Will rest/inactivity help heal??

Infections
1

It's SO hard to find good information on how to deal with the shingles pain and I'd like your advice about what my doctor suggests. Background: I've had it one month, very minor vessicles, but pain in back and chest. I'm on my normal RX or an NSAID, Tylenon, Gabapentin and lidocain cream. I'm now up to 600 mg 3X a day of the Gab. My doctor wants me PAIN FREE, which can almost be accomplished by doing, well almost nothing. His theory is that keeping the nerves from firing, will help me and them heal. I know for most people this is almost impossible. However, I've been very lucky that my husband's semi-retired and is fabulous. We found that last 48 hours as I visited my daughter for Thanksgiving my "job" was to sit in a comfortable chair and avoid any activitiy that caused pain i.e. heavy water glass (use a straw or smaller cup) twisting or turning. I was actually pain free for hours!!

So, that was wonderful, but it's also extremely discouraging to have to keep bothering others to do simple things like helping me get a bowl from the cupboard, unpack a suit case etc. So, will this help!? Is there ANY info out there I've missed? My Pity Parties are getting more frequent and harder to deal with as I realize how much my life has changed. Trying to stay positive, but as you all know, it's hard.

I've been off of work now for 3 weeks, per the doctor and between the fuzzy brain, sleepiness and pain with any movement, I agree. However, I also expect to be told this week that I've lost my job. As a part-time worker, I have no protection. That's just the way it is. Gotta go, can't sit any longer.

 

2

Hi Babs  I am so sorry to hear that you have this wonderfully painful infection, (Joking)  This the most painful  infection that any one could have,  and I would not wish this on my worse enemy,  OK I would like to think  that I dont have any enemy's.  I hate to say that I have been living with this shingles (PHN)  If you want to look up any info  type in  PHN, this is what you can have after the spots or rash have disappeared. I dont want to scare you but Im still suffering it was a year last July, during exam time at school and of course I could not go to school just in case any staff/students were pregnant.  Ok  you dont say where your PHN is,  mine was under the breast, the bra line and around the back up to my shoulder.

I am still suffering, I live on my own, and I think it was when I became low after

 my partner passed away. I do also suffer from both types of arthritis, have two full knee replacements, waiting for major shoulder repair (second op) and a throat op (no 3)  problem as it stops me eating meat etc. and waiting for a hernia op.  I'm not sure  but I have been told because of depression, it is aggravated by some or all of my issues.

Because my shingles under the bust area and round seem to be triggered like you said  by stress, Like you even if you want to do things simply cooking, hoovering, putting items in the washing machine, travelling, you have to try to stay calm, which is not possible  I hate to say no one understands what your pain is like, it can be prickly heat, to pins and needles, mine also feels like some one is walking across the pain nerve ending, it could be heat travelling around your area of the shingles. because of the area where mine starts  I use Talc and Powder just to cut the itchy-ness .  Some one on this site said turn your undergarments  inside out and the seams will not aggravate the area  AND IT WORKS. I have purchased on line some gel packs, that you put in the freezer, you can also purchase the cover to put the packs in  I use these, but buy at least 4 of them I guarantee you will need them.  I live in the UK, winter is starting to settle us in, so I find if the heating is on, it  starts to blow my mind with pain.  Showers also  makes my  back over heated,  I have nights when my quilt on the bed is too much, and yes I cry in pain. Im glad  Chas is not around to hear me crying, but I really do miss him. in pain. A year on and I cant still wear a bra and Im 62,  I will close for now Babs as just sitting typing to you has just blown my back and side. speak again once this pain goes away.  Jocelyne mason Cambridge  UK

 

3

I should be in the acute phase, it started one month ago. We have it in the same locations, so yes we probably CAN feel each other's pain. But strangely I never had any itching. Today, I am again spending most of the day sitting, so I am doing quite well.  But I did try to move wash out of the machine into the dryer, bad move, literally. I'm still feeling that. I'm sorry to hear all you've been through.I'm very lucky to have very few other health iissues and a supportive spouse. I'm going to accept my forced inactivity, and hope my doctor is right. My advice to others is if at all possible, do the same.

4

Hi  Babs where are you from, as you can see Im in the united kingdom Cambridge, sorry for the message rushed to you.  Please read as much as you can on PHN  its a shorter version of the name  but doctors at the pain clinics  and hospitals know it called.. after a very large fight at meetings with the education system  special needs,  I had to get the school to not give me a new contract, I will admit  I have had to take a lot of times from school, and all fairness I had to stop fighting to give up my students, because all the time I was off with this pain, I had to admit that my students were the ones losing out. also by not having my contract issued, I could get my rent paid.

The only other thing I can suggest  If your doctor (mine is in the UK)

you are given liquid medication  called oxynorm or oxynorm which is fast acting and lidocane patchers, which you keep on for 12 hours and then take them off for 12 hours- I used them from 8 am till 8 pm, which enabled me to work at school, including a few hours off for a few hours socialising.  do keep in contact Babs . ButI hate to say after 9 years working at the senior school, I lost my job, which has hit me  to enable to pay me bills...  thats life I suppose but it does not help me live no work = no  money.

5

warm hug, been their...exact area, twice...silk is gentle...love gel ice packs....Perhaps you can find a balance between doing and resting...I prefer Lyrica-pregabalin to Neurotin-gabapentin. For shingles my physician prescribes 75 mg four times per day. Perhaps a smart cell phone so that you can surf the net and rest, you can speak to it. I am so sorry you lost Charles.

6

Shingles is the ultimate reason for a pity party! So sorry...been there 5 times. At three weeks, you should be winding down.

My physician prescribes 75 mg Lyrica four times per day. Lyrica was specifically developed to treat diabetic nerve pain.

Frozen gel packs should be in every freezer...great for many ailments including shingles.

And consider a shingles vaccination so that you may never go through this again.

hugs

7

Thanks NoNick. I'm still can't find any info on my or my doctor's theory, but if sure fits for "first do no harm". I DO wish he had given my the anti-virals when two weeks later I had the classic rash on my chest. There's a chance they may have helped. Anyway, for me, the 3 drugs and pain cream (I still had too much pain when the patch was off and didn't want to wait 12 more hours) are helping. DEFINITELY more dopey, tired, trouble with focusing my eyes on the higher Gab dosage but I'm much more comfortable, so that's a blessing.

It's odd how so much if these symptoms are similar (pain, burning and location) and others such as itching, reaction to hot or cold (for me showers feel wonderful, relaxing and stop the pain) vary so much. Strange.

 

8

Hello Babs,

I'm no expert but I'm a great believer in listening to what your body is telling you.

I first came down with shingles back in the summer and I couldn't believe how absolutely crap I felt. I had a recurrence about 6 weeks ago, which has been much less severe. Both times, however, my GP was absolutely on the ball: and, fortunately, both times I realised early what I was suffering with, so I was on antivirals quickly.

Thankfully, the recurrence has been quite mild - just a rash on the right side of my abdomen and also, this time, one on my right calf, which I thought at first was an insect bite (midges in Scotland are a pain in late Summer/Autumn and I'm very susceptible) but I realised it was a second shingles rash. Each time I determined to follow my body's dictates: I did what I could but, as soon as I felt my energies go, I stopped.

I think I'm really fortunate. The rashes have been itchy and, occasionally, uncomfortable but not really painful. But they flare at any time - often in the middle of the night with no obvious reason - so I can't really put them down to anything in particular. 

My 'advice', for what it's worth, would be to do tentatively what you feel able to do but stop the moment you get any signals from your body: The very first sign of a drop in energy, stop; The very first twinge of discomfort, stop.

It seems to me that shingles is such a variable disease that there's no right or wrong - no simple answer to any question. But our bodies and our instincts are there for a reason: we need to listen to them.

By the way, after six weeks I think my rashes are definitely fading. And it was about six weeks the first time before they started to fade. It seems to me that shingles takes as long as it takes.

Hope you reach some real relief soon!

9

Hi  thanks for your message.  I have used gel packs,  I even get into my car to drive to town, and have placed a gel pack under my coat, it has helped me so many times.  and if I'm going to be late home/all day  I do pack 3 or 4 in my ice box, they are so useful  as I said I also take a liquid medication  oxynorm which takes the edge of my pain, you can only take it four hourly .  I am allowed to drive. I cant understand why it attacks you if you are feeling low, now I have had to admit that i am suffering from depression, I just cant seem to cope at the moment..  I wish you well take care Jocelyne from Cambridge UK

10

Thank you so much David, your words were very comforting. I was actually "helping" my husband make some Christmas cookie doughs (which meant explaining the recipes, unwrapping butter and not much more) and, yes, hit that wall. I then took a break, read your post and promptly took a 30 minute nap! Except when I'm sick, which used to be about once every 5 years, I never nap. So I took your advice and will continue to take it easy. I think I am finally seeing an upturn in my health. The rest and high levels of Gab seem to be helping.

Jocelyn, I understand those "low" feelings, it's been pretty difficult at times and I seem to struggle around 6:00 pm, when I'm tired and it's time for the meds.

11

only a fool thinks thst shingle pain is nothing....2011 I had awful pain for three weeks....thought I had liver disease, gall bladder stones, pancreatitis...ultra sound said something wring...cat scat said something wrong...I could take no more and asked a friend to drive me to a big city hospital and...as I was dressing to go I spied one teeny tiny shingles cluster of blisters....turns out you can develop the damnable things internally! I am praying Shingrex by Gkaxi Smith Klein makes it through USA FDA approval quickly.

12

Good that you were able to 'do' a bit Babs. I think even doing a little can be a real boost to our psyche. You were wise to go and have a nap though.

The first time my shingles hit, I could sleep at the drop of a hat! I normally need my 8 hours each night, and actually function better on 9, but I was sleeping 11/12 hours every night plus dozing during the day. This time, thankfully, I'm OK during the day but I'm sleeping 11/12 hours at night again.

People have mentioned depression: back in the summer I just couldn't believe it; it hit me like a brick wall. Even though my rational-self told me that shingles would pass, I felt that I would never be well again. I can well understand one or two friends who speak of 'the black dog'.

I think there's a great deal of misinformation out there about shingles: like how you get it and what you can catch from what; and links with HIV, which I think come from word associations like 'antivirals' and 'auto-immune'; but I would never discount people's *experience* of shingles. It is so varied.

I hope each day is an improvement for you on the previous one.

13

Gel pacjs rock.....if my freezer runs out of space something else gas to go! I love the cervical shaped one for wrapping around an ankle, foot, hand, wrist, elbow, an across the shoulder.

Doldrums are quite normal...be kind to yourself, you have been through a lot.

hugs

judith

14

Every few days I have to call in to my doctor as they increase the Gabapentin. Today's the first time that I said I think I'm on the up-swing. The intense pain is less, and the almost-pain-free times are increasing! I hope I've hit the correct dosage and the rest is working.

Personally, I don't see myself able to get back to work for a few weeks yet, but at least it's improving. She agreed this is more like a bell curve, no rapid improvement soon, but at least we think I bottomed out. Of course there are still all the discouraging issues to deal with (sure which my eyes would work better, and that confusion, and fatigue, well you all know).

Yes, David, how to balance the activity for our sanity and the rest for the body is a challlenge. That feeling of isolation and loss is so hard. That 'black dog' is hard to shake. If we somehow KNEW it would be gone, like normal recovery, it would be so much easier to take.

It's also really taking a toll on my hubby to be doing so much, physically and emotionally. He's got a bad knee, but not quite ready for a knee-replacement so I can easily take the stairs for doing the wash, but can only carry somuch up and down the stairs. Or type, time to stop.

15

Shingles on my face for going on 3 months. I take 150 milligrams of Lyrica 3 times a day I take Percocet Three times a day can I take one vodka in the morning. I can't do much but lay on the sofa. I go to a pain specialist. This is the most painful thing I ever went through. Good luck they tell me it could last for years but I sure hope not.

16

I'm so sorry Joseph, you didn't seem to be getting much relief. Is it possible a different type of medication could help? I know if it's PHN, there's not much else to offer, but could Gabapentin work better? Also, personally I found that adding extra-strength aceteminophin has helped a lot.

17

I am so sorry...I have had them on half of my entire head and neck...

You physician can prescribe a fourth dose of Lyrica for a short time...I found morphine sulfate extended release 15 mg more effective than percocet. ...do not take alcohol with either drug

hugs

18

I'll answer my own question. Yes I believe rest does help heal. Today I had a really good day, so what did I stupidly do? Pushed myself too much lifting a gallon of milk. Back to more pain than I've had in days! I learned my lesson.

 

19

I have another update. I am slowly recovering.  As you all know, it's so incremental it's hard to keep track of the improvements, but they are there. I'm following my same regimen of my normal prescription NSAID, 2400 mg of Gabapentin, Extra Strength Tyelenol, lidocaine pain cream and most importantly, rest. My supervisor has been supportive and so far, I still have my job, I'm still following my doctor's advice "if it hurts, don't do it" and taking things very slowly. My thoracic nerve is affected so the pain is in my left side of my back and my chest. If I do lifting of anything that weighs more than a half pound, leaning, twisting, bending I'll cause pain. I'm using a straw to drink, as lifting my heavy drinking glasses cause the burning/twinges. Obviously, normal activities such as getting dressed,walking, eating etc. fire up the nerves, so I try to minimalize anything else. I learned the hard way what to avoid. (Sitting at the computer and typing sets if off, so please excuse typos, I've got to hit "send" and get up.)

I wondered if this plan really did help, and I have at least one other doctor's opinion that it does. I have a sister on disability due to degenerative disc disease who sees a very good pain specialist. The doctor confirmed that I should try and avoid ANYTHING that firest up the nerves or this may become PHN. The doctor also felt that Lyrica was the drug of choice vs Gab, but it would take too long to titrate me down from the Gab and onto the Lyrica and the Gab + rest is helping.

I realize I'm extremely lucky to have the support of my family, physician and employer to follow this treatment plan and others may not be able to. But when dealing with nerves, if you can rest as much and prevent further aggravation it may have a tremendous effect on your outcome.

Due to my age, and severity of the pain, I'm at higher risk of PHN, so I'll do anything I can to put the odds in my favor.  Good luck to you all.window.post_1482418436380_20 = function(win,msg){

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20

Hi Jocelyn,

I relate to your post. I got shingles about two months ago and am now left with post singles nerve pain. I live alone so feel very isolated. None of my friends understand the constant pain I am in or how it is to live my life now that I have constant pain. 

Your post helped me realize that others suffer as I do. I have a lot of the same triggers for pain that you do. I will try to be more aware of what makes my pain worse and avoid these things.

I want so much to live my life and not become an invalid. I can't take strong prescription drugs so I must find other ways to cope with the pain. I plan to try several alternative methods soon. Now, I practice relaxation techniques when I can. 

Thanks for your words.