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Original poster

Shingles?

14 replies

eewehxo · 28/05/2023 20:07

Wondered if I could have some opinions on this…
So I’ve seen an out of hours GP today who suspects I have shingles and has prescribed me anti virals and pain killers. She said she believes I have caught it early which is great news but I’m in 2 minds as to whether it definitely is….
My main symptom is a sunburn like feeling on my outer left hip, going down into the groin area. This started just like a mild sunburn on Friday but is now so sore I can’t bear even clothing touching the area. I have had a cold/virus earlier in the week and all of the typical symptoms that come with that, as well as a temperature. I rang out of hours as the pain was getting unbearable and over the counter painkillers weren’t helping. I would describe this pain now as being like someone is holding a flame to my skin. Worth noting though that where this pain is, there are no visible signs of irritation on the skin, it looks completely normal….
I guess the reason I’m doubting the diagnosis is because I don’t have the typical angry rash that you associate with shingles, I have a few pimple looking spots on my left bum cheek (they are tenderbut nowhere near the same pain as the outer hip groin area) and they aren’t itchy at all. They are in a vertical line though.
Has anyone else had shingles with only a few minor spot’s rather than the red rash?
Now I’m Writing it all down, I can appreciate it does sound like the GP is correct, I just expected a huge angry rash to accompany the pain.
Thanks

OP posts:
Dontsayyouloveme · 28/05/2023 20:38

Yep, I only had 5 spots in a line on my shoulder blade and the paid radiated all the way around to my front under my boob. I couldn’t wear underwear and the loosest of t-shirts were also painful to wear. Was awful!

Original poster
eewehxo · 28/05/2023 20:52

Dontsayyouloveme · 28/05/2023 20:38

Yep, I only had 5 spots in a line on my shoulder blade and the paid radiated all the way around to my front under my boob. I couldn’t wear underwear and the loosest of t-shirts were also painful to wear. Was awful!

Did yours blister/weep at all? Mine don’t even look like blisters, honestly just like pimples.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I don’t have the huge rash!

OP posts:
user1471453601 · 28/05/2023 21:14

Take the antiviral please. Daughters partner had shingles a few years ago (when their immune system was low also). They were in agony.

I remember them saying to me, when I asked to see the "rash", "don't touch it , please don't touch it". Daughters partner is stoic in my experience of them, but was still in fear of being touched.

after starting the antiviral s the pain abated considerably.

I recently had the shingle vaccination and was telling daughter's partner that it really hurt , and I'm used to injections. They commented that it probably hurt a lot less than shingles.

Lkgcsr · 28/05/2023 21:17

My DH only had a small rash and as it was caught so early he didn’t get too ill with it whereas people I know who haven’t caught it early get a much bigger rash

catsnhats11 · 28/05/2023 21:22

Mine was more tingly/numb than burning or painful on day 1. I did get lots of blisters though as I left it too late to see a doctor (though I did eventually cos is looked really bad and I got scared!) however the blisters didn't appear till about 3 days after the symptoms started, it was more red patches on day 2. Make sure you take the tablets otherwise you might find the blisters appear next.

Original poster
eewehxo · 28/05/2023 21:33

I have been taking them anyway, sorry my post probably sounded like I wasn’t sure whether to take the medication. I am feeling better this evening compared to this morning, so I do think it must be shingles because of how it’s responding to the anti viral. Thank you for your reply

OP posts:
Original poster
eewehxo · 28/05/2023 21:35

catsnhats11 · 28/05/2023 21:22

Mine was more tingly/numb than burning or painful on day 1. I did get lots of blisters though as I left it too late to see a doctor (though I did eventually cos is looked really bad and I got scared!) however the blisters didn't appear till about 3 days after the symptoms started, it was more red patches on day 2. Make sure you take the tablets otherwise you might find the blisters appear next.

Perhaps because it is so early, I won’t get the blisters!
I realise my original post made it sound like I wasn’t going to take the medication, I have been taking it and feel better already this evening. Thank you

OP posts:
Girlattheback · 28/05/2023 21:35

The rash takes time to develop into the pictures you’ve seen on the internet. (I’ve had it 4 times 😖) The symptoms sound right for early stages. Take the antivirals, they are better started early and will reduce make a huge difference to your recovery.

If it’s not shingles the anti virals will do you no harm at all.

AlisonDonut · 28/05/2023 21:46

I had it recently. My rash was only an inch wide. But the pain. OMG.

Took me month to feel vaguely normal.

frustratedashell · 28/05/2023 22:12

I'm just getting over shingles. I thought I had breast cancer as the pain round my boob was awful. I went to doctor and felt very relieved when she said it's shingles.
I had been feeling pain for about 4 or 5 days when I saw her, I had a very subtle rash too. She gave me anti viral tablets and told me to take Ibuprofen or paracetamol. A few days later the rash had got bigger and red. I had quite bad pain, it kept me awake at night. So I went back to doctors. Saw a different doctor, who prescribed pain killers that were not available. Then he suggested using voltarol gel. I've been using that for about 4 days and taking paracetamol. It's now started to improve. Today I decided not to use the voltarol, bad mistake! So I'm back using it tonight.
I've been feeling quite tired, even though I've not been to work for about ten days. Think I will go back on reduced hours to start with, I'm self employed so I can do that.
I hope you soon feel better

Redbrook · 28/05/2023 22:21

Whatever you do, take the anti virals. I started mine too late and the pain from the rash was unbearable. I was left with nerve pain which is only just improving now 12 months later.
I’m intending paying for the vaccine (only available on NHS to the over 70’s) because there is no way I’m going through this again.

Original poster
eewehxo · 28/05/2023 22:23

frustratedashell · 28/05/2023 22:12

I'm just getting over shingles. I thought I had breast cancer as the pain round my boob was awful. I went to doctor and felt very relieved when she said it's shingles.
I had been feeling pain for about 4 or 5 days when I saw her, I had a very subtle rash too. She gave me anti viral tablets and told me to take Ibuprofen or paracetamol. A few days later the rash had got bigger and red. I had quite bad pain, it kept me awake at night. So I went back to doctors. Saw a different doctor, who prescribed pain killers that were not available. Then he suggested using voltarol gel. I've been using that for about 4 days and taking paracetamol. It's now started to improve. Today I decided not to use the voltarol, bad mistake! So I'm back using it tonight.
I've been feeling quite tired, even though I've not been to work for about ten days. Think I will go back on reduced hours to start with, I'm self employed so I can do that.
I hope you soon feel better

Thank you so much, I have some voltarol so will try this!
good idea regarding reduced hours, I haven’t thought about work yet… glad its a bank holiday weekend in the UK so I have tomorrow to see how I feel too.
Hope you also feel back to normal soon!

OP posts:
Waggytail · 28/05/2023 22:44

Oh god, I feel for you. I had shingles recently (took it 6 weeks after giving birth... definitely the best timing) I just couldn't believe the pain. Only had four or five little blisters on my back but it felt like someone was burning me with an open flame. It was so excruciating. It felt like it lasted forever too but I think I took the antivirals too late. When the blisters first started I thought it was a rash from my bra strap, and thought the pain was a trapped nerve from sleeping on the sofa 🤪 by the time I had an inkling it might be shingles, it was already quite advanced.

ginghamstarfish · 29/05/2023 21:52

I had it recently, felt terrible, but could not be described as an angry rash. I've decided to pay for a private shingles vaccination, looked into it and not available on NHS until 70 plus I think. You have to wait a year after having shingles so will look at having it in the autumn. I think it will be worth it not to get this again ( or a mild case).

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