HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Shingles! Yikes!...and ouch!

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/30/2013 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Have had UC for about 19 years. Been on Immuran for 3. No flares and feel great. But was just diagnosed with Shingles on Wednesday. Put on an antiviral and just resting as much as I can. I know our immune systems are low from meds, so just trying to take care of myself. I'm only 43, so hoping I can kick this quickly.

Anyone else have experience with Shingles?
Posted 11/30/2013 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
I've had it twice but it was before UC. I got the shingles vaccine after that and have never had it since. Several UC'rs have come down with shingles, mostly due to the meds weakening our immune systems. You should get the shingles vaccine later on but I've heard you shouldn't get it within a year of actually having it.
Posted 11/30/2013 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
When I was on Remicade I came down with a bout of shingles. Omg did that hurt. Yep, it's the drugs and your comprimised immune system. The good news is you're in remission so at least that's a happy thing. :)
Posted 11/30/2013 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thinking I may have shingles too. I don't have a rash (yet!) Just this odd zingy type pain in a small band of skin on my bra line.

Do you have the rash and blisters?
Posted 11/30/2013 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Red: I'm assuming you already know that you need to catch shingles early because the meds are highly effective when given in a short timeframe but don't work if you wait too long to get on them.
Posted 11/30/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all responses! I'm definitely checking on the vaccine when I'm over this.

Red, usually before the zingy feelings, you might feel flu like symptoms. I was nauseous 5 days before and had a horrible sore throat and ear ache. I went to the doc and he said it was just a virus and if I didn't feel better in a couple days, to come back. Well, 2 days later, I felt worse, had the major zings and pain on the back of my head and right side. Literally, chills ONLY on my right side, which is though was so weird. After doing some internet searching (I know..not the best thing to do), I figured I had shingles. And a trip to the doc the next day proved me right. Feeling better today, but the lymph nodes on my right side of my neck and armpit are pretty sore.

I'd say if you have any doubt, go to the doc. Get meds early!
Posted 12/1/2013 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I had Shingles last summer. I had horrible side/back pain. I even went to the ER because I thought my liver or pancreas was out of whack from drugs. I had tests for those and they couldn't find anything. The next day I developed the bumps.

I had a script for Lidocaine patches in addition to the antivirals. Those patches didn't do anything for me. I ended up using an ice pack on my back because the cold would hide some of the itching/pain.
Posted 12/1/2013 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
My father-in-law had shingles last year. Very painful. He took a LOT of Benadryl, I recall. He recovered pretty completely, but it was just a miserable few weeks!
Posted 12/1/2013 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Was feeling better today after 3 days on the antiviral. Now tonight, I've got an stabbing earache on my left side. THiS is exactly how they started last Saturday night on my right side! I didn't think one could have shingles on both sides of their body at once!.
Posted 12/1/2013 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on azathioprine for a long time and I got shingles after I ripped out my kitchen floor and put a new one in. At first I thought I had inhaled some exotic mold spores from the nasty floor below, but the doctor immediately knew it was shingles. It goes away quickly after you take the antiviral drugs.

I am 31 and had it when I was 29 or so.
Posted 12/2/2013 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Just got word from my GI that I should stop taking the Azathioprine for a week to get over these Shingles. Feeling better today, but hope all will stay ok in my gut.
Posted 12/2/2013 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
My non-IBD wife got it a couple years ago, and with anti-virals it gradually dropped off to nothing over a period of about two months, if I recall right. Has had no recurrance. I have never had it but now I am thinking about gettng the vaccine, as it sure doesnt sound like any fun at all. Hope you respond and recover fast.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply