Shingles...

annie_d

10 years on, the pain in my back can still wake me up.

unrecordings

I had it on my arm, it didn't itch so the cream was pointless - i asked for it to be left off my prescription. a cool bath would be for the itching if you have that.

Hot water bottle lodged in the armpit when I went to bed did the trick for me

Callie22

sammyjammy wrote: »

I've had it twice so you have my sympathies, the key is getting the drugs as quickly as possible.

Absolutely this. My mum had shingles really badly last year but it was initially mis-diagnosed. She's still suffering really badly from nerve pain and various other issues, so get the anti-virals asap!!

OldMotherTucker

I was in hospital some years ago when a woman was brought in - she was screaming, swearing and fighting the medical staff like she was possessed by a demon - turned out she had shingles . .

I had it myself but, luckily, I was perscribed antivirals within a few hours of the welt appearing on my back. I had the typical 'spine to sternum' configuration and the skin was very sore to touch but it was the random stabbing pains and prickling that caused the most discomfort. This carried on for about 6 months although the rash itself faded in about 2 weeks.

Hope you get better soon and aren't in too much pain!

Pollycat

My Mum had it too.
She cried with pain.

Hope yours is a short-lived and not too painful bout.

DREKLY

There is an anti - shingle injection available, after suffering shingles myself last year on my torso (and I wouldn't wish it on anybody), I have never been in such pain for so long...
I managed to convince my surgery to give me the injection.

Initially I was told it was only available if you birthdate was xyz after a september, or some such restrictive ruling...
I pointed out that the injection was available to anyone over 50 in the USA, so why not here ??
You can imagine the reply I got from the medical staff.....

GwylimT

DREKLY wrote: »

There is an anti - shingle injection available, after suffering shingles myself last year on my torso (and I wouldn't wish it on anybody), I have never been in such pain for so long...
I managed to convince my surgery to give me the injection.

Initially I was told it was only available if you birthdate was xyz after a september, or some such restrictive ruling...
I pointed out that the injection was available to anyone over 50 in the USA, so why not here ??
You can imagine the reply I got from the medical staff.....

For which they will pay around $250 unless they have very good insurance, in which case they will pay around $100. It only costs £100 if you pay yourself, after the flu jab I think it's the cheapest vaccine you can get privately.

katiekittykat

I have had shingles twice and they are horrendous - I was still using the Lidocaine patches from the Dr 8 months later for the pain.

Hope you feel better soon x

jeradon

Shingles can be treated by taking an anti-viral drug. Go to your doctor as soon as possible.

brianposter

jeradon wrote: »

Shingles can be treated by taking an anti-viral drug. Go to your doctor as soon as possible.

And if a doctor is not available within a few hours find a hospital emergency unit. Speed is of the utmost importance in taking the pills.