had a scare yesterday (sore face, tingly teeth, feeling rough) that it was coming again. However, this time I think I simply have a cold. Phew.

However, it did make me think, how can I prevent this annual occurrence? Is there anything I can do? Obviously with it being a virus, it is always in me and can pop out whenever it feels like.

I have a slightly useless immune system (related to another condition ) which doesn't help. As each episode comes, it is ever so slightly less severe, so I am clearly building up SOME immunity as the years go by, but it is still pretty grim and frankly, just not very nice or comfortable.

Anyone have similar experience with this, or any advice?

TIA.

Shingles is horrible - you poor thing(have only had it once myself, and found it extremely painful). Does your GP have any advice, do you get anti virals when it flares up? (I am thinking if you are good at spotting very early signs you could ask your GP to prescribe AV's by phone and nip it in the bud as quickly as poss.) - I know that won't stop it completely but will reduce the intensity hopefully.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much you can do to prevent it, but reducing stress can affect your immune system, so any ways you can find of relaxing, preventing stress, deep breathing, yoga etc. may help a little.

When did you last have a full MOT? I know you said you have an existing condition, but it's worth seeing if there's anything else on top of that which could be exacerbating it.

Full MOT? What does that entail?

Kurri - had a very bad experience on anti virals once, made me soooo poorly. On top of the shingles. Very sick. Not convinced to be honest they really make any difference (for me anyway). At best they possibly lessen the symptoms slightly, or shorten, but IMO it's marginal. And with the extra sickness I suffered that time, they kind of cancelled each other out!

I don't even bother with the GP now. I used to go and they would go " oh dear, do you want AV's?". I said, "no thanks". So they said " go home, rest if you can". And they would obviously note it on my medical record.

Of course not going means I have had it 3 or 4 times without GP knowing... next time I get it (it will happen!) I think I WILL go to GP, you are right, if it is recurring so much, there might be some advice they can give other than "here's painkillers for the headache and drink fluid, no booze and get rest" Easier said than done with the DC!

I find AV better than shingles IME. I try to take a good multi-vit and make sure my diet and quality of sleep are good. I've had it 4 times.

A full MOT will entail blood tests and a full check up (prob BP etc). Recurrent viral infections can be symptomatic of other conditions so I would suggest going to GP sooner rather than later. Don't wait until your next attack as it may skew the results.