Ive got shingles

[tass1960]

Diagnosed last week when I didn't feel too bad. Was given amytriptiline for night time pain and told to use paracetamol/ibuprofen during the day. I have been in agony wiith nerve pain all weekend and also just feel generally unwell. Has anyone successfully used OTC Meds for this sort of pain and if so what?

I can phone the docs tomorrow but if I can stay on top of it myself that would be better.

I had it at Easter. Completely under estimated how bad I would feel with it. It felt like flu and I don't mean flu that everyone seems to get nowadays but proper flu where I didn't get off the sofa for the next part of a week. Did they give you antivirals?

I was put on antiviral medication.

I've had shingles. I would absolutely get painkillers from your gp if you can. That being said I had it in my eye as well as my face and my vision was at risk so I had to have close monitoring and LOTS of medication. It was excruciating. Where is it located?

I had it last year. I was given cocodamol for the pain and an anti viral medication.

Shingles is the pits. I hope you start to feel better soon.

Morning -thanks for the responses. I spoke the doctor this morning and she has left a prescription for cocodamol and a sick line at the surgery for me. I am surprised at the difference in how is feel from Friday and over the weekend - it seems to be getting worse. She gave me anti virals on Friday but unfortunately this was 5 days after the start of the symptoms - it's still worth taking it though -

You could try and get some lidocaine ointment over the counter which will numb the area for short periods of time. If it helps you can get a larger amount on prescription

Ps it Takeshita while for amitryptiline to become effective so hopefully that will kick in soon too

My husband had it and they gave him some kind of anti epilepsy medication for the nerve pain. It helped with pain relief but also left him drowsy and unable to work (he was in a team of one at work so didn't feel he could take proper sick leave). It's awful, hoping you feel better soon OP

I probably have to give the amitryptiline more of a chance to work - she said to double to dose to 20 mg so I'll try that too - and since Im not at work I don't need to worry about getting up too early ...