Anyone awake - so much pain - poss shingles??

[Hallelujah2020]

I’ve got fibromyalgia so used to nerve pain but I’ve never felt the intensity of the nerve pain I’ve got in my rib area on left side

Started a couple of days ago with headache but only on left side? Nerve pain/altered sensation in arm and rib pain but again all left side only

Friday night the pain in rib area was v bad. Better Saturday night but tonight it’s absolutely horrendous and one of most intense and unmanageable nerve pains I’ve ever had

Even max dose Gabapentin isn’t helping

No rash as yet but I’m wondering if it’s shingles?

Going to call in sick tomorrow and ring GP at 8am

That sounds awful. I haven't had shingles, but know several people who have. The important thing is to get treatment ASAP because meds have to be taken in the first few days. So it's good that you're contacting your GP. I hope you get seen quickly.

That's exactly where I get shingle pain and there is little or no rash. I've been told it's internal.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321217#internal-shingles

So painful OP, I hope you feel better soon.

Got phone appointment with GP this morning

Yep, GP thinks it is. So anti virals and up Gabapentin dose to max

Shingles? Owch. Hope you're getting the meds in time to reduce symptoms. It's a horrible illness, often triggered by stress and/or bereavement. Make sure you get lots of rest, if you can.

I’ve had a prolonged period of work stress so expect it’s related to that 😭😭

@Hallelujah2020 - yes, that's probably done it. I hope you feel better soon.

Shingles is horrible. I truly sympathise OP. But it does get better! My friend who had it was fully better after 4 weeks. I'm just coming out the other side after 8 weeks, despite early intervention with antivirals. Unfortunately the prescribed painkillers didn't do much for me, but that might have been my fault - apparently they can take a while to kick in but I gave up on them after 3 weeks. With hindsight I should have asked the doctor if I could try something else. He also prescribed capsaicin cream but the warning words "worse before better" scared me off from using it - I didn't think I could take any more pain and he said it can take a few weeks to work! The soreness/pain was bad enough, but the hyper sensitivity to clothing on my left shoulder, arm and chest has been unbearable.

The rash itself was not at all extensive, and the blisters went after a few days, so maybe the antivirals did help with that. Although the scar remnants have remained. Did you get a rash at all, or was it similar to the internal shingles a PP mentioned?

The best and most effective pain relief I have had is a washcloth wrung out in very cold water and pressed on the sore areas. I was waking up at least several times every night and found that soothing. I've also had a few sessions of acupuncture over the last three weeks. Don't know if its that, or a coincidence, but finally, the pain and sensitivity started to subside a few days ago - my sleep's been better and today I actually managed to wear a soft cardigan over BOTH arms, yay! Although I'm still very sensitive around my chest area, I've started to feel optimistic. Small mercies its summer, managed with very little clothing for 8 weeks. Hang on in there, rest, rest and more rest and be as self indulgent as possible. Hope you're one of those for whom the painkillers work fast and that recovery is swift.