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Shingles I am pretty sure this is what I have. The rash started yesterday in the middle part of my back where I was cut for back surgery. Its got to be the most horrible pain. I was just getting off of Tramydol for the pain in my legs from knee surgery and now this. With back surgery and double knee replacement I have been through so much pain. Had an infection in knees which didn't help and now this. I think dh is about ready to trade me off. He says he's not but I think I would be if I were in his shoes. lol!! Has anyone here had shingles and what did the doctor do for it and how long did it last. I understand it is contagious too. |
I have never experienced shingles personally, but my brother had them a few months ago. It took his almost a month to go away.He went to his doctor and they put him on some type of oral medication. He was in a lot of pain. Sorry I could not be of more help, but I do hope you get to feelng better. I will say a prayer for you. |
I haven't had them, but my Mom had them really bad about 6 months ago. She is still under dr. care for them. They were so bad they caused nerve damage. She is still on medication. Get to the dr as soon as you can. She waited about 2 days, and by then the pain was unbearable. Her side and back looked like someone had beat her with a whip. They are contagious, my dad got the shingles vaccination as soon as the dr. diagnosed her. Luckily he didn't get them too. |
Please get to the doctor ASAP, because the earlier that shingles are caught and treated, the quicker they heal! My DH wound up with shingles in his eye (well, not in, exactly, but right beside) and it was already late for meds to heal it quickly. He had complained about his eye hurting, thinking he got something in it, until I noticed the red patch on his eyebrow and inner corner of his eye. I told him it was probably shingles, and he freaked! Went to his Dr. and they made an appointment for the eye Dr. as well. Long story short, he still has the scar, and it was at least 3 months ago! He was prescribed an anti-viral medication,as shingles, chicken pox, all the herpes types are all viruses. You CAN give chicken pox to someone who never has been vaccinated or exposed, but not shingles, per se. Anyone who has ever had chicken pox has the propensity to contract shingles. The virus lays dormant until the immune system is suppressed enough to allow the virus to emerge. |
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My son and daughter both recently had them. There is a very small window that you can take an antiviral Rx. When my son had them he was much better in about a week so do not wait! At the time he didn't have any insurance and I sent him to Walgreen's minute clinic. We was miserable for about 2 days but then back to work. Hope you are feeling better soon. |
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I didn't realize it was as serious as it is. I was in the hospital after knee surgery on IV's for the infection. My regular dr. really stayed in there and fought this infection so I would not have to have yet another surgery on my knees. I'm sure my immune system is low. Will try to get in asap to my doctor. This pain is horrible but the Tamadoyl is helping some. You can't even stand material or clothes of any kind to touch it. Gosh, whats next?? Hope dh doesn't get it. |
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Well I know it hurts like heck. I can't even get comfortable in a chair or anything that touches it. To make matters worse, I am diabetic and it takes forever for anything to heal, even a bruise. |
Oh Girl! I'm so sorry! Get yourself to the Dr. ASAP! |
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I have heard that they are just awful. So sorry you are in pain. |
So sorry to hear you have shingles - they are terribly painful! I agree w the others, I would go to the dr, especially since you are a diabetic and have healing issues. |
I had a very localized case a few months ago. Horrible. It was just about an inch long running by a nerve on my scalp. Then a couple inches done I had some swollen lymph nodes, one in particular. That is what hurt like heck. Couldn't turn my head a certain way. It can make you very tired too for a long time. Don't let anybody near the spots, esp. when they are draining. It is contagious, but not highly unless somebody is coming into contact with the area. Not airborne or anything... No need to stay home. I had been misdiagnosed at urgent care, so the antiviral was delayed. Went to my doctor 3 days later and she correctly dx'ed it and put me on valacyclovir and zovirax. Get to the doctor immediately or the antiviral will be much less effective and the virus will be able to reproduce easier. ETA: I was also told to take Motrin 800mg like 4x daily. |
Actually, herpes zoster is contagious and can be contracted by contact and it is also airborne. I have had it numerous times in my facial nerve.....a couple of times I knew of direct exposure within a period of time prior to contracting it. In one case I was caring for a patient with numerous issues, shingles being one. He was on wound and skin precautions and not respiratory....and I did get it within a couple of weeks. After a bit of research I found out that it is indeed airborne! Many people are not aware of the fact that it is airborne. When someone tells me that they have shingles or chickenpox, I avoid them. It is a nasty virus and yes, it is very painful. Thankfully, the first time I had it I went to a doctor who knew how to treat it and also knew to tell me how to avoid it in the future (although that actually has not worked out well). I have very little residual nerve damage due to having been treated immediately with steroids each time. That inflammation in the nerve must be treated in Bell's Palsy or the nerve is permanently damaged. People who are susceptible to zoster can contract it from someone who has it. |
Hmm. So airborne as in someone who has it just has to sneeze and everybody around can get it OR just that the liquid from the area can get into the air and cause a problem? Absolutely nobody who doesn't want to get it should come near the area when it's draining. That much I know. |
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Went to the doctor today and it is definetly shingles. He put me on antibotics and pain meds. I tell ya, I have been on enough antibotics in the last year that nothing should be able to live in my body. I know my immune system is low. He also told me that it was not contagious. I have read where it is and then its not. Who would know what to believe? I sure hope its not but you don't know what to believe. |
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The sooner they are treated the better...and that reminds me I am old enough for a vaccine...anyone over 60 should get one... I have been around lots of people with shingles and they are not contagious...MD said that also. |
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I have heard of shingles all my life but I just thought it was a rash and that was about it. Never knew it could be as serious as it is. When you can lose your sight and all the nerve damage it causes, that is pretty bad. I have neurophy from the diabetes and it is very painful. I remember having chicken pox when I was about 6yrs. old because I stayed out of school for about 2wks. and went back and about 3days later got the red measles. lol!!! I think I'm a gluton for punishment. Hope this crap doesn't last long. I should have asked my doctor what to put on it for itching. It has began to itch more than in the start. I think someone mentioned calamine lotion. |
My nephew has had two corneal transplants due to varicella. |
I think sometimes we don't even understand how serious some of the childhood diseases are if we get them after we are grown. My youngest son got chicken pox after he was grown and not knowing he took a shower. He had been feeling really bad and thought taking a shower would help him feel alittle better and unknowing it spread the chicken pox to his lungs. He was so sick and by the time he was taken in to the er he was within hours of dying. They isolated him and he was in the hospital quarentined for sometime. It was a miracle he lived just because who would have known it would cause what it did. Scary. |
Herpes zoster is contagious. Definitely stay away from pregnant women, babies and anyone who's immune system is deprived, or who has never had chicken pox. it follows nerve paths, which is why you see it in streaks in some people. Baking soda baths help as well as just not wearing anything on the area. Hope your meds work and you feel better soon. |
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PS..they have those little nose filters you can wear..I laughed when I saw them on "Shark Tank"...but they are really popular in other countries...I am getting some for my next plane trip..I always come home sick. |
I am so sorry to hear you are so sick. I know it's really difficult for you to get much rest with Tina's needs, but I hope you are able to. Sleep deprivation and stress are so tough on the immune system. I think of you and your babies a lot, and I pray that things improve for you. I hope that your babies can bring you some joy and a distraction from all of your pain and now this illness. |
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