Shingles.

I've started a new thread on this as didn't think this post had gone through . So please post on the new one. Many thanks.

Rubylady I have shingles now!! Sooo painful! Started Tuesday with stomach pain, worse Weds, Thursday red & sensitive side with few spots, realised it was shingles, so bad by Friday phoned doctor for some Aciclovir. Not sure if I started taking too late, as really flared up, just as bad today. Bathing side & back with 1/2 bowl water with 6 drops of Eucalyptus oil, it does sooth.
Take it your better now as this thread is 4yrs old

Oh you poor thing - my mum had shingles years ago and I remember how poorly she was - it was Christmas too. Hope the tablets start to work quickly for you. At the other end of the scale my SIL little grandson is in Disney Paris and has got chickenpox! They're really hoping the blister dry up before he has to fly home.

I've had shingles twice, and got acyclovir, and afterwards got amytryptiline for the pain, which really helped.

ruby. ?

If I get a little itch anywhere else it is making me very nervous rubylady. Fingers crossed it stays where it is and doesn't spread.

I do hope you feel better soon and I hope the tablets work. The painkillers seem to be working but it does make you edgy and a bit irritable.

Izabella It's ok, I'm just a bit touchy at the moment. Sorry for rounding on you. I've stopped the heat on my massage pad as it seemed to be irritating it even more.

I've got the tablets now after a very kind, stressed out (Easter deliveries) gent brought them earlier.

Jamila I hope you get some relief from yours, it's no fun, is it?

I hope it is better soon. I had it in my twenties believe it or not!! on my hip. I seem to remember using Calamine lotion too. When I went to the Docs I can remember his reaction. he laughed!!
" Ha Ha you have shingles" pfft , not very sympathetic methinks.

It didn't bother me too much apart from the itching and a bit of localized pain, but I suspect it is worse when one is not in one's 20's

Ruby

Another thing that may help with your back is a gently heated wheat bag if you have one.

Someone suggested an ice pack today

I suppose alternate ice and heat?

I hope the tablets help, Rubylady and you're feeling better v soon.

rubylady I am concerned my earlier post may have been misconstrued as unsympathetic. It was not meant to be. Lost in translation perhaps as they say. It was meant to be informative to everyone as well as yourself (hence the general vaccine advice). Perhaps my concern in a possible delay in you getting treatment coloured my choice of words. I am however most relieved you are getting the treatment you need.

If you should ever read my posts in other areas I think you will find I am usually (and hopefully) supportive, helpful and empowering. In some cases, such as your own, I will give a nudge if I think a nudge in the right direction is needed. If I misread the situation I apologise.

Another thing that may help with your back is a gently heated wheat bag if you have one. Certainly worth trying.

I will try to buy some Poxclin tomorrow.

I can sympathise rubylady - I thought they were bites, but then the pain started last night. I should have known as I've had it twice before
It's too late for anti-virals apparently, so the GP prescribed painkillers and I bought calamine cream

It can occur if you are anxious or run down or have a low immune system. The chicken pox virus lingers in nerves at the base of your spine.

Izabella I'm 52.

Doctor contacted, prescription issued. Tried then to contact son who was out to pick it up for me. He text back saying he was out with his mate. He came home and kicked off again saying that I am just like my mother and that I am constantly ill and that he is going back to uni tomorrow.

So, no help there then. The chemist will deliver my tablets tomorrow.

Izabella I did speak to 111 on the first day of getting the spots so I did take medical advice initially. I am on a lot of medication due to awaiting heart surgery and for numerous other conditions too so I really didn't want to take another onboard if it could be treated topically. I had great pain in my back today and coupled with it being very itchy, it became a bit too much. Some posts are done in the heat of the moment and things calm down a while later. And what is wrong with wanting or giving a little sympathy? I've not been on here for months to have a break from people who can be uncaring. It's time that we all hugged each other and cared more, not less in this world.

Thank you to all for your continued support and care, it really does make a difference. Xxx

With the greatest of respect rubylady you appear to be Here for sympathy only. So many people have given you the correct advice regarding getting acyclovir as soon as possible and yet you have not done so. Apologies if you have.

A good diet has nothing to do with this and another poster has quite reasonably explained the mechanism. Calamine will make itching worse as the skin edges of the spots lift and start to dry out which is why Poxclin cool mousse is preferable. It is available from boots online.

I hope you feel better soon. Also in the UK you can get the shingles vaccine if you were aged 70 or 78 years old on 1/9/2016. It is not available on the NHS if you are over 80. Contraindicated in steroid use or anyone immunosuppressed.

You say you MIGHT phone the doc. I would say you MUST phone the doc. You have enough problems already. A phone call will get you the acyclovir, which could make all the difference. Stop being a brave martyr (you get no thanks for it!) and get that treatment!

You've only a short 'window of opportunity' to take the antivirals, so you need to contact your Dr asap, really. Maybe they would leave a prescription for you at the chemist?

ruby I think you should call your cardiologist for advice. Today.

Have you tried ACV to dry the spots? That works for some.

Or porridge compressed on the spots, or in your bath? Could do alone.

Feeling rough with it today but then was up til early hours again due to son being home.

Feel like some are on my back but I can't check and he's gone out for the day. Feel a bit used really by him but never mind, concentrate on myself.

I might phone the docs, see what they say but I feel too unwell to go really.

Good grief -"to the local Boots" was also what I meant.

Acyclovir obviously silly iPad.

You could also try Poxclin which is magic for chickenpox.
DH is on a whole raft of medication including immunosuppressants and our GP faxed a prescription for Acyclvir to the left cal Boots in Poole where he was working at the time, when I got shingles about 9 years ago. It only works if taken early enough. Poxclin is much more effective than calomine.

You have my sympathy ruby, I had shingles for the second time a couple of years ago and I was so ill. I have now had the vaccination and hope that will put an end to it. I found that no topical treatment worked but the painkillers allowed me to get some sleep.