How long will it be before I recover from Shingles psls :(

[Sujamjen]

I've had a severe attack of Shingles on my face, eye and scalp. Thank God the blisters and pain have more or less gone! I've been off work for 4 weeks but I am exhausted after the least exertion (ie making the bed in the morning). Please can anyone tell me how long I'm likely to feel like this for? Perhaps someone who's had Shingles?

[Toothsmith]

Everybody is different.

I have never had shingles, but it can be a serious upset to your body.

Trying to do too much too soon could only set you back further.

Basic rules are rest, good diet, drink plenty of fluids and do only as much physical activity as you feel up to.

To balance this last bit of advice though, it is imortant to have SOME activity. the healing process is stimulated by light/very light exertion building up as you can. (Don't just lie in bed!)

I am sure Ted can give some good advice on supplements, and I wouldn't wonder if Vit D wasn't in here somewhere!

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Natural Remedies for Herpes simplex (http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/11/2/102.pdf)
Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: (http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/11/2/102.pdf)

If you follow the information on Vitamin C be aware that the body does not deal efficiently with large doses so a lot is wasted. Small amounts at regular intervals will get over this problem. (this is one of the reasons why 5-8 portions of fruit and veg are so good for you). Even when absorbed and in the blood stream the half life of vitamin c is measured in minutes so Time Release formulations for vitamin c which continuosly release small amounts throughout the day/night are money well spent.

The second paper above mentions the role of anti-depressants. Similar effects may be obtained by using Vitamin d3 (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=15260882) which not only has a similar impact on seratonin but also improves energy/mood levels, your immune status and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Other anti-inflammatory agents you may want to try are omega 3, cod-liver oil also contains vitamin A mentioned in the above links. I've mentioned in other threads the use of Linseed as a good source of omega 3 for those who can't take fish oils. (you can search this site for these posts)

[black-saturn]

I suppose it all depends on the individual. My dad had it and was over it and back to work in 2 weeks but his mate caught it off him and was so bad he had to be hospitalised and had about 4 months off work.

[Heth]

I'd agree that it depends. my dad had it recently and went to work throughout. Half his face was covered in blisters and very sensitive to touch.

[Athravan]

When my grandfather had this he was very ill for about 3 months and took a long time to recover. He was 70 at the time so age was not in his favour for a quick recovery.

At least you are over the worst of it now (or so it sounds), and just do things slow and steady, take the time you need and don't rush it because you'll just make yourself go backwards if you rush back into work too soon. Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery.

[blackcateddie]

My MIL had shingles last October about the same time my neighbour who is 40 also caught it.
She is still suffering with the pain from her back, partly because of the poor care she has had from the NHS who don't seem to be able to manage this aspect at all, whereas my neighbour recovered within two weeks.

I would advise anyone to get on top of the pain issue as quickly as possible, I think it's imperative that you manage this aspect because it is very dificult to get better if you are in constant pain and the knock on effect on your life can be huge - she still struggles to sleep, she can't sit comfortably for long periods and at some stage I think it may well become chronic - her body is overly sensitive to pain now and it is very difficult to manage.

hope you get better quickly

[vik6525]

I had shingles last year brought on by the stress of giving up smoking would you believe! needless to say I hit the ciggies again pretty quickly, but it did take me about 5 or 6 weeks to feel like 'me' again. The only advice I can give is to relax, drink loads and loads of fluids, dont do anything you dont have to do, and dont try and rush back into things too quickly... Hope you get better soon...
xxx

[rjh090384]

i had shingles when i was 16 or 17 but i also had me at the time so took me longer to receover a couple of months. hits different peoplein differnet ways so im told.

[CIS]

The problem with shingles is that the virus can lie low and reoccur even years later

[Ettenna]

Can you get shingles if you have not had chickenpox, or is it something that you can only get if you have had the pox?? I get confused which way round it is.

I haven't had chickenpox.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and is a reactivation of the dormant virus. Shingles often occurs many years after the initial chickenpox infection. Shingles is contagious and may itself cause chickenpox. However, contact with a person with shingles or chickenpox cannot cause shingles. (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/herpeszoster.htm)
Do be aware that Chicken pox can be mild so it's possible you or your parents weren't aware of the infection.

The peak rate of infection with Chicken Pox occurs Winter and SPRING, when vitamin d3 levels are at their lowest and you/your children's immune response is most compromised. It doesn't have to be this way. Read my previous posts for ways to improve your immune system.

Same applies to shingles. It's a b****** bug that lies low in your body to come out and strike you again when you are at your very lowest ebb. If you want to prevent an occurance you have to raise your immune status and try and keep it raised.