I think I have Shingles

Infections
1

Hi, 5 days ago I started to get very sore and tender feeling skin below my left armpit. Slowly the soreness spread down my left side and across my pectoral area. I also had tenderness on my right side, same areas, but much less painful. At the same time, on the left side under my upper arm and upper left chest I got sudden jabbing pain that lasted less than a second and repeated every 10 to 15 seconds. Ibuprofen helped to ease the pain a bit and by Wednesday the pains stopped altogether.

On Wednesday morning I noticed a small red blemish on my right cheek under my eye and another on my upper lip on the left, then I found a larger red welt on my lest side. I went to a local walk-in clinic nearby and the doctor looked at the left side sore and said I had shingles. They gave me an anti-viral shot in the rear end and a prescription for Val acyclovir, a pain pill, and an itching pill. So far I have been taking the Acyclovir 3 times a day but haven't yet needed the pain or itching pills.

So here's my question, I have an itchy rash about 6 x 4 inch area on my upper back over my left shoulder blade, a similar sized non itchy rash on my chest over my breast bone, plus a single sore on my right shoulder, 2 on my right hand, a couple on my left arm, one or two on both legs and none of them hurt or itch except for my back.

I keep reading that shingles are on one side while my rash/sores are all over. Does this sound like shingles to you?

By the way, I asked my mother several years ago if I had chickenpox as a kid and she said no. Maybe she just forgot, but I just remember measles and I know I had the chickenpox vaccine at school many years ago. I'm now 69. Anyway, that's my story, I'm not looking forward to the next few weeks but am really curious if I really have something other than Shingles. Thanks for reading this and sorry for the poor grammar.

2

Leo,

To answer your questions “ Do I have shingles?” can only be determined by a doctor.  However, I can tell you unequivocally that everyone does not have a text book case as you will see reading through these discussions.

A particularly interesting fact is that the rash and other symptoms occur on one side only..... not crossing the center plane of your body. However, in my ongoing experience now into its tenth week, I have had breakouts on both sides of my face. I NEVER have that problem. It has to be associated in some way with my current diagnosed case of shingles. Also, there are mild cases and very severe cases it seems. There is mild to no pain and then there is excruciating pain as I have had. Seems to me that there are variants in every case. 

So far, you have had the usual treatments. My concern for you is to be cognizant of anything close to your eyes. In that case you should see an opthomologist immediately!

I hope this information helps and you get well soon. I am not a doctor, but I am an RN with shingles. 

3

I have shingles right now and it doesn’t sound like u have it .. it is always on one side .. maybe it’s just s really bad rash 

4

Thank you for your response. Whatever I have, I must just get through it. I will keep taking the meds as the anti-viral may be good for treating whatever is causing my rashes. I actually feel fine, no fever, no headaches, no upset stomach......just the rashes and soreness. I still am waiting for the possible pain, just not yet.

Thanks again!