Anyone else get Shingles while pregnant?

[Emily25]

Hi,

I developed a weird rash on my arm a few days ago and my arm feels quite sore, so i Went to the Doctors today and found out i have shingles, which i thought made you feel unwell but not necessarily the doc told me. Anyone else not feel unwell with shingles?

Im not sure whether it is shingles due to me not feeling unwell, but i guess i will wait and see how long it takes for the rash to go away...Doctor said about a week to 10 days. Also they normally give out anti-virals to help it clear up, but as im pregnant have not been prescribed anything, which i guess is a good thing.

They said i shouldn't go near other pregnant women as it is contagious. Im glad i have some idea of what it is.

Would like to hear anyone else's experience with shingles

I havent had shingles myself, but my two year old currently has it. I told the doctor i was pregnant and he was totally unconcerned he said i probably wouldnt get anything and even if i did it wouldnt harm the baby. Not sure if he is totally right but that was what he said!

Hi Emily25 I had shingles at 25 weeks. I didn't feel poorly but had backache where it was and the spots were hot and very sore when touched. I was given cocodamol to take as I wasn't in my third trimester and they took a couple of days to start working.

I was given antivirals after my doctor called the hospital for further advice. I know she had to speak to someone high up, to get the advice though- it was a bit unnerving at the time. They also took bloods from me to check I had chicken pox immunity. I did so that meant bump was fine as she was protected by my immunity.

I wasn't allowed to go to work as I could pass on the chicken pox virus to anyone that was pregnant and hadn't had it or got immunity from it. That turned out to be a godsend because I was really tired for about 4 weeks afterwards.

I am fully recovered now and it feels like it never happened!

PS, it doesn't stop the itching but sudocrem dries up the blighters quickly and is safe to use in pregnancy.

Someone on one of my antenatal lists got it while we were pregnant (I think, either that or CP). 2nd trimester. She and the baby were both fine, btw.

I had shingles with my first pregnancy, i had a rash on my tummy and just felt crap (but i get days when i just do feel tired and crap in pregnancy anyways) but i was glad at the time that it was diagnosed so i could take myself to bed for a few days to recuperate with out feeling like a skiver.

I was better after a few days and there was no harm to baby

Not totally related, but I had shingles about four years ago and pregnancy has caused the residual neuralgic pain from that to flare up. Is a right sod.

Thanks for your comments everyone. My rash is still quite sore, but getting a bit better. It has been hard because i have had to stay away from sisters newborn, don't want to give the little man chicken pox just yet.