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Dixie: Shingles Shot question

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Posted 3/9/2015 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately that thread was closed but a quick summary:

An old thread was responded to about the experience of shingles and ways to shield from symptoms: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=16&m=3244577

Dixie asked if anybody could get the shot. I found an article at the CDC (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vacc-need-know.htm) that says those that are younger than 60 years old MIGHT be doing themselves a disservice by getting the shot as they have only seen the clinical effects last up to six years, and since it's a lifetime vaccine, if you didn't develop shingles during that timeframe, you would be totally hosed.

Dixie, thanks for asking that as I too was considering it until I read that part about it only lasting a short time while also being a one time only thing. Total bummer.

Good article to read for those of you in your 50's!

Post Edited (AnnaBananna) : 6/1/2015 4:53:57 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/9/2015 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Anna...I didn't realize the thread was closed until Vickie pointed it out.  I wish somehow we could bring those posts "forward", or establish a link.  I don't know how=( Do you or anyone else know how to create a link to the old post?

There's information there that I feel should be shouted from the roof tops.  This is the most EVIL virus I've ever endured.  People need to know the danger of Shingles, especially those with compromised immune systems.  I think I would have taken my chances with the "hosing", Anna, and gotten the shot=)  It makes no sense, really, as my GP says that symptoms are not as fierce in elderly. Worse...Even though I received immediate aggressive treatment, it seems I will forever have PHN. (Yay me!)

I think I read where Alcie had once gotten a nerve block for Shingles pain.  I also know that JamesBW is still having pain with Shingles.  My PM doctor told me last summer that the level of pain I have from Shingles (not even considering pre-Shingles pain) drives people to drastic measures to end their suffering.  I concur.

SHINGLES VIRUS...Let's continue to get the information out there for folks...An ounce of prevention? 

~~Dixie

 

Posted 3/9/2015 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I had a facet joint injection for the dermatome where I had the shingles pain. Not perfect, but it did help. The facet joint is where the nerves return pain sensation to the brain.

To make a link active:
Don't use Quick Reply. Use Post Reply or Post New Topic.
Before the link you want type [url and then ]with NO SPACES, paste the link, and no spaces after the link, type [/url and ] after url. The / stands for off. You'll know if you've made a mistake when you check your post. If it doesn't show up in color just click on the pencil and fix it.
I had to make spaces after url and ] or the computer thinks I'm sending a website and doesn't show the command.

Post Edited (Alcie) : 3/9/2015 3:57:56 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/9/2015 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Alcie.  I'll try to figure that out, but this new Fentanyl trial is affecting my cognitive abilities, to say the least!  Where were your Shingles?  Mine are affecting my TGN, which my doctor says is the WORST place to have them.  I know I'm grateful, of course, that they've not caused blindness or Bells Palsy...but the pain and itching will be the death of me yet=(

Was your injection in the neck? 

~~Dixie

Posted 3/10/2015 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Annabananna...Could you email me?  Thanks.
Posted 3/10/2015 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, I'm still having shingles pain after three months. I'm "lucky" to have it in a less invasive place, the right side of my chest around to my back.

I've tried: neurontin, capsaicum cream, 5% lidocain patches, benzocain spray, and things like cold compresses, wraps, etc., and all helped a little, but none has brought the pain down to a comfortable level.

I saw a PM doctor to discuss more aggressive treatment and he suggested a plan to eventually try an intercostal nerve block, though he's hoping the test injection of a steroid and anesthetic in the correct intercostal nerves might be enough to control the pain temporarilly--the steroid doing the control and the anesthetic lasting only a day to see if he's got the right nerves for the eventual block. Got an appointment for the needle the end of next week.
Posted 3/10/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
My shingles were on my shoulder blade (worst), under my arm, a little down the arm underside, around to the chest up high. The dermatome was pretty obvious.

I got my injections, two or three, low in my neck.

Lidocaine only works on broken skin, so that (cream and patches) wasn't useful because I had very little actual open eruptions.

The thing about the facet shots, I was told, is you have to have them when the pain first starts. After a week they might not work. Facet blocks don't last more than hours for some people.

I also took the Zovirax (acyclovir) pills, which you have to take within a few days, or they don't work either.

When you think you have shingles you have to jump on it aggressively, right away!
Posted 6/1/2015 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Miss Dixie, I just did a quick search on your name to see if I had left you hangin'....and I totally did. My apologies.

Otherwise, all, great info. Glad I am bumping this. :)

Has anybody else heard of Trilex? I use it for cold sores (ugh) and I find that it seriously reduces my other random body allodynia (read: quasi shingles pain). I recommend it. The leading compunds are Lysine and licorice.

ps. Thanks for the URL info, Alcie. Hopefully it worked (I edited my original post).
Posted 6/1/2015 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I had such a severe case of shingles I would have gotten the vaccine for sure and in fact the Dr at the Urgent Care was upset that my regular Dr. had not advised it. It is true, it must be treated the sooner the better and it seems I am stuck with PHN and unless someone has had this it is hard to explain the level of pain although you good people surely do.

My PM doctor says she could have helped me had I been sent to her right away and I think she would have done what Alcie had done. My Dr. said she had never seen such a bad breakout and that my body somehow had an overreaction to the virus so the inflammation was off the scales. I personally am never free from the pain and have many regrets on not having done more sooner but I try and go from here. I have been told there is a slight chance the vaccine can actually cause an outbreak as their is some live virus in the vaccine.

Rufous
Posted 6/1/2015 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Rufous - have you tried a 'normal' nerve pain med like Lyrica? What was your experience, if so?
Posted 6/2/2015 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Anna, yes I did and they were the first meds given to me and sad to say they did not help at all. The only thing at the worst of it that helped at all was Percocet and the Lidocaine patches except thy would not stick. I had no itching whatsoever. Rufous/Linda
Posted 6/2/2015 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Rufous, of course this would probably do you no good at this point, however, we had a lady that posted here one time that she had "cold laser therapy" for shingles pain. She said it was done by a chiropractor & said this alleviated pretty much all of her pain & saved her a lot of grief & pain.

I meant to read up on this & got side tracked & forgot all about it.
Posted 6/2/2015 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Ooooh, lasers...
Posted 6/2/2015 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Susie, I did consider cold lasers as someone mentioned it to me but had a difficult time finding someone who did it but you know, I think it is possible it might still help from what I have read so it is actually on my list of possible therapies. My vet has used it on my cat. I swear I have an easier time getting help for her.

Seriously, I am glad you mentioned cold laser therapy as it appears to hold promise even for those of us at this point. Rufous/Linda
Posted 6/2/2015 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Where is Dixie?
She had been struggling with meds for a while, hope all is good.
Posted 6/2/2015 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
I do not know if any of the rest of you who have had shingles have been told this but even though I had a very severe case and am left with PHN, I have had several Drs. who recommend I still get the vaccination. I admit that scares me a bit and I haven't done it. I do not know if there is anything to support this or not. Rufous/Linda
Posted 6/2/2015 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I can understand your concern. I think I would be somewhat gun shy myself.
Posted 6/2/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I got a tens unit to help (and it did with PHN). The PHN was worse than the shingles though you could not see it. It was a living hell. Lyrica is approved for it but made me very loopy and forgetful. The tens unit helped though I did have to pay for it.

I got the shingles vaccine.

btw if you look on the internet, shingles is worse for those who are older not better. mine was horrible and I know of someone who was in his seventies and died from it...stopped eating, etc. A lot of these docs don't know what they are talking about.
Posted 6/2/2015 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Very true Joan. I have never been so ill and lost at least 40lbs. Hard to explain the pain. I need to look into the tens unit. Do I need a prescription for one? Glad to hear it helped. Rufous/Linda
Posted 6/3/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Rufous, in many instances we get them fitted by a physical therapist & they are rented on a trial basis to see if they help. If they help then they try to get your insurance to pay for one. Your PM dr can refer to a physical therapy center to be fitted & try one out to see if it helps. Others have bought them on Ebay & Amazon. If you use insurance they will also pay for your supplies. I think its worth talking to your PM dr about trying one.
Posted 6/3/2015 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
TENS units are wonderful. You can wear it throughout the day without others able to tell. It works using the Gate Theory of pain. Basically, your brain can only receive so many signals at one time-pain being one of them. The goal is for the impulses from the TENS unit to reach the brain ahead of the pain signal.

I use a TENS in multiple areas and it does provide relief where pain meds aren't necessarily effective. Definitely talk to your Dr.

I hope you are able to find some relief.
Posted 6/3/2015 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
rocckyd, thanks for the great explanation as to how the TENS works. I will definitely see about getting one as it is something I haven't tried and thanks for your well wishes and my same to you. Much appreciated and I will let you know if I am able to get one. Rufous/Linda
Posted 6/3/2015 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
you might also want to google (palm massager). a few years back at Christmas time, at a local shopping mall, they had vendors set up in the walking area. well one of them was selling digital electronic back massagers and reuseable cooling and heating packs. Anyway the back massagers (called palm massager) were just rechargeable and programmable digital Tens units. I still have one and it is just about the same as my old tens unit that quit working. But it was allot cheaper (cost wise) than the medical tens unit. Anyway might be something worth checking out! I'm sure there are allot of different companies that make these devices, but I have personally found if you get them through a medical company you will often pay more!

Good luck to you!

White Beard
Posted 6/3/2015 10:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all of you who posted about TENS and I am going to follow up on this. Susie, I am friends with my old physical therapist so I may start by asking him as I have been thinking about starting physical therapy again.

I appreciate the concrete advice. I believe this might help as other therapies that work in a similar way did help me. Thanks again and I will get on it today. Rufous/Linda
Posted 6/3/2015 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Rocckyd, Dixie doesn't come in anymore but I will let her know you were asking about her. She is hanging in there.
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