Have I got shingles?

[coolma]

I've had a really sore and gritty eye for a couple of days and before that was feeling generally unwell - headache, tummy upset etc. Today I've woken up with a really horrid rash under my eye (looks like I've been punched ) and my face is really numb and tingling - like a dentists injection wearing off...am off work anyway on leave but can't get a docs appt till tomorrow morning. Have looked shingles up and it looks possible. Anyone had this before?

Coolma, I've had shingles on my head. Mine started with a couple of small spots. The tingling sensation sounds about right -a bit like a combination of being stung by nettles, and getting an electric shock (i.e. sort of stabbing pains).

I was told the quicker you can get onto the anti virals the better. it might be worth contacting the surgery again and saying you're worried you might have shingles. Also tell them it is round your eye, because it can affect your optic nerve.

Don't want to worry you but, I think the sooner you get it seen the better.

ok thanks for that - sounds similar.. Just what I need

It sounds like it a bit. I had shingles under my arm and across my back. It started out as a little patch of itchy hurtiness. Then I puked and had a temperature but nothing major. It took a couple of days for it to spread to my back. Get an emergency appt if poss, you will need antivirals. Sorry.

am going this morning. It still feels numb but the rash is a bit crusst now - very attractive! Have got myself worked up into a state about neurological disorders now, especially as I dropped a cup this morning1

It is shingles, but a mild dose. have to take 5 anti viral tabs a day!! And eye drops five times a day too!! And off work till next weds. Not all bad then

Urgh. Bit annoying for you. But I found when I had shingles I didn't actually feel ill, although the rash was really annoying so it's quite nice to get time off work when you're not actually feeling ill.

Glad you got it seen, - I forgot it was five anti-virals a day, hope you don't feel too bad - I was already ill when I got mine, so it was just an added bonus.

They are huge aren't they? I remember having those when i got chicken pox at the advanced age of 38!! I don;t actually feel bad it's true, but am pretty fed up