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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aprilb42 03/28/2008

I was diagnosed with shingles two weeks ago. I have it in my right eyebrow and a few spots in my hairline area. I took Valtrex and it must have helped because from the time I started taking it I got no new spots. I went back to my doctor today and she says that sometimes the pain can last for a few months. I am in horrible pain today and although overall my pain is better than last week I can't stand it sometimes. I can't work or really do much right now because of the pain. I was wondering how you know if your going to have PHN and what has helped others with the pain? I have been taking percocet when it is very bad, but that makes me feel drugged out and barely helps. My doctor gave me neurontin, which I haven't taken yet and I am a little frightened of the side effects. I was wondering if anyone has tried Cymbalta? It is an antidepressant that is supposed to help with pain. I have been very depressed over the past two weeks and crying alot from the pain. I just pray that it goes away as it is unbearable at times right now. I am very glad that I found this support group as it helps to know that you are not alone, because I think it is hard for people that haven't had the shingles to understand the pain.

April

deleted_user 03/30/2008

Hi - I just came down with Shingles 2 days ago. I was aprehensive about taking Neurontin, but have had no side effects at all and am now taking 3 a day. Started out with one first day, two 2nd day, and 3 thereafter.

My friend's mother who is 89 took this for two months and had no side effects, so I am optomistic about taking it.

Do you mind me asking what kind of pain you have? I just was diagnosed two days ago. Had severe pain for five days previous to breakout which felt like bursitis of hip and back spasms in lower back. This is exactly where rash broke out.

I kind of feel hurt all over now. The shingles site is super sensative and feels like I brushed against a nettle plant.

My doctor didn't give me much information about what to expect, so I am in the dark.

Hope you feel a little better each day

aprilb42 03/30/2008

Hi Mary Bee,
Thank you for your reply. I have shingles in my right eyebrow and a few in my hairline. The type of pain that I am feeling goes from burning jabbing pains to numbness to soreness. It is better than last week but still very painful. At this point I have been out of work for two weeks. I think everyone is different as to when they can return to work. I am no longer contagious, but my head area is in pain and I haven't been able to do much. I am hoping to get better soon. This shingles is the worst. Can you tell me if the neurontin is helping? I also have percocet, but only take as needed. I have only taken 4 so far in two weeks. It does help but it knocks me out. Please keep me posted on your progress.

April

deleted_user 03/30/2008

Sorry to hear you have shingles on your head. That's got to be rough. If I had to have them, I'm glad they are on my hip and back.

I have Percoset available, but don't like to take it unless absolutely necessary. I am taking Tylenol #3 (w/coedine) which is not as strong. I am taking it every 5 hours, and it really does help.

Hang in there April. I will keep you on my prayer list.

Your info about the types of pain was very helpful. I can face this better if I know what to expect. It is the unknown that is frightening.

maryBee

deleted_user 03/30/2008

I came down with shingles two weeks ago. I had pain in my arm for a few days before it broke out. I had a severe rash on my arm, and small rashes on my back and chest. I took Valtrex within 36 hours of the rash's appearance. The only part that blistered and scabbed was my arm. The scabs are completely gone now, as is the pain. I had severe, blinding pain much like you describe until yesterday . . .then it just quit. I have a few pink marks from the rash that appear to be fading quickly. I didn't take any pain medicine (scared about side effects!), but I probably should have. There is hope! I was scared about PHN, too, but I've heard that it's fairly rare. Most people I've talked to experienced severe pain for no more than a month--though I know that's a LONG time to be in pain. I hope yours improves shortly!

deleted_user 03/30/2008

Teacher22:

Thank you for your encouragement and support. Glad to hear that you are almost at the end of your ordeal.

Tonite I have a hip on fire, along with the pain. It feels like a very severe burn.

I usually never take pain medication. I have had surgery three times and each time, when I get home from hospital, I just take plain Tylenol for Arthritis (over the counter).

This is the first time in years that I have taken pain killers.

I do have Percoset on hand but am presently taking something less strong i.e. Tylenol #3 w/coedine.

What really bothers me is that people are so ignorant in regard to the pain.

They act like you have a heat rash or something and why are you making such a big deal out of it.

Again thank you for the E-Mail. I now have hope that this pain will end in a week or two.

I usually have a very high tolerance to pain, and when I have knowledge of what it is and why it is, thanks to the nice people on this chat line who have responded, it makes the pain a lot easier to bear and less frightening.

Have a great week and thanks again.

MaryBee

aprilb42 03/31/2008

Yes thank you for your reply teacher 22. I was diagnosed a little over two weeks ago so hopefully the pain will go away soon. I have a few scabs left in my hairline area and one in my eye brow. hopefully when these go away I will be in less pain. I don't think anyone can understand the pain of shingles unless you have had it yourself. I have migraine headaches and they are nothing compared to the pain of shingles and that says alot. I have never had to take pain meds in my life but have had to take percocet about 4 times in the past two weeks. Hopefully, we will all get well soon. It is nice to have other people here that really understand what the pain is like.

Thanks,
April

deleted_user 03/31/2008

I totally understand how frustrating it is to try to explain the pain to someone. I myself kept saying "why in the world does a RASH hurt so damn much!?" But then it's all connected to the nerves and all, so it makes perfect sense. I would have sharp, shooting pain that would pretty much just stop me dead in my tracks. And then, as I said, it just sort of stopped entirely. I'm glad to have made you feel better, and I hope your fates are similar to mine:)

deleted_user 05/06/2008

I went to see my Dr. yesterday and she prescibed me Xanax and Darvacet. I do know from my experience from taking Cymbalta, that it did not help me with any pains I had. It just helped with the anxiety/depression that I have. I will say that Xanax will make you "drugged out" and the darvacet does a little, but not as much as Xanax. You may ask your Dr. about darvacet and see what they say.Both of them also help you sleep at night if you suffer from Insomnia like I do. Takes about an hour to kick in and you will wake feeling very rested and feel much better.

Spunkie 05/08/2008

I just want to tell you that there is HOPE! I came down with Shingles just about 2 mos ago and went to the Dr right away. (I didn't know much about Shingles (& neither does anyone else) but I looked it up on line and made the right diagnosis. Put on Valtrex and later Elavil at night to help the pain. Also some Ultram for pain. All I could do was lay on the couch.. used Ice packs all the time.. tied them on my head, since the Sh-- , I mean Shingles, was on my neck and into my scalp. Also had acupuncture 5 X which helped (I think) at least while I was there. I too hoped that the PHN wouldn't get me, as the pain and discomfort was SO severe for so long. I found that "Burn Jel" helped soothe my neck. It has a good % of Lidocain in it. ANYWAY, I am feeling SO good with only the slightest tingle.. I did develop tinnitus also (in the ear near the Shingles) and that too has diminished. So, hang in there even when you feel like you'll never feel good again.. you will!

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