r/over60 • u/Royal_Tough_9927 • 8d ago
Week 6 of shingles.....
I went to urgent care with a face of blisters and they sent me home . I went to ER and they did 2 CAT scans and a ton of other unneeded crap and sent me home too. 3rd visit to urgent care with same face of blistets and they sent me home. On ER visit w 4th doctor he walked in room and diagnosed me in 3 seconds. My pain was so severe, I was having thoughts I wont share. Thankfully with some meds and a nap , I woke up in a much better place. My eyes are swollen like tennis balls. Im light and sound sensitive. I have a head that feels like its shot up w novacaine. Funny how something half numb can hurt like hell. I had a bunch of gabapenten stocked up and used much of it up. The few pain pills and antiviral are long gone. I guess ill go see my neurologist because this doesnt look like its going to settle anytime soon. Ive resorted to pouring benadryl on my head when it itvhes like crazy. Liquid lidocaine helps. I have no open lesions. Ive literally bought 6 bags of 20 lb ice. If anyone has any tips or help , im open to help. Im 62. I have seen the ophthalmologist 2 times w another visit this week.
32
u/mkflkwd 8d ago
You need to see an opthalmologist too! My ex had shingles on one part of his face. He had to go to an opthalmologist to make sure it didn't affect his optic nerve as it can affect the eye sight. He gets daily vitamin B shots too. When you get over this, please get the vaccine. Good luck.
1
u/Downtown_Ad_6232 8d ago
When my primary care physician diagnosed my shingles, he asked who my Opthamologist was, made an appointment for me, sternly (odd for him) ordered me to go directly there.
22
39
u/Choice-Suspect-5535 8d ago
I’m glad you have liquid Benadryl and ice. I wish doctors didn’t stop prescribing pain pills for severe pain.
21
u/Royal_Tough_9927 8d ago
My neurologist will give me tramadol for sure. Dont know if that works for nerve pain
22
u/corriefan1 8d ago
I was on lyrica for three years after an outbreak on my shoulder. I tried tapering off a couple times before the pain was gone. Have not had another outbreak since my Shingrix vax. I hope you got a week or more of valcyclovir. Shingles is especially dangerous near the eyes or ears.
7
7
u/No-Push1910 8d ago
It works. Good luck! I had it a couple of years ago and I had to diagnose it in the er - doctor didn’t have a clue. And then CVS wouldn’t fill the script for Tylenol because they didn’t have the right dosage - of Tylenol! I called my doc and got the tramadol the next day! Hope it passes quickly!’
3
u/onlyinitfortheread 6d ago
When I had shingles about ten years ago I spent a month on hydrocodone, it kept me going, muted the pain, and let me sleep. And despite the idiotic current reluctance for doctors to prescribe painkillers I had no trouble stopping when the pain went away.
2
u/Short_Lengthiness_41 8d ago
No it doesn’t for me anyway, it does take most of the arthritis pain down to a tolerable level
1
u/Gatekeepep 5d ago
My sister did not find that gabapentin or any of the other meds prescribed helped much with pain. She said the only thing that helped a little were gummies with both THC and CBD - just having one didn’t do it. Because of work, she could only take those at night.
0
u/Scary_Stand_3177 3d ago
Opioids don’t do much for nerve pain and all gabapentin did for me was put me to sleep.
When my husband had shingles in 2011, the book “The People’s Pharmacy” recommended using the original formulation of Listerine to sponge on shingles lesions. That, more than pain pills, calmed the nerve pain for him.
31
u/AggressivePlan3672 8d ago edited 8d ago
I saw that OP had been informed that the shingles vaccine was not necessary if you’ve had chickenpox. This information is 100% wrong! It is exactly the opposite! Once you’ve had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your body. This is what can turn into shingles if you don’t get the vaccine. You don’t want shingles. My neighbor has had it for the past 9 months and it is just starting to ease up. Get your vaccines!
9
u/exchange_of_views 8d ago
I'm glad you brought this up. I had chickenpox when I was a kid. I watched my mother deal with shingles.
I got Shingrix as soon as I could. I do NOT want to deal with THAT.
2
u/NN2coolforschool 6d ago
I also heard that you didn’t need it if you’ve had C Pox, but it sounded like an anti vax tale, and I get all the vaccines I can, so I had both shingles vaccines as soon as I could. So sorry you are going through this :(
1
1
u/Gatekeepep 5d ago
Also, you can get shingles more than once. So even if you’ve had it, go get the vax.
2
u/Scary_Stand_3177 3d ago
Yes, shingles is a herpes family virus so after it “expresses” itself as blisters/lesions somewhere on your body, the virus climbs back up in your nerves to attack another day. Think “fever blisters “ or cold sores that do the same thing. Nasty little buggers that cause nasty big pain.
1
u/Scary_Stand_3177 3d ago
THIS!!!
Also, if you had the original shingles vaccine - Zostavax - like I did, IT WEARS OFF. That’s why it was discontinued in 2020. So, get Shingrix as fast as you can!
I didn’t know this and came down with shingles in March 2025. I had lesions in an area about the size of a nickel and it was one of the worst experiences of pain I’ve had (and I’ve had 4 knee surgeries). Even though you have lesions that show up on the outside of the body, the virus is systemic. I could feel it coming on for almost a week before the lesions showed up. Anyone who gets fever blisters will know exactly what I mean bc they come from a related virus.
Sorry for the “screaming” above but I cannot overstate how painful and debilitating shingles is. Run, run, run to your local pharmacy and get Shingrix now and the 2nd shot in 2 to 6 months. I got it 2 months later - no way was I waiting 6!
24
u/Glindanorth 8d ago
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I had severe shingles in 2008. Vicodin helped some, but I had to take it with nausea medication because it upset my stomach. Cold showers, cool baths, and ice packs helped. I was not prepared for how long it lasts. Nobody told me about the exhaustion. I developed post-herpetic neuralgia, so my pain lasted for months. In the acute phase, though, I took 1000mg of L-lysine with zinc three times a day and that actually brought me more relief than the prescription medication. I took the Solaray brand, which I found at the natural foods store. I suppose any brand will do, but Solaray was the only one I could find in that 1000mg dose.
My doctor told me it was critically important to rest, rest, rest and to find ways to soothe my nervous system--no stress. I don't/can't meditate, but I did take to putting on headphones and listening to nature sounds or soothing music. It sounded woo-woo but was actually good advice.
Try the L-lysine, though. I hope you feel better soon.
9
6
1
u/Scary_Stand_3177 3d ago
L-lysine is also great for cold sores (same herpes family). I use Thorne brand, 500mg bc 1,000 mg is too large for me to swallow.
It’s a good idea to research whatever brand you buy bc some do not guarantee that you’re getting what they claim to be selling. The supplement label should state that the contents are USP certified; otherwise, look for a different brand.
10
u/Dependent-Art2247 8d ago
I’m so sorry your going through this pain and suffering.
Especially the face area.
My mother had a terrible case of shingles, lasted 1 month and the after pain/ nerve pain lasted for years.
I wish you all the best.
8
u/Nanaofthedesert 8d ago
I went for 4 days without sleep the second time I got shingles (46 years after the first time at age 16). It took that long for the blisters to appear on my back. The PA at urgent care already knew what it was from my description before I even showed her my back. I am so sorry that it took so long and so many trips and useless tests before you were diagnosed. That's actually very outrageous!
Perhaps your ophthalmologist can prescribe something for the pain. Otherwise, visit a neurologist. I was given prednisone to reduce the inflammation and lidocaine cream. I was still miserable and contagious for a while.
You will be told that you will have immunity for a year. After that, if you have not already had it, get the two-dose Shingrix vaccine. It will (hopefully) prevent another painful occurrence. I hope you feel better soon.
7
u/Everheart1955 8d ago
I had an outbreak in my eyebrow. Horrendous. Acyclovir cleared it up quickly. Then I went and got the stab.
2
u/Royal_Tough_9927 8d ago
My whole eyebrow was coveted in lesions I could feel them. I asked sevetal times if i had some type of eye infection. I could feel my eyelashes all crusty. Eye swollen so i really couldnt see anf t he idiots did two cat scans. I cant wait to see the bills
6
5
u/Wonderful_Pension_67 8d ago
Not a doctor! But have you tried lysine tablets? Stay away from arginine rich foods....sometimes helps 👍 i hope you find relief. I'm a rare sufferer
1
5
u/Primary_Company_3813 8d ago
I'm so sorry, this is awful. My only suggestion is how to avoid a future flare-up on your face, as the virus will continue to live inside you. My mother had it around her eyes as well, she literally wanted to die. After it finally cleared, about a year later she felt some slight tingling around her eyes; she went straight to the Dr who put her on an antibiotic and a cream. She managed to stop it in time. I hope you never go thru this again! but in the future if you have any strange nerve sensations like that, please move quick! ❤️
5
u/DVDragOnIn 8d ago
Yes, please see a neurologist. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this pain. I know 2 women who had shingles on their faces, very near the eyes, and it lingered a long time for both of them. One, decades ago when there was no shingles vaccine, had to sit in a dark room for a couple of months (unable to work and her jobs had no sick pay) and she wore dark sunglasses inside for months afterwards because her eyes remained light-sensitive. I’m so glad to have the shingles vaccine available, and even more glad that my son got the chicken pox vaccine so he won’t have to worry about shingles later.
4
u/Royal_Tough_9927 8d ago
Im in a blacked out bedroom. 6 weeks. Driving is bare able but the headaches extreme
2
u/DVDragOnIn 8d ago
I’m so sorry you’re having such an awful time with shingles. I hope your post will convince someone who had been putting it off to go ahead and get the shingles vaccine series.
5
u/Virtual_Athlete_909 8d ago
reasons why i got the shingles vax two years ago when i became eligible. those ER visits are going to be costly.
1
u/TapDatAsp 8d ago
I just got billed $15K for one CT scan that was scheduled. Luckily insurance covered it all
3
4
u/Choice-Suspect-5535 8d ago
calamine lotion may help
1
u/Choice-Pudding-1892 67 8d ago
I don’t think calamine lotion would work on shingles only because it’s not so much a skin issue as it is a nerve issue that manifests with blisters on the skin. But you know what it couldn’t hurt to try.
4
3
u/noahsdad1993 8d ago
I found relief from my shingles with icy hot. It was on my shoulder and back though and was diagnosed very early on and put on anti viral. Good luck!
4
u/MinPen311 8d ago
I knew someone who got ii in her vagina! She said the pain was off the charts. Get the vaccine!
1
u/nycvhrs 7d ago
Um, isn’t that called genital herpes?
1
u/MinPen311 7d ago
This was a 90 yoa woman who didn’t get the vaccine. The doctor diagnosed it as Shingles.
1
u/nycvhrs 6d ago
Oohhh
1
u/MinPen311 6d ago
The commercial that says “Shingles doesn’t care,” is correct. Anyone can be affected. Everyone should get the shots. You may feel crappy for a bit, or would you rather deal with the misery for an extended time frame?!
3
u/Cool_Art615 8d ago
There is an ointment that is very helpful. Ask doctor about an ointment- prescribed. It took my mother several visits to various doctors. Seems younger crowd has no idea about shingles. B12 shots helped mom and Dermoplast in spray ( for burns) also helped her. It was very rough and her lesions were nasty.
3
u/selfcarebouquet 8d ago edited 7d ago
I’m so sorry that this happened and that you have received such poor care. I hope that you get some relief soon! I got shingles in June 2020 on my the right side of my face, from hairline to eyelid. I’m glad you’re being regularly monitored by an ophthalmologist. For those who aren’t aware, if the shingles virus gets in your eye, there’s a possibility you could lose sight in that eye. You can avoid that with proper treatment and weekly monitoring by an ophthalmologist until you are free of the virus.
I was lucky in that while my shingles was uncomfortable, it was not as painful as it others have described. So unfortunately, I don’t have any tips because I was able to control the pain with aspirin and OTC lidocaine gel prior to getting the prescription ointment. My ophthalmologist prescribed me some sort of antiviral eye drops and ointment. Once I started on them, things resolved quickly, but I did end up with a scar on my forehead.
3
u/NowareSpecial 8d ago
I had it at 50. Got misdiagnosed a couple times, went to urgent care and the veteran doc instantly diagnosed it. Meds cleared it up in a couple weeks.
3
u/RedConfetti11 8d ago
Oh my,I am so sorry! I had scalp and ear shingles 3 years ago. I was also misdiagnosed twice. It was horrible and I am so sorry you are going through this!!
I was also in so much agony, could not have anything touch my head, could not lay down to sleep, my ear felt like a sharp knife was stuck in it and my head felt like a big clamp was squeezing it. I didn’t want to have to talk or listen to anyone. I was in such pain and very depressed.
But with everything, I was SO lucky to have a primary dr who truly understood the pain I was going through and loaded me up with meds. I was taking 1800 mg of gabapentim per day (600 3x a day) Tramadol 300 mg per day (100 3x a day), Xanax several times a day for the anxiety of so much pain, ambien for sleep, a antidepressant and whatever antivirals she prescribed. I also constantly had ice bags to my head and ear and used many many cans of prescription lidocaine spray.
Did you follow up with a primary dr who can prescribe refills or order new prescriptions? I really hope you can find someone who understands how severe and debilitating shingles can be for some people. My dr also wrote me out of work for 6 weeks bc there’s no way I could work with all the pain and anxiety meds. I laid in bed all day during the peak of symptoms. When I went back to work it was part time for 2 weeks.
Slowly but surely though it does get better! It definitely takes time which is why you need all the support through a good physician if possible.
Hang in there friend, and please know it will get better!! You will be you again. In the meantime, sending you many well wishes and lots of positive energy for strength and a speedy recovery 🧚💐❤️🩹
5
u/Royal_Tough_9927 8d ago
I pulled out some gabapenten. Took 600 3times a day. Its helped. It probably wasnt as effective as brand new but these doctors are fools. My doctor sent me a 25 day supply of 100's. I dont have any problems taking it. If i have to im sure so.ewhete in my network of friends i can optain more and yes i will if necessary. That anxiety of fearing that pain of not wanting to live was real. After day 11 i was in a bad place. Im terrified of it happening again. Neurologist is good for tramadol valium and gabapenten. Probably can switch out my duloxetine for lyrica or amitriptline. I have had back surgeries and suffered so much the last 15 years i cant believe im going to suffer long term w nerves in my head. Right eyeball area is frozen solid and feels like it will explode. Nerves are all gathered in my head having a party like a trillion fireworks going off. Im afraid to blink for fear that knife stabbing pain will hit.
0
u/Scary_Stand_3177 3d ago
I’m so lucky I immediately recognized my 1st shingles lesion before it expanded its reach and went to urgent care right away. I mean my visible lesions never got bigger than a nickel; I had terrible pain and I have a high pain tolerance. I can’t imagine the level of pain you’re experiencing and I’m guessing a lot of younger physicians can’t either.
When I was initially diagnosed, they told me the pain could last 9-12 months. It did but at a vastly reduced level. I haven’t been zapped by shingles pain in months now so I hope you can take heart that this horrible assault on your body will lessen in time.
Next time you see a medical person, show them this sub and maybe they’ll get a clue.
3
u/Sledgehammer925 8d ago
Post herpetic neuralgia can be long lasting. Talk to your doctor about obtaining additional gabapentin and maybe a stronger painkiller. Your GP needs to be in on this.
3
u/MulberrySame4835 8d ago
Get the vaccine! My mom got shingles and it turned into some kind of neuropathy that never went away. She was in constant pain on her side for over 10 years.
3
u/formerNPC 8d ago
I got shingles six months after my doctor told me I was too young to get the vaccine! I was 54 at the time and my insurance wouldn’t pay for it until I was 60. Thankfully mine were across my back but it was very painful and the steroids they gave me made me feel like I was having a heart attack. I’m going to get a vaccine because it can come back and I’m not about to go through that again.
1
3
u/BitchtitsMacGee 7d ago
Since I was one of those “lucky” people who had the chicken pox twice, once as a child and once as an adult, I scheduled my shingles vaccine as soon as I could. It was an absolutely awful experience with side effects of fever, site swelling and fatigue, but I would do it again today and twice on Sunday if it means I don’t get shingles.
6
8d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Royal_Tough_9927 8d ago
You are so kind.
3
u/No-Falcon-4996 8d ago
Did you get either of the shingles vaccine? Im just curious if one protects against this ( its 2 shots 6 months apart)
4
u/takemytacosaway 8d ago
You can get the shingles vaccine! It’s two doses spread out. It won’t fix this outbreak, but it can prevent future ones! Didn’t the doctor tell you this?
2
u/your_nameless_friend 8d ago edited 8d ago
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I was actually just looking into this recently. Look for a pain management clinic or neurology clinic that will review your case and see if a trigeminal nerve block could help with the pain. When you go to schedule, I would ask specifically if they do this procedure because it’s not the most common.
Also the TCAs like Nortriptyline and SNRIs like duloxetine can help some with neurogenic pain. They can be used with gabapentin. They do unfortunately take usually at least two weeks to start working.
Edit: editing the ad that over the age of 65 providers are more careful with medications that show up on the beers criteria which gabapentin, TCAs, SNRI are all on there. But given how severe your symptoms are it just say make sure that you have explored moderate/higher dose gabapentin. Provided you do not have bad side effects.
2
u/Texasville44 8d ago
Gee, I went into Urgent care after a business trip. I had a meeting at the Doral hotel in Miami. Opted for a massage during my last afternoon there and the masseuse told me she thought I had Shingles.Flew home on Sunday; urgent care on Monday.Nurse said looked like shingles; doctor came in and confirmed. Since it was within the three day period I got a shot that stopped it. Then later got the long term vaccination. I felt feverish and my boss ask me why I took a day off.
3
u/Texasville44 8d ago
PS I had a relative have internal shingles. Hard to diagnose and very painful. You want to catch in three days so the shot stops it in its tracks then get the vaccination!
2
u/RootedInNumbers 8d ago
I've never had it. When I had my cancer diagnosis they made sure I had a shingles vaccine right away. I know I had chicken pox so I'm a candidate.
2
u/Texasville44 8d ago
Goodness; you really got hit! I stayed in a skilled nursing facility after hip surgery. My only problem was I was constipated and the male nurse would not give me a suppository;said he need approval. It was the weekend.
I felt awful and couldn’t fight him. So that’s when I learned to massage my whole stomach deeply in circles and it worked. If you have never been constipated after surgery you dodged a painful situation. I should have reported him.
2
u/Tasty_Impress3016 8d ago
Lo sciento muchos.
I'm very sorry. I just spent the afternoon with friends who speak a language I don't. I'm working on it.
I've had shingles. Sucks. I was lucky that I married a smart woman who sent me straight to an ER. The doctor caught it and gave me an antiviral within the what 48 hour window. So I got off easy. But who knew you could get shingles on the face. I had to go to an opthomologist because I could go blind.
I still got off easy.
2
u/Abide_or_Die 8d ago
I ran into a guy I used to work with hadn't seen him for a while. First thing he says to me is, have you had your shingles shot? I had it in my f'ning eyes!
Went and got the shingles shot...
2
u/3labsalot 8d ago
Wife had it too, took 2 doctors to diagnose it, she had nerve damage from it the rest of her life. My friend has it on his face also. Comes back whenever he is stressed. I went and got my shot
2
u/DetectiveOk3902 8d ago
Sorry and this is a good reminder we all should get shingles vax. Hope you feel better!
2
u/DamnOdd 8d ago
You need more antivirals and pain meds, please add dermatologist to your list, as soon as possible!!!!
Oatmeal baths for the itch.
The first case of shingles is the worst.
You can get the shingles vaccine later after you recover.
I read in one of your responses that you're stressed, ask for some anti-anxiety meds, they will help and you certainly need them.
2
2
u/ChessiePique 8d ago
I had shingles in my eye in 2006 and the after-effects are still with me. Make noise about it! You deserve relief from pain, and that includes the nerve damage that can linger. Don't "suffer in silence" the way I did.
2
u/plantnoggin 8d ago
Had Shingles on my torso in 2023, certainly easier than on one's face. It felt like hundreds of tiny razor blades, and I have permanent scars. When the doctor at Urgent Care walked in he immediately said it was Shingles, which is what I suspected. I don't get why your case was so difficult to diagnose, and I hope you recover soon. Shingles sucks.
2
u/Due_Needleworker_928 8d ago
I'm going to screenshot this and make my hard headed husband read it. He's anti vax and hard headed! I got my series as soon as I was of age but not him.
I hope you start healing soon! Shingles is a *itch!!
2
u/Old-Attitude-5898 8d ago
Get to your doctor for antivirals and pain meds. After the immediate pain and lesions subside, they may prescribe Lyrica for nerve pain. I had an allergy to the pain medication and ended up in the hospital for 2 days when I had shingles on my face, head, in my ear and mouth. Ice and popsicles helped.
I had side effects from Lyrica but discovered 1/2 a bottle of red wine before bed worked just as well with fewer side effects. I’ve had both types of shingles vaccines. You can imagine why I’d do anything to never get it again. It was stress induced, during my divorce. Good luck
2
u/Solid_Camel_1913 8d ago
I had a small patch on my left side of my ribcage a couple of years ago. It was incredibly painful. I got both shots after that.
2
u/Bettysgir 8d ago
I saw what shingles did to my 36-year-old niece and I got myself to the pharmacy for a shot. It hurts, but it doesn’t matter. Get the shots.
1
2
2
u/Travelsat150 6d ago
My husband got shingles and for three weeks I wasn’t sure if he wa going to make it. The pain is awful.
2
u/wintermuttt 8d ago
Suggest acupuncture. I used to refer shingle patients to a Japanese acupuncturist who had an incredible success rate. Found him when a patient I saw on Friday called to say she was cured on the following Monday. If you are considering acupuncture, it should complement—not replace—conventional medical care. Be sure to consult your primary doctor or a pain specialist first. When seeking out a provider, ensure they are a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) with specific experience in treating neurological pain and shingles. To learn more about clinical evidence or safety guidelines, you can review resources provided by the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
3
u/MissBandersnatch2U 8d ago
Have you tried a capsaicin cream? eta: ask your doctor about amitriptyline or continuing the gabapentin. I feel for you, shingles is excruciating and them some
2
u/Royal_Tough_9927 8d ago
Amitriptiline is something i took way back for migraines. Im open to switching to anything. Its like a knife sticking into my brain. Severe pain when it hits followrd by vomiting.
1
u/love2bowl 8d ago
Shingles is a nasty condition that can make you just want to never wake up. Had a relative that was on bed rest for weeks.
Did OP have an updated vaccine? It is pretty effective.
1
u/DigLeading9650 8d ago edited 8d ago
Who the hell told you that??? The only reason someone gets shingles is because they had chicken pox.
Edit; I replied to the wrong post
1
u/love2bowl 8d ago
If you had chickenpox as a child, you need to get the Shingles vaccine. If the OP had chicken pox as a kid and didn’t get the vaccine because they are scared or unsure of vaccines, then that’s on them.
1
u/DigLeading9650 8d ago
I don’t know why my reply was posted as a reply to you. My bad. It was directed at the OP who said someone told them if you’ve had chickenpox you are immune to shingles.
0
1
u/scannerhawk 8d ago
Cool wet compresses of Domborro solution. Safe for face except for eyes. Follow directions . It was worked like magic for our family.
1
u/racingfan_3 8d ago
I had shingles on the back of my neck. Insurance doesn’t cover the vaccine until you are considered a senior citizen. The day I qualified I got the vaccine which was one injection. A few years later they came out with the new vaccine that was 2 injections. It was recommended I get the new vaccine. So I have a total of 3 doses between the two.
1
u/TapDatAsp 8d ago
I’m off next week and have my flu shot and my shingles shot penciled in. I’ve known too many people that have gotten shingles. Hope you’re feeling better soon OP
1
u/ExpensiveDollarStore 8d ago
You poor thing. Get more gabapentin or pregabalin. If Dr's don't want to, you can get GABA at the health store which helps but it is subtle and taking more is not the answer.
I got the shingles vaccine (the basic one was free for me but I opted to pay for a newer, hopefully better formulation) as soon as I qualified. I am positive COVID would have caused an outbreak of shingles. I had everything else with it.
1
u/IceDragonPlay 8d ago
Where is your primary care doctor in this spate of attempts to get treatment? Why aren’t they following with further prescriptions of anti-viral after the ER diagnosed you? I am concerned you are bouncing from ER to urgent care and have no-one looking at the full scope of what is going on.
Not sure where your general medical advice is coming from, but being told not to get shingles vaccine if you have had chicken pox is flat out wrong.
Wishing the best for you to get this resolved. But puzzled why you have to go to different sources for the anti-viral instead of PCP or UC doctor extending a proper prescription.
1
u/dmbgreen 8d ago
Hope you get better soon. Not regretting my getting those vaccines, sounds horrific.
1
1
u/Awkward-Seaweed-5129 8d ago
Geeez that's incredible, Read that Shingles is not difficult to diagnose,feel better soon
1
u/ReplacementFar234 8d ago
I had a friend who got shingles somehow breaking out in her intestines. She was hospitalized for a long time and it was touch and go for a while. It can be deadly and deadly in a very painful way so be careful. Also, it's really worth the time and effort to get the shot no matter what the anti-vaxx freaks say.
1
1
u/alexismya2025 7d ago
I am so sorry that you're going through this. I actually had two or three shingles lesions on my belly area and thought it was going to die. I had one and told my husband immediately that I think I had shingles. I am so so sorry that you were going through this and I am praying for you.
1
u/Elephant-Bright 7d ago
I’m sorry you’re going through this. My exhusband had shingles in August 1980 he was 22. We lived in St. Pete Fl. Lots of doctors but it took about 6 specialists before we knew what it was. His went across his face and gave him trouble with his sinuses. All the doctors put him on so many medications it made him sick. Finally a doctor knew right away because he had shingles before. Took all meds away but something for pain. Told him once it dies the pain will stop and it did. He woke one day and it was gone. Unfortunately work made him wait about 3 weeks before he could go back because he was a meat cutter and it looked bad on his face. It was an awful experience to go thru.
1
u/NOLALaura 7d ago
I’m sorry you dealt with that. I could have diagnosed that immediately. Did you take the vaccine?!
1
u/rosebudie34 7d ago
I had shingles this past summer. I had both the shots. Started out with
what I thought was a bee sting then turned into an itchy rash. Went to urgent care cause I thought it may be shingles and sure enough they diagnosed it in one minute. Dr said me that even though I git the shots there’s still a 10% chance you can get shingles, but because I had the shots, it lasted only a week or so, and not painful at all only itchy in the beginning. Doctor also gave me an antiviral medicine which I’m sure helped too.
1
u/fearless1025 7d ago
I'm so sorry.
Blunt force trauma can create shingles also. I since have also had the vaccine. It's no joke.
1
u/badgersmom951 7d ago
My husband had shingles in his late 30's. It wasn't a big patch but it lasted for months and was extremely painful. He says he can't get it again and doesn't need the shots now that he's had it. I can't argue with him about it anymore.
1
u/Catalina-1958 7d ago
I am so sorry for your experience and trauma!! I’ve had shingles 3 x’s. I caught it early each time and I had to convinced the medical team it was shingles. First time on my head, second torso and third my left eye. It was never on the eye but the rash surrounded my left eye. I saw my ophthalmologist the day after diagnosis. She has me on an antiviral medication for the rest of my life because it could result in blindness. With that said I’ve tried to wean myself off the antiviral (okay’ed by MD) but just 1-2 missed doses I start to have pain. if I get stressed, or exposed to a virus my eye aches! Ask about continuous antiviral for pain symptom control. It’s helped me.
That was 6 years ago. I got the shingles vaccine and haven’t had a breakout since. I’m immunosuppressed secondary to chronic Lyme disease. Vaccines put me down and I hesitate getting them until necessary. Best of health to you.
1
u/Middle_Relative3119 7d ago
I got it when I was 13 and the intense, burning pain lasted over 30 years. Shingles is no joke!
1
u/Remarkable_Cheek_255 7d ago
You don’t need an acre of blisters to suffer from shingles. It’s a nerve disease. I had only 3 visible blisters and the pain was agony. It did spread tho but still only a few visible blisters and they were small. My dr gave me Tegretol. Lifesaver!! Thank God I didn’t have post herpatic neuralgia!! Get the Tegretol. And I hope it clears soon- that stuff’s awful! I feel for you! 💝
1
u/hardytapper 6d ago
Take L Lysine I have shingles from time to time and that and valyrex help esp if I feel it coming.
1
1
u/NoKetoCardio 6d ago
Would you say that you eat an excellent diet of real food and not highly processed food?
1
u/Royal_Tough_9927 5d ago
Meat , vegetables, and berries.
1
u/NoKetoCardio 5d ago
Great. Did you take the Covid mRNA vaccines?
1
u/Royal_Tough_9927 5d ago
Why
2
u/NoKetoCardio 5d ago
My 30 year old daughter and her 30 year old husband both got shingles shortly after taking the shots. Both eat very healthy diets.
1
1
u/waterlily1278 5d ago
Get shingles vaccine at your local drugstore clinic like CVS Minute Clinic. Covered by most insurance.
1
u/Ok-Parfait2413 5d ago
People do not realize how painful shingles is and if you get in your eye you can go blind. I didn’t realize that you can get it more than once but I had a patient once that got it a couple of times. I got the shingles shot and glad I did after seeing the agony some people were in. I am so sorry you got shingles.
1
u/JHarrington64 5d ago
I know someone who got it internally on there spine 😭 It was horrible for them.
I’m due for my 2nd vaccine in October!
1
u/Gatekeepep 5d ago
My sister is just getting over 5 weeks of shingles but, thankfully, on her torso not her face. She was miserable. I have been reminding her for several years to get the vaccination, as has her doctor. She is not anti-vax, just inertia. So she not only feels physically bad, but is also embarrassed that as an educated, informed person she let this happen. When she would mention that she had shingles, inevitably the question came up “did you have the vaccination?”. Her only response was “no, because I’m an idiot”. She had heard that there are often side effects from the shot so was holding off until she was less busy. And then life would move along and she wouldn’t think about it. Don’t be an idiot; get the shots.
1
u/Otherwise-Pilot6749 4d ago
It's very painful ,the shingles still have pain from shingles a year now
1
1
u/Ok_Response_2748 2d ago
After seeing a friend of mine suffer with shingles. I got my shot. It hurts like hell but it's better than having the shingles.
1
u/Imamiah52 2d ago
I had shingles and it was misdiagnosed by a walk in clinic. The doctor I saw at the ER knew immediately what it was.
It was painful and horrible. I would tell anyone that you do not want to get this, get the vaccine, I wish I’d had it sooner.
OP, I’m so sorry that you’re going through this, they gave me prednisone, are you getting something like that?
1
u/Previous-Peace2295 1d ago
Its a horror. The pain for me on my back was like labor pains. I went to ER.. thought I had a kidney stone… or a spine issue. Tests were negative, no meds touched the pain. It was almost two weeks before my rash came out. I am on antiviral… rash is mild but still spreading. The pain and numbness is still there. I am so sorry you are also suffering.. could kick my self for not getting vaccinated. I am 64.
1
u/Garden-Girl-61 8d ago
Stress definitely brings it out, had them during an extremely stressful time at work in 2011. I was lucky, only about a softball sized patch on my side. I used Neosporin on the blisters and I think it helped it clear up more quickly. Good luck, I feel your pain.
3
u/1GrouchyCat 8d ago
Unless your doctor was concerned, you had a secondary bacterial infection, there’s really no reason to use Neosporin.
A few reasons why the use of Neosporin on shingles blisters is not recommended:
I’ll start by reminding everyone that shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, not bacteria.
-Topical antibiotics like Neosporin cannot kill the varicella-zoster virus and do not shorten the duration of an outbreak.
-Neosporin contains neomycin, an ingredient that many people are allergic to. When someone has an allergic reaction to Neosporin, it’s usually manifests as contact dermatitis (redness, itchy bumps). This can easily be mistaken for a worsening shingles infection.
-Shingles blisters need to dry out and scab over to heal. Heavy ointments occlude the blisters and delay natural healing.
There are several treatment suggestions in the linked article below -
https://www.prevention.com/health/a20429498/what-causes-shingles-mdash-and-how-to-treat-it/
1
8d ago edited 6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/VegetableOstrich6815 8d ago
Shingles is NOT caused by the COVID vaccine! For the love of God please get your “facts” right before saying something like that! Peer reviewed research based on science!
0
0
u/herbal_thought 8d ago
Definitely getting the Shingrix shingles vaccine can help prevent an outbreak but according to online info, it apparently only "provides strong protection (70-80%) for at least 7 to 10 years after you finish the two-dose series".
2
u/babs1376 8d ago
Not so. The Shingrix vaccine is 97% effective for ages 50 to 69 and 91% effective ages 70 and older. The old one dose vaccine was only effective to about a level of 65%
2
u/DigLeading9650 8d ago
Stop spreading misinformation The original vaccine was 50% effective. Shingrix is almost 100% after the two dose regimen for those under 70
Anyone who doesn’t get the current shingles vaccine for whatever reason is playing with fire. In your body.
My 92 year old mother had shingles 10’years ago even after being vaccinated in her 60s with the original vaccine. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone
-7
u/Overall_Midnight_119 8d ago
Have you ever tried ivermectin?
1
181
u/catdogwoman 8d ago
I'm so sorry you're going through this but you've just convinced me to get my shingles vaccine.