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.

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stenvikm 09/18/2010

Hi I need to know about shingles I have RA, graves , The last couple of weeks I have been sick very, stomach upset, very dizzy , so tired and now my face broke out with which I thought was pimples but they are not, they are painful and blistering and spreading they are ozzing, Iam shaking . I wanted to get your opion first before I go to the DR ( maybe later today). Please does this sound like shingles?? I know my chances of getting this is high due to my RA.
Thanks Marie

deleted_user 09/19/2010

RUN TO A DOCTOR RIGHT NOW. You need to get a antiviral drug started as soon as possible to reduce the damage the virus may cause in your nerves. I'm sorry I didn't see this post sooner.

deleted_user 09/19/2010

If it shingles - you need to go to the ER NOW! The longer you wait, the harder it is to get rid of. If you are on any immune suppressant drugs - like DMARDS or biologics even harder.

The first time I got them I waited a month. It took 5 month before they stopped. This time, I got them right away, but 1 week on meds is not enough.

Get Famvir, NOT Valtrex, and a month of pills if you are on any of the above drugs. This is serious.

jady 09/20/2010

i agree run to the dr. office. the sooner on meds the better. i was on anti viral drugs, steroids and pain meds for three weeks. then still needed help after that so don't be shy in asking for more help until you get on top of this nasty virus. dr told me two yrs is not uncommon to see how much the nerves will heal because they heal incredibly slow. but the worst of it is at the beginning. blessings for a speedy recovery and pain free days
jady

stenvikm 09/22/2010

Thanks everybody I did go to the Dr and she said shingles and bacteria staph infection pretty much been taking it easy and the swelling and blisters are starting to fade. Thanks so much for all your help... Marie

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