Hello All,
I was diagnosed for the first time, age 47, in early January 2018. Oh Joy! Knock on wood, I've had/still have(?) a very mild episode, at least I think that's what I would consider it. I first noticed what seemed like an insect bite on my lower left back kidney area, and truly thought nothing of it at first because it didn't itch much. But what didn't think was normal, was the swelling and soreness in the crease of my leg, (as you sit), from the outer thigh to the groin area. This itched like crazy, though had no red marks. I thought perhaps my exertion from snow shoveling was the culprit, but have NEVER felt nor had anything like that in that area before. After a couple of days, more red splotchy red marks began to form along the same area, and headed around to the front of my left side. The prickly sensations started, and the rash area began to get more itchy and sore. I wondered if something was up with my ovary, but hoped things would go away on their own, yet monitored them. I looked up the rash and was concerned about shingles, so very luckily made a b-line to my doctor, where they confirmed my fears. I was given Valacyclovir 3x/day for 7-10 days, I can't recall, and a one page handout with information.
Things have been relatively easy going, with pain controlled by 2 Aleve, and I keep the areas covered with a breathable sterile gauze, in between cleaning, for a good two weeks, expecting the worst. The blisters were very small, never really burst, even opened per say, and haven't crusted over. It would seem as though they are diminishing from within. The big splotches around these clusters, is now gone, though the darker red blisters marks are still present. No more itching, or pain.
So, in going back to attempt to identify the traditional signs that an episode is coming on, I'm unsure. I'm generally extremely exhausted, bedridden to a good extent, and in some form of soreness nearly every day, from my mental health battles, so can't say I would have recognized anything in those terms. However, my left shoulder, from the collar bone out was abnormally sore two weeks ahead of everything. Quite painful, with a burning sensation that went from under my ear, my neck, out on top of my shoulder, down to the top of my hand, intermittently. This is more so than from shoveling snow, and not from anything else I can identify. The pain is much better now, but still lingering some.
So fast forward to the past three or four days. I've been running a temperature just over 100*, or just under 100*. This IS NOT TYPICAL for me at all. I'm even hard pressed to register normal most times, and can't remember the last time I ever got a thermometer to register 100*. My skin, normally fish belly white, has been red flushed, and I've been feeling very hot, under the weather, but nothing major I suppose? Lots of people are battling the flu where I live, though being that I'm not around people hardly ever, I doubt I have it, this is very different, and think it would have taken hold by now anyway. The other very odd sensation I'm having that I cannot fathom why, is a strange pain that is originating from the same leg crease area, but now shooting down to about mid thigh towards my inner thigh. Or, in the same area as the hip flexor. This weird pain that's very hard to describe, is it shooting, or stabbing, or tweaking, or as if a taut rubber band is pulled suddenly? It happens with any leg movement, similar to how the hip flexors are initiated, and even when I'm standing still. It has been getting progressively more noticeable the last two days, to where I'm wondering what the heck may be going on. Is this the shingles virus still affecting me, but now in new areas? Or coming back in a different area, though on the same side of my body? For now, I see no rash, and am not itching, just feeling under the weather, feverish, and this creepy leg sensation. I'm so confused...
So, thank you for reading all of that! I hope I've explained things well enough for someone to let me know, if perhaps this is shingles, and if again, I need to head to my doctor asap. And of course, it will be the weekend, and my doctor not available over the weekend, go figure, same as the first scenario. Mercy! I greatly appreciate your thoughts!
A little more too that may help. I have HSV1, no cold sores on lips, only a tiny bump on the genitals,(knock on wood), and very thankfully, I've not really experienced a full blown episode that I would say. I don't take regular Acyclovir unless I think I may be experiencing certain symptoms, though still inconclusive. I must have a weekend immune system perhaps, because in the event I come within 15' of someone with a bad cold, etc., almost sure as s**t I'll get it. I get very, very ill, and for long periods of time, taking a good two months usually to fully recover. This could also be that I rarely leave my house, nor am around people...stupid mental health reasons. Hopefully, that gives extra information, that may help you, help me figure out what's going on. Is it shingles? Isn't it?
Warm Regards,
Keli