Info is so contradictory online. Here are my current questions.
Is shingles gone when rash heals?
How long can shingles last before an episode is considered over?
How many times can a rash appear between on set and end of episode.
Can you have shingles w/o a rash?
Hi J Nine
If you have been following this forum for any length of time you will see how everyone has different answers. Shingles effects everyone in their own unique way. Shingles are not necessarily gone when rash is gone, you may still suffer with PHN which is nerve pain which can go on for months and sometimes years. Yes you can get shingles without the rash. I had shingles in July /17. And mine lasted for two to three months and now ten months later still suffering from PHN. Some manage to get through in three or four weeks and others longer. This is a mean virus that not only gives you excruciating pain but zaps the energy from you for weeks or longer. You should be in antivirals within 72 hours which helps to keep the rash from spreading. Then pain medication from your doctor. Taking multi vitamins and 2000 Bit D3 daily helps to build the immune system. I also take vit B 12 , Vit C and Lysine . Eating a healthy diet is also important. We have a nurse practitioner named Merry who has more information on this subject and hoping she can answer more of your questions,. I have found this site to be so helpful in trying different ideas on how to get comfort through it all. Also good to know that you’re not alone. I have learned more here than any doctor can tell you and it seems they just don’t know other than what they have read in a text book.,. Take care and keep coming back
Sheila answered your question perfectly, took the words right out if my mouth. I too have reoccurring shingles but I am watching how the vaccine is working for others, and then I will also get the vaccine. Good luck and I hope and pray yours us only a one time occurrence! Gayleen
The info seems contradictory because it is! First there's a lot of wrong info out there, and especially coming from doctors, believe it or not. Two, there are huge variations between people, as mentioned here. I had a LOT of pain for about 4 hours one evening, then the real shingles didn't show for almost two weeks. I had only 4 tiny dots, never a real "rash". Yes, you can get shingles without a visible rash, the rash is only of of the many symptoms, but what most people think of. If you get the anti-virals soon enough and you're lucky, you may have 4-8 weeks of various types of symptoms that eventually improve. They still may not all disappear until a few weeks later, such as the scars, which can last even longer. Google Recommendations for management of Herpes Zoster, from Dr. Robert Dworkin and several others. It's very helpful and will fully explain it. It's a bit dated, but very helpful. The long version should come up as ww.academic.oup etc. I can't put a link here, it will be removed. It's from the IDSA Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Thankyou for your wisdom on this issue. I have only known I have shingles for a few months. I went to my clinic a few years ago complaining my back felt like it was literally on fire. The Dr I saw said I had a strained muscle. I explained it was on the surface as if my skin was douced with lighter fluid and ignited. I felt my skin burning not my muscles. He suggested pt and reduced activity. I told him pt can be harmful if not needed and i left. A year later I went back complaining of stabbing pain, surface numbness and a deep itch. The Dr I saw that time was baffled by my complaint and referred me to a neurologist. The neuroligist said it's a common nerve problem that's untreatable. Said to use lidocain. Sent me back to my clinic. My dr finally saw me and noticed the shingles rash scars and prescribed gabapentin and lidocaine patches.
So, I guess I just wanted to tell you how right you are about Dr's not knowing enough to be any help. I've been suffering for a couple years with it and now the burning is back. I want to understand my condition but am so tired of researching it. Thanks again.
Hi J nine,
Sheila did an excellent job of answering your questions, but I shall also give it a try.
The answers to your questions can't be so specific.
The rash usually scabs within 2- 4 weeks, but then you are left with dark red scars, that can take up to one year to turn into white scars.
The pain of shingles can leave when the rash leaves, or you can have Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN, that can last a couple of months or literally the rest of one's life.
If the rash (ie vesicle-blisters have scabbed over and fallen off) and pain are completely gone, and symptoms are gone, such as fatigue, exhaustion, malaise, aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes, head aches, chills and sweating are gone, the shingles is considered over.
However, many individuals are left with Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN, and then Shingles really isn't over.
If an individual gets a rash on their face, the onset of rash is usually up to five days, but can last as long as seven. If the individual gets another rash in another area two weeks from then, it is considered a new episode. If an individual keeps getting rashes in different areas one after another, in different parts of the body, it is considered disseminated Herpes Zoster-Shingles, and s-he needs to be hospitalized. This is not normal!
One rash for each onset of episode, but you have vesicle-blisters occurring in crops or waves over a period of 5-7 days.
You can definitely have Herpes without the Rash, or "Zoster Sine Herpete. ". Usually, you have other symptoms such as: fatigue, exhaustion, malaise, aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes, head aches, chills and sweating.
I hope this helps you.
Best Regards:
Merry Juliana
Yes you can have it without the rash.i know because this is supposedly what i had and 20 months later i think its continuing as i get odd spots that come up.itch then hurt and are still there couple months later .also get cold nerve
Sensations and bit of burning skin
Sorry cant answer other questions but it can stay in your system indefinately
Hi Merry Juliana.thanks for explaining that .i now know you can have the discomfort from it for a long time even the rest of your life .
Dear J nine,
I am sorry you have gone through this. My recommendation is that when you feel your back being torched again, the minute you do, ask for Antivirals. I suggest either Valcyclovir 1000 mg 3x daily or Famciclovir 500 mg 3x daily for 7 - 10 days. Famciclovir is easier to swallow as the tablets are smaller. Acyclovir is the least efficacious. The Antivirals will stop the virus from replicating and decrease the amount of pain and duration of pain. You are having recurrent episodes, and should be treated with Antivirals with each episode.
I also suggest you Google High Lysine Low Arginine Diet and Herpes. The Amino Acid Lysine helps prevent Herpes Zoster-Shingles and Arginine triggers Shingles.
Also, get your Vitamin D level checked. Vitamin D is essential for immune function. It should be about 40 -50. I take
2000IU Vitamin D3 daily.
Many Physicians are abysmally ignorant regarding Herpes Zoster-Shingles. I am a nurse practitioner in the States. I have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past 21 years and twice in my right eye.
The first time it took four Physicians before an otoneurologist diagnosed it after 3-1/2 weeks. I was in agony, but had no rash.
Best wishes
Merry Juliana
Thankyou so much for your time. I actually feel much less confused and a bit less ignorant about shingles. In the 60 seconds it took to read your reply I learned more about it than from any dr or from my hours of searching online and researching soooo many sites. I am currently dealing with the stabbing pains in my mid/upper back on my right but recently it has jumped my spine and i have one stabbing pain directly across from my original pain are. Is it possible for it to be spreading to cover a larger area a little at a time? If so, to what end?
I am sorry for your suffering. I can't imagine any of my pain/irritations from shingles being in my ear or my eye. I hurt and suffer but I'd never trade places with you.
Thankyou so much. The four dots part really helped. My daughter checked my back last night cause I felt the rash but she said no rash just 3 dots. When she poked them they were in a straight line right where all my pain has been the past few months. I told her that was it but she argued it wasn't a rash it's just 3 dots. I'm so greatful to have comfirmation. I'm feeling better about this whole thing now and am going to break on the research for now. Life's real busy right now but I will look up that site when I feel the need for more info.
Yes, it definitely helped. Tky! I've had chills a few times recently that baffled me cause it was warm in my house and I couldn't stop them even under heavy blankets. As well as sweating at times in my cool house while my family was comfortable and cool. It all helped.
Dear Shona,
I am sorry you are still dealing with Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN. Are you using anything for the pain? If it is in your back or neck, you need to have an MRI to differentiate between a slipped disc, herniated disc and nerve root pain versus shingles. Both pains are quite similar, neurogenic, but have different factors that an excellent Neurologist or Neurosurgeon can distinguish the two.
An excellent Neurologist may be able to help you with pain management, if the pain is causing difficulties with your ability to function in life, ie insomnia, mobility, bathing, cooking, eating, etc. or just tolerating the pain.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
Hi J nine!
The rash can appear as three dots, if the pain is directly under the dots.
Merry Juliana