Anyone with Shingles? - Shingles Message Board

Delia79 · 05-18-2008, 02:48 PM

I am not sure if this board is completely related to genital herpes or all types. I found out last week that I have Shingles which is a form of herpes, or the adult version of Chicken Pox. Has anyone else been through this? If so, can you share your experiences? Thanks!

Ducky74 · 05-18-2008, 03:01 PM

Delia~
I also had shingles - a kissing cousin of the genital type about 5 months ago. My MD treated it with the same med that I take for the genital type - Valtrex. I was lucky enough to have caught it very early on as I thought the bumps were spider bites. I experienced bad pain in my right shoulder around where the bumps/rash formed. The pain was very bad the first 3-5 days and then I experienced mild pain for several weeks. She also prescribed the vicodine for the pain as needed, but I only needed to take it for about 2 of the days. They said that the earlier that you catch it, the less likely you will be to experience chronic pain.

Hope that may help a little bit! Let me know any specific questions you may have.

Delia79 · 05-18-2008, 04:09 PM

Hey thanks for your response! I have had mild if any pain but cannot STAND the itching!!!! I have had Psoriasis for years and thought that was what was going on until I went to the doctor for a swollen lymph node under my arm and found out it was actually Shingles. I am also taking Valtrex. My first question is, what does the Valtrex actually do? I also forgot to mention that I am 5 months pregnant and am hoping this doesn't effect the pregnancy although my doctor already assured me it would not. Do they prescribe Valtrex during pregnancy? I just hate taking any meds while pregnant but know that I have to take this so don't really have an option. I just worry that it will harm the baby. I guess my other question is I only have about four small spots of this on my back, right around the back on the right side. They are already scabbing so I am guessing that means it is healing. What are the chances that new spots will appear? Thanks so much for any advice you can give, because this is driving me mad!!!!

Ducky74 · 05-18-2008, 04:44 PM

I also only had 4 bumps that appeared and didn't have any others come up after they healed over. The Valtrex, from my basic understanding, keeps the virus from allowing it to replicate more or less. It is also safe to take during pregnancy as doctors prescribe it for expectant mothers who have herpes before they have the baby to keep them from spreading the virus to the baby during delivery. So, you should have no worries!

You can look up specific information on Valtrex on how it works by looking up the manufacturer and they have how it works for herpes, shinges, etc. Hopefully your itching will ease up now that you are getting the Valtrex in you. Congrats and good luck with the baby!!

Delia79 · 05-18-2008, 05:22 PM

Thanks again Ducky! It's nice to find someone who actually has an understanding of this. The weird thing about the Shingles is that it NEVER bothered me UNTIL I started the medicine!?!?!? Before that, like I said, I just thought it was Psoriasis which while unsightly was not irritating at all.