Talk to me about shingles

[thetemptationofchocolate]

I have this and it's horrible. I have seen a doctor and have got anti-virals. I started taking these within 24 hours of the rash appearing, will they really make it go away faster? I'm a bit desperate for some encouraging stories here!

My ds had it last year aged 14 and it took about 4 days to ease off. He also took the anti-virals. The gp was really impressed with me bringing him in straight away as it’s quite rare in children, but supposed to be milder.

Yes the drugs will def help. You can buy lidocaine numbing cream or spray OTC which might give some relief

I felt really rough. My mum had just died. I felt like I had a label in my clothes bothering me. Of course, there was no label.

I remember the worst bit being how everybody wanted to hug me. The agony.

I was poorly for a good 3 weeks, despite antivirals pretty quickly. And for a year I had phantom shingles pain occasionally. 20 months on I get a sniff of the pain once a month or less maybe and it only lasts minutes.

I think it's very variable h9w badly you're affected. I know someone who had it on their face. No pain at all, but the rash took ages to go away fully.

Take care.

Thank you, I have cancelled everything for a few days as I feel really rough. Will trust in the meds!

Is good you've taken anti virals in the first 24 hours as they say it is important to take them within the first 3 days