It is all over internet that shingles is a one time occurance and happens to about 30% of older people mostly with compromised immune system and a very rare second time for a small minority with really weak immune system but never a third.
In my case I have had cases of recurring shingles on my left hand palm 4 times already since May. It always starts with pain in my left arm and sensitive to touch skin around my left wrist and fingers having a tingling feeling followed by a cluster of small blisters which join up later to form larger blisters becoming sores (red) a week later and falling off the following week. Fortunately there are mild with some sharp pain but small and same area on my left palm rather than face or large area on other parts thank God. I always start anti-viral right away and it goes away fast.
However what has been said by experts worry me as it is supposed to be a once or twice in a lifetime occurance and for those with reasoned compromised immune system like cancer, HIV, Lupus so is it possible that I may have some hidden infection too? My blood count was normal and tested negative for a wide range of STDs recently and other than these shingles attacks I am healthy but what has been said as stated above about shingles being a one time occurance in healthy people worries me a lot.
Please share your comments or advices and thanks in advance.
Sorry what I was asking above was if there are people who also have experienced recurring shingles but are otherwise healthy with healthy immune system (unlike what the experts say). I don't know how to edit my post above to add this clarification so I decide to add this post.
Thanks for sharing.
I had shingles over 25 years ago.
It recurred when I was in contact with someone whose grandchild had chicken pox and I had GCA. I immediately contacted my GP and was given the 'within 24 hours protection' and it worked.
The NHS website makes it quite clear that shingles can and does recur. Where were you looking?
Hi Kevin. I have reoccurring shingles and actually am off to the doctors again tomorrow as i think it's back yet again! Yes, I agree, apart from this wretched 'thing' which makes me feel like something indescribable I was fit and healthy. I'm sick of doctors saying it's not a repeat occurrence just because there is no rash just the symptoms. Wish I get hold of the anti. Vitals more easily.
Hi Kevevin, I am 63 yrs old and have had recurring shingles since my 20s about 5 or 6 times a year. I cannot take the antiviral meds as they make me really sick, so I just have to grin and bear it. 18months ago I payed for the vaccine and have had shingles about 5 times since. But I have to say they are not as painful and don't last as long. Other than that I am very fit and healthy my Doctor said I am just unlucky but was not surprised at recurring shingles. Hope your's clear up soon.Take care. xx
Thanks so much for responses and sharing.
lodgerUK I did look at NHS website and though it mostly attribute shingles to those with weak immune system it does say at the end that healthy young people can catch it too. I was not aware of NHS website as I am in Canada so I have been mostly looking at websites available here when researching for shingles causes and symptoms and treatments.
Barbara I am glad that based on your personal experience being fit and healthy can have recurring shingles too. Thanks for sharing. It is possible to order antiviral online if you have difficulties seeing doctors as the medication must be administrated within 24 to 48 hours of symptoms.
My thanks also to ukulele for sharing. Sorry to hear that you can't take antiviral but at least the vaccine has helped you a bit. Nice to know there is another fit and healthy person who has been having recurring shingles and I am not alone.
Yes, an interesting question Kevin. I wonder if it's a good idea to get the vaccination if it keeps recurring?
I've had shingles once last April, but don't want it again!
Anne
Kevin
It is possible to alter your profile but you have to use no more than 15 characters. How about Kevin-Canada and then we know which country you are in, that is why some of us have UK and I added NE to indicate to people in the UK I was in the North East. Just a thought becuase when we know which country you are in we then know you have different systems. 
Morning! Firstly what a good idea re location, I'm in Essex in the UK. I've had shingles umpteen times in the last 22 months. GP most unhelpful about the vaccination and said I would have to outsource it myself! Have heard from others tho that its of no use and to save my money. Hope this helps. X
I have received mixed messages about vaccination. While my family doctor said the vaccine will not provide any more immunity than the live virus that I have now in my system, however there are others (both in other forums and on the net) who say it is effective in preventing recurrances. I am still thinking about getting one once the present symptoms go away. Here in Canada it is free so I don't have much to lose.
I am jumping into this discussion as I want to share something with you and wonder what you think. Today I was told by a friend that she stopped her shingles completely by taking the amino acid lysine. She gave me her tablets and I have taken 2 doses. I am taking them because in April I started the shingles on my chin and in my mouth. My tongue, lip and chin still tingle. Worth a try I think, what are your thoughts?
Barbara
Actually I was taking lysine for a month and up to about a week before my 4th round of shingles started last Saturday. I have re-started taking them again. Not sure if lysine was a factor or not because shingles comes back once a month (begining of every month since May) and its timing and frequency did not change. So the jury is out on them. A lot of material on the net recommend taking lysine for HSV virus and since shingles virus is of the same family so it may be good idea to take them too.
I did see a walk-in doctor for Valtrex today (my own doctor is on vacation) and he also told me recurring shingles is most likely attributed to badly compromised immune system and asked me to see my own doctor to be checked out. When I asked him if there is a test for cancer, his response was negative!!!!. However, I did told him that I was encouraged that I read in this forum about completely healthy people to have recurring shingles and he said that too is possible. I don't think that doctors know much about shingles.
If you are having recurring shingles and are otherwise healthy please continue to share your experience. Thanks in advance.
Hi this is Barbara in the UK. Well went to the GP today and yes have got shingles back again - 5th time since October 2013. have the acyclovir anti viral tabs for a week. Feel absolutely wretched, can't describe it as usual. I too take lysine, along with vitamin B12 and Turmeric as I was told the latter helps reduce pain ha ha no it doesn't for me at least. I suffer constantly with PHN and that pain now is so much worse that it's prevalent again. This disease sucks the life out of you. I know that I'm 67 now but I was always healthy and fit and active. I just wish, when people can travel to outer planets etc , that somebody could come up with a cure for this but nobody I've come across seems to care. I'm not ready to curl up and give up.
Thanks Kevin. I have only had it twice. I hope you feel better soon and also get some answers. You are right about the doctors though. Mine sent me to the dentist who said I had shingles. Back at the doctors I was told she 'was not convinced it was shingles' while I refused to budge till she gave me the prescription for the anti viral meds. It is the worst thing I have ever had.
Take care
Barbara - UK
Hi All
This is Chris from London UK ( Ukulele girl) I also took Lysine don't know if it helped but worth a try. Like I said earlier I had the vaccine but still they came back, but nothing like they were before. I am glad I had it because the pain is now bearable. £170 well spent for me anyway. I also cut out lots of trigger foods which I got off this site some time ago, anything is worth a try. Take care. Chris.
What are the trigger foods? I thought it was just stress that brought mine on.
Just in case this helps............
Shingles is caused by 'varicella zoster virus'.
Zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is an attenuated vaccine given to individuals age 60 or older for the prevention of shingles...GENERIC NAME: Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) BRAND NAME: Zostavax...
Now whether a live vaccine can be given to someone whose immune system is compromised, I just don't know. But a Pharmacist will know, not any other sort of medic - a Pharmacist.
Hello Kevin,
I have had shingles and Post Herpetic Neuralgia several times. I have had the vaccine, but it seems not to prevent a recurrence. My Doctor advised it could come back, during times of depression, or shock. The sites I have searched say recurrence is uncommon, however in 1 in 50 cases it could return. (I don't call that uncommon!) I am from the UK, so there may be differing opinions.
Pauline
Thanks for response and sharing pauline. Yes I have also read that recurring shingles is very rare and mostly for those with badly compromised immune system is what concerns me a lot that may be I have some hidden health problems as why I asked members to share their experiences with recurring shingles if they are otherwise healthy so that I feel not alone and to know that it is not unusual to be healthy and have recurring shingles.
On a new development I am begnning to wonder if my case is actually simplex rather than zoster because usually it is simplex which has the characteristics of returning same spot for a variety of reasons in many of those infected with HSV (I was tested negative for all STDs except HSV which my doctor said one can catch in childhood by innocent family kiss). I have exhausted the literature and pictures and really it is impossible to distinguish between herpes simplex and herpes zoster symptoms and sores.
"Recurrent shingles" is a misnomer. All of us on this site have postherpetic neuralgia. There is a new drug in trials called EMA401 said to reduce the pain by 30% without side effects. My doctor gave me the contact number if you're in enough pain to want to get in the study. It's 1-203-989-2100. Unfortunately, postherpetic neuralgia is a life-long ailment. Postherpetic neuralgia only effects about 1 in 10 of people that get shingles, but it sounds like you're one of the lucky ones.