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 was diagnosed with Shingles three weeks ago. I am 56 years old, and I have never suffered pain like this. The first week was agonizing -- constant pain with no relief, no matter what I tried. Then the pain stopped for a whole day, just to start back up that evening with a vengence--excruciating pain. It's been like that since. The pain will go away for a day or two, then come back and be as excruciating as it was originally. Today hasn't been pain as much as it has been a deep, uncomfortable itching sensation. I have read many of the posts here, and I know I don't have to describe the pain to you. You have been through it and understand how extremely painful it is.
I don't know what triggered my outbreak. I haven't been under stress and haven't had any medical issues.
I pray this goes away soon. It's so frustrating to believe it's finally getting better, only to have it return again hours later.
FYI--My doctor told me that she used to see only one case of shingles every couple of years. Since the chicken pox vaccine began in 1995, youngsters aren't getting chicken pox and adults aren't exposed to them. They believe if we were exposed to chicken pox occasionally, it would give us a little booster to keep us from getting shingles. She says she now sees a least one case of shingles a month.
Thank you all for being here!!
I don't know what triggered my outbreak. I haven't been under stress and haven't had any medical issues.
I pray this goes away soon. It's so frustrating to believe it's finally getting better, only to have it return again hours later.
FYI--My doctor told me that she used to see only one case of shingles every couple of years. Since the chicken pox vaccine began in 1995, youngsters aren't getting chicken pox and adults aren't exposed to them. They believe if we were exposed to chicken pox occasionally, it would give us a little booster to keep us from getting shingles. She says she now sees a least one case of shingles a month.
Thank you all for being here!!
And I do so understand the fact that it is relentless. I would never have guessed it to be this painful.
There are strength in numbers. We are here. And I'm only 1 day new!
Just to respond to your comments - I didn't think I was under any particular stress either - have been under much more stressful times and didn't get shingles.
I don't recall my pain at the beginning cause thankfully you can't. I recall though is was truly horrible but mine never went away - just kept at me!! Has changed ALOT since Day one - hate to tell you but I going into my 6th month - or there already BUT it has changed alot since then. Not unbearable - sure I am on drugs which reminds me to take my afternoon Neurontin - taking 8 a day still plus one pain pill to take the edge off. BRB - okay now where was I?
I am hoping that you are one of the people who only suffers for alittle while. I am not really surprised that I am one of those to keep it going long after, but there are days I want to just wish it away! BUT sometimes if I sit quietly for almost 1/2 hour I almost don't feel it - and I can sleep easily even if awoken and start feeling the burn.
BUT HEY - atleast it does help writing about it doesn't it?
Just keep sharing. It really truly will help you. I would feel so alone if had never gone. I don't know what I would have done w/o the people I have found here.
I wish that there were other reasons to be here.
Like - I am too happy helpline.....or help me - I have so much money I don't know who to give it to - or how to spend it helpline.
But nope - it's shingles - and always feel free to share. The journal is also an excellent way to report - relive - relieve - share or just voice something to yourself - or to others. Hugs
Human beings are very strong by nature. I think keeping a sense of humor helps us to tap into that inner strength -- although it is really hard to have a sense of humor when it feels like someone has a red hot poker stuck in your side.
I, too, hope I'm not one of the people who ends up with PHN. I am truly looking forward to the day when I can say the shingles are gone for good.
I finally had my cousin pull some strings and got me in quickly to a neurologist. Hopefully they will be able to separate the nerve areas and assure me that I am not having vascular issues. I can no longer tell the difference because of the location right above my heart. I've finally got the EGD appointment set with the gastro doc to help find the never ending nausea problems.
And I have to tell you all that I'm glad I stumbled upon this site.
I haven't suffered nausea at all. Sometimes the Ultram makes me a little nauseous, but it doesn't last long. I wish you didn't have to suffer with that. I hate that feeling!
I wonder if there is anyone anywhere doing research to try to figure out how to treat shingles and PHN effectively. I'd volunteer for some clinical trials!!
It feels like the area where my rash was is swollen. It seem "puffier" than my other side. I don't know if that's in my head. I've tried ice, and that doesn't do anything to relieve the "swelling" or the other symptoms.
I still need to try the castor oil. By the time I get home from work, I don't feel like doing anything else, so I haven't made it to the drug store yet.
Mom thinks it's highly likely that was just the "stress" that triggered the outbreak. And I've more than once said that if this would have landed any other place than above my heart-my mental state would have be slightly improved.