I have shingles :-(

[Geordieminx]

Any advice?

That's it really.

If you haven't done so already, see a GP asap and get the antiviral that they prescribe for it. It will help keep the inflammation under control but needs to be started early to be effect. If you're sure it's shingles I'd even go to the out of hours.

Got medication? If not get it ASAP ( acyclovir antiviral as long as you are in the ealy stages) take it, take pain killers. Aviod people with dodgy immunity. Take time off work if you feel ill etc etc

Very variable condition. Sometimes hardly notice it ( ESP kids/ young people) I'm moderately middle aged and was moderaeky knocked about. Old people can be really poorly.

Hope you're soon better.

And the old chestnut. Yes it's infectious, by only from the open blisters ( so if they are covered by clothing the risk is low) and the only think you can catch is chicken pox. You can't " catch" shingles - that's a reactivation of our very own virus.

Spots appeared this morning, have been to doctors and got meds.

Feel tired but tbh I feel tired most of the time anyways

Poor ds has chicken pox, I drive him to mums last night

I got it 3 weeks ago (for the second time). IME the anti virals are help stop the rash developing, so reduce risk of scarring. I felt quite ill for the first week - very very tired, and no appetite - so be prepared to take things easy if you can.

Try to keep as cool as possible, I've had a fan blowing onto my face all night every night (mine is on my head and eye), because the pain is worse if you get hot.

I just spoke to my doctor about it this morning because the pain has been keeping me awake - he's given me amitriptyline which works for neuropathic pain so worth asking for that it pain gets too much (although I've only had one dose so can't say whether its any good) also he said to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen so you stay topped up with pain killers (obviously without exceeding the daily dose for either - but it does mean you don't have to wait four hours for pain relief all the time).

damp cold flannel held on the area gives a bit of relief, or something frozen - ice pack or similar, wrapped in a tea towel and held on the area.

Some people put calamine lotion on the rash - didn't do much for me, but might work for you.

Also - its made me feel a bit down, partly because of the pain but also I think the illness does that to you. Massive sympathies from me - its a bloody horrible thing to get

Oh yes - Theas is absolutely right - tend to be worse if you are older, - so hopefully you are young and sprightly, not ancient like me

Just over a bout if shingles. (3 rd time but I have a poor immune system due to meds)
Poor you. Take it a day at a time and try to do tasks as and when you feel like it. SLOWLY!
Pain comes and goes with me and can be unbearable. I tried to sleep as much as poss and dh was a real help. Mood very low for the first week after the rash - agree with previous posts - acyclovir ASAP
I also got the anti- depressant as a pain reliever and this helped .
It depends where your rash is but I found when it was on my thigh that a cold compress helped . Obtusely when the rash was on my abdomen a hottie felt nice.
Just make sure your first thought is to look after yourself. It's a process and will pass.
Get well soon
X

I got it when I was pregnant and the only thing I could take was paracetamol. It was pretty horrible- I definitely was not prepared for pain like that.... But hopefully if you're taking the antivirals straight away it won't be too bad.

I agree with keeping cool, I also slept with a fan. Those cooling sprays they advertise in the summer and also gel pads that can be put in the freezer also helped.

If you can get calamine aqueous cream which can be better than the lotion as it doesnt dry out leading to itchiness. Stick the pot in the freezer for 10 mins before application.

I hope you feel beter soon

DH had his 5th episode of shingles last year and it was by far the worst. For nearly a week he was in bed with a temp, sore throat which didn't really develop and aches,pains and tiredness. I've never seen him take to his bed before. It was only on the evening 5th day that the tingling of the shingles started so he went to out of hours gp next morning. GP wanted to know why he hadn't been for the meds sooner but to be fair, until 11pm the previous evening, he had no idea it was shingles that had him knocked sideways.

Oh Pleiades - your poor DH - five times - how awful.

OP hope you are OK today.

rest as much as possible

I had it at 22, although not particularly impressive the rash went round me like a band. .GP gave me strong antibiotics but that was it. I did unfortunately suffer from pain on the site and brown patches which I couldn't touch for a year afterwards. I was tested for a range of illnesses in the month before and after., I was very run down which is why I think I got it.

I meant to add that I hope you get better soon, take it easy for ad long as possible. it also made me quite depressed for months.

Geordie how are you feeling now?

All my sympathies, I'm just recovering (started a thread a couple of days ago about it) and it's absolutely horrible.

Try to rest as much as possible, eat well and follow all the great advice from fellow MN sufferers. It can make you feel quite down, so do take care.

I've been told on here about remedies my gp didn't even mention, so I'll certainly be prepared if I ever have another outbreak.