Exhausted post shingles

Infections
21

Hi Sierramar,

I am so sorry for your husband's suffering.

Shingles is a viral disease and can cause fatigue, fever, malaise, weakness, sweating, chills, aches and pains. Prednisone, especially when tapering down with shingles and the immunocompromised state with prostate cancer, would cause fatigue. The excruciating pain of shingles obviously in itself can cause fatigue.

I hope this helps.

I have shingles every 3-5 weeks in my ear for the last 19 years. I am a nurse practitioner in the States and also am knowledgeable about treating Herpes Zoster.

Please let me know how your husband is doing. I too have cancer.

Merry Juliana

22

Thanks, Merry, for your support. Fatigue is still a problem for my husband, but lightheadedness is diminishing. Once, this week, he was so stressed, he was shaking, but things are improving as he paces himself. 

It is no surprise that those with other challenges such as cancer have a weaker system to start with. I wish the best for you.

Thanks again. Sierramar

23

I am 65 years old.  I got shingles and had the vaccine already.  The outbreak was not terrible altho the pain in my face was.  I was off work the enitre month of August and hardly remember it because I mainly slept.  Now that it is November, I still get terrible fatigues and could sleep the whole day.  I have a very physically demanding job.  When I start to feel stressed it seems my hand starts to break out again for a short period of time.  I am wondering if it is natural to feel this tired.  I do have a good day now and then but, still tired.  Also, I seem more irritable.  Can that be natural?

 

24

To everyone. Hello I am new to this Forum.

I am sorry to hear all these accounts of shingles. I only found out today that shinhgles is responsible for my signs and symptoms.My illness started with severe headaches and a throbbing ain in my right eye. Has anyone else experienced this with shingles?

25

Whoops ..

I just left a message but it got sent before Ihad finished it.

I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced the following signs and symptoms.

Severe headache. Throbbing pain in the eye. Dry eyes, concretions of the eyes, blurred vision, loss of apppetite, severe anxiety and depression, fatigue but preceded by five days and nights of no sleep whatsoever.

Demotivation and a sense of futility about everything.

Food intolerances as well as hypersensitive reactions to medications. peripheral neuropathy, light headedness, inability to concentrate, feeling afraid of everything and everybody, sense of doom and gloom, back pain and sciatica, diarrhoea, cystitis, saddle numbness, sorry to ask these harrowing questions but like others on this forum I did not appreciate what could possibly  be wrong with me and am searching for answers.

Four years ago small blisters appeared on on my left upper chest , preceded by intense tingling and pain.

Next 3 blisters appeared on my abdomen, one quite large filled with clear fluid the other  two were smaller and also filled with fluid. These were very painfiul and I never suspected that they coould be due to shingles because I always thought that shingles/blisters followed a nerve pathway!

I also developed a blister on the back of my hand. Pior to the appearance of this blister my skin on the back of my hand started to itch and tingle. I rubbed it and within minutes  a large blister appeared!

Unbelieveable. Then I got another blister but smaller on my my left wrist.

I still have the scars. That was about four years ago.

I developed peripheral neuropathy and it was only yesterday that the possibilty of shingles has been raised. I see a dr in the morning for some tests.

Meanwhile I feel stunned at what I have learned.

I also started with a thyroid disorder.

Lucy.

26

Which thyroid disorder have you been diagnosed with? Sounds like you might have an auto immune disorder which would account for reoccuring shingles. The neuropothy or nerve pains are associated with shingles. It's called PHN or Post Herpetic Neuropathy. When you've had the tests, your GP will explain what happens next. It will depend on the A I illness you have I think. I'm not an expert and can only write about my own experiences unfortunately. I had shingles in April and still get some pain and irritable scalp especially if I get too hot like when it's very humid. As it is now here in UK. Very muggy and rainy! uhhhhg! frown I find also that I get very depressed and fatigued when the shingles or PHN start again. My GP gave me some Amitriptylene to try, a type of anti depressant which help with pain in Shingles she said. Tell your Doc all that you've written on here, write it down as I did and let him/her read it. I forget what I want to say otherwise!! rolleyes Get back on here when you have some results or sooner if you'd like to chat. There are loads of people who will listen and try to help you. Take care, Best Wishes Ellie. UK

27

Hi Just read your post about reoccurring shingles.am 54yrs old and i get shingles 3-4 times ayear.....when i tell people about this they always say you can only get shingles once in your life......i wish this was true.....about 3yrs ago i was admitted to hospital and i was giving a drip of antibiotic.......now i know how you feel fatigue before and after can last a long/short time.....everyone is different and can have more or less symtoms 

28

Wow this thread is for me!  I am 46.  I had shingles 3 years ago.  I had a rash but the main troubling symptoms were and continue to be Fatigue, Restless Sleep, Innratibility, Anger and Brain Fog.  I've had many bouts since.  Mostly the bouts follow heavy exercise.  I used to race mountain bikes and had to give up my hobby.  After shingles I was never able to workout, to build fitness or even ride casually for anything more than an hour.  I've been to many doctors, flew myself to the Mayo Clinic in MN and everyone says I am healthy and that I have a mood disorder with some level of depression.  Ok sure... you would be depressed and have a mood disorder if you were on the couch all of the freaking time.  

I was yelling at at Phychiatrist today saying this is all bull and I believe this is not rooted in a mood disorder but is related to when I got shingles.  

So here is my question.  She suggested that she has patients who have herpies and who keep a stock of Acyclovir and some take it daily like a vitamin while others take it when the herpies raises its head.  Anyone doing this?  

I am surprised that none of you are writing about this here and that we are all simply "toughing" this out.  I am so tired of meing told I am a healthy man with depression.  

29

Dear Loafcake,

Actually, some of us take antivirals daily or when an episode of Herpes Zoster strikes. The fatigue that occurs should only last 1-2 months maximum. None of us is just simply toughing it out. Every time I develop the first inkling of pain, I start Famvir, a better antiviral than Acyclovir. It shortens the course and decreases the intensity of the Zoster. I also take Topiramate, which also decreases the pain of the Zoster. I have had Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 19 years. I remain active and have not changed my life style. Yes, I need to rest those three initial days when the Zoster starts. But life moves on. I keep participating in life's adventures and challenges. You can get active again. I did after two strokes and more recently, breast cancer, and am still going strong. I think of all of these health issues as blips on the radar, issues I have to overcome, and I have overcome them all. We are here to support you. Believe me, I also understand severe depression, and conquered that, as well.

Just because Mayo physicians did not find a physical cause does not mean that a physical cause does not exist. Sometimes, please know, that a person can have depression and the physical disorder of Herpes Zoster. What physicians, including psychiatrists, fail to appreciate is the accompanying symptoms of Herpes Zoster.

You truly have a viremia, causing the fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, fever, head aches, etc prior to the pain at the site before the rash appears. The fatigue, in combination with the severe pain, can contribute to a depression. Please remember I am trying to help you here.

It sounds like you are having trouble with the "depression" diagnosis. Depression truly is a physical disease of the brain due to depletion of certain neurotransmitters. It does not mean that you are crazy.

When you have Zoster many times a year, the doctors need to realize that you are physically ill. Ask for Famvir instead of Acyclovir. It works more effectively and faster. Take it daily to prevent reoccurring episodes.

Please let me know how you do. I know what it is like when the disease is controlling you. You need to control the disease.

I am truly sorry for your suffering.

Merry

30

Thank you so much for your understanding. I will report back when i have any info and next steps. Great to have found you all.

31

I was diagnosed with shingles Monday. I am a caregiver and have Graves. I am sure stress brought on the shingles. I am not aware when I am stressed so I keep on going. I am type A and this really knocked me down. Thought I was just getting muscle aches from weight lifting. Urgent Care put me on generic for Valtrex and a pain med which I had to request. I took an oatmeal bath and seemed to relieve pain a little. Not use to resting. When people post to rest what exactly does that mean? Stay in bed?

32

It means whatever your body is telling you to do. Some people are fortunate and are not as fatigued as others. When I was having radiation and Zoster-Shingles at the same time, I slept 18 hours straight, ate and bathed, and returned to sleep...Usually the fatigue is not that bad..Before the Zoster appears, I usually am in an insomnia state as the Zoster is in the Central Nervous System, and affects my brain. After the pain of Zoster strikes, I become fatigued, and need the sleep and am unable to do as many tasks. Some of us have comorbid conditions such as immunocompromised diseases such as Lupus, Psoriasis ITP Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens Syndrome, and or Cancer, which only exacerbates the fatigue and other symptoms.

I hope this helps...

Merry Juliana

33

Hello Everyone!

     I'd like to add a little good news to this thread. My husband, age 91 with advanced prostate cancer, experienced an outbreak of shingles 5 weeks ago. He had the shingles vaccine in the last few years, plus started taking Valtrex the next day. We think this helped a great deal. The blisters on his left upper arm were minimal. His pain was attenuated with one Tylenol every four hours, then ceased, but the fatigued lasted 4 weeks. Now after 5 weeks, he has recovered much of his normal strength (not great to begin with) after extreme fatigue, malaise, the blues. 

     Your contributions on this thread about your experiences were educational and comforting, and we are grateful to all of you. A special thank you to you, Merry. With your nursing background, you have shared and coached us. You have been our online angel.

     I wish the best for all of you. Some of you have suffered a great deal, and my heart goes out to you. Because we are all united, unseen and unknown to each other, we have a special bond, and care about each other. I do hope you share news about your recoveries.

     Sierra

34

Sierra,

I am so happy your husband did not suffer as much this time. I am glad to help anyone to alleviate the suffering from this dreadful disease. I am finished with radiation for the breast cancer, and regaining my strength, now. Life is returning to normal for me. I shall celebrate Thanksgiving, a family oriented, non-commercial holiday in the States, with my twin and family in a couple of weeks.

Keep us posted.

Best Wishes,

Merry Juliana

35

This thread is scaring me a bit. I've had these shingles for about 2 weeks if pain/ headaches before rash is counted. I can't believe how painful they've been but rash is improving just occasional stabbing pain or if rubbed or pick up my 17mth old... Which is the bit that scares me. The rash and pain is going but I feel so lethargic. And still nauseous. I also have 2 other kids, my partner is gone all day I just cannot rest. Baby is up at 6am and oldest child not in bed until 7.30/8. I just got the all clear on recent biopsy so still in remission from thyroid cancer, I want to move on and live my life I so hope Im not knocked around with fatigue resting isn't really an option.

36

Dear Lynn,

First, I am so sorry for your suffering from this excruciating disease. It sounds as if the worst is over. Perhaps, your partner could take over some child care duties this weekend and you could get some well-earned rest. Usually, the first two weeks are the worst, and your energy gradually returns.

Where was the rash, if I may ask...Besides having a thyroidectomy for the cancer, are you receiving any other treatment for the cancer? I know that as I have breast cancer, when I received radiation, the fatigue increased exponentially. Obviously, caring for three young children saps anyone's enervy level. Can you ask a relative to help you?

Was this the first episode of Shingles?

I am a nurse practitioner in the States.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

37

Thanks for your reply, the idea the fatigue could get worse is scary! This is my first and hopefully only attack. I only had my thyroid out no radiation so just on thyroxine now. Rash is on right shoulder blade. Today has actually been better - it's evening now in Australia, but I think taking it easy this weekend is in order. Unfortunately all my family are in Ireland so that's why I'm especially concerned at being out of action for too long the house is already a state!

38

Dear Lynn,

I am glad to hear you are slightly better.

Should this ever recur, please get on antivirals immediately. There are many ignorant clinicians who are unaware that shingles recurs. Demand the antivirals.

Remember you have had a viremia, causing flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headache, aches and pains, possibly a low grade fever prior to the onset of the pain, and the rash at your shoulder. Hopefully, your partner is compassionate and can help you with the child care and house work...I know, as I was a single mother, no rest for the weary...

Best Wishes in healing!

Merry Juliana

39

Hi.

I had my first case 5 weeks ago now. I think I had a bad case. The soreness beforehand had me confused as I hadn't done gym or anything. Then the first blister was on my back with no rash, about an inch diameter. I kept rubbing it as it was tingly and itchy and right on my back bra line. I was grumpy as at the time anyway, it wasn't till a few night later it was red on my back and a bit of a line that I twigged as to thinking what was happening. By then it was spine to chest about 4 inches wide and I had 3-4 huge blisters. This was my left side. My left breast was numb, which is not so great for the feeding toddler. I'm still numb around this whole area. I'm 39, living in stinking humid North Queensland so absolutely hating it at the moment. It took me three weeks till I felt comfortable -ish enough and wearing clothes not making me feel absolutely awful. I have two young boys 4 & 2 so enough on my plate. So glad they both still nap during the day. Week four I woke up & felt so much better with energy one morning. It's only now week 6 ish I'm starting to pay attention to the house again eeeek. To say a lot of jobs waiting is an understatement. Slowly but surely. If only my partner can keep the kids occupied while I try to do things with the AC on. Getting hot & sweaty does not help me.

I've found with the numbness, my hyper mobility issues are not liking the lack of feeling in my back. My left shoulder has just knotted up and it affects my left arm & neck. Never had this issue till now.

40

I was put on antiviral a as soon as I worked out what it was & saw a doctor. Famciclovir 500mg, lyric for neuropathic pain and pain meds.

Rotten timing as I was weaning off cymbalta meds for chronic pain. I whacked on 10kg in 2-3 months with it. So would rather not have that & decided to stop those meds. Then Shingles happened along the way.