What is Shingles
Herpes zoster, colloquially known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, leading to a crop of painful blisters over the area of a dermatome. It occurs very rar...
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My friend with CFS told me about this site and I really hope y’all can help me cos I am freaking out! I am only 18 but I have shingles because I am just one of those lucky few who end up getting it! It really sucks because I just started college and now I have to deal with this! I can’t even sleep at night. The worst cluster of blisters hurt like a mo-fo. If anything touches them I want to die. My doctor said today that she thinks I’m in the early stages! Some of the bad blisters look like they’re crusting over a bit but they’re still raised so maybe not...I’m also getting new ones! I’m freaking out about that too because it’s not supposed to happen! It should be getting better by now not worse! The bad blisters came a week but the symptoms and rash started over two weeks ago. Even though it’s been a week I’m still getting new blisters! That can only mean these blisters are going to get as bad as the cluster I have now. So if those every heal I’ll have to wait for all these new ones to heal to. When do they stop growing? How long does it take to heal? My doctor is worried that my body is so slow with fighting this off. I haven’t been under stress (until I got this now I stress about THAT) so that can’t be the reason I got it. This might be an indication that there is something seriously wrong with me. What if this pain is chronic, what if it never goes away? I can’t take the stupid rash anymore because it just so hard to sleep and it’s so uncomfortable and it sucks a ton. I really want to snap my fingers or wake up and realize this is all just a horrible dream. When will the suffering be over? What happens if it comes back? And why can’t my stupid body fight it off like every other normal 18 y/o?! My doctor put me on pain meds that help a little and she put me on this medication called Zovirax to help out my immune system, has anyone tried this? please tell me it helps! im on it 5 times a day for 10 days so i only get to sleep for 5 hours before i take it...if i even manage to sleep at all. =( im sorry if i sound whiney bc i know how bad stuff like CFS is but this is really scary for me.
Posted on 08/27/08, 05:08 pm |
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ALRIGHT BROTER JUST TRY TO CALM DOWN TRY TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR SOME SEDATIVES THE ACYCLOVIR IS A ANTIVIRAL IF i AM NOT MISTAKEN, NUT WARM COMPRESS TO SOFTEN UP THE CRUSTY BLISTERING WILL REDUCE THE PAIN i HAVE THE SAME THING BRO RIGHT NOW WE WILL GET THROUGH IT TOGETHER, BUT WHEN THE COMPRESSES ARE DONE AFTER 20 MINUTES GENTLY TRY TO HAVE SOME REMOVE THE ONES WICH WILL COME OFF AND KEEP THE LESIONS OUT OF THE SUN. TYALK TO YOU SOON. SPECSPEC 
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Get to see an neurologist. You should be on Valtrex(anti viral med).Your Dr. can prescribe Lyrica along with some anticonvulsant or antidepressent drugs along with a pain killer such as Percoset.The initial stages of shingles are painful...you have to ride it out with the help of your DR. But try to remain calm...surround yourself with family and friends and you will come out of this. But get under the care of a neurologist. He can help you weather this...A big hug to you. You have youth on your side...God bless you...Dolores
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shingles pain is extremely rarely chronic. it will go away. the fact that you are young is good because you probably won't get post shingles pain. i know the whole thing is a drag but it will go away...usually 3 months or less. from what i understand, it will not get worse.
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sorry for the assumption that you were a male! I have references in my reply, for example "brother" so sorry again. hope you feel better SPECSPEC.
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A cold compress may help I use a pack of unpopped popcorn I keep in the freezer, maybe a luke warm baking soda bath. Try to stay calm and relax it'll help your muscles not tense up.
I'm having a phn episode myself. and had to go back to the Dr, I've been trying a lanacane cream it felt soothing. I keep it in the fridge so it's cooler, there are also lidacaid patches available. Good luck!
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Concentrate on eating properly, getting a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day in small amounts. This will help your immune system regain its composure like nothing else.
Yes, you are young....but not without important decisions to make which does cause stress. Learn to bounce back by not taking yourself too seriously and learn to REST IN HIM. Hopefully, you can join a good college Christian group on campus for great spiritual support. Put your trust in Him. He can deliver you from the fear of death.
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Take a deep breath and calm down. You will be okay.
I had shingles near my right eye in Feb. and they said it was because I was SO stressed out that my immune system went down. I was only 24 and some of the doctors I saw said that I was the youngest case they have seen (I've met several poeple since who are about my age and have had it). Are you on Valtrex? If not you might want to see another doctor for a second opinion, that is the pretty standard treatment for shingles. Also I am sure they have you on some nasty antibiotics which will help BUT you should eat yogurt EVERYDAY otherwise you will get REALLY sick after you finish the treatment (as is what happened with me and so the recovery was rough). If it doesn't get a little bit better everyday, you should see your doctor. They made me come in everyday and I got antibiotic shot (because antibiotic I took everyday wasn’t aggressive enough) and they just kept tabs on it, they made me take 4 different meds and I had eye drops because of the location of it. It lasted on my face for about a month but was really really bad for a few weeks (my eye was swollen shut). The good news is that if you are really aggressive seeking treatment and your doctor is good and on top of things you shouldn't have any more problems. I only have a tiny scar that I treat with mederma (scar treatment) and that has diminished the appearance of it. You should see a different doctor if you feel like this doctor isn't concerned with your shingles case, you getting better should be their top priority! Hang in there! Let me know if you have more questions. :)
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I'm scared too, Young and Scared. I'm on day one of the medication and this is the first time I've had it. It's covering the top of my head and my forehead, and the pain -- it feels like someone hit me in the face with a baseball bat and then set my head on fire. Even my hair hurts. I'm taking the pain meds and the Valtrex. But I totally understand your fear.
My doctor told me no stress. I'm trying to go along with that, but with two kids and their homework needs, plus my job ... well, it's hard. YoungandScared, take advantage of any medication they offer. If you need pain pills right now, ask for them. if the Zovirax doesn't seem to be doing the job, ask for an alternative. I'm thinking of you. I'm with you in this fear.
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