Got shingles,newborn and 3yo: How am I going to manage?

[treehugga]

Am not feeling too pathetic, or in very bad pain (yet), but slightly dreading this bout of shingles getting worse as when I last had it (pre DCs) it was extremely painful and I could hardly use my arm (where the spots are again) at all for 2 weeks. Not very easy to BF or change nappies then, never mind control my DD 3yo on a busy road while simultaneously driving buggy one-handed. So, what tips do you have out there for:
a) making shingles go away quickly (cannot take antivirals as BF)
b) reducing chances of passing chick pox to DCs
c) managing children while in some pain, and highly sensitive arm?

All help/advice very welcome.

Poor you. Do you have a DP/DH? Couldn't he work from home or take some leave and look after you all?

I feel you coping alone should be absolutely out of the question.

Aw thanks swedes. Your sympathy v helpful! DP a teacher so no such thing as time off during term. Am considering getting a nanny from an agency for a few days. Have you had shingles? Still ok today but anxious about how unpleasant it might get. Can I take co-codamol while BF?

I've a friend who had shingles and she was properly poorly and very low during/after shingles. I think the nanny is a good idea: a necessity rather than a luxury.

Really don't know about cocodamol and b/feeding, sorry.

Where do you live? Mumsnet might know of a between jobs nanny or something.

Oh, poor you. Tht sounds grim

Phone 'drugs in breastmilk' helpline from the Bfn - they can give informed advice about what you can and can't take whhile bfing. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk.html

You definitely need back up child wrangling help, by any means necessary!

Oh, and I had shingles twice. It was blooming sore, then I felt rather low afterwards. I agree that help is a necessity to speed your recovery.

You poor love. I had shingles on my face/head last year, and was so exhausted....still functioned at home, more or less, but just gave up on going out, and let dh do as many school runs as possible.

My only tip other than antivirals is REST. But obviously, with a 3 yr old and a new baby, that isn't hugely easy Get as much help as possible, really, and don't let the help go for at least 3 weeks.

Do take painkillers - the GP gave me co-dyramol, which helped a bit. Codeine is ok when pregnant, I don't know if it passes through breast milk...paracetamol is ok, though.

I had the most appalling food poisoning when dd1 was 3 months old, and I was BFing constantly - nightmare time. Major sympathies from me, xxx

Lysine or l-lysine I think is a treatment for all sorts of herpes, I use it for cold sores a lot and it seems to help, quick search on google suggests it is OK when breastfeeding

www.justanswer.com/pediatrics/360fv-lysine-tablets-breastfeeding-please.html

But you should do your own research of course. You can get it in Holland and Barrett without any trouble.

Oh poor you - get some help in!

Keep the rash covered with long sleeves so DCs don't come into contact with it. Then they should be fine. Get as much rest as is possible.