I’m a young healthy, active female that was just diagnosed with shingles. I saw a doctor within 36 hrs of the blisters forming. I was prescribed an anti-viral & just started taking them on day 2. But I’m freaking myself out on these articles talking about young adults under the age of 40 with shingles is about 35% higher likely to have a stroke & 59% higher likely for a heart attack! Mostly within the first week to a few weeks following shingles. Is this common??
Tracy,
I am sorry you have Shingles. The studies failed to delineate of these individuals, who had pre-existing conditions such as high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure,etc.
I do have recurring Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three weeks for the past twenty-one years and twice in my right eye. I have had two ischemic strokes, in 2008 and 2013. I received the clotbuster drug, tPA or Alteplase, and am doing well. Do I think shingles caused these strokes? Not really. I think a long-standing history of 40 years of controlled hypertension plus undiagnosed Atrial fibrillation causing me to throw clots to my brain caused the strokes. I am vigilant about my health care. Please do not read too much into that article, as a lot of what you read is sensationalalized. That is what journalists do. I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
Thank you so much for the comforting explanation! My blisters on my back, arm, & chest are now scanning over. But I am now feeling a terrible burning & sensitivity on my scalp & some jolts of ear pain. Does this mean I am now getting the shingles on my scalp??
Tracy,
I just posted to you , on your other discussion! There has been a lot of activity on this site today! I always look for the shingles members first!
Merry Juliana