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 5 weeks ago. My doctor has prescribed me Valtrex twice during this period and have been on Panadeine Forte and Endone for the first 2 weeks and since then Lyrica for the nerve pain and Nurofen also. My rash is on the right side of my back and right side ribcage. At first the rash was very puffy and raised and is now flattened out but still noticeable. I am still in a huge amount of pain and am unable to drive or go back to doing my regular duties. I have followed all the directions from my doctor including total rest, no stress and a very good diet and nothing seems to help bring this to an end. Some days it seems to be more bearable and I feel like I might be coming to the end of it and then other days it is full on pain for 24 hours. I dont know what else to do. The pain has now come back to its earlier level and is getting more unbearable with each day. I have never felt so isolated as I have during this time and I'm finding it very difficult to cope the longer it goes on. I'm reading other people's posts it appears that I still have a way to go before this is over. I would appreciate hearing how other people have coped dealing with the lack of sleep and constant pain.
This is so challenging! When I am with people, that helps. TV doesn't help me.
I found something that might help you. I forced myself to take a walk and count. I counted to 1000 by counting from 1 to 100 10 times. I know that sounds strange, but it seemed to help me. I looked at the flowers, etc and tried to distract myself, but the counting really help.
I keep telling myself "this too will pass" but I sure wish it would pretty soon.
Let me know. It sounds like we're in the same boat.
Sorry to hear that you have shingles also. I'm going on two months now and having it and still are in a lot of pain. I was referred to a Neurologist who said I had nerve pain damage as a result of having the shingles. He said this could last a year or even longer. I am now on Endep 25 and Lyrica.225 mg. He advised me that the ibuprofen painkillers were not appropriate for shingles pain. Some days are more bearable than others but I'm definitely not able to return to any social activities or work at this stage. I hope you just get the shingles and not the prolonged nerve pain or PHD as it is called. It definitely is very isolating to have this condition. People expect you to be over it within a few weeks and dont understand why you sre still in pain. I will definitely try your solution of walking around the block and counting. I am willing to try anything at this stage. Please let me know how you go. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Talking to friends helps. Deep breathing or just counting my breaths helps too. I take Xanax at night because the pain at night keeps me awake.
I wish I had gotten the vaccine. Good luck everyone.