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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSend vibes please. Shingles hurts worse than anything.
And I've hurt before. Not like this. So if you could, would you please take them from me and transfer them to DJT.
And oxycodone is your friend. I am so sorry this happens to people with no insurance.
⚡️😫⚡️
we can do it
(12,184 posts)Vinnie From Indy
(10,820 posts)Good luck!
asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)had shingles...back then they didn't have the drugs of today for pain - what she did was make a mustard
plaster and put it all over her torso..and then wrapped it..old school I guess....I can remember her sitting up carefully in a chair - closing her eyes, and breathing slowly - take care nolabear - it does get better..I only have words of encouragement for you and lots of love your way....
Eyeball_Kid
(7,432 posts)Freedomofspeech
(4,224 posts)sheshe2
(83,768 posts)sending healing thoughts your way.
PennyK
(2,302 posts)Has your doctor put you on Acyclovir? I had that and it lessens the intensity and the duration.
But yeah, the oxy really, really helps. I found I had to take 10 mg to get relief.
I had to have chemotherapy last year (still finishing up), but I still rate shingles as being pretty awful.
nolabear
(41,963 posts)Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)Please take care and sending positive vibes your way.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)gademocrat7
(10,657 posts)Sending healing hugs. Take care, nolabear.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)I walked through the over-the-counter section with a pharmacist buying anything topical that she thought could help:
The best thing was a spray on lidocaine that is a first aid product for burns. (It was in the first aid area.) Tried other stuff, but it didn't work.
So sorry this is happening to you. I hope it passes quickly.
Lars39
(26,109 posts)When you get over it, see if your insurance will cover the vaccaine. I've had it twice now under age 60 and my insurance totally paid for the vaccine, much to the pharmacist's surprise. I would hace gladly forked over the 250 for it though.
Hope you get well soon.
Mister Ed
(5,933 posts)Rural_Progressive
(1,105 posts)catchnrelease
(1,945 posts)I always tell people get the shot!!!! My PA said it is about 60% effective but if you do get it (again) it is supposed to lessen the duration and severity. Anything is better than the full blown attack!
Nay
(12,051 posts)how awful shingles is from friends.
I got shingles when I was 65; it was a mild case because I had had the vaccine. My doc put me on Acyclovir since I was in the 72-hour window since the first eruption. Both the vaccine AND rushing in to the doc for the Acyclovir saved me from a whole lot of pain.
True Dough
(17,305 posts)This too shall pass, even though it seems unbearable now.
shraby
(21,946 posts)prescribed a cream with the pepper in it, and when the itching started, we found a cream that alleviated the itch. He was out of commission for over a month. Just about the time we thought we had it licked, the itching started. The cream was a godsend. He found it with google. I'll see if he remembers the name of it and get back to you.
Everyone over 50, do yourself a favor and get that shot!!
procon
(15,805 posts)If it helps, I had very good, if short term pain relief, with over-the-counter and prescription topical ointments containing capsaicin, the ingredient found in hot peppers. There are also antiviral medicines your MD should prescribe (that are much better than a general pain killer that just knocks you out) and they will reduce the pain of shingles and also the cut duration of of the outbreak.
My last bout left behind the added misery of postherpetic neuralgia, where the pain of shingles continues long (think months of that non-stop agony) after the blisters and other symptoms have faded away. As a last resort I finally tried acupuncture and the pain faded markedly after the first session, and disappeared after the third. I only wish I had gotten it done when the blisters first appeared.
Since then I got the vaccine, so I hope never to get shingles again. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox should be vaccinated against shingles, to escape that torturing pain if nothing else. Good luck for a speedy recovery.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Why would it occur more than once? Wouldn't your body develop antibodies to the first outbreak (similar to what the vaccine would do)? I'm not talking about the initial chicken pox outbreak, but the initial Shingles outbreak.
Also, I have never had chicken pox. Should I get the shingles vaccine just in case?
hunter
(38,312 posts)I was once working in a hospital where we had a mother in her later twenties die of it. She'd grown up in a very isolated rural environment and had been home schooled. She'd married and moved to a small town where her own kids brought the virus home from school.
Depending on your age, it's possible you may have had a very mild case as a child. My youngest sibling did, a few pox and that was it. I was not so lucky. I have chicken pox scars everywhere.
I'd get the vaccine.
Chicken pox is one of those viruses that never goes away, it just goes into remission, hiding out in nerve cells. As people age changes in their immune system allow it to become active again.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)...Just never got around to it. I'll ask my doctor at my next visit.
Thanks for the information.
procon
(15,805 posts)so I can only relate my own experience. My doc told me that while its uncommon to have shingles recur, its not unusual. I think it might have been because the first and second time only produced a single, very small patch of blisters, but that's just my guess. I've read that people can be exposed to communicable diseases and still develop the antibodies even without actually showing the symptoms themselves. That might apply to you, I don't know, but do call your doctor and get the expert info you need about the vaccine.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)I will ask my doctor at my next visit.
progree
(10,907 posts)For those who have read that a substantial percentage of those vaccinated still get shingles -- yes, but they also say that even in those cases the vaccine reduces the intensity and duration.
Fla Dem
(23,668 posts)Got the shot. I may or may not get them but at least if I do I won't be kicking myself for not getting it.
Nola Bear, after seeing my family members go through it I am so sorry for you.
Sending you gentle hugs.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)flyingfysh
(1,990 posts)I hadn't heard of it, but my doctor said I should get it.So I did.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)And without insurance it costs $400.
appleannie1943
(1,303 posts)milestogo
(16,829 posts)samplegirl
(11,477 posts)Changed the age to 50 years old but most people who came into Rite Aid could not afford the shot which is 283.00 with no insurance.
Very sad because most people just don't get it or their insurance won't cover it!
milestogo
(16,829 posts)At that time my internist told me there was a vaccine for people 60 and older, so apparently she didn't know. This is a major illness so its absurd that the vaccine isn't covered.
Nay
(12,051 posts)sarge43
(28,941 posts)If you've had chickenpox, get the shot. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. It stays dormant for years and aging can activate it. Even if you haven't, get it anyway. Shingles is a miserable condition and if it gets into the eyes, it can cause blindness.
TNNurse
(6,926 posts)had cancer, had joint replacement (in February) all are tough. Hope you are on Acyclovir. My doc gave me Lidocaine patches to put on the areas after they healed but still hurt.
So sorry for you. Get the shot when you can. Had a hard time getting anyone to say when it was safe after shingles so ask around.
mrmpa
(4,033 posts)get through this as quickly as possible. I got the vaccine in October. I had a doctor's appt. 10 days after I turned 60. Received 3 injections that day, a flu shot, hepatitis B vaccine and the shingles shot. The nurse looked at me skeptically & said you want all 3 today & I said yep, go for it.
Roy Rolling
(6,917 posts)Ask your doctor.
littlemissmartypants
(22,656 posts)I've had them too. Try to remember to breathe deeply when you can. I hope they aren't on your face, in your hair or eyes, they're the worst. Here's another gentle air hug. Hang in there. ♡
Granny M
(1,395 posts)My friend got shingles in November, and it took quite a while to get completely over it. I hope you heal quickly.
pruple
(178 posts)My husband had them. It was terrible. I'm so sorry for your pain and wish you a speedy recovery and relief.
Mme. Defarge
(8,029 posts)when I was 37. Excruciating pain - much worse than a ruptured appendix. Prednisone was a miracle drug for the pain. Got the vaccine as soon as I was eligible at 60. Take good care.
Motley13
(3,867 posts)I feel so sorry for you.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,620 posts)I hope it goes away FAST.
mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)doctor prescribed something that contained it quickly in its early stages.
appleannie1943
(1,303 posts)wet cloth for about 20 minutes at a time. It helped my husband.
No Vested Interest
(5,166 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,457 posts)Hope you kick their button soon.
skylucy
(3,739 posts)only time I ever saw her cry from physical pain. Sending healing thoughts your way.
PS You know whose fault this is? Trumps. (My story and I'm sticking to it for anything bad that happens. Wayward hairs sprouting from my chin? Trump's fault. Bad weather? Trump's fault. Everything and anything ....Damn that bastard Trump.)
drray23
(7,629 posts)I too had shingles. I was also shot. Being shot was less painful than the shingles.
nolabear
(41,963 posts)The rash just broke out after about five days agony. We sure know what it isn't! They scanned, did labwork, did an EKG and can assure me my organs are healthy. I'm 62 and will copy everyone: GET THE DAMN SHOT!
UTUSN
(70,695 posts)ananda
(28,860 posts).. I highly recommend that everyone who is eligible
get the Zosamax (shingles) vaccine.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)REST, rest, rest.... remember that.
My thoughts and vibes are with you.
tavernier
(12,388 posts)Keep your stress level low. It will help.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)I was lucky, partly because I paid attention.
I got a couple blisters in odd places on my hands. About 12 hours later I researched shingles seriously and decided I had to deal with it stat, not the least of which because it was the afternoon of New Year's Eve. I went to a walk-in clinic, got diagnosed, got a prescription for a 7-day course of an anti-viral drug, and got it filled before 6 pm.
The anti-viral knocked it right down. I've not had any recurrence or trouble with it since. I was lucky.
Know the symptoms if you've ever had chicken pox. The virus hides in your spinal fluid for 50 years and then suddenly breaks out as shingles.
redwitch
(14,944 posts)I hope it's a mild case and you can find relief nolabear. I'm so sorry you are in pain.
murielm99
(30,741 posts)I am so sorry.
I got the shingles vaccine a while ago. My dad had shingles and he had dementia at the same time, and did not know that he had to refrain from scratching. I don't think he knew what was happening to him.
Please get better soon.
iluvtennis
(19,858 posts)Warpy
(111,261 posts)If you want to transfer them to DJT, just buy a ticket to one of his events and put some of the weeping stuff on your hand when you shake hands with him and hope. Chicken pox will ensue if he didn't have it as a kid, ten times as bad in an adult. It's a fantasy that will see you through this.
I know a lot of people who have had shingles and the descriptions vary from nasty to unbearable. I hope yours clear very soon.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)if you'd had a tough time with the chicken pox, like I did, the vaccine offers a chance you won't get the shingles.
Its confusing if its covered or not for many....my Dr got on the phone and called my pharmacy. The short is if you haven't met your drug deductible it will cost....depending on Medicare part B. Now its also looked as a prescription drug too.....so with a script it will cost you less. In the end my Rx told him since I have Medicare & Employer based insurance it would be nothing.
Nolabear get some rest....
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/why-the-shingles-vaccine-cost-so-much/
Soothing, pain-free vibes for you.
HeartachesNhangovers
(814 posts)about shingles for a while. I'm 55 and asked my GP a couple of months ago about the vaccine and they said: "Well, your insurance may not cover it." I think I will insist and pay for the damn shot myself if I have too. I hate pain!
Get better soon!
sarge43
(28,941 posts)I wish I could transfer it to the slob for you. Oxycodone isn't my friend, but I'm glad it's helping you.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,190 posts)To get the vaccine.
catchnrelease
(1,945 posts)I got it on the upper left side of my face, down around my eye and down the side of my nose. Couldn't figure out what was going on. When I went to urgent care the stupid dr or whatever he was diagnosed it as eye infection. Even though my eye was perfectly fine, not even a little red. Gave me antibiotics and nothing for the pain. Said come back tomorrow if it was still painful. (I had to go to urgent care as it was Fri and couldn't get an appt with my regular dr)
Suffered all night and went back the next day, got different drs and they said "shingles". Thank you!!! But they gave me vicoden which did nothing but make me sick. Finally got into my regular dr/PA on Monday and she gave me Gabapentin and said to get to an ophthalmologist asap as it could go into my eye and cause blindness. Yeow! The drug must have worked as the pain lessened right away and I was able to go back to work in a week. Luckily I didn't get scarring but I still get occasional weird tickley, itchy feelings around my left eyebrow.
Long story to say I have a high pain tolerance and this took me to my knees so to speak. Wow. It's a killer. My PA said the recommendation was that you could get the shot around 5yrs after having the attack, and it would lessen the chance of re-occurrence and/or the pain if you did get it again. Said that while you can't get it again in the same spot you can get it again anywhere else. So as I said above, I always tell people that waver or don't know--GET THE SHOT!!! Hope you heal fast!
Metsie Casey
(208 posts)Shingles many years ago. Sux.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)My father suffered from shingles, they are terrible. Hope you get some relief!
Jane Austin
(9,199 posts)I had shingles last summer and the pain was unbearable.
Pain meds didn't touch it.
After one acupuncture treatment I'd say the pain was 90% gone. Just a few twinges left
After my second treatment I had no more pain.
Best of luck to you.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)hlthe2b
(102,276 posts)Kimchijeon
(1,606 posts)[img][/img]
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I really hope you get to feeling better soon, I know shingles is just awful.
Laffy Kat
(16,379 posts)I had it when I was 36-years-old and sixteen weeks postpartum. Hell, sheer hell. Just remember, it won't last forever. You will get through it.
rainbow4321
(9,974 posts)Started off as what looked like a dry skin patch on my eyelid. Within days it turned to full blown lesions on the left side of my scalp, on/in my left eye and on my nose. "Headache" doesn't begin to describe the pain. One hydrocodone took a SLIGHT edge off the pain. Not surprising since it does little for nerve pain.
Switched from hydrocodone to Gabapentin after a week and it got tolerable (well, if you can call the sound of keys being placed on the counter in the next room sending chills through me and sounding like nail on a chalkboard tolerable--I was overly sensitive to light/sound). Had to take 2 pills twice a day to function.
Went to the eye doc ASAP, got the needed eye drops. Luckily, no long lasting eye nerve damage.
My left eye looked swollen and red even after the lesions dried up. People would awkwardly ask if I had "fallen" when I could tell they were wondering if I was beaten.
Then came the total numbness when I touched the area even though it itched like hell. Rubbing/scratching did no good, it just stayed numb but itchy (weird, I know). Like how a mouth/cheeks are numb immediately after dental surgery.
Got a repeat case of them, same area, a year later...nerve pain/headache but minus the rash/lesions. Rashless shingles are a thing.
Good luck..get well soon!!
Rhiannon12866
(205,358 posts)A friend of mine had them and had to cut off her hair since she couldn't stand when it touched her face. Just that told me how painful it is. My grandmother had it when I was a kid and I feel awful now for not understanding what she was going through. I hope they have more effective treatments than they had back then. I'm sending you all the healing vibes I've got! This hug is in your honor:
raven mad
(4,940 posts)I'd take your pain if I could. Did you get treatment in the first 3 or 4 days? Asking because if you did, you may not relapse too bad.
Phentex
(16,334 posts)I have heard how painful this is. I never had chicken pox so I'm not sure about shingles. I hope you feel better soon!
Eliot Rosewater
(31,112 posts)Does it help as much as you would hope it would?
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)still_one
(92,190 posts)problem for many is when they first get Shingles they don't go to the doctor, and get put on anti-viral treatment which would reduce the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia significantly.
People especially over 60 should really consider getting the Shingles vaccine
flor-de-jasmim
(2,125 posts)My deepest sympathies!
furtheradu
(1,865 posts)Had it a few years ago, it made a believer out of me. I have a high pain tolerance, & it was miserable. A weird disease, but I think stress IS a factor. So rest easy & take goood Care of YourSelf!💚
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)from it and a device to interrupt my pain signals. It is implanted under my skin...
So I can send my warmest thoughts to you at this time. I hope you don't develop post herpetic neuralgia. It's a bitch...
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)Because, as a fellow shingles sufferer, I feel your pain.
ProfessorGAC
(65,042 posts)My wife had some sores and it hurt. I had it, but the pain was really minimal. More like a burning sensation and i had a lot of blotchiness but no open sores.
Guy had work had it and worse than my wife (maybe like you're describing) and another was like me. A little sickish and a rash but mostly annoying not painful.
Realy odd
Solly Mack
(90,767 posts)I'm so sorry! That stuff is horrible.
denbot
(9,899 posts)I turn 59 in a couple of weeks, I guess I should see my doc pretty soon for a vaccination.