Shingles

[ButryMashPot]

I was diagnosed with shingles yesterday and am on a course of aciclovir. The rash starts under my right armpit, goes round where the band of my bra sits and it’s on the skin under my breast. The pain is excruciating and I’ve been applying a gel that the pharmacist suggested. For those that have had shingles before, how long can I expect the pain to last? If feels likes the worst kind in sunburn and I’m in agony.

This sounds awful. Have you tried taking doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol too? That should reduce the swelling feeling. Unfortunately, I think there is no set routine with shingles. I had a very small rash but was terribly affected by post viral fatigue, so please ensure you take the time to rest and let your body recover. I was very unwell for months, to the point I couldn't stay awake, breathless and a number of other side effects like tinnitus. Don't underestimate what this can do to your body.

I'm afraid it can be a week or two. My DM ha shingles about the same time one xmas and I took over the family cooking and wrapping etc as she was very much knackered and sore.

Huge sympathies - and please delegate or ask for help, it's nasty!

I had it last year, the pain was really bad for between a week and 2, and I was out of action for another 2 weeks. I basically lost a month.

Ibuprofen didn't touch it though, I was on tramadol. What gel are you putting on it?

It’s nerve pain I’m afraid so pain killers won’t help. Shingles isn’t fun. I agree with PP about post viral fatigue. Honestly rest as much as you can.

Have you tried Emla skin-numbing cream?

Thanks everyone, I thought it might be a couple of weeks. I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this pain for a few weeks. I can’t wear a bra and because I have large boobs they are sticking to the raw skin causing even more pain. I’ve been given virasoothe gel which isn’t really helping. It’s just fucking awful, i stood in the shower for 10 mins this morning in tears as it was the only time it wasn’t hurting.

Wear a tshirt or vest under whatever top you've got on, and tuck it under your boobs so it's not rubbing skin on skin - no need to worry about belly on show etc then. I'm sure my mum used damp clean face cloths in the same way!

Why didn’t I think of that, just been upstairs and found a super soft microfibre makeup remover cloth and tucked it under my boobs

I've got it at the moment and have it in exactly the same pattern as you. I started anti virals as soon as the rash came out.

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and I feel absolutely dreadful still, totally wiped out and can't do anything. The pain is horrendous, like I've been slashed with a knife. I find an ice pack on the rash helps a lot to ease the pain, as well as Nurofen and Paracetamol. I'm resting as much as possible.

I'm feeling very sorry for myself I have to say. Last Christmas was crap because I was at the start of frozen shoulder and was in dreadful pain, now this.

Oh no, this is what I’m worrying about. I guess I just need to rest as much as I can and our Xmas guests will just have to pitch in. I’m sorry that you’re suffering and I hope that you’ll feel better soon xx

Thank you. NHS website says 3-4:weeks! I'm glad you can get people to pitch in, don't be temped to do too much. I went to the post office on Tuesday and had a horrendous day yesterday as a result!

Hope you get better soon and that you enjoy Christmas. Xx

When I had it I was recommended Fresh Farmacy soap by lush as it has calamine lotion. I can’t say whether it worked as I only got it once it was healing up.

I couldn't make it 30 steps to sit in my garden during week 3 and 4, let alone do Christmas with others chipping in. I think you need to re-evaluate the next few weeks!

It's a very serious illness. It will take a minimum of two weeks to run its course and then it might take up to another two weeks before you feel back to normal.

I'm in week 3. I think I've been relatively lucky, as the spots have dried up and I've just been left with a kind of belt of sensitive burny pain, and the odd stabby pain.

I am absolutely exhausted though. I'm working full-time, trying to sort Christmas etc. I'm totally wiped out.

@Frostycottagegarden I thought I'd got off lightly too but it hit me a month later and I was then very unwell for 4 months. To the point I thought I'd never recover, it was very alarming, so please take it easy.

I had it on the right side of my face, I didn’t feel right for about a month. It wasn’t excruciatingly painful, and I thought I'd got off lightly, but 18 months later, my right eyebrow arch is still numb, with occasional pins and needles-type feelings - like when a local anaesthetic is beginning to wear off - and I have a permanent itchy spot on my scalp.

Oh god, I’m so sorry that so many of you have suffered and are still suffering from it.

Have you asked for something for nerve pain? Amitriptyline or pregabolin or similar? I am sure my sister was given one of these for her shingles. Ordinary painkillers are no use for nerve pain.

@ButryMashPot if you are a mum and have an old breastfeeding bra that’s probably a good bet. Anything that’s not underwired will be much more comfortable for you
i have had shingles twice, you have my sympathy 💐

Can I ask for all of you who have recovered from it, did you take anything to boost your immune system? I had it diagnosed in October and have had two really bad colds since that I have been given sinus infection antibiotics for and a miscarriage. It feels like my immune system is broken 😞

Yes I was only drinking fizzy vitamin tablets for a week, and when I could get out shopping again I was stocking up on and eating several oranges a day just to get a boost. I think I did a few days of having the juicer out and making ginger based fresh fruit juices after as well.

@landobroken I'm sorry to hear you've been through all this. I had similar issues with sinus and mucus, like my body was clearing everything out. Gunk coming out my eyes. I ended up going to a nutritionist and got supplements but I think the only recovery is time and to listen to your body. I was urging myself to feel better but you just have to let it get better yourself. Eating a healthy colourful diet will help quicken the energy loss.

@landobroken I also had acupuncture which I do think helps considerably for rebalancing your body/immune system. Unfortunately, it's quite expensive, but in my experience it worked to treat pain. Look after yourself.

I’m waiting for a GP telephone consultation to see if they can give me anything for the pain as I barely slept last night