YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Shingles

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Shingles https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:12:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2/page/2#post-1876139 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 03:19:23 +0000 Anonymous 1876139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, how are you doing? chirico (Chiara) on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2/page/2#post-1875867 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 10:41:16 +0000 chirico (Chiara) 1875867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, very sorry about this. My MIL had It and she still remembers the pain more than one year later. I just learned from you Fabbers that one can get the vaccine even if they had chickenpox. Good to know! Summer on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2/page/2#post-1875385 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 11:43:45 +0000 Summer 1875385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Commiserations, Carla.  I have no experience of shingles, but I understand that it can be very painful.  Wishing you a speedy recovery. Bijou on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2/page/2#post-1875377 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 11:23:07 +0000 Bijou 1875377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla I hope you are well on the road to recovery. My sister in law got shingles as it took her quite a while to be totally over it. Given how fit you are, hopefully you bounce back quickly. We are all thinking of you. unfrumped on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2/page/2#post-1874220 Wed, 03 Jan 2018 02:45:00 +0000 unfrumped 1874220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So sorry and hope you are mending as well as expected. I have not had it but DD gets shoulder recurrences if she gets sunburned ( she KNOWS to keep covered...!) Have seen many patients with it so have heard & observed their c/o discomfort. Laurie on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1874137 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 22:40:18 +0000 Laurie 1874137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh Carla, big sympathy from me as well.   And thank you for the suggestion about the vaccination. I had not thought of it, and will ask my doctor who I am seeing this week. Many years ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and had a lot of complications so I spent a week in the hospital at MD Anderson.  I had a pleural effusion, and when the fluid was drained I coughed for 12 straight hours.   The next day a nice volunteer visited me and said that the young lady who was in quarantine in the room next to me had heard my coughing and wanted to know what was happening (pre HIPAA!)  Long story short, it turned out she was exactly my age, was recovering from non-Hodgkins and was in the hospital with a terrible case of shingles.   We became friends (and are both here to tell our story 22 years later!)  She said that the shingles was the worst part of her whole experience, including enduring a bone marrow transplant (which caused the shingles).    You are super healthy, so hopefully your immune system will kick this quickly.  Good that you have more time off to give yourself a rest and downtime.  Get well soon.  Not a fun way to start 2018! cjh on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1874088 Tue, 02 Jan 2018 20:53:08 +0000 cjh 1874088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sending get well wishes your way, Carla! I had mild shingles last year, right at the beginning of fall 2016. I wasn't actually diagnosed until a few weeks later, when I suddenly thought that might explain my symptoms. I would only say it was mild due to the short course. I woke up in the night with an excruciating back pain, isolated to one side mostly around my waistline. I could not ease it by lying down, sitting, stretching, bending, walking, or Tylenol all night. Fortunately it mostly disappeared by the next morning, though I wasn't able to sleep at all. I thought it might be a kidney stone, or spasm. Shingles never occurred to me. At least 10 days later, I noticed an intense burning sensation about the size of an oreo on the inside of my upper thigh, same side as the back pain had been on. In a day or two, still painful, it turned into a rash of tiny blisters, and over the next day or three, they broke and started to itch. By the time the blisters were almost healed, I had the thought that it might be shingles, so went to prompt care where I was given the antiviral medicine Rx. I did not get a vaccine. I was told by the prompt care person that the vaccine doesn't protect completely or against all "varieties." It's very expensive so I chose to forgo it. I sympathize with those who get worse cases, as my relatively mild case was bad enough, I think. Again, get well soon! K.M. on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1873530 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 03:28:17 +0000 K.M. 1873530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm sorry you had shingles. I had it a few years ago when I was only 38. My rash went from the middle of my back around my rib cage all the way to the front. I got the antivirals in time to slow down the rash and stop further lesions. Still it was AWFUL. The pain was ridiculously intense for about two weeks since the start of symptoms. It felt like someone was continuously holding a cigarette against my skin, even where there were no visible lesions. The kicker: I was breastfeeding and there were lesions on my breast!!! I had to cover them painstakingly, and worse, my baby was 11 months old so hadn't yet been immunized against chickenpox. She got an early dose of the vaccine because it can be caught by contact with shingles lesions. If I remember correctly the worst of the pain went away after a few weeks. On and off I'd have a bit of pain near the origin point (on my back) for several months after. Then no more pain. It's been almost six years and I have neither pain nor scars (knock on wood). Agree with you: people should get the vaccine and also learn how to recognize the symptoms. My doctor wouldn't have thought of shingles as quickly if I hadn't brought it up because of my age. And now wishing you a singles-free new year! Gail on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1871622 Sat, 23 Dec 2017 21:29:07 +0000 Gail 1871622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So sorry to read this I hope that you feel better soon. My MIL had shingles this past fall. She got the meds right away but still had a terrible rash and was in a lot of pain. She ended up being prescribed steroids which only slightly helped. She seems to finally be feeling better now but it has taken her about 3 months.  Debbie on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1871443 Sat, 23 Dec 2017 04:59:14 +0000 Debbie 1871443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rest as much as you can. A friend of mine had it and her Dr said the most effective treatment is the anti-virals and rest, Scarlet on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1871374 Sat, 23 Dec 2017 00:09:53 +0000 Scarlet 1871374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My husband had shingles a few years ago. Funny thing is we had a newborn and a two year old at the time, and neither of us have clear memories about it! Seems to me that it started on his ankle, and it took around a month until he was back in fighting form. I believe that in his case it was brought on by a lot of stress, so I hope that you are not in a stressful situation. Wishing you a swift recovery. Hopefully you can take things slow over the holidays. Anonymous on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1870393 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 21:21:37 +0000 Anonymous 1870393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hope you are feeling better! cindysmith on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869790 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 13:36:28 +0000 cindysmith 1869790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've heard that shingles is miserable, so sending you (((hugs))) and get well wishes. DonnaF on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869662 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 01:07:31 +0000 DonnaF 1869662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla; May you recover without postherpetic neuralgia. DH, age 63 came down with shingles last July despite having received the vaccine when he was 60. It was a little on his back but mostly down his right arm and then to his hand and fingers. To me, the rash looked like poison oak. He started taking acyclovir within about 48 hours of the outbreak and improved until the Rx was gone. And then he got shingles again. And again. And again. I forget now if it was four or five outbreaks. It was a whole lot, and basically the rest of the summer. Due to his lupus nephritis that was diagnosed earlier this year (spring?) he was on immuno-suppressants. The result was that the shingles would come back every time he stopped the acyclovir. The last time the shingles flared (the day of the big eclipse), they hospitalized him so he could be treated via IV. After five days in an isolation room in the hospital, they sent him home because they didn't want him to pick up an infection(!), so he got his last few days of IV at home. I think he has been suffering from postherpetic neuralgia since the second or third bout of shingles. The gabapentin helps the pain, and this past week the doctor gave him an Rx to help him sleep. He also complains of numbness. He has started acupuncture but it is too early to tell whether it will work. His second appointment is on 12/26. DH also has diabetes that is reasonably well controlled but his shoebox full of meds tends to do a number on his blood sugar. I tell him that no, his numbness has nothing to do with his diabetes based on when and where it started. In asking around, shingles seems to be much more common than had ever occurred to me. DH is probably the poster child, and I think the stress induced by a family member triggered the breakdown in his immune system. I think he is also off those immuno-suppressants which were the drugs people with organ transplants take, except that he's got all his original organs. Take care! Suz on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869571 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 20:08:58 +0000 Suz 1869571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, I'm so sorry you are dealing with this -- it sounds dreadful. I am crossing fingers that yours turns out to be a milder version. It's great that you are on holiday. Of course it's a shame to have the holiday spoiled by it, but getting rest is probably the best thing for it. I hope your family spoils and takes care of you.  Janet on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869441 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:58:15 +0000 Janet 1869441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know a few people who have had it and it sounds miserable. I'm so sorry!  I am living proof that one can get chicken pox more than once -- apparently the case I had as a child was mild enough that I got it AGAIN in my 20s, while on my first ever real vacation (in Mexico). I will always remember having to pull out my Spanish-English dictionary to translate "viruelas locas." So I'm kind of paranoid about getting shingles. Now that I'm over 50, perhaps I should get that vaccination. Thank you for the nudge.  Kat on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869419 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:57:47 +0000 Kat 1869419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so sorry that you're suffering through this, the pain- because it is nerve pain and thus, unlike musculoskeletal or other types of pain, can be a beast. As many fabbers have noted folks with prolonged pain, I wanted to share a link regarding post-herpetic neuralgia, which can be a complication or sequela of shingles, occurs more frequently in folks over 60yo, and ma¥ help in having a conversation with your healthcare provider if you have continuing pain. Here is the link: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0915/p690.html">https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0915/p690.html</a> While some of the advice has evolved (shingles vax now recommended by CDC for folks over 50 rather than 60yo, etc.), the information re: gabapentin and other Rx for pain relief has good evidence and may be useful in discussing things with your provider. Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery! Inge on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869391 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 11:46:19 +0000 Inge 1869391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh no, Carla, I'm so sorry -(( It's good that the symptoms are easing up a bit already, but please rest as much as you need to. Sending you healing vibes and a big hug from Antwerp! Inge xxx Eliza on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869374 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 08:48:03 +0000 Eliza 1869374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good wishes for a speedy recovery, Carla. There is a wide range of possibilities with shingles; hoping you are better soon. Don't know about shingles and coldpacks, but I am a big believer in ice for pain management. My mother had very painful shingles develop on her back. Eager to help, the expert drs. gave her a couple of powerful neuroactive meds for pain relief. That proved worse than the shingles for someone with sensitivities to meds and their interactions. Hang in there. anne on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869367 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 07:45:05 +0000 anne 1869367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so sorry to hear this Carla, and now I'm especially impressed that you have managed to keep up posting and commenting on YLF. My best wishes for your recovery. Emily K on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869366 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 07:13:43 +0000 Emily K 1869366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oowwww ... am sorry that you are experiencing this.  But very happy for you that it stayed out of your eyes!  My husband got shingles (or something similar) on his back when we were in college and it was excruciating. Anonymous on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869359 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 06:10:26 +0000 Anonymous 1869359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. I came down with shingles while on a cruise. It took s couple of months and medication to get over it. My cousin had it affect his spine and had to quit work because of the pain. I don't think he has ever gotten over it, even years later. He says nothing touches the pain. I had the shot and have not had a reoccurance. Some people, like my mother, have it as a chronic condition. Do what you can to boost your immune system. deb on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869344 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 05:11:10 +0000 deb 1869344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, I am so sorry to hear this. my dad had it on one side of his face and the doc was so worried it would travel to his eye. Please take care of yourself. JillG on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869308 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:01:28 +0000 JillG 1869308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I had shingles that wrapped around the right side of my torso from my navel to spine in a sort of half-belt swath.  I did get the antiviral med in time and am thankful that the shingles weren't worse.  I was miserable for a good two weeks and uncomfortable for another four.  It took several months for the lesions to completely disappear.  I couldn't find a comfortable position for sleeping and spent several weeks (voluntarily) on the couch so as not to disturb DH with my constant repositioning.   I think the most important thing is to get the antiviral med promptly, which you have done.  Other than that it's just a matter of time.  Some cases are more severe than others.  Even with having only a mild to moderate case of them myself, it was quite a while before I felt 100%.  Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to recover. Angie on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869178 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:38:52 +0000 Angie 1869178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OH, YOU POOR THING. I believe that shingles are extremely painful and unpleasant. My MIL had shingles, but recovered really well. Rest up and restore. Let your boys spoil you. Sending lots of healing thoughts, Carla.  Sal on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869177 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:37:58 +0000 Sal 1869177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How miserable- wishing you a speedy recovery. A big hug from NZ. Anonymous on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869162 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:11:30 +0000 Anonymous 1869162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My best friend had it.  He was hospitalized for an entire week.  It was awful.  Because of him, I got vaccinated.   I wish you a speedy recovery.   The Cat on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869160 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:01:00 +0000 The Cat 1869160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry to hear this, Carla. I have not had shingles myself, but some of my friends have, so I know it can be very painful, and it took them weeks and months to fully recover. Hope you are able to to get a lot of rest. Best wishes. Anonymous on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869157 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:50:24 +0000 Anonymous 1869157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My mother once had shingles on her forehead above her eye over 20 years ago and her doctor misdiagnosed her. It affected her vision so she quickly saw her eye doctor who promptly sent her to the hospital as it started to affect her brain. Since then I learned the warning signs and when my DH thought her had poison ivy on his forehead (he was away on business) and I told him I was making a doctor's appt for him as soon as he got back. Sure enough shingles (two times for him already - so yes you can get it again!) On anti virals and I believe 4 to 6 weeks to feeling better. I told my doctor that I never had chicken pox (at least that is what my mom told me), but he did not believe me and said that it could have been so mild that perhaps no one even noticed so he ordered a test to see if I had had it. Lo and behold it came back positive so I got my shingles vaccine the year I turned 60 (2016). My DH has not gotten his yet as I have read that a newer vaccine is out that is even better than the current one. Hopefully he will be able to get it in 2018 and insurance will  cover it. JAileen on "Shingles" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shingles-2#post-1869123 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 17:02:11 +0000 JAileen 1869123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, I'm so sorry. I knew a woman who had it and it took her six months to get over it. I know another woman who had it and was over it in a month. There's a new shingles vaccine - Shingrix. It's recommended even you had the other vaccine. I had the other one, and at my checkup tomorrow plan to ask about Shingrix. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/10/health/shingrix-shingles-vaccine.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/1.....ccine.html</a>