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General health

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Original poster

I have got shingles.

26 replies

JustFabulous · 19/08/2012 10:51

Again.

I am fed up as it is itching and annoying.

I was with someone on the 29th who has come out with chicken pox. Is it that or just coincidence?

Any tips for getting through it or even better making it go?

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 19/08/2012 12:55

You won't have got shingles from their chicken pox, and it's unlikely they got the chicken pox from you unless you had blisters at the time.

I had it for the second time about 8 weeks ago (still having some pain I'm sorry tot ell you - but I am 52 and I think the longer lasting neuropain is commoner in older people, - hopefully you are young smile)

Whereabouts have you got it? - have you got anti virals from the GP yet (if not get them as quick as you can - first thing tomorrow)

I found the only thing that helped in any way was keeping as cool as possible, - have you got a fan? -and taking it very easy - I felt much more 'ill' with it this time - spent about a week just lying down or sitting around I was so tired. When my pain continued I got some amytriptiline form the GP (for neuropathic pain) and that helped quite a lot, although it seems to not be so effective now. Another one that is supposed to be good for the pain is pregabalin (sp?) - so worth bearing those in mind and ringng you GP if you find it unbearable.

My GP also suggested alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen so that I could keep topped up with pain killers (you can take them together so can take something roughly every two hours instead of every four if you were only taking one type)

Hope you feel better soon - I sympathise greatly, shingles is vile and painful, and don't be surprised if the whole thing makes you feel quite down - it definitely affected my mood and apparently that's quite common too. take care.

KurriKurri · 19/08/2012 12:56

Oh meant to say - I had it round my eye/face/top of head and was also given anti viral eye cream (which i wasn't when I had it there the first time) - so if you have it there and haven't been given that, again worth asking for some, it does ease the eye pain a little bit (it is acyclovir ointment - same as the tablets)

Original poster

JustFabulous · 19/08/2012 13:12

I am 40. Haven't phoned the doctor as last time they did nothing as I had had it a few days before I realised it wasn't an insect bite or ten.

It is on my torso and my arms.

It doesn't look like shingles but dh says I have the symptoms. I don't feel ill as such but tbh I haven't time to be so am just cracking on.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 19/08/2012 13:22

I got the pain before the rash appeared, if you go to the GP before the rash starts appearing then I think you will be in time for the anti virals to work. My started at a weekend this time, so I went to a walk in centre and got something. I think if you have had it before, they are more likely to listen to you because you know how it felt last time.

Mine never looked like those grim pictures of shingles you get if you google it! - my rash was more of a redness and swelling with a few spots, but the pain is unmistakeable. I'm pretty sure at 40 you are under the age where it is likely to cause any long term problems.

Hopefully you won't feel ill - I didn't first time round, maybe I was bit run down or something this time, - and I know people who have more or less got over it in a couple of weeks so hopefully you will be like them But I think that is more likely if you can get hold of the anti virals.

Original poster

JustFabulous · 19/08/2012 14:01

I'm definitely run down and I am on tablets for stomach acid.

I don't have a good history of great service with getting OOH care so not keen to ring if I can just battle through it.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 19/08/2012 14:28

Oh good luck, - you'd best avoid the ibubrofen if you have stomach probs I guess. I hope you shake it off quickly, - I'm sure it is one of these things that comes when you are a bit run down or stressed - it's an absolute pain.

Original poster

JustFabulous · 19/08/2012 14:31

I am itching all the time.

I am not a happy bunny.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 19/08/2012 14:32

and

Original poster

JustFabulous · 20/08/2012 15:08

Still itchy but bearable except I have something wrong with my arm now. It is hard, swollen and hot. Wondering if it is cellulitis.

Is shingles infectious as I have to see the GP about something else tmw morning?

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 20/08/2012 15:18

I would tell them at reception you have shingles, - it is infectious to people who haven't had chicken pox, and some of those people might be vulnerable patients. They may ask you to wait in a separate room. But because it's on a covered part of your body, you will probably be fine - you have to physically touch another person with your rash afaik.

I think if there is a possibility you have cellulitis you should see a doctor as soon as poss. - it can be quite nasty. Hope you get it all sorted soon.

Original poster

JustFabulous · 20/08/2012 15:33

Rung doctors. They will ask GP about me coming in tmw and she faxing my details to the OOH for the cellulitis query as they are booked up.

OP posts:

Original poster

JustFabulous · 20/08/2012 16:22

Bugger. Have to go and see doctor.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 20/08/2012 16:30

Oh - that's a nuisance - but I'm glad they are seeing you, - you don't want to leave cellulitis.

Original poster

JustFabulous · 20/08/2012 16:33

I am not sure it is that now . I googled and I am not sure the symptoms are the same.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 20/08/2012 16:43

Don't worry - they'd rather see you and it be something else, than let cellulitis go untreated. Don't be embarrassed - you're not a doc., you're not expected to be able to diagnose yourself, you just have to take yourself to one if you are worried

Original poster

JustFabulous · 20/08/2012 18:09

Doc said sunburn. I'm afraid I said are you sure? as I am never out in the sun without being covered and where the itching and rash is has been under clothes. There is a lump too. I have anti virals for the shingles (got that right) and antibiotics for the arm as I get the feeling doc doesn't know. He said something about an infection.

I am seeing my usual doc tomorrow for something else and will ask him to look at my arm then.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 20/08/2012 18:15

Oh well I'm glad you got the anti virals - they should help it go quicker.

Have been known to say 'are you sure?' to Doctors myself sunburn does sound unlikely.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 20/08/2012 18:18

Hi JustFab, I mentioned on your other thread, but you may have missed it, that Rhus Tox is very good for chickenpox itching so I'm sure it would help with shingles too.
It is homeopathic so lots of people think it's rubbish but it helped a lot when my kids had CP. You can get cream too which may be herbal and you might prefer.
Holland and Barrett type places will have it.
Ice pack might help, I know you have all the time in the world to sit around holding one of those!

Original poster

JustFabulous · 20/08/2012 18:25

I intend to have DH run around after me all eveing .

OP posts:

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 21/08/2012 08:32

Good plan, I hope he did.

Original poster

JustFabulous · 21/08/2012 09:54

Just back from Doc for a follow up for something else. More tablets to take. Confirmed shingles. Dismissed arm as sunburn, confirmed I have an infection in my arm.

OP posts:

noddyholder · 21/08/2012 09:56

I have had shingles several times as I am immunosuppressed and twice i had been in contact with chicken pox. When my ds had chicken pox as a toddler the hospital sent me to a hotel to avoid him!

Original poster

JustFabulous · 21/08/2012 10:07

Doctor said one gets shingles when you are under the weather, which I am, but it concerns me a bit if I have got it through being near a child who then came out with chicken pox.

I had it on the other side of my body last time.

OP posts:

noddyholder · 21/08/2012 12:03

The virus lays dormant and can be triggered by sunlight stress and contact with active chicken pox lesions (I have taken this from my hospital file re avoiding infections)

Original poster

JustFabulous · 21/08/2012 15:14

Are my children likely to get Chicken Pox from me now? They have all had it at least once.

OP posts:

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