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Original poster

Aaaaargh I have chicken pox!!!!

36 replies

BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 11:33

I'm 40 ......Anyone else out there had it as an adult?
Everyone says it's bad, don't know what to expect...

OP posts:
INeedtoDrinkLess · 15/03/2013 11:44

You poor thing.

I had it at 18 and can honestly say I have never felt so ill. Billions of spots and they were everywhere - fanjo, bum crack, in between my toes, behind my eyeballs, under my eyelids, down my throat. It was hell. I had more spots on one foot than my 1 year old DS had on his entire body, and he had it quite badly.

My mum went to the GP for me in the end cos I couldn't sleep through the itching etc (chalomine lotion does nothing, tepid baths similarly hopeless), I was hallucinating, they prescribed something, think it was called phenergen, got the impression it was a strong anti-histamine. It gave me some welcome relief.

Good luck - oh yes, and because you have so many spots there is more danger of scarring - I 'allowed' myself to scratch the ones out of view - e.g on head. Sadly my waist has lots of scars as the scabs there were constantly rubbed by waistbands - although I think my bikini wearing days are over now, this was more annoying in my 20s!

Hope you feel better soon

Horsemadhere · 15/03/2013 11:45

On no!
I caught if from my daughter years ago, I must of been in my early twenties.
I'll be honest with you I felt awful. I had the spots everywhere, and I mean everywhere.
Calamine lotion and anti histamine and ibuprofen worked for me.

I think it affects people differently though as when my son had it he was fine in himself, just covered in spots, but my daughter was very unwell and the dr gave her some medicine.

Here's hoping you fall into the former camp Smile

Seeline · 15/03/2013 11:47

I had it at 15 and still remember feeling very poorly with it and that was 30 years ago! I think I had it quite badly, but whether that was because I was older I don't know. The spots down the inside of my throat weren't pleasant, neither were the ones under my eyelids! I had a blinding headache for about a week, and was ill for about 2. I really hope you're on the mend soon, and don't have it too badly. Warm bicarb baths help, and antihistimine for the itching.

Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 11:49

I'm not covered in spots yet, but I can feel them coming one by one Hmm
The headache is nasty though, and I feel dizzy and faint... Is that supposed to happen?

OP posts:
Seeline · 15/03/2013 11:53

As I saiid- I remember a very bad headache, and that can sometimes make you feel dizzy. Have you checked your temp - some paracetamol might help. Poor you - I don't think I have ever felt as poorly as I did then.

weegiemum · 15/03/2013 11:57

One of my close friends had it at 21. He had to have 3 weeks off university and go home, and spent 2 nights in hospital when a whole area of his back (which was a mass of continuous spots) got a really horrid fungal infection.

He said he's never felt so ill. And he's had cholera!

Get in touch with your GP now if it's just starting - they might be able to give you anti-virals. Calamine cream is better than lotion (stays on better, more soothing) and never underestimate the benefit of a cool bath that has a shake of bicarbonate dissolved in it! Adding lavender oil to a bath is soothing, and tea tree oil is antibacterial so will help to stop spots getting infected (which makes scarring worse).

The fluey feeling and headache is par for the course as far as I know. If you have young dc, can you call in favours to get them looked after? You really need to be in bed (or the bath!).

Hope you get better soon and don't have too nasty a time xxx Thanks

Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 12:03

I called the GP and they won't see me Angry
They said to go if I feel worse.....
I feel pretty pants already ffs!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 12:04

Weegie that does NOT sound good at all Hmm

OP posts:
RooneyMara · 15/03/2013 12:06

No they don't understand - you need antivirals NOW to maximise their usefulness.

Tell them politely that you would like a telep[hone consultation and just need a prescription.

Hope you get off lightly anyhow x

Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 12:17

Thanks Rooney. Someone else just told me the same.

I've called back and asked to speak to a doctor.... Let's hope they call me back as promised

OP posts:
Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 12:20

I can think of worse things to do than have lavender and tea tree baths, so that's a bit of a silver lining I suppose ...

OP posts:
cardamomginger · 15/03/2013 12:29

I had chicken pox as an adult and felt absolutely dreadful. You need anti-virals now. A home visit might not be a bad idea either, but a telephone consultation is a good start.
I got some Solarcaine spray to take the edge off the itching. It contains 0.5% lidocaine, a local anaesthetic. It was the only thing that helped.

You have my sympathies! Feel better.

devilinside · 15/03/2013 12:53

I had it at 40, no anti-virals. It wasn't that bad, felt a bit fluey and the spots drove me mad, but it wasn't the dramatic illness that google everyone told me it would be

I still cooked Xmas dinner for 13 (just dosed myself up with painkillers)

Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 13:33

I can't afford to have complications, I'm moving to another country in 2 weeks time!!!

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Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 13:35

devil that sounds a bit better... Just hoping you're not the only exception to the rule...

OP posts:
Cheddars · 15/03/2013 13:38

Hopefully you'll be fine by 2 weeks time!

Get your medications sorted for the next week, and some tempting food/drinks so you don't have to worry about going out. When mine had it, they couldn't eat anything solid but they found yoghurts and ice-cream very soothing.

Tbh I'd be getting some alcohol as well, best way to anaesthetise yourself. Grin

gingercat12 · 15/03/2013 14:04

Brainsurgeon Good luck. DH had it 2 years ago (aged 38). It is worse for men, so you should be fine Brew Wine. Just try get some fine porridge (for the bath - yuck), lots of painkillers, calamine lotion and piriton tablets. He also had different shampoo for itchy scalp. It is a lot like flu, just more uncomfortable. Apparently stretch mark oils are good for the marks once they dried out. I do not know about that, his skin just took time, and slowly recovered. DH had it really really bad, but no marks are left even on his face.

Good luck with the move as well. If you are hoping to board a plane in 2 weeks' time you may need to explain it all to the airline. Check their terms and conditions. Our GP refused to see DH, and refused to give him the all-clear, and he had to fly out pretty soon as well. And he looked like somebody with chicken pox, bless. He was allowed to board the plane though both outbound and inbound. They probably thought that he would not be able to walk around if he still had it.

Will be thinking of you.

Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 14:05

Just got a call from the Doc, I'm getting a prescription for anti-viral drugs... hurray.... I think...

OP posts:
Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 15/03/2013 14:09

Thanks gingercat Smile

Your poor DH! Glad he has no marks...
Actually someone else did mention Bio Oil, I shall get some

Thank you everyone for the kind words Smile

OP posts:
Maryz · 15/03/2013 18:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
BrainSurgeon · 16/03/2013 11:28

Feeling a tiny bit better today, less dizzy and weak. Will definitely go for some baths.
I have a feeling that soda baths would be more effective than lavender ones.... I wonder what happens if you combine the two

OP posts:
narmada · 16/03/2013 20:45

DH caught it at 37, from little Dd. He felt crap, probably on a par with proper flu. Piriton is your friend, you could always try sominex for nighttimez- it contains promethazine, which is a v sedating antihistamine. Check with pharmacy that it is ok to take with aciclovir or any other antiviral you have been prescribed.

You poor thing.

elenotfun · 16/03/2013 20:54

My kids have it and we were advised against calamine lotion. We got a gel called vira-soothe. It was expensive but my two say it helps. It's especially for chicken pox. It's very cold apparently!

UniqueAndAmazing · 16/03/2013 20:57

I'm immune, I'll sit witth yoy and mop your brow Brew

I've actually never had it. Confused because I was tested for immunity when I was pg and the mw said that means I must have had it at some point.
I checked with my mum, definitely not.

nethunsreject · 16/03/2013 20:58

I had it when pregnant and aged 35.I saw all the horror stories and was terrified. In the end it was 2 weeks being poorly then a week feeling weak then absolutely fine! Nowhere near as bad as I expected. Get well soon

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