Diagnosis finally--shingles! - Shingles Message Board

Lois · 08-25-2003, 12:27 AM

Hello all.
Well, I finally couldn't take the pain anymore so I went to the emergency room today. (Remember I've been posting about chest pain?) Anyway, I'd broken out in a rash today too. Well, apparently I have shingles! I had no idea shingles could cause so much pain. They told me I could double my regular pain meds but that I would probably not be able to get to a pain free state. They also gave me an antiviral medication and a prednisone dose pack. I'm a little nervous about taking the steroids cause they always tear up my stomach. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to cope with shingles and how to take steroids without stomach distress?
Thank you all for your help this week. Also, how long should this last? I'm on vacation for the next two weeks and we were supposed to go out of town staring Sunday. Should I cancel or is it possible I could feel better in a week?

StillWater · 08-25-2003, 08:38 AM

Lois, I'm so sorry you have shingles. I had them in March and was off work a full month. I had always heard they were terribly painful, but I had no idea how painful until I had them. When mine finally broke out, they were on my left foot and lower leg. The deep aching pain was initially on my side and down to my thigh. When the rash broke out, the burning was terrible on my foot and lower leg. The doctor had initially diagnosed it as a kidney infection because of the side and back pain. The blisters broke out on a Sunday morning, and I finally went to the ER, because the pain was so bad and I knew my dr was going to be out of town all week.

I hate to tell you this, but I think it is unlikely that you will be feeling better in a week. Even though I was off work a month, when I went back, I could only go part time for at least a couple more weeks. Of course this could have been worse, because I was already experience sciatica and back problems.

I would suggest you take the anitviral religiously and also the steroid if you can manage it at all. They say that it will help keep you from developing Post Herpetic Neuralgia. (which is a continuing of the shingles symptoms after shingles is over. they say it can last months or even years)

Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself and take your meds. (do I sound like your mother?)

Write again, if you want. I feel like I'm an expert on shingles by now.

StillWater

Disavowed · 08-25-2003, 05:40 PM

Well...I for one would like to know what exactly is shingles? i always thought it was a skin rash....you mean it can cause pain that bad...such as muscular?? is it in one spot or all over? I have known a few people through the years that have said they had shingles, but apparently never had a too terribly bad experience....I assume it is different for everyone?? is it contagious?

Jenetti · 08-25-2003, 07:19 PM

So sorry to hear you have shingles. That is a HUGE OUCH!!!!! THe most painful thing ive ever gone thru. The pain is simply unbearable, i ended up in the ER as well. That was 3 yrs ago, and even now, every so often I get pain in the same area and its bad enough where i get chill bumps. Mine went from my ribcage down to the lower hip area and around to the navel.
My doctor gave me the antiviral med plus pain pills, but even that is not enough, trust me. One evening I just broke down completely crying and hubby saw me and said youre going to the ER. ER doc saw my rash and said goodness, no wonder youre in pain. Said you should have come in sooner to the er for a shot instead of just the pain pills. He gave me a shot , went home and slept the rest of the night, still hurt the next day of course, but at least i slept and rested that night. Hadnt been able to do that since the pain started. Pain starts way before the rash appears. I hope you feel better soon hon, but like the poster said, it takes time to heal and make sure you stay on that antiviral med.
Jen

Lois · 08-27-2003, 01:48 AM

HI all.
Thanks for the support. Well the first few days were horrible but now I'm starting to feel better. Still on a lot of pain med but at least it seems to be working now. I didn't get any relief the first few days. I'm taking the antiviral medicine and the sterioids and so far tolerating them. And, thank heavens, they haven't spread!
i'm just so glad the rash finally started so that they could diagnose it. I really thought I was having a heart attack and no one was listening. But once I went to the er with the rash it was a simple diagnosis.
I'm bummed cause I'm going to have to cancel out vacation and the agreement says they keep the deposit ($400) if we cancel sooner than 20 days! Ouch. I hope when I call tomorrow and tell them what's happended they will be lenient. But it is for Labor Day Weekend. I just don't think I could drive 6 hours to get there.
And, now the itching has started where the sores are. I want to scratch so bad but the doctor said that's a big no no if you don't want it to spread.
Does anyone have any home remedies to put on shingles, chicken pox, herpes, sores? (Apparently they are all in the same viral family and the sores are similar.
Thanks