I have never heard of cysts with shingles either. Are you sure they aren't sores from the rash that may break out?
I hope your meds help- getting it on your face has got to be painful!

I have to wonder if the first diagnosis was wrong. That happened to me. I had a eczema rash concurrently all over my back, at the same time as I got shingles on my arm, and my doctor couldn't figure out why only my arm itched. A dermatologist confirmed the arm was shingles, but also thought the back was too. My family doctor didn't have a clue what was wrong with the back, but gave me a yeast topical and cortisone cream, and told me to "experiment" and see which one worked. The cortisone cream worked, but I still have the shingles after 5 months. I tried Valtrex, which suppressed it partially, and the Famvir got rid of it completely, but three days after I went off it came back.


Another idea might be that you had the cysts come out for the same reason as the shingles. Perhaps you had some kind of stress, or whatever, which caused both. This disease can be really weird, and I am very tired of it.

Yes, I can totally relate. I was told I had a spider bite. Which totally grossed me out since my rash was on my tush and I am certain there is nothing crawling around in the bed. 3 days later and my little red bump turned into a rash the size of a about 2-3 quarters. Lo and behold....I went back to a new dermatologist and he said, oh, this is a zoster and gave me some topical zovirax cream. This helped alleviate some of the itching and burning. Of course, I was in and out of the office in like 5 minutes, so thank goodness for google. I researched 'zoster' thinking it was no biggie....and I was shocked to find out just how much of a big deal it is....and was annoyed the doctor didn't spend at least a few extra minutes with me.

I'm not sure what your cysts look like, so I can't say if it's a normal/typical symptom. All I can tell you is that my rash usually
starts with a small red bump or bumps that itch like crazy off and on...then the tell tale rash erupts.

I hope you get answers! Good luck to you!

mine look more like cysts at this point. would never have guessed shingles by looking at other photos. But cysts aren't usually tender, burning. Hope this helps.

You have the shingles in the exact same area as I! my sensativity and burning started right at the base of my hairline and I did have a very tiny bump there that the doctor said wasn't a shingle. But at this point I'm fed up with doctors because more and more young people are developing shingles, and I think they are stumped as to why and how and where.

I also have symptoms on both sides of my body, 90% of it is my right side but my chest wall on my left side very near the middle of my body flares up with it, doctor said it was Costochondritis, but the way it flares with my shingles makes me think other wise because I rarely do anything physical that would cause it. Then I also had sever pain along the left side of my abdomen last time I had it on the right side of my head. I even get pings of tingling sensation and sharp pains on the left side of my head. When I tell my doctor this, they are like, oh it can't be, shingles is only one side. SURE! My doctor actually told me others can get shingles from me, when all th internet research I've done says that only people that haven't had chicken pox can get chicken pox from my shingles. I'm sure if I rubbed oozing sore juice all over someones open wound, then maybe they could get shingles, but really, doctors are so mis-informed! They tried to give me the shingles vaccine (which is a live virus) while I have shingles, and I'm considering on having another kid after this clears up, which the website that promotes the vaccine says not to get it then! Until I find a doctor that has actually had recurring shingles themselves I think I'm SOL! I really do think a neurologist may be helpful, but have been lazy about getting an appt. set up.

To mel2010 - would definitely go to a neurologist so they can check you out. I found my neurologist to be the most helpful with an illness that has no real rhyme or reason. When I was diagnosed over 6 weeks ago, I was told I was insane - by a dermatologist who I ran to first due to the rash - and that I couldn't possibly feel pain any other place then along the BAND on my right side. So you actually made me feel better as they did not.
About the lumps - while this may not help you out with your particular problem, I have one on my right side. Which I read is quite normal because could be due to swollen lymph nodes. Remember when doctors aren't sure, they would rather poo poo you :) - then tell you something that you may be able to us. Just keep keeps momhopes.
While I still have alot of pain - but no rash - I know I am much better then I was 6 weeks ago. BUT - I wish it would go away so I can wear a normal bra again. And not get nervous when people come near my right side. Good luck to all. I find this site very helpuful in not feeling alone.
thanks all and hope for the best

I can't stand to wear a normal bra either this last two outbreaks, even though the only outbreak I had on my back right where my bra hooks, was over a year ago and my first outbreak. Since it's mostly focus on my face and head. But wearing a bra causes itching and discomfort because my skin seems to have sensitivity flare ups with my shingles out breaks, especially where there have been sores before.

Today for example, I've been to busy, working on a lot of projects, and my right ear has become very red, feels sun burn and itches, as well as other places on my neck and face. When I take long breaks and do something else that I'm not sitting hounding away at my computer the symptoms are less severe.

I'm going to try and get in to see a neurologist at some point, but I'm concerned by the time they get me in I'll be done with the shingles outbreak (I can only hope I'm done with it soon) and they won't be able to help me as easily as when the outbreak is present.

Hi Mel - I could loan you my husband cause that is how I got seen right away. According to the dermatologist- WHO I don't recommend seeing ever for this, if you are experiencing pain w/o shingles, a neurologist should consider this a medical emergency and take you right away. Please try to see one right away. While I am still fairly bad after 6 weeks, as I type I keep making little screaming noises - more moaning screaming noises, I BELIEVE I am better thanks to him. Either way you should so they have it written up as something you had experienced.
So sorry to hear where you have it now. When I mention to friends how lucky I am - they are amazed at how "brave" I am being. While it hurts just to brush against something with my right breast and sends shivers down my spin, I also know it could have been worse - or something that I could not handle as well.
Hang in there- but please make an appt - you should never be too busy to take care of yourself