Recurring Shingles

Infections
1

For MERRY19451, I'm 68, live in Alaska. Contracted Shingles last December after visit to my Doc. Virus was active for 3 months. was to late for antivirals to work. Right side head, totally Ramsey-Hunt. Face pulled together after 5 months although right eye is prone to weep. Now i'm  having issues with recurrance with no rash, no stamina, sleep all the time, flu-like symptoms, partial hearing loss, right eye discomfort. Was doing so good for about a month.

Been pouring over your replies here for over an hour. you are without a doubt the most knowledgable and forth coming person i've come across since this journey began.

I'm not really experiencing any pain so i'm just trying to build up my immune system and hope for the best.

 I've found I symply cannot push myself like I used to. Forced retirement I guess.

At least I know where to come for answers.

Thank you!

 

2

Had Shingles about 5 months,I started taking lysine 1000mg 3-4 times a day and still do. Started getting better after 3-4 days. Feeling way better now.  :-)

3

Dear Resherrick,

Did you at one point suffer from the pain that is so common with Herpes Zoster-Shingles?

You stated your right eye is tearing...is that because you have a facial droop from Ramsey Hunt or did you also experience Herpes Zoster-Shingles Ophthalmicus, as well?

If you have the least bit of eye drooping, you need to see an ophthalmologist as the cornea can dry out. The ophthalmologist will advise you to use an artificial tear gel at night and also tape your right eye shut at night with the correct medical tape.

The fatigue to the point of exhaustion is " normal" after an episode of Herpes Zoster-Shingles. I also will experience lightheadedness, ataxia, during my recurrent episodes. Have you seen an ENT and been evaluated by an audiologist for your hearing?

I have helped my twin and brother in law with their cataract surgeries this past week, which meant driving them to the surgery center and home, preparing meals for five for three days, driving them to post operative appts, etc. I loved caring for them. Unfortunately, my son became ill afterwards, so I drove 2 hrs one way for a medical appt, and returned the next day. I literally slept 26 hrs, non-stop when I arrived home. I am still exhausted. That is Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

I usually pace myself better, but I always help my family. When I overdo it, I can guarantee an episode of HerpesZoster-Shingles to come on more frequently.

The prodromal or preeruptive symptoms of Ramsey Hunt Syndrome for me are a Right sided headache, ataxia, insomnia-think Central Nervous System ie. brain irritation, photophobia, low grade fever, chills and sweating, aches and pains, malaise, fatigue and difficulty swallowing. The right sided headache becomes a severe right earache with facial drooping, sore throat, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, lesions-vesicles-blisters in the throat and ear canal after a week or so. The fatigue and pain persists.

Needless to say, at the first inkling of symptoms, I start the antiviral, which attenuates the intensity of pain and symptoms and duration of the disease.

May I ask your gender? I too have retired due to this and other health problems. I miss my patients, but not the politics in health care. Where do you live in Alaska?

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

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Merry, Thanks for your reply. I live in Hope/ Sunrise on the Kenai.I am male. My pain was incredible, never experienced pain like that. Ice pick entering behind my right ear and a hot iron on my scalp. Every 10 seconds of sleep was a blessing, of course there is no pain when you're asleep.

Two, three weeks ago I felt great, back to work with a vengence. A little low on stamina but I felt good. Last week I started getting weak, low grade flu symptoms. now the neuralgia is back, some right side hearing loss, sleeping A LOT! Malaise, stumble alot.When I first got shingles, half my face slid down, my eye would NOT close, I could feel my Trigeminal burning, went deaf right side. thats all pretty good now.

 they gave me a raft of meds, acycliver, gabapentin, prednisone.

I've been medicating my eye since the begining, vision is good. my hearing has been good until recently.

Thanks for your advice, its just great to know there's someone to talk to about this. Gets kinda scary. of course I am alone. 

5

Forgot to mention I meditate 20 minutes, twice a day.

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Dear Resherrick,

I am so sorry for your suffering. I couldn't believe that you hadn't had the agonizing pain that I have, as well. It seems we both are stumblers when we get it! That is one way I know I am in for it, as when I rise from the sofa, I stumble, always towards the right...I start the antiviral before I have the severe pain. Your description of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is spot on, especially the ice pick and hot iron. I laughed when I read it, although it isn't funny, but I understand your pain, your stumbling, the facial drooping, utter exhaustion, malaise...hearing loss etc...

I hope the physician gave you a strong analgesic for the severe pain, not just gaba- pentin..

Merry Juliana

7

I've bought some L-lysine and vit c tablets. I read it might help. Been taking it for two weeks now. Will see in time if it makes a difference of it not recurring.

8

Please keep me posted. I have followed a strict high lysine, low arginine diet, but that hasn't helped me.

Thank you

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

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Merry, I've been taking Kelp lately and I've been doing a lot better. Heard anything about Kelp?

 

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I hope you're doing well