I want to thank you all soooooo much for your well wishes. It means a great deal to me.
Update Oct. 22: I'm now into Day 5 and this is the most uncomfortable day I've had yet but it is still manageable. I'm very tired as my body continues to fight this thing but Advil every 4 hours is doing the job of keeping the pain livable so I can continue to function. The biggest hurdle has been trying to sleep at night.
The shingles "band" starts on my left hip, runs across my stomach and up to my right breast. Thank goodness for fluid fits 'cause anything snug would be unbearable at this stage.
Got the greatest tip from my Mom who had shingles several years ago and I put my pajamas in the freezer about two hours before bed. It's been hard to fall asleep because the pain and burning seems more intense at night and I can't get comfortable. I use ice packs throughout the day and evening and the cold is quite relieving. So my Mom mentioned she put her pj's in the freezer and just before getting into bed would put them on - yes, chilly and not cozy, but the cold instantly provides relief which helps you fall asleep. Works like a charm - I guess mothers really DO know best! I still wake up around 3:30/4:00 when the discomfort starts to seep in again but I've at least had a few good hours of sleep before that happens.
I got on the anti viral medication under the 72 hour marker and think that relative to many others, I've got a fairly mild case. Hopefully it will be short lived too