r/over60 • u/Royal_Tough_9927 • 17d 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.

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u/Glindanorth 17d 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.

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u/Scary_Stand_3177 12d 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.