Shingles

[Shingles824]

I'm in so much pain. Was diagnosed with Shingles a couple of days ago and am taking antivirals but it's stinging, burning and jabbing me.

How do I cope with the pain? I've got Naproxen, codeine, ibuprofen and paracetamol. I've taken two paracetamol.

I'm not sure about codeine as I have a chest infection and breathlessness, I think it effects the breathing.

Should I contact NHS Direct and get stronger pain killers?

My DM got a prescription from the pharmacy.

Maybe I should call the pharmacy?

I sympathise. I was so ill when I had Shingles. I had the antivirals codeine and Gapapentin for nerve pain.
It was like being stabbed with hot needles. I was off work weeks and went back stupidly before my Dr said I should ( once not contagious) Totally wiped me out.
Take care hope you feel better soon.

Dh has shingles atm. Apparently the nerve pain gets worse as the ‘swelling’ goes down (according to Dr AI). He’s been given some drugs today. Not gabapebtin but an anti depressant beginning with A? There is another drug in the mix but apparently it has bad side effects so avoid that one.

My DM had the vaccine so she didn’t come out in it too bad.

It's in my armpit and breast. The pain! I think I'll phone NHS Direct for advice.

Everyone get the vaccine if you are eligible, the pain is terrible and can last for months.

I've had shingles after running my 1st marathon. I got the antivirals very quickly, so mine wasn't that bad, but I sympathise! Was at work the next day.

I contacted NHS Direct and a Dr is calling me so I'll ask about the different pain killers.

Doctors can prescribe amitriptyline for nerve pain. You have my sympathies shingles is awful.

I've been prescribed Amitriptyline and something to rub on the area. Let's hope they work.

Amitriptyline??

@TheAutumnCrowthats the one! Hope it helps @Shingles824and my DH!

The Dr prescribed capsaicin to put on my shingles. I've been in agony all day and the Amitriptyline made me vomit. Not going well.

You have my sincere sympathy.I was ill for near on two months. I kept thinking I felt a bit better only to be wiped out again. I would cry from the misery and pain. I felt as if my internal organs were being rearranged too. The rash was the least awful thing about it. I had antivirals, codeine and then amitriptyline.

I'm sorry to hear it's been rough. I had it last month and I was very lucky to get only a small area of rash, and no pain at all the first ten days. After that it was just sensitive like I had sun burn but covered a much much bigger area than the rash (which was smaller than my palm). It took about 4 weeks for the sensitivity to disappear.

Hope you soon feel much better!

The capsicum cream was a nightmare for me! It made the heat and burning worse! And also don't wash it off, this starts it burning again!

I hope you feel better soon! Shingles is horrible to have.

Sympathise. Just coming to the end of it. Worst thing I've ever had.
The pain, lack of energy, lack of sleep were very debilitating.
I had the anti virals and think they stopped the rash in its tracks so that was the least of the problem. I had no idea the pain could be that bad. Prescribed Pregbalin but read the leaflet. Side effects made me too scared to take it but fortunately Ibuprofen and Cocodomol worked for me. Check out dietary things especially Lysine and Arginine. It helped me.
Rest up. That's the best medicine.
Good luck.

After applying it and feeling like I was burning alive, I read that it should never be applied on active shingles but post shingles.

I washed it off but it took hours for the burning to subside.

I remember that pain well. It was the worst thing in the world!