Since I posted the thread have learnt quite a bit.
Have been told it would not have been shingles on my hip all those years ago as there was no pain and most likely just the cold sore virus.
Then I have had a really bad time with these shingles, took 42 anti viral tablets and panadeine forte.
The shingles sores have all but dissapeared but the pain is till there but controlled with less stonger pain killers.
But my top lip started to feel funny then one day saw a very small sore on it. I asked the Dr about it and he said it could be a cold sore starting and then I said "But the anti viral tablets stopped it developing " and he said yes you are right
My Dr told me that if you get a really nasty dose of shingles you dont usually get it again but he has dealt with a patient who has gotten it more than once.
Yes you can get it more than once. And you can have pain without blisters. I'm on my third outbreak of shingles in less than 4 months. The first time it started with blisters on my left side by upper rib cage. I thought it was a bug bite. It started to get really itchy an normal topical creams made it worse. So I went to doctor and he said it was shingles. It hurt and was itchy. The second time was about a month or so later. This time pain in the same area but no blisters. Thank god because I still have the scars from the first outbreak. This pain was even worse. By the second week I couldn't stand it anymore. I did some research and found out that lidocaine patches helped with pain. Luckily I had some so I started using them. They did help. It last another week or so. Then 3 weeks later another outbreak of blisters. This time on the inside of my arm near elbow, same side of the body. The blisters were itchy but no pain.
I'm getting frustrated with this. I read about the shingles vaccine. Thinking about trying it.
Has anyone tried the vaccine yet and has it helped.
Thanks
I also found out by the Dr that the pain after the sores have healed can be even worse when the sores were there.
Today is three weeks since my first pain started, 4 days later sores appeared and shingles confirmed and now three weeks later still pain each day and sores have virtually gone.
My Dr said he has never given the Shingles injection and didnt really know much about it.
What I have read is that it is given to the elderly and weak only
I'm getting frustrated with this. I read about the shingles vaccine. Thinking about trying it.
Has anyone tried the vaccine yet and has it helped.
Thanks
I belong to a prayer circle and several of the ladies in the circle have had the shot with no ill side effects. The fact that I have had shingles several times makes me want to talk to my doctor about the shot.
Hi
Thanks for the info. I spoke to my doctor and they don't do the vaccines in their office. They recommended a pharmacy that does flu shots. They have started to do the shingles vaccine as well. I don't know if that is by area, but I'm in Los Angeles suburbs.
I may try this afternoon.
Thanks
Last edited by Alex1955; 10-01-2012 at 02:15 PM.
Reason: mispelled word
Re: Is it possible to get Shingles twice ? 
