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OUCH!!! I think my tick bite is really a case of shingles

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Posted 6/26/2007 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Men, enter this site at your own risk. :) My poor left breast gets more painful by the minute. The rash has spread and is in two places and it hurts like the dickens. I've been googling photos of skin problems and the minute I saw a site about shingles it all fell into place. It hurts too much to wear a bra, so now it hurts even more because it's not getting any support. It itches, it burns like crazy, and is absolutly about to drive me mad.

After my mammogram yesterday the doctor took a look at it and said she wanted me back in 10 days to do an ultrasound and rule out inflammatory breast cancer. (Which, by the way she said she doesn't think I have). Well, in IBC, you get a pitted look on your skin, like an orange peel. There is nothing pitted about this. The bumps go out, not in. And I haven't read anywhere that IBS hurts like this. And we all know that shingles is the pits - no pun intended. But it won't kill ya.

My doctor's office is closed and the pathologist I saw yesterday is out so I'll just pain pill myself up and wait till tomorrow. My hubby's out of town and my dogs don't care, so I'm here looking for some plain old sympathy.

And if anyone has had shingles before maybe you can confirm my self-diagnosis.

Thanks,

Pat sad sad sad sad
Posted 6/26/2007 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
The sooner you get a prescription for an antiviral med, the better off you'll be. Taking an antiviral soon after the breakout shortens the length of the breakout and greatly lessens developing post herpetic pain. Post-herpetic pain can make life extremely miserable. Glad you are seeing a doctor tomorrow.
Posted 6/27/2007 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, see the doctor as soon as you can. I know 2 people who live in constant life-altering pain that is a result of shingles. It isn't anything to mess around with.

Post Edited (Lynnwood) : 6/27/2007 8:43:21 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/27/2007 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ides and Lynwood, I plan to see my doc tomorrow. It may be nothing at all - just a heat rash, but it sure does hurt like the dickens so I'll have it checked out tomorrow.
Posted 6/27/2007 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about that, Patty, my mom is going through that now and I know it hurts like crazy and lasts a while. So sorry about that. i wonder if you can still get the vaccine once it goes away? I hope you feel better soon and take care and make sure you get it taken care of soon so it doesn't drag out.
Posted 6/27/2007 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Patty that sounds so painful. Hopefully your dr can figure out what is wrong with it really soon. Please keep us posted on the results.

Connie

p.s. My dad has had shingles twice now and it is very painful, he said the pain was one of the worst he has ever had to deal with. And he is a tough farmer man, so is no wimp.

Posted 6/27/2007 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Patty I'm so sorry you're in such pain.  Shingles (Varicella zoster) rashes follow the nerves, ususally around the trunk.  Because the nerves are involved the pain can be unbearable and like Lynnwood said you need to get medical care.  I know you're miserable and I hope the doc can work some magic today.  ((hugs))

Posted 6/27/2007 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone! It doesn't hurt as much today as yesterday so it's likely some other form of rash. I'm seeing the doctor at noon today.
Posted 6/27/2007 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Pat, I'm glad you are seeing your doc today. Last year a friend of mine had shingles and she said it what terribly painful. It would make sense with all of the pain you've been having and with how sensitive and painful that whole area is. If you get a chance, let us know what your find out. Take care
Posted 6/27/2007 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
My doc said it's shingles and that's what's also been the cause of my back pain. Apparently you can get shingles on the inside of your body as well. She was sweet and didn't wait for me to ask for pain meds. She told me that I was going to need plenty of pain killers and what could I tolerate.

Honestly, I can tolerate anything better than I can tolerate lyme disease, so as much as I don't like this, I'm pretty relieved.

We're leaving in an hour to go to Houston for my hubby's appointment with a neuro at Baylor Medical Center. I may not may not take my laptop but will let you know what we find out as soon as possible. If I don't talk to you all soon, I'll miss you and hope you all have a good, painfree week and weekend. Talk to you soon.

Love,

Pat
Posted 6/27/2007 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
It's a good thing your went to your doc - can you imagaine trying to go on your trip with your shingles not being treated. As it is, I'm sure you will be in pain for a while. We'll miss you while you are gone. I really pray they can give your husband some answers and some good news too. Please take care of yourself. I've never had shingles but I have heard about how terribly painful they are. On the bright side at least you don't have to worry about lymes. I'll be looking forward to your update when you get back. Love and hugs
Posted 6/28/2007 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Pat,

Just catching up here....ouch ouch ouch! I'm so sorry to read about the shingles, but I'm glad they got the dx right. Were you able to get the shot that helps head it off at the pass? I'm glad the doc gave you some pain meds.

Take care of yourself this weekend. Update us as you can. Hope you get some answers for hubby, too.

xoxo emmie
Posted 6/29/2007 9:34 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry I didn't answer this before. I know you were worried about a tick. That would be so not good. Not that shingles is good either but like you said at least it's not lyme. I hope you have a safe semi painless trip and they get to the bottom of this problem with your hubby. Try not to push yourself to hard. You know the drill!!!

Love ya
carol
Posted 6/29/2007 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Carol, Emmi, Hippi, Donna, Connie, Marji, Lynwood and Ides,

What a great group of friends you are! I'm happy to report that my hubby's appointment couldn't have gone better and he is going to be treated with medications and will be ok.

The pain from my shingles is responding to the meds my doc gave me, and I'm starting to feel better overall. I had a real busy day yesterday and expected to wake up today feeling bad, but I don't. I feel rested and ready to go again. So I'm happy to report that all is well on this end.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for helping me get though this. I don't know what I would do without each and every one of you!

Love and Hugs,

Pat
Posted 6/29/2007 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Pat, I'm so sorry I haven't been around, I have been thinking about you though.

I'm so glad that the meds are helping you. Shingles is bad but hopefully you caught it early enough that it doesn't do lasting damage to the nerves.

You were in Houston??? That's where I live and I know where Baylor is in the medical center. I am so glad to hear that your hubby's appt went well.
Posted 6/29/2007 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Pat, I'm glad you are feeling better and that you are doing pretty well through everything. That's great news about your husband. I'll look forward to hearing more when you get back and get rested up. Take care and try not to overdo it.
Posted 6/30/2007 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
Pat,

Will be looking for a new topic from you to update us when you get home. Rest up first though!!! Glad all went well for you both.

emmie
Posted 6/30/2007 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Patty!

I'm so glad you're starting to feel better - I've seen too many people suffer for too long with shingles!  Take care dear,

 

Posted 7/2/2007 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hatlady, I haven't heard from you since my days over in the Coffeerooms. It's so good to see you posting here in this forum. Are you still adding to your collection of hats? Let me know how you're doing.

Des, Houston was great! So big and exciting and so many great restaurants. My son lives in uptown and we ate some great food just downstairs from his loft. How convenient! He's moving downtown this month so we'll have more places to explore. And your shopping is like nothing we've ever seen in Oklahoma. You must love living there.
Posted 7/2/2007 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
If you were uptown, you must have went to the Galleria... now that's a shopping experience, too bad most of those shops are out of my price range lol. I work two blocks from the Galleria but haven't been there in a couple of years. Yes the food here is great isn't it? Tex-mex is the best but my tummy can't always handle it. Downtown is fun too and you have the museum district and the theater district... lots to do!!! Used to but now I'm such a homebody.
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