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

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.
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.

shopndrop

I had shingles a few weeks ago but am still exhausted, not just tired. I take a multi vitamin as suggested by my GP and eat healthily, plenty of fruit and veg. Is there anything else I can do, that won't break the bank, to speed up the full recovery.

sammyjammy

I had shingles last year for the first time and was off work for a week, I wasn't even aware that I had had chicken pox. I believe one of the keys to recovery is getting the right medication very quickly from the doctors.

Westywoodpecker

Hopefully the OP is well again now, as this was posted Oct 2006! :eek:

NellieNewbie

shopndrop wrote: »

I had shingles a few weeks ago but am still exhausted, not just tired. I take a multi vitamin as suggested by my GP and eat healthily, plenty of fruit and veg. Is there anything else I can do, that won't break the bank, to speed up the full recovery.

sammyjammy wrote: »

I had shingles last year for the first time and was off work for a week, I wasn't even aware that I had had chicken pox. I believe one of the keys to recovery is getting the right medication very quickly from the doctors.

I am so glad this thread has been resurrected, as I have had shingles for about 4 weeks. sammyjammy, you are right in saying if you see a doctor quickly you can be prescribed medication that can reduce the severity of a shingles attack. Unfortunately my initial shingles symptoms were similar to another health condition I have, so by the time I saw my GP my attack was quite severe (GP's words when she saw my rash were "Bl**dy Hell!).

Anyway, the blisters have all gone now and I have red marks where the blisters were. My problem is the whole area were the blisters were (back, side, under and up around one breast - can't wear a bra ) is numb and as itchy as hell. I do understand the problem is still the nerve endings, but now I REALLY want to scratch (I don't believe in inflicting pain on myself ). The only relief I can get from the itching is from ice packs, but they don't last long.

I have browsed the internet for some answers and have tried the oatmeal baths, cider vinegar, etc., but it is clear that there isn't anything that works for everybody.

I am desperate for a night's sleep and wondered if anyone can recommend something that worked for them or someone close to them?

Savvy_Sue

Talk to a pharmacist and see if there is an antihistamine without the non-drowsy effect which you could take!

NellieNewbie

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Talk to a pharmacist and see if there is an antihistamine without the non-drowsy effect which you could take!

Thanks for your reply. Great minds think alike. I've been to three chemists today and they all said the same thing - can't help.

But on eBay I found this gel and I'm going to give it a try! :T

Savvy_Sue

NellieNewbie wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. Great minds think alike. I've been to three chemists today and they all said the same thing - can't help.

Can they not order you one? I'm sure there is still one which MAY make you drowsy, I had a long conversation with a pharmacist a while ago about how useful it could be when itchy skin keeps people awake, but how little used it was.

NellieNewbie

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Can they not order you one? I'm sure there is still one which MAY make you drowsy, I had a long conversation with a pharmacist a while ago about how useful it could be when itchy skin keeps people awake, but how little used it was.

I'd have tried anything and drowsiness wouldn't be an issue as I'm exhausted, but none of them thought any type of product was effective, because it is not really the skin that is the problem, but the damaged nerves under the skin. They all knew about Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so can only accept what they say. I will see my GP again next week if there is no improvement because there are various options that are prescription only that I can try.

Savvy_Sue

NellieNewbie wrote: »

I'd have tried anything and drowsiness wouldn't be an issue as I'm exhausted, but none of them thought any type of product was effective, because it is not really the skin that is the problem, but the damaged nerves under the skin. They all knew about Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so can only accept what they say. I will see my GP again next week if there is no improvement because there are various options that are prescription only that I can try.

Ah right, our itchy skin isn't from shingles so an antihistamine helps a bit...