Let's talk about Shingles

Right, so I just got back from the ER, the doctor there having confirmed my self-diagnosis of shingles.

No, I didn't get the vaccination. It isn't recommended for those with compromised immune systems.

They say you want to catch it in the first 72 hours of the rash showing up. It usually comes in a belt on one side of your body. Painful, burning. I also had waves of tingling sensation.

It might be connected to the weird sore I had below my nostril earlier this winter that hurt all the way to my teeth and radiated to my ear.

The moral of the story? Don't ignore symptoms. Not everything can be laid at the feet of Lyme Disease.

Oh no, shingles... I had it three times... Left one scar on my back. It still hurts when I'm pushing my limits, it's like an alarm yelling That I need to rest, as in now!
I took aciclovir (antiviral), but it only works when the outbreak is quickly diagnosed.
It is very contagious though, so no sharing of towels, clothes, etc...
You can put zinc oxide ointment on the outbreaks to dry them out, or use Eosin.
It's very important to rest a lot...
I hope you'll get better fast!
MarieLS

So sorry to hear about the shingles!

I wish you a speedy recovery that includes minimal pain!!

(for whatever it's worth, the vaccine has been shown to be only 40% effective....)

No matter what, thanks for the reminder that we can't blame Lyme for everything.

I'm so so very sorry to hear this, Achievinggrace!!! I've been "lucky" in that I'm only a carrier - I've been duly exposed several times to not only Chicken pox, but to Shingles and have never had any signs of either - but my brother had chicken pox (I had to help care for him) and my Mom and husband had Shingles and I had to care for each of them.

I hope that you heal quickly!!