Have you had shingles? Please tell me the pain eventually goes :(

[Fiveflowers]

I was diagnosed with shingles at the beginning of June after having stinging pain in my vulva and anus for two weeks. I obviously couldn't really see what was causing the pain, but when I noticed a horrible rash on my left buttock, I went to my GP and she told me it was shingles.

I was prescribed Aciclovir right away but I'm not sure if it really helped. The spots I can see have healed over now and the pain eventually died away.

The thing is, it has come back during the past few days. It's more of an ache now and not bad enough to go back to the doctor but I'm getting a bit worried that I'll have it forever .

If you've had shingles, how long did the pain last and has anyone had it 'down there' as I believe it's quite a rare place for it?

Never had it but my nan did and she was in agony. A wet green tea bag rubbed over apparently helped her.

Thanks CrapBag. I've not heard of that remedy! How did your nan realise it would help?

Hope she's ok now.

I think my grandad found it on the internet.

She is fine now, this was a few years ago. Hope you feel better soon, it sounds really awful.

Thanks CrapBag, it's been horrible and I've been feeling really sorry for myself. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

It will go away eventually. Dd had it. She's 8 so it was reasonably mild. It attacks the nerve endings which is why it hurts so much.

The problem with shingles is that it can recur. Particularly in times of stress so be prepared for more attacks.

Yes, I've heard it can come back Hair, but I'm trying not to think about that!

I have been going through a stressful time (who hasn't though) and I expect this was one of the triggers.

Your poor DD having it so young - I've always thought of it as an older person's illness

Hi Fiveflowers - I'm just getting over my second bout of shingles, the first time I had it the bad pain lasted a good few weeks. This time I'd had it for three weeks and the pain was pretty bad so I phoned my GP and he has given me amitriptyline, which is for neuropathic pain - and its really made a difference - I'm still getting a few twinges, but nothing like it was and I can sleep at night at last.

Do ring your doc. or book a phone call and say you need something for the pain - there's things they can do - don't keep suffering. I wish I'd known about this stuff the first time round.

massive sympathies - shingles really really sucks.

If it doesn't go away go back to your dr, like Kuri says you might need something to help.

I still get pain where I had shingles if I'm tired but I'm tortured with an itch where they were.

Hope you feel better soon, I get them at least once a year and they are horrible.

The pain isn't too bad at all now Kurri, I'm just it's come back after I was sure it had gone. I know I haven't been taking things as easy as I should and need to take care of myself a bit more - easier said than done though.

I'll certainly ask my GP for something if it gets any worse - thanks for reminding me about amitriptyline which I've had before for shoulder pain and I found it very effective.

Sorry to hear you've had shingles twice, once is more than enough for me.

Once a year coco?!

Hope you don't mind me asking, but is it always in the same place?

Mine has been in the same place both times Fiveflowers (on my head and round my eye) - my GP said it usually does come back in the same place.

My rash started - then I got acyclovir - and it seemed to stop the rash, then about 8-10 days after it started, the rash reappeared and it seemed to start all over again - which seems a bit similar to what happened with you. I googled it and it said you can get a sort of second wave of the attack after it appears to be dying down.

Yes it is, I get them on my shoulder and between the shoulder blades. Its in the middle of my back where I'm always itchy.

God Kurri, it must be so worrying (and painful!) to have them round your eye.

I was at least spared the itch coco, that must be awful.

Thanks all for your supportive messages - I realise I'm not so badly off now - just a bit worried, and you've reassured me that it's normal to still have a bit of pain

Yes dd gets the itch now and again. Usually when she's very tired. Do any of you get scars? How long until they fade a bit? Dd's are horrendous and don't seem to be fading at all. Luckily they are on her back/side so can be covered.

I had it when I was 19, (now twice that age!) and have had no recurrence. IIRC, the pain lasted about a week and then the acyclovir kicked in. I do have a slight scar though where the scabs came off

Oh, and I remember being wiped out for a couple of weeks.

Cocolepew, I asked for dressings imbedded with local anaesthetic for my shoulder shingles pain, and they kill the itch dead for about ten hours. Talk to your gp.

Thanks colditz. I even invested in a back scratcher

My mum has had a terrible time with it recently
She was prescribed pregablin and it helped massively

I had shingles last year (I believe due to stress) all down one side of my bum, my fanjo and down the back of my leg to my knee. Could not believe how painful it was. I got emla cream from the gp which was fantastic and also zacin cream which contains capsaicin (chilli pepper) which I didn't end up trying but the gp said acts like a pain referral thing if that makes sense. Anyway definitely go back to your gp, recurrent pain in the site is very common and they will be able to help you out. I really feel for you op, good luck and hope you get it sorted.

Yes, Reluctant, extremely painful - during the acute phase, at best I felt as if I'd just given birth and at worst that I was being stabbed in the fanjo and anus with dozens of needles

Your gp sounds fantastic. Luckily I just have an ache at the moment but now know what to ask for if the blisters ever come back, thank you.