Shingles Support Group
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 rarely in children and adults, but its incidence is high in the elderly (over 60), as well as in any age group of immunocompromised patients.
I am a 68 year old woman. I was diagnosed with shingles two weeks ago. I did have the vaccine a couple of years ago. I think I have had a severe case. The first week I had the blisters erupt for several days. I ended up with over 35 and red streaks about two inches thick that went from my navel to the middle of my back. The blisters are all scabs now.
I started the anti viral medication and lyrica the day I was diagnosed and am still taking those.
About a week ago, the nerve pain started. Some of that pain runs vertically from my breast to my ovaries. It covers areas that did not have blisters. The pain is a burning, stabbing, sharp pain. I also feel a tightness and some numbness.
I have taken some vicodin which takes the edge off the pain. The pain never goes away. Sometimes I take 325 mg. and sometimes I take 500 mg. I have not taken more than three pills in 24 hours. I have not taken more than one 500 mg.in 24 hours.
I am wondering what advice you can give me for the pain management. I am not one to take many pain pills. I am miserable.
I started the anti viral medication and lyrica the day I was diagnosed and am still taking those.
About a week ago, the nerve pain started. Some of that pain runs vertically from my breast to my ovaries. It covers areas that did not have blisters. The pain is a burning, stabbing, sharp pain. I also feel a tightness and some numbness.
I have taken some vicodin which takes the edge off the pain. The pain never goes away. Sometimes I take 325 mg. and sometimes I take 500 mg. I have not taken more than three pills in 24 hours. I have not taken more than one 500 mg.in 24 hours.
I am wondering what advice you can give me for the pain management. I am not one to take many pain pills. I am miserable.
You are lucky to have caught it sooner than we did. Mom had a severe case too. Much like you, hers was upper front and back and under her right arm. Be careful of the skin where the blisters are. Mom's skin fell off one day. It looked like a burn scar for quite a while.
The fatigue is still with us but she is so much better. The first 3 or 4 months are when you feel the worst.
Like a wise man told us, you will get better. It just takes time and everyone is different. Doctors know so little about shingles, it is a pitty.
Take care
M.C.