Please tell me things get better. (Shingles)

[Cleita]

This has been going on for a week now. If I don't take pain killers I feel like I have been wacked hard in the face with a two by four. The pills make me woozy, silly and unable to focus.

I'm pretty much through my course of other pills, and have lost the nausea, and am finally able to keep food down, but this is awful.

Please, anyone who has gone through this, please tell me it's going to get better.

:hurts:

[commander bunnypants]

1. It will

I had shingles for about two weeks. Enjoy the happy pills

CB

[Liberal Veteran]

2. You will get better.

Never had shingles, but I know they are painful (because it's a nerve infection).

The antivirals they gave you and the pain killers will help you get through the episode.

I know it's cold comfort when you are dealing with it currently, but believe me when I say you will get better soon.

[Ilsa]

3. I've never been through. I wish I could help you, though.

I had chicken pox when I was ten or eleven. I've had some flank pain before and wondered if that might be the onset of shingles. I can't remember what precipitated it.

I wish I could relieve your pain. Does meditation help? Soft music, maybe a tape of a beautiful place at which to vacation? I hope you feel better soon. I've felt helpless as a nurse trying to help patients hospitalized for this.

[Cleita]

5. They told me it was because of a childhood bout of

Chicken pox. Mine started like a toothache and I almost went to the dentist, but I had just been there for teeth cleaning, x-rays and a filling, so I decided to wait and see what developed.

They said it was stress probably from my husband's recent passing. I guess the trick is to not get run down. If you need a check-up or even some life style changes both at home and in the workplace. Do it. You don't want this. Trust me.

[Ilsa]

10. Thanks. I remember about your husband's death.

I know it has been an extraordinarily difficult time for you. I can see why you would be more prone to infection, etc. at this time.

I started taking anti-depressant almost a year ago, and that has helped with the stress of having a special needs child. It seemed like the grief was continuous. I still have bouts of it, but I mostly am doing better if I don't over-extend myself.

[On the Road]

4. It Will Get Better

in fact, after two weeks, it should begin any day now.

[Adams Wulff]

6. Find a Massage Therapist who does Raindrop Therapy.

Worked wonders for my girlfriend who has shingles. The therapist can explain how it works.

Good Luck!

[Rowdyboy]

7. Had them twice and recovered both time, but it takes time....

The second time, I recognized the symptoms and my doctor gave me Famvir which REALLY helped keep it from worsening.

Wish I could offer more than encouragement....

[flamingyouth]

8. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this

My mom had that a few years ago and said it was worse than childbirth or kidney stones. But she did indeed get better.

Here's a *hug* for a speedy recovery. Get well soon!

[DinahMoeHum]

9. It will get better. Are you taking Famvir by your doctor's prescription?

Don't ever skimp on that - take it according to prescription until you are out of it. By then, the worst WILL be over, although you'll still see the remnants of your rashes for a few weeks.

I had my bout with shingles 2 years ago, so I should know.

:bounce:

[Cleita]

Acyclovir.

Today is the last day. I have to stick with the drugs on my fabulous Medicare prescription drug benefit.

[Cleita]

11. Acyclovir.

Today is the last day. I have to stick with the drugs on my fabulous Medicare prescription drug benefit.

[bigwillq]

12. Hope you feel better soon!

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Please tell me you are absolutely sure that it is shingles you have

My MIL was misdiagnosed as havaing that when it was something completely different and far more serious. (Heaven only knows how they misdiagnosed her with shingles in the first place, though.)

I do hope you get better soon. You need a break!

*big hugs*

[Cleita]

15. Not absolutely sure, but my doctor is very competent.

It doesn't seem to be getting worse though and I have been able to cut down on the pain killers today, so I think she got it right. Thanks for your concern. Easy enough to misdiagnose before it breaks out because it hits different people in different areas and could be a lot of things. I thought it was tetanus at first because it attacked my jaw and teeth first before it spread.

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. Yeah. :^( With my MIL they thought it was shingles that was focused

under her skin in her midsection. Never guessed it could be cancer.

But then, from what I have heard, her docs were not all that competent and she didn't have any money. Thank goodness they finally turned to other doctors, but unfortunately it was too late.

I have to say though, aren't you a bit relieved that it wasn't actually lockjaw? Wouldn't that have been worse?

[Cleita]

17. Oh, yes, for sure.

Grateful for small favors.

[DemoTex]

14. I had shingles on my arm in 1967 and 1994.

The bout in 1967 was by far the worst. The shingles came right on the tail of a very serious case of mononucleosis. I was put on pain pills and sleeping pills for the shingles. Between the mono and shingles, I missed two quarters of college. That got me drafted in 1968.

It will get better. My second bout was relatively light and not nearly as painful. I sympathize with you. Hope you get well soon.

[Cleita]

18. Thanks everyone.

For all of you who had to suffer through this and especially those who got it twice, my sympathies and so many thanks for responding. Thanks to the rest of you for taking the trouble to help me feel better.