Recurring shingles and Common cold

[pennee]

Just wondering if anyone has any good advice for me because I’m utterly confused!
After a stressful time in work, I came down with shingles and it has reoccurred 4 times now over a two year period. The GP has given me rescue meds of aciclovir to keep in the house just in case I can’t get GP appointment.
This week I came down with a cold after DC starting back to school. I’ve had it three days now but for the last 24 hours I’m having all the nerve pain I suffered with shingles, but no blisters.
Would anyone know if this is just because I’m run down or because the shingles are reactivating? I’ve done an online referral to my GP but they can take up to tomorrow night to reply and I would prefer to get the aciclovir in my system, if it’s thought that it’s starting up again.

The nerve pain can last for years I think and can definitely reactivate when you are stressed. I think it’s called Post herpetic neuralgia. I had it earlier this year and still get the occasional pain which scares the life out of me as live in fear of it returning. I had it in my ear and developed Ramsay Hunt syndrome in which my face paralysed! My pharmacist gave me thiamine b co forte to take daily (apparently it’s vitamin b?!) and said this should stop it returning so maybe give it a go. He said he’d done loads of research on it. I was worried I had it a few weeks ago so was prescribed aciclovir - it turned out it wasn’t shingles and more of a spot 🙄 but my GP said it wouldn’t hurt to take it so I think start them if you’re concerned. X

Thanks @Raggity19
It’s such a horrible flipping illness I am filled with dread at a possible return of it.
I will have a look in my pharmacy for thiamine. It certainly can’t hurt to be stocked up on vitamins at the moment!

Hi Penee, I had bad recurring shingles last year, and the GP had me on aciclovir for 3 months and suggested vitamin supplements. I take a centrum for over 50s women plus cod liver oil with vitamin d.
I still get itchy twinges where the shingles hit from time to time, but I am much healthier overall.
Sorry you have this, it’s horrible .

@Dreamersandwishers I’ve been bad at taking my vitamins lately but usually take centrum.
Hopefully GP will call me back later and see what they say. Last time she said she’d normally have considered the vaccine but as I’m clearly not making antibodies they didn’t feel it was necessary.
When the pains started I thought if here we go as this time I had no after effects from the last bout. So frustrating but obviously I’m a bit run down with the cold hence the tingling starting.

Just to update GP has advised taking the aciclovir immediately. Will get better at the vitamins too!