Hello everyone,
I am 29 and I have been diagnozed with zoster virus 4 weeks ago. I had a small rash on my lower back on the right side. It was itching and burning from time to time but the pain was not unbearable. I saw a dematologist few days later, and I was put on antivirus medication Acyclovir 800mg 5x, which I unfortunately started after one week of the rash appearing. Two more weeks and the rash started to heal and its now almost gone.
The problem: after 4 weeks of the intitial symptoms, I now have a terrible itching feeling in all of my body (especially in the face and head) far from the rash area used to be. Could it be a shingles recurrence happening so soon? Should I expect a rash appearing on my face? Should I rush back into Acyclovir to prevent this from happening?
The terrible itching feeling in the same area appeared suddenly without introduction after the rash on my lower back healed. I can also feel it a little bit in my arms and my feet. Its been going on for 3 days now, but no sign of new rash anywhere yet.
Please advise me what to do. I'm confused.
Walter
Désolé de le rapporter, oui.
Le virus de l'herpès zoster est le zona qui se manifeste chez une personne ayant précédemment eu la varicelle.
Le zona suit une racine nerveuse. Vous avez des racines nerveuses droite et gauche qui partent de la moelle épinière juste en dessous de chaque vertèbre.
Le vaccin actuel contre le zona n'est pas toujours efficace, mais il devrait être envisagé.
Glaxo Smith Klein a soumis Shingrex à la FDA des États-Unis en octobre. L'approbation n'a pas été reçue. Cela dit, l'efficacité de Shingrex est rapportée comme étant très forte.
Thank you for your reply,
Isnt Shingles tingling/itching supposed to happen in the same spot (or at least the surrounding area) where the shingles rash happened?
The rash was on my lower back and it has healed. Now my face is itching (right and left side, also shoulders and legs). Isnt it a bit strange?
Le zona est étrange... le virus vit dans les racines de la moelle épinière. Il peut donc s'activer à n'importe quelle racine nerveuse. Les racines nerveuses innervent tout le corps... une racine nerveuse innerve une zone très spécifique du corps.
Hi Walter,
Everything you described is exactly like me. I'm 32 and I was diagnosed with Shingles 3 weeks ago. The pain was pretty touch at times throughout the duration but nothing that wasn't managable. I hardly had any itching at all when I had the rash also. But now that rash has pretty much cleared up, i've ogt this insane itch all over my body - from head to toe. I'm so desperate for answers. It's completely debilitating and I can't focus on anythign at all. Have you found any releif yet? Or did you find anything that has helped? I'd love to know how things are pregressing you, and i'd appreciate any information you can give me!
Thank you,
Michael
Hi Michael,
The itching gradually decreased. The doctors assured me that it has nothing to do with the virus because it can not affect the whole body. They have two theories: the itching being a delayed side effect of acyclovir high dose, or being a result of dry skin sensation (also related to acyclovir). Anyway, I was advised to wait for two months and if the sensation doesn't go away, I pay the doctor another visit.
Please let me know how things turn up with you.
All the best!
Walter