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Original poster

Is this shingles ( pic warning)

28 replies

Jacksback · 02/11/2019 17:55

Some background
Have felt exhausted for a few weeks , and just generally meh
Have felt a tingle sensation, not pain on lower leg and when I looked before bed last night saw tiny blisters and more developing in an area higher up
I will go to the doctors mon am but was wondering (57 if it matters )

OP posts:
bluebury · 02/11/2019 18:00

I'm not a doctor but looks like it could be.
I'd call 111 and see if you can get an out of hours GP appointment this evening or tomorrow.
If it is shingles the sooner you get treatment the better.

BareKneesDeCourcy · 02/11/2019 18:01

Could be. Hope it’s not too crappy for you.

Seeline · 02/11/2019 18:02

Shingles rash follows along a nerve path, so unusual to have different patches (unless it is still the same nerve). It does look like the rash, and other symptoms sound right, although the rash is usually more painful than tingly. I think you have to get antivirals pretty quickly if they are to work, so see a GP soon.

Original poster
Jacksback · 02/11/2019 18:03

@bluebury
Is it that serious ? That I need t speak to 111 I just thought it was a rash type thing with some pain ( which I don’t have ) from what I gathered from dr google

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 02/11/2019 18:05

Looks like it to me. I’ve had shingles 3 times, and twice was accompanied by a sunburn sensitivity type of pain and the 3rd time was more tingly.

I haven’t ever had antivirals for them, but don’t know if that’s normal?

SleepyKat · 02/11/2019 18:06

Looks like it. You need the anti virals within 72 hours of the blisters appearing or they won’t work. The anti virals reduce the length of the illness so could potentially cut down the time you feel poorly significantly. I’d get seen this evening or Tomorrow if possible.

SleepyKat · 02/11/2019 18:07

When dd had it she was too late for the drugs and spent six weeks wiped out on the sofa. Some people feel poorly with it, some barely notice it.

OctoberLovers · 02/11/2019 18:08

Im going against the grain....
But i dont think it looks like shingles
Think you need to see a doctor either way

Charm23 · 02/11/2019 18:15

I've had shingles and I don't think mine looked as blistery as that. The area was achey before the rash appeared and was painful and itchy. It could still be shingles... Phone 111 and avoid anyone who hasn't had chickenpox as you could be contagious to them if it is.

Original poster
Jacksback · 02/11/2019 18:21

The blisters are going down a bit and the area seems more tingly
I will see doc mon am unless I feel dreadful or it gets worse
I have covered it with a gauze dressing in case the blisters weep and to keep it clean
Thanks for all your replies

OP posts:
GrandmaSharksDentures · 02/11/2019 18:50

What part of your body is it on? Shingles is most common on the torso although can appear on limbs or face. The guidelines suggest that anti viral medications should be given ASAP for singles which is not on the torso

TitchyP · 02/11/2019 19:04

Mine was a sunburn type feeling and then the rash on one side of body with some blisters. I felt a bit off for a few days and rash lasted about 10 days and was painful but didn't even think about going to the doctor. I would have done if I'd felt worse I think

user1471453601 · 02/11/2019 19:11

If it is shingles you need to start anti viral drugs pretty quickly after the blisters show.

If be inclined to phone out of hours doctor. That's what we did a couple of years ago when DDs partner had a similar rash. Doctor diagnosed shingles and prescribed anti virals. Like you, this happened over a weekend and Dr Google advised that the sooner anti virals were started the better

Curlysurprise · 02/11/2019 20:14

Could well be Shingles - as possible say, you need to get the drugs ASAP. I currently have it , did 1 week of drugs and they def helped. I am same age as you and that can be a factor.
Mine started as tingle - think cold sore - and is now very itchy.
Call NHS 24 and ask to be seen, if you start tomorrow it may well shorten the time.

Original poster
Jacksback · 02/11/2019 20:19

Thanks all for your replies
Going to local walk in in the morning rather than doc on mon
Feel exhausted and on and off headaches plus the blustery rash

@curleysurprise hope you feel better soon

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 02/11/2019 20:20

I had shingles last Christmas and the patch did look similar to your photo (my was on my back).

The GP I saw said that the advice is changing and that antivirals aren’t always given nowadays and that unless you have a bad case the preferred course of action is to let it run its course rather than taking antivirals.

Mine was never very painful. I understand your tingly description. The only time mine was really sore was if I leaned on the rash.

Mickhasnotorso · 02/11/2019 20:23

When I had shingles I knew something was wrong long before the rash came up. Have you been feeling poorly? I had it on my back and was achy as fuck for ages before the rash came. If it's any consolation, I was only poorly for about 2 weeks.

Original poster
Jacksback · 02/11/2019 20:35

Thinking about it prob feeling off for about 3 weeks but just thought you know .. life , work , old age !
As of a week ago been feeling actually ill but still going to work etc and then the blisters

OP posts:
sproutsandparsnips · 02/11/2019 21:22

Where exactly is it? It usually follows a dermatome on the trunk or face. I'm not an expert but I'd be surprised if it was shingles on a leg for example. That said, not sure what else it could be.

PeninsulaPanic · 02/11/2019 21:50

I've had shingles and that's what my blisters looked like. As soon as I saw your pic I recognised the 'shingles appearance'. And the feeing run down and ill for a week or more before the tingling and the blisters start is also a classic symptom. The antivirals are advised because if it turns out to be a particularly painful case they cut down the length of time the virus affects you and also guard against what can be extremely painful longer-term post-viral neuralgia. ( A complication which is fairly common, apparently, and particularly in older sufferers.)

And you can definitely get them on your legs, but they would typically only appear on one side of your body, wherever you get them.

An emergency appointment for the antivirals on Monday might still be in time for them to be helpful, but if you were able to get them from Urgent Care at a hospital tomorrow, that would be better. I'd definitely ask 111 for their take. Hope you feel much better very soon, although it will take a couple of weeks minimum to get over in my experience Flowers

PeninsulaPanic · 02/11/2019 21:52

Forgot to say, in my experience the pain started after the blisters had been there a day or two, and it was intense, like a horrible burning achey stiffness.

Original poster
Jacksback · 03/11/2019 14:48

Thanks to everyone for the advice

Went to the walk-in today and they had no doubt it was shingles

Although unusual for it to be on the legs they said everything else was ‘ classic shingles ‘

I have aciclovir 800 mg x5 per day
Did have a long wait but used the time to browse mumsnet

Thanks again to all of you for your advice
The power of mumsnet ! ( even dp was impressed lol )

Have a lovely Sunday

OP posts:
JenniferM1989 · 03/11/2019 14:55

Looks like it. I've had shingles twice and was hospitalised but only because it was on my head/face and they were concerned about my vision and nerve damage to my head/eye. On your leg should be ok but I would go and get some pain relief from your GP. Once the rash comes, the pain does soon after and you'll feel quite ill too

JenniferM1989 · 03/11/2019 14:58

Just saw your update, I'm glad you got seen. It's pretty rough having shingles, take good care ♥️

SleepyKat · 03/11/2019 16:47

Hope you feel better soon, glad you got seen.