Thread: Woe is me!

Hello John,

Take things easy and concentrate on recovering. Get well soon John!

Kind regards
Lionel

I've never had shingles but elder bro has and reckoned he wouldn't wish it on his worse enemies. Luckily he lives in Switzerland so I was in no risk of getting it. Not sure he knows it's contagious as he's never mentioned that to me.
But I have had severe sometimes painful itching put down by the quack as "too hot showers or just dry skin"..... and now he's no longer my Doc. I have changed medication recently and the itch has disappeared.
Anyone who hasn't suffered from deep deep painful itches and I mean painful, doesn't know what they're missing.
Good luck OP, I can imagine a bit what you're going through.
AlanH.

Not good, hope you miss out on the worst of it. Just remember, nothing lasts forever, this too will pass. Chin up.

To amplify information, and answer questions.

1. Shingles is a reactivation of the herpes zoster virus that has remained hidden in the body from a childhood infection of it - as a primary infection, this virus causes chicken pox.

2. As shingles, it infects the nerve system, appearing as blisters where the nerve reaches the skin. Usually it infects a single nerve and its branches from the spinal cord. The classic case is at waist level and extends around half the waistline from the centre of the back.

3. It is highly infectious, but people catching the infection will get chicken pox, not shingles.

4. It can be a relatively minor infection, but also can cause long term or permanent damage to nerves, which shows up as long term severe pain (postherpetic neuralgia). It can last for the rest of your life. There is no effective treatment for the pain.

5. To get it you need to have had chicken pox. Probability of developing shingles increases with age. It can be triggered by a suppressed immune system, illness or physical or psychological trauma.

6. I have had it previously, which is why I know all about it. Last time it was in the classic location, eighteen years ago, following the loss of my wife, and has left me with long term severe pain. This time it is on my left upper back.

7. I left to see the doctor at 0630 this morning and got to the waiting room by 0730, and saw her about 0800. I am now on antiviral drugs (valaciclovir).

8. I was vaccinated against the virus two years ago, and this should (according to the literature) make this episode less severe, even though it did not stop it.

Thank you all for your concern.

I had it when I was around 40 & it isn't nice.
My Dr told me it probably flared up due to over work & related stress?
Might have been because it disappeared completely when I quit that job & left that town.
I don't think I had it bad but it was very odd, sort of like a real bad rash but on the inside of your skin.

The only up side was I would tell people I had a disease called "Roof Tiles".

Get well soon.

Jonesfam

Sorry to hear this John. Thinking of you and hopefully you will get well soon.

I think I am feeling a little better today, possibly because the medicine is starting to have an effect. At least i was able to sleep last night.

That's good. Sleep is essential for recovery.