So I was here back in mid January after figuring out I was a couple of weeks into a shingles outbreak. It cleared up a few weeks later and I was lucky to get back into my day to day. Running a business and in the midst of selling this house, renovations on the new house and trying to move. Over the past couple of months I've checked in here, reading to try to learn as much as I could to be prepared if I have a reoccurrence.
So last night I was up all night, couldn't sleep (totally unlike me). Anyway it occurred to me throughout the day today that I was feeling flu like again, the odd upset stomach and odd pain, again on my left side. As I recall, this is how I felt last time about a week before the actual rash appeared.
Anyway, I'll be reading along again. Hoping everyone else is having no or at least infrequent battles!
Sorry to welcome you back, but I hope you're also seeing your doctor tomorrow for a confirmation and to get antivirals! I'd give anything to have done that in those first 72 hours. Don't wait until next week or you'll miss that window. Take care.
Look into getting the shingles immunization. Even after my first break out the doc did go ahead with the immuntzation. It did shorten the duration and frequency, antiviral never helped me.
Haven't had a doctor for at least 15 years. I may see if I can get into a Doc in the box on Saturday. The local one is well thought of.
I will ask about it. As I'm allergic to eggs I tend to avoid vaccines.
I would try not to worry as i was told a tthe eye clinic that it is rare to get shingles twice, and on here we only hear the worst cases. I had shingles last March and am still suffering with an itching and/or sore eye every day, and have had to just learn to live with it as there seems to be no end to it! I had a migraine 2 weeks ago and was so worried that it was the start of another shingles outbreak, as that's how it started before, in my eye, head and forehead! but after 3 days it got better. It's only natural to worry, I hope you feel better soon,
The vaccine is not free unless you are 70 years old!
I agree, worry is not good, BUT, I am am one of the unfortunates that keeps getting shingles. Once I finally acknowledged that, at the first symptom I will start treatment, and it has helped extremely with the pain and suffering I use to put myself through.
Dear Annette,
Here is to the hope that you are wrong about a recurrence!
However, if you are having another episode, do not delay! Get on an antiviral, Valcyclovir or Famciclovir, preferably. They will definitely shorten the episode...These two Antivirals are more efficacious than Acyclovir. I certainly have insomnia for a week before any other symptoms appear.
Merry Juliana
Sadly the person at the eye clinic was perpetuating a myth. You can get shingles multiple times--it's not just people here who mention it. My husband just got it again! Second time in 4 months, 3rd time in his life. Luckily every single time (including this morning) we caught it at the very first sign of the rash, no pain this time and he got in the morning an is now on anti-virals. He's seen me suffer for almost 5 months now and wants not part of that.
Thanks for the info. I'm heading to Doc in the box tomorrow if all works out. I was just about to ask which antiviral to ask for so I can check on goodrx for best prices. The insomnia thing is so unlike me so glad to know I'm not the only one!
Merry, just want to thank you for all the help you give here. I've spent much time reading here and you are always helpful, informative and totally appreciated!
You are not the only one!!! Insomnia is a key sign for me. It's so ironic! What we need to fight this off the most is sleep, but we can't get it!! I tend to have a rough time at night and then sleep so heavy during the day. The kind of sleep where you wake up and feel groggy. It's just aweful.
Annette,
Insomnia is my first clue that I am doomed! I know just to go with the flow...Where do you live? Both Famvir and Valtrex are generic. Famvir are smaller tablets, and therefore easier to swallow. (I have difficulty swallowing when I get Herpes Zoster-Shingles as it affects my throat.)
Please let me know how you do....
Best wishes
Merry Juliana
Annette,
I love doing this as I know how terrible this disease is and how excruciating the pain is. My experience the first episode was horrible, so if I can make anyone feel better, I am happy to put forth the effort.
I wish no one had PHN or recurring Herpes Zoster-Shingles, let alone Herpes Zoster-Shingles
Best wishes
Merry Juliana
The lady at the eye clinic is a specialist and sees hundreds of people every week so i think she would know!
Jane, I guess we agree to disagree on this. An eye clinic treats people with eye problems. Some people who have shingles multiple times, particularly in the eye may not have been seen by her. My husband HAS had shingles 3 times, my sister DOES get it every year, Merry and many others here can also attest to this, as can many other health professionals. Other myths are: only old people get shingles, you have to have a compromised immune system to get shingles, you always get a bad, ugly rash with shingles etc. I know children who had shingles, I'm extremely healthy and got shingles, I had almost NO rash when I got my shingles and there are variations of it where there is not external rash at all.
Babs is right. There are so many health professionals that are misinformed, and since they do not see much of it, they do not dive into the research.
Merry, quick question. I'm asking you as I feel you are probably more current on meds and such as it relates to shingles. I did some research on Famciclovir and found a chart showing dosage for it's use depending on the age of patient and the virus being addressed. For my age(51) it says 500mg twice a day for 7 days. Whereas someone over 60 would get 500mg three times a day for 7 days. Does this sound correct? I'm not asking you to prescribe or commit to a specific, but having worked in the medical field I do know some docs can be outdated on info. I'd hate to go and they prescribe half of what would be indicated.
Hi Babs and Jane, I have had shingles at least 3 times a month for over a year!! I have read up on these for a long time, as I said I have gotten so many different answers from differnt health care professionals....again, it seems like this is a new disease that many dr's are not informed. Also my dr recommended me to take these anti-viral meds every day for the rest of my life... my dr gave me valacyclovir and it makes me very sick to my stomach and dizzy, .To my understanding this is the only anti-virtal meds they have...when I told my dr they make me sick he said that was the only one they have. But at looks as though people are taking different ones on here...Also, when you take these do you all take 2 differnt ones at that same time. I dont get any symtoms until I get the rash. I love my dr but thinking I need to see a different one or inform him....this is an awful condition..and I am so tired of feeling lathargic and exhasuted...thank you all for the comments and your input!!