Shingles Related to Fibro?

Just when I think I have my stress under control.....shingles again!  Third time! (I'm 64)   

I had a severe case of shingles after one of my surgeries years ago...the worst case my doctor had ever seen!  Since the symptoms were unfamiliar to me at the time, I didn't go to the doctor for over a week (I thought I had gotten bitten by a bug and then it started to look like poison...then it blistered over the whole side of my body), which at that time they had started under my left arm...spread to my sternum and around back to my spine from chest to waist.  (Now I know that you are supposed to go to the doctor within 72 hours). It took months for them to clear up and now I am left with scarring and nerve damage to the left side of my body.  My family doctor said that it was "unlikely" that I would ever get them again.

Last August, I suspected a mild case of shingles at my waistline to my spine on one side of my body, so I went to the doctor right away and got meds.  When I asked her what are the chances of me getting them again, she said that it would be "highly unlikely!"  She didn't see any value in my getting a shingles shot, so I didn't.

Well, last night I had intense itching near the same area under my arm that I had originally gotten the shingles.  When I checked...there it was....several lines of a rash (like poison) in that same area, and itchy so I don't want to wear a bra.  Because of the nerve damage in that area, that side of my body is basically numb all the time, so I don't feel much pain except where the scarring is bad. 

I have always had the 'rare' health issues that don't seem to happen to others, so this didn't surprise me.  I guess it means another trip to the Doctor and more meds.  '

Have any of you had repeated cases of shingles?  Is this related to Fibro too? 

Thanks, I will check that out!
All feedback is greatly appreciated!
Karen

No, shingles is not related to fibro. Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus. You must have had chicken pox as a child and the virus can remain dormant in the body for years. It can come back as shingles as you get older. Some people never get shingles even though they had chicken pox as a child and others develop it. The older you get the more prevalent shingles occur. An acquaintance of mine had shingles last year and it's not fun.

There is a vaccine and it helps prevent shingles from occurring I think 50% of the time. That's better than what you are going through. I know I'd talk to the doctor about the possibility of getting the vaccine. It could help you.

Sherrine

Debbie is right!  I missed that in your post.  I don't understand why your doctor didn't want to give you the vaccine.  Maybe because you already got shingles they didn't think you would get them again...and again.  I'd talk to them again.  It might help cut down on these episodes.

 

Sherrine

I'm so sorry you are getting this again, I know how painful it is.

I've had Shingles 12 times. The 1st time I had them I was 43, my dr didn't think I had them bc I was 'too young' for them. When she looked at the band around my waist and up my back, she said it was Shingles. Several months later I had my 2nd bout of Shingles. My dr's partner was on when I called the office. He told me I couldn't possibly have Shingles AGAIN, ppl never get them more than once, and I was too young to have had them at all. Good to know!! Anyway, he finally agreed that I had them AGAIN.

Awhile after my 2nd bout, I read that ppl who had steroid shots were prone to getting Shingles. (I mean on top of having Chicken Pox). The wk before my 1st bout, I had gotten a steroid shot in my right shoulder for bursitis. It helped my bursitis, but it has been a pain w/ the Shingles. The pain is horrific.

I have had drs suggest steroid shots to me since that time. I refuse. When they ask why, I tell them what I read. I had one dr laugh at what I told him. Last time I went to him. I have a rheumy now who listens to me and respects my feelings and what I tell him.

I don't know if you have had a steroid shot, but there may be some other connections as to what sets this into motion.

I know I also have nerve damage. Can't wear a bra or other tight clothing.

I hope this passes quickly for you. I will keep you in my prayers.

God bless.  Alice.

I'm glad you are feeling better.

Shingles is very painful. Both of my parents had it. My insurance company won't pay for the vaccination until we are 60. I have a compromised immune system and my Internist agreed I should have it so she wrote the prescription and I went to Walgreens and paid the $225 to get the vaccination 5 years early.

My advice is if you have had chicken pox get the shot sooner than later as after you get over it you still get pain from where it was from time to time - per my folks.