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View Full Version : Has anybody else had shingles?



Susief
30-05-2011, 13:59
Hubby got it 4 weeks ago when we in Tenerife and is still getting a lot of pain.

Anybody know of anything that might help relieve the pain, says it's like toothache with sharp stabbing pains too.

jolfc
30-05-2011, 14:03
:cry:Ooooh I had shingles when I was about 23, it was horrible , a big red band of rash around my waist, I am sure the Doctor gave me a cream for it. Sorry I cant offer any help in how to get rid of pain for your hubby, hope he is better soon, :)

tonypub
30-05-2011, 14:08
was a shingles night not long back,hic.everyone was pished,hic,

Susief
30-05-2011, 14:26
:cry:Ooooh I had shingles when I was about 23, it was horrible , a big red band of rash around my waist, I am sure the Doctor gave me a cream for it. Sorry I cant offer any help in how to get rid of pain for your hubby, hope he is better soon, :)

The rash has almost gone but think it's the after pain.

Susief
30-05-2011, 14:26
was a shingles night not long back,hic.everyone was pished,hic,

You been sniffing the kenko again Tony? lol

dede
30-05-2011, 14:31
Susie im sorry to say that i had shingles many years ago and every now and again the pain comes back even though the rash dosnt, dont tell your hubby but it can go on for years im afraid if you have a bad dose of it, the doctors told me that it depends on how much damages has been done to the nerve endings. Hope he starts feeling better soon.

Susief
30-05-2011, 15:03
Susie im sorry to say that i had shingles many years ago and every now and again the pain comes back even though the rash dosnt, dont tell your hubby but it can go on for years im afraid if you have a bad dose of it, the doctors told me that it depends on how much damages has been done to the nerve endings. Hope he starts feeling better soon.

Thanks Dede, hope it doesn't! Lol.

angibabes
30-05-2011, 15:50
My son has the shingles just now, hes off school for a week, hes in alot a pain. The Doctor gave him liquid to dab onto the rash. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Sylla
30-05-2011, 17:42
Hubby got it 4 weeks ago when we in Tenerife and is still getting a lot of pain.

Anybody know of anything that might help relieve the pain, says it's like toothache with sharp stabbing pains too.

I had Shingles in 2008 Susie ....And I can tell you it is awful ....I tried to stay off any real hard drugs for the pain , but in the end asked the doctor for something stronger than paracetamol ...she gave me Co-codiene ...(they do say you can become addicted ) but I didn't and only stuck with the one course .... Calamine lotion helped ...and I found that when I sat in my conservatory with the warmth ...reading a book , really helped ...so tell him to try to keep warm and read or do something to take his mind away from it .... I still get a tingle sometimes in my side where it was affected .....but I was lucky ...it wasn't on my face ...they say that is the worst ...I hope he will soon be feeling better ...

Sylla

SuzyQ
30-05-2011, 17:58
Isnt it the herpes virus?

Loaded
30-05-2011, 17:59
My mum had shingles for a long time, I think it's stress related isn't it? Horrible thing

SuzyQ
30-05-2011, 18:03
My son has the shingles just now, hes off school for a week, hes in alot a pain. The Doctor gave him liquid to dab onto the rash. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Alfie told me, what a nightmare. Poor lad, I never heard of kids getting it before. Can you catch chicken pox from someone with shingles does anyone know? Alfie hasnt had CP yet. I remember getting it at 13 years old, horrendous. In my eyes, down my throat, yuk. Still got some scars now. :(

Sylla
30-05-2011, 18:35
Hubby got it 4 weeks ago when we in Tenerife and is still getting a lot of pain.

Anybody know of anything that might help relieve the pain, says it's like toothache with sharp stabbing pains too.

I tried to answer your post Susie , but the moderator put up a message that it needed approving first , and it has never showed ...so will try again .....

I had shingles 2008 ...it is awful ... the pain is terrible ...I tried to put up with the pain , just taking paracetamol ...but in the end had to get the doctor to give me something stronger ..... also calamine lotion helped ......Also I found that sitting in my warm conservatory reading a book helped ...so tell him to keep warm ..read a book or something that will keep his mind occupied away from it ....( you would have thought that keeping cool would be the answer ) , but no it was warmth that helped me ! I still get a tingle in the side that was affected , but nothing to worry me ...I was lucky it was not my face affected as they say that is the worst ....Hope he will soon feel better ...

Pepe
30-05-2011, 18:51
I had shingles and it was very painful, I believe it is related to the chicken pox virus. All the doctor told me to was rest and take pain killers, sadly it can reoccur, often when you are stressed run down. I still get little tingles too from time to time, look after yourself and rest, hope you feel better soon x

Susief
30-05-2011, 19:01
Alfie told me, what a nightmare. Poor lad, I never heard of kids getting it before. Can you catch chicken pox from someone with shingles does anyone know? Alfie hasnt had CP yet. I remember getting it at 13 years old, horrendous. In my eyes, down my throat, yuk. Still got some scars now. :(

Suzy you can catch chickenpox from shingles, but it's not viral, it's only through touching the burst blisters. You can't get shingles from chickenpox. The herpes zoster virus lives in your system for the rest of your life once you've had chickenpox.

Susief
30-05-2011, 19:04
I tried to answer your post Susie , but the moderator put up a message that it needed approving first , and it has never showed ...so will try again .....

I had shingles 2008 ...it is awful ... the pain is terrible ...I tried to put up with the pain , just taking paracetamol ...but in the end had to get the doctor to give me something stronger ..... also calamine lotion helped ......Also I found that sitting in my warm conservatory reading a book helped ...so tell him to keep warm ..read a book or something that will keep his mind occupied away from it ....( you would have thought that keeping cool would be the answer ) , but no it was warmth that helped me ! I still get a tingle in the side that was affected , but nothing to worry me ...I was lucky it was not my face affected as they say that is the worst ....Hope he will soon feel better ...

Thanks for the advice Sylla. I will make sure he rests. He was prescribed strong Cocodamol from docs last week because he wasn't sleeping. Rash almost gone. Doc said he could be ill with it for 6 weeks!

Sylla
30-05-2011, 19:12
Yes I was with it for about 7 to 8 weeks ..and I too was prescribed cocodamol ...you toss and turn at night in bed with the pain ...it is so difficult to describe to anyone what it is like ..it's almost like a devil is out to get you ! :devil: here are the facts for anyone that might get it ...

http://www.shingles.com/info/about/what/index.jsp

warbey
30-05-2011, 19:31
Isnt it the herpes virus?

About ten years ago i did a gig in Douglas Isle of Man.
I woke up on the third Morning at the Hotel and originally thought I saw Flea Bites.
It was Shingles of course on My Left side Armpit to Hip. Not nice at all
(and no joke if You get it Tonypub)
The virus is linked with Herpes and if like one Person I know, You get it on the Head
You can go Blind.... again. no laughing matter!!
People think Youre a Wimp when the Pain strikes after the Rash has gone.
I took things quietly whilst it lasted and was able to continue working, unlike some..
Hope He's bettere soon Sue..

Susief
30-05-2011, 19:47
About ten years ago i did a gig in Douglas Isle of Man.
I woke up on the third Morning at the Hotel and originally thought I saw Flea Bites.
It was Shingles of course on My Left side Armpit to Hip. Not nice at all
(and no joke if You get it Tonypub)
The virus is linked with Herpes and if like one Person I know, You get it on the Head
You can go Blind.... again. no laughing matter!!
People think Youre a Wimp when the Pain strikes after the Rash has gone.
I took things quietly whilst it lasted and was able to continue working, unlike some..
Hope He's bettere soon Sue..

Thanks Warbey, you are right, it is no laughing matter. He is in no way a softy and I know when he is in pain just by looking at him.

onelegnofeet
30-05-2011, 20:52
Hope he gets better soon (just typed SON!!!) Susie ,not had it /dont want it myself but ................my mum got it and the pain can last for months afterwards ,she was a real trooper but this did put her through agony .So as said hope its a quick recovery .I would say give him a hug but ,maybe concidering his pain !!

dede
30-05-2011, 22:21
Alfie told me, what a nightmare. Poor lad, I never heard of kids getting it before. Can you catch chicken pox from someone with shingles does anyone know? Alfie hasnt had CP yet. I remember getting it at 13 years old, horrendous. In my eyes, down my throat, yuk. Still got some scars now. :(

Suzy the answer to this is YES you can get chicken pox from shingles if you have never had chicken pox, personally i think the child may have chicken pox as its not very often that kids get shingles allthough its not imposible.

Bazz
30-05-2011, 22:25
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/shingles1.shtml :)

blue marlin
30-05-2011, 22:47
Capsaicin Cream is supposed to be good

kieraj
30-05-2011, 22:49
Shingles can be helped with antiviral medications but have to be taken within 72 hours after the rash has appeared to be effective, there is one called Aciclaviv and various others but this is an expensive treatment for the NHS, so don't be fobbed of with lotions, my sister gets it every time and the results are very good.

Susief
31-05-2011, 09:16
Shingles can be helped with antiviral medications but have to be taken within 72 hours after the rash has appeared to be effective, there is one called Aciclaviv and various others but this is an expensive treatment for the NHS, so don't be fobbed of with lotions, my sister gets it every time and the results are very good.

He's had it for 4 weeks now so too late for that. We found Aloe Vera helped initially.

It's the after pain that is the problem, even Cocodamol prescribed from doc only takes away for a few hours.

Tom & Sharon
31-05-2011, 09:22
Ask the doctor to prescribe something specifically for nerve pain, such as Gabapentin or Neurontin.

angibabes
31-05-2011, 16:34
Suzy the answer to this is YES you can get chicken pox from shingles if you have never had chicken pox, personally i think the child may have chicken pox as its not very often that kids get shingles allthough its not imposible.

No sorry Dede the doctor told us that he has got the shingles, wish it was the chicken pox cos they are not as painful. Hopefully he will be back to normal soon, but the rash/blisters dont seem to be getting any better, another trip to the docs i think.

lesbroz
31-05-2011, 18:19
Susie - I had shingles about 2 years ago. My wonderful GP prescribed (take no notice of spelling) tricycleman (think it is often used in sleeping tablets) worked an absolute treat.

Note to self. "Go find the box and give Susie the correct name".:lol:

SuzyQ
31-05-2011, 18:24
Its actually angibabes son who has it lesbroz, not mine, he is a friend of my son. Im sure she will appreciate the info though. Hope he gets well soon, it sounds awful according to whats been written on here. :(

Susief
31-05-2011, 18:29
Its actually angibabes son who has it lesbroz, not mine, he is a friend of my son. Im sure she will appreciate the info though. Hope he gets well soon, it sounds awful according to whats been written on here. :(

Suzy Les was talking to me. My hubby has it.

lesbroz
31-05-2011, 18:36
Suzy Les was talking to me. My hubby has it.

To Susie and Suzy, I have astounded myself and found the box with my prescription. Amitriptyline (absolutely nothing like what I was attempting to spell before). Hope this helps both of them.

Bazz
31-05-2011, 21:59
To Susie and Suzy, I have astounded myself and found the box with my prescription. Amitriptyline (absolutely nothing like what I was attempting to spell before). Hope this helps both of them.

Amitriptyline is an anti-depressant which is also used for pain too. :)

Susief
31-05-2011, 22:23
Amitriptyline is an anti-depressant which is also used for pain too. :)

I read about this drug, but couldn't see my hubby using it. Would be a very last resort!

Bazz
31-05-2011, 22:26
I read about this drug, but couldn't see my hubby using it. Would be a very last resort!

I wouldn't worry too much about taking it, especially if it's only for a short while, did you read something that put you off? :eek:
When in pain I would try anything ...... well almost anything! :nurse:
Hope your husband gets better soon.

Susief
31-05-2011, 22:32
I wouldn't worry too much about taking it, especially if it's only for a short while, did you read something that put you off? :eek:
When in pain I would try anything ...... well almost anything! :nurse:
Hope your husband gets better soon.

Thanks Bazz! I am hoping he is on road to recovery but if not we will investigate! Thanks again

Su1
01-06-2011, 00:47
Shingles can be helped with antiviral medications but have to be taken within 72 hours after the rash has appeared to be effective, there is one called Aciclaviv and various others but this is an expensive treatment for the NHS, so don't be fobbed of with lotions, my sister gets it every time and the results are very good.

When I came back from Tenerife a couple of years ago whilst on the plane home I developed a pain in a small area in the nape of my neck, went to the doc the day after with something else and just mentioned the pain - doc was very concerned and gave me the medication described above which averted shingles ----reading how horrendous it can be I realise what a lucky escape I had. For once my Doc was on top form! He also told me not ot go near any pregnant ladies.

Hope he gets well soon .

Susief
03-06-2011, 22:12
Just an update. Hubby is feeling much better, still taking painkillers prescribed from doc, but managing to sleep through night without having to get up for tablets at 3/4am!
Rash has almost cleared too. It's 5 weeks tomorrow since rash appeared! Doc said at least 6 weeks.
Thanks for everybody's input!

cainaries
03-06-2011, 22:25
My mother had shingles so badly years ago she was taken into hospital. I definitely remember the doctor telling us that if you have already had chickenpox and are then exposed to the virus again you can contract shingles so have been a bit surprised to read on here that that's not possible.

Sylla
03-06-2011, 22:52
My mother had shingles so badly years ago she was taken into hospital. I definitely remember the doctor telling us that if you have already had chickenpox and are then exposed to the virus again you can contract shingles so have been a bit surprised to read on here that that's not possible.

Cainaries .....this is taken from Bazz's post 22 ....his BBC link ....

>>>>>>But you can't catch shingles from someone with shingles (or someone with chickenpox).<<<<<<

When I had shingles, Doctor advised my OH sleep in another room , as he has a very rare kidney complaint , where his immune system attacks his kidneys , ( glomerulonephritis /renal ) so his immune system has to be dummed down with drugs ...he couldn't remember if he had , had chicken pox , so we had to be careful .......:nurse2:

Leam_Lin
03-06-2011, 23:02
I always thought shingles was the adult version of chickenpox.
Years ago if someone had chickenpox, your parents hoped you also got it, the younger you are the less severe the outcome if you caught it again in later life, maybe old wife,s tale.

Sylla
03-06-2011, 23:28
Leam_Lin ...this is taken from Bazz's link at post 22 ....which explains it very well .....???

>>>>>>>>>Causes of shingles
Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus infection that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox the virus remains in their body, lying dormant or hidden in part of the nervous system.

For some reason, often many years later, the virus travels back down one of the nerves to the skin, where it causes a rash in the area of skin supplied by that nerve.

It's not clear what triggers reactivation of the chickenpox virus but it may be linked to changes in the immune system such as an infection elsewhere in the body, or after physical or emotional shock. Ensuring your immune system is not weakened may help to prevent this occurring.<<<<<<<<<<<

Susief
14-07-2011, 22:35
Well finally after 10/11 weeks hubby's shingles has cleared up.
He still has a little tenderness and sensitivity to his right side but he is no longer taking painkillers.
He has really suffered with it.

Sylla
14-07-2011, 22:48
Wow Susie ! that's a long time ...glad he is just about over it now ..you see how long it takes ...I can still get a tingling in my side some times , but that's all it is and mine was on the right side too 3 years ago ...we are lucky though that we didn't get it on the face and eyes as they say that is the worst ....

junglejim
15-07-2011, 00:30
I've just noticed this thread and my wife developed shingle like symptoms last year and was being treated as such with antivirals including one very expensive one but with no improvement .
Eventually back in UK she was referred to specialist and also had some blood tests which indicated start of Diabetes type2 / the pains were down to peripheral neuropathy in nerve endings around waist area similiar to shingles . Treatment with Amitriptylene ( a mild anti-depressant) and metformin took the edge off the pain and after several
months has cleared up . She also lost a couple of stone in weight due to loss of appetite .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysesthesia

jandy
09-08-2011, 09:27
Hi, Does anyone have or know some one who has PHN,Post Herpetic Neuralgia? This is the pain left after having shingles. Looking for some help and advice from other sufferers.

Susief
09-08-2011, 10:15
My hubby had shingles 3 months ago and still has some nerve pain, would be interested to hear if anything helps? Tends to take an odd Ibuprofen on bad days.


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jandy
10-08-2011, 10:06
I had shingles 5 months ago, I have not yet found any effective pain relief, have tried ibuprofen,paracetamol,codeine,tramodol,anti depressants,and tegretol (anti convulsive drug ),also used capsidol cream.The stronger drugs have really bad side effects and did not help the pain.Codeine was the only one to ease some of the pain, or so I thought,I stopped taking it because they say it can become addictive and to see how I got on without pain relief, the pain was no different,sometimes bearable other times not so. I find massaging the area with oils at night helps me get to sleep, I can only sleep on the sore side,so often wake up sore with not moving all night.I had shingles from the middle of my back under my arm and across my chest it was about 4 inch wide. This area is very touch sensitive,and some areas are numb yet,have real difficulty wearing clothes tend to wear tight cotton t-shirts when I have to go out.
I have also tried herbal meds, Tia chi and reiki. Now am trying homeopathic meds, only problem with alternative meds is it can take up to 4 weeks to take effect. The pain is easier or should I say different than it was 2 months ago, it is more of an ache or itch,with only a few sharp pains, I now can sit and eat a meal without having to lie down to relief the pain half way through as I did 2 months ago. So there is improvement although it is very slow. Hope the homeopathic meds work. willing to give anything a go.

Susief
10-08-2011, 13:28
I feel your pain, my hubby has been the same. Strong Codeine (zopain) from docs was only thing that helped.1048


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Malteser Monkey
11-08-2011, 12:57
I feel your pain, my hubby has been the same. Strong Codeine (zopain) from docs was only thing that helped.1048


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That looks really sore ! How is he now Susie ?

its not me
11-08-2011, 13:32
i dont know if any of ye have heard of cahill's blood .my brother in law is cahill and people call to him to get rid of shingles it has never failed he pricks his finger with a needle and rubs the blood on the affected area he dose this 3 times and thats it there gone.probably hard to belive but it works .