Oy. Shingles.

[S.J.]

Wow! Sorry to hear that. I've known people who have had that and they all say it's really painful. I'm gonna have to check out that vaccine Waltky was talking about.

 

[editec]

I have to take horse pills for a week. Other than that...the only thing I can do is wait it out. He said the good part of the whole thing is...once a flareup happens, it doesn't do it again. He said I am no longer contagious either. It is healing but it still hurts. Both of us were surprised though, at the location. Clusters of 13 on the inner area of my knee just where it bends. So as long as I don't touch it too much getting up out of the chair...I can handle it.

My step grandfather had an attack of shingles that covered half of his body.

Weird, eh? I think it was the left side and it went (according to my GM) from head to toe.

He was hospitalized for the pain.

 

[depotoo]

my sis had it 2 years ago on her neck and on her scalp. Something like neurontin can help with the nerve pain if it gets too bad for you to handle. Get well soon!

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

I'm not making accusations but consider this. We all have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Almost every "miracle cure" prescription advertised on cable these days from depression to psoriasis and about a thousand other junk pills that doctors freely prescribe involve a lowering of the immune system. When the immune system is lowered we get bad stuff.

I agree with everything you say except we don't "all" have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Only those who have had chicken pox have it. Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. Once you get chicken pox, that virus remains dormant inside you. In adults, it can resurface as shingles.

And you can't catch shingles from someone who has shingles...but you can catch chicken pox from them! If you don't have immunity from having had it before, or from the vaccine, that is.

Two of my coworkers had shingles within the past year so I did a lot of research on it. Decided against the shingles vaccine because it doesn't always work and I don't like putting crap into my body. Don't get flu shots either.

I don't know if they recommend the chicken pox vaccine for adults??? It's only been around since 1995. I don't know if I'd get that vaccine, either, though. : (

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child. But I'm not sure, and my mom is deceased, so I can't ask her. My younger sister thinks we did, but I think she's confusing measles with chickenpox. I know we had measles and mumps, I remember that.

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

My poor boss got Ramsay Hunt Syndrome along with his shingles. It is caused by the same virus as shingles. It caused his face to become partially paralyzed and droop. That finally went away, although he says he still has some numbness in parts of his face. He had quite a bad case. My other coworker, not so much. Caught it early and those "horsepills" Gracie refers to pretty much nipped it in the bud for her.

 

[Gracie]

Those horse pills (dayum they are BIG) seem to be knocking the shit out of it. They are much smaller today..and not a lot of pain. I have been sitting in the sun and letting it shine on my knee, listening to the birds. I am a bit tired, but other than that...feeling pretty good. No pain pill since last night, so far. None needed.

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

Those horse pills (dayum they are BIG) seem to be knocking the shit out of it. They are much smaller today..and not a lot of pain. I have been sitting in the sun and letting it shine on my knee, listening to the birds. I am a bit tired, but other than that...feeling pretty good. No pain pill since last night, so far. None needed.

Good, that sounds hopeful! I have a feeling you are pretty tough and onnery. I get an image of little Gracies running around inside your body kicking the shit out of those shingles viruses. You're not welcome here, shingles viruses!!!

 

[Sarah G]

my sis had it 2 years ago on her neck and on her scalp. Something like neurontin can help with the nerve pain if it gets too bad for you to handle. Get well soon!

Watch the side effects on Neurontin:

Some side effects of Neurontin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to gabapentin: oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking gabapentin (the active ingredient contained in Neurontin) hives; fever; swollen glands; painful sores in or around your eyes or mouth; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Jeezus..

 

[syrenn]

I'm not making accusations but consider this. We all have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Almost every "miracle cure" prescription advertised on cable these days from depression to psoriasis and about a thousand other junk pills that doctors freely prescribe involve a lowering of the immune system. When the immune system is lowered we get bad stuff.

I agree with everything you say except we don't "all" have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Only those who have had chicken pox have it. Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. Once you get chicken pox, that virus remains dormant inside you. In adults, it can resurface as shingles.

And you can't catch shingles from someone who has shingles...but you can catch chicken pox from them! If you don't have immunity from having had it before, or from the vaccine, that is.

Two of my coworkers had shingles within the past year so I did a lot of research on it. Decided against the shingles vaccine because it doesn't always work and I don't like putting crap into my body. Don't get flu shots either.

I don't know if they recommend the chicken pox vaccine for adults??? It's only been around since 1995. I don't know if I'd get that vaccine, either, though. : (

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child. But I'm not sure, and my mom is deceased, so I can't ask her. My younger sister thinks we did, but I think she's confusing measles with chickenpox. I know we had measles and mumps, I remember that.

they do recommend the shingles vaccine for adults. The problem is that is a very expensive vaccine, about $300 bucks....and most insurances don't cover it.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I thought a skeeter zapped me 13 times in one sitting and the bites got infected. Um. No. Got back from docs office awhile ago. He said "Shingles, dear".

Thrill. Joy. Not.

Sounds like you got it easy.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I have to take horse pills for a week. Other than that...the only thing I can do is wait it out. He said the good part of the whole thing is...once a flareup happens, it doesn't do it again. He said I am no longer contagious either. It is healing but it still hurts. Both of us were surprised though, at the location. Clusters of 13 on the inner area of my knee just where it bends. So as long as I don't touch it too much getting up out of the chair...I can handle it.

Where was your Chicken Pox?

 

[Quantum Windbag]

He asked me what I did thinking it was skeeters and I said everything from breaking off aloe in the back yard and smearing it on to scrubbing with soap and water and hydrogen peroxide then wrapping it in toilet paper and the huge ace bandage I used when I had my mastectomy so I wouldn't scratch it at night inmy sleep. He said none of that was supposed to do any good but I have only had it since the 10th and it's looking not too wild so I am to not do any of that stuff any more...just leave it alone, keep it clean and covered until it decides to mosey on. I start the horse pills today.

The Zoviral helps a lot, be glad it isn't so bad you need pain meds.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I have a high tolerance for pain, Sarah, but yeah..it hurts enough to make me wince. If it gets worse..then I will have to take the pain pill the doc gave me.
Shingles can cause long term chronic pain because shingles follow the nerves.

Spooky shit, what I've found. And here it is..on my leg. Ack!

It is called neuralgia, I still feel bugs crawling around under my skin, and occasionally get a shooting pain.

Look at it this way though, the pain proves that the nerves are working, if you can't feel anything it could mean permanent nerve dame and paralysis.

 

[Gracie]

I don't know where my chicken pox was on my body and I can't ask my mom cuz she is dead. I do know this is a mild case because for a week now I have had it and maybe in the course of that 7 days, I have taken a total of maybe 3 vicodins. The things I have read and heard...some people have horrible suffering, so I am thankful every day that mine is a mild case.

The horse pill I am taking is acyclovir. Normally, I look up any drug perscribed to me but this time I didn't. My pharmacist said eat something with the pill, and it might give me a slight headache. I did get a slight headache last night but nothing too bad. And so far, no nausea or anything. Mostly...I am worn out. Sleepy. No energy.

I just got up from falling asleep in the sun...and I am still sleepy, so Imight lay down and take another nap. Don't know if it's the pills or if its the allergies I get every year at this time. Probably both.

 

[Sunshine]

I'm not making accusations but consider this. We all have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Almost every "miracle cure" prescription advertised on cable these days from depression to psoriasis and about a thousand other junk pills that doctors freely prescribe involve a lowering of the immune system. When the immune system is lowered we get bad stuff.

I agree with everything you say except we don't "all" have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Only those who have had chicken pox have it. Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. Once you get chicken pox, that virus remains dormant inside you. In adults, it can resurface as shingles.

And you can't catch shingles from someone who has shingles...but you can catch chicken pox from them! If you don't have immunity from having had it before, or from the vaccine, that is.

Two of my coworkers had shingles within the past year so I did a lot of research on it. Decided against the shingles vaccine because it doesn't always work and I don't like putting crap into my body. Don't get flu shots either.

I don't know if they recommend the chicken pox vaccine for adults??? It's only been around since 1995. I don't know if I'd get that vaccine, either, though. : (

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child. But I'm not sure, and my mom is deceased, so I can't ask her. My younger sister thinks we did, but I think she's confusing measles with chickenpox. I know we had measles and mumps, I remember that.

they do recommend the shingles vaccine for adults. The problem is that is a very expensive vaccine, about $300 bucks....and most insurances don't cover it.

My doctor wanted me to take the vaccine, but I had titers done when I started nursing school. They were really high, so I refused it. I don't really think I will ever get it. The vaccine would be just an expense with no beneficial effects for me, but people who have a low varicella titer should definitely get it.

 

[whitehall]

I agree with everything you say except we don't "all" have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Only those who have had chicken pox have it. Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. Once you get chicken pox, that virus remains dormant inside you. In adults, it can resurface as shingles.

And you can't catch shingles from someone who has shingles...but you can catch chicken pox from them! If you don't have immunity from having had it before, or from the vaccine, that is.

Two of my coworkers had shingles within the past year so I did a lot of research on it. Decided against the shingles vaccine because it doesn't always work and I don't like putting crap into my body. Don't get flu shots either.

I don't know if they recommend the chicken pox vaccine for adults??? It's only been around since 1995. I don't know if I'd get that vaccine, either, though. : (

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child. But I'm not sure, and my mom is deceased, so I can't ask her. My younger sister thinks we did, but I think she's confusing measles with chickenpox. I know we had measles and mumps, I remember that.

they do recommend the shingles vaccine for adults. The problem is that is a very expensive vaccine, about $300 bucks....and most insurances don't cover it.

My doctor wanted me to take the vaccine, but I had titers done when I started nursing school. They were really high, so I refused it. I don't really think I will ever get it. The vaccine would be just an expense with no beneficial effects for me, but people who have a low varicella titer should definitely get it.

Just be very very careful about seemingly "normal" prescription medication that doctors might prescribe just to get you out of the office so they can keep their golf date. Many drugs that you can probably do without actually lower your immune system. The fine print that drug companies have to tell you by law include some horrific stuff and fatal episodes.

 

[Sunshine]

they do recommend the shingles vaccine for adults. The problem is that is a very expensive vaccine, about $300 bucks....and most insurances don't cover it.

My doctor wanted me to take the vaccine, but I had titers done when I started nursing school. They were really high, so I refused it. I don't really think I will ever get it. The vaccine would be just an expense with no beneficial effects for me, but people who have a low varicella titer should definitely get it.

Just be very very careful about seemingly "normal" prescription medication that doctors might prescribe just to get you out of the office so they can keep their golf date. Many drugs that you can probably do without actually lower your immune system. The fine print that drug companies have to tell you by law include some horrific stuff and fatal episodes.

I am an NP. Retired as of today. So.........

 

[Gracie]

If y'all have insurance and can get the vaccine...I'd probably recommend it cuz this is NOT fun...even though it is mild. I don't do the flu shots either, but I'm going to start doing them this winter. Had the flu in January right after my surgery, compliments of the ex roomie. I don't ever want that again. And I never want another outbreak of Shingles either. That guy on the commercial is right. You do NOT want this.

 

[syrenn]

I agree with everything you say except we don't "all" have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Only those who have had chicken pox have it. Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. Once you get chicken pox, that virus remains dormant inside you. In adults, it can resurface as shingles.

And you can't catch shingles from someone who has shingles...but you can catch chicken pox from them! If you don't have immunity from having had it before, or from the vaccine, that is.

Two of my coworkers had shingles within the past year so I did a lot of research on it. Decided against the shingles vaccine because it doesn't always work and I don't like putting crap into my body. Don't get flu shots either.

I don't know if they recommend the chicken pox vaccine for adults??? It's only been around since 1995. I don't know if I'd get that vaccine, either, though. : (

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child. But I'm not sure, and my mom is deceased, so I can't ask her. My younger sister thinks we did, but I think she's confusing measles with chickenpox. I know we had measles and mumps, I remember that.

they do recommend the shingles vaccine for adults. The problem is that is a very expensive vaccine, about $300 bucks....and most insurances don't cover it.

My doctor wanted me to take the vaccine, but I had titers done when I started nursing school. They were really high, so I refused it. I don't really think I will ever get it. The vaccine would be just an expense with no beneficial effects for me, but people who have a low varicella titer should definitely get it.

The way i see it, i would rather have it then not... a little protection is better then none.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I agree with everything you say except we don't "all" have the shingles (chicken pox) virus inside us. Only those who have had chicken pox have it. Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. Once you get chicken pox, that virus remains dormant inside you. In adults, it can resurface as shingles.

And you can't catch shingles from someone who has shingles...but you can catch chicken pox from them! If you don't have immunity from having had it before, or from the vaccine, that is.

Two of my coworkers had shingles within the past year so I did a lot of research on it. Decided against the shingles vaccine because it doesn't always work and I don't like putting crap into my body. Don't get flu shots either.

I don't know if they recommend the chicken pox vaccine for adults??? It's only been around since 1995. I don't know if I'd get that vaccine, either, though. : (

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child. But I'm not sure, and my mom is deceased, so I can't ask her. My younger sister thinks we did, but I think she's confusing measles with chickenpox. I know we had measles and mumps, I remember that.

they do recommend the shingles vaccine for adults. The problem is that is a very expensive vaccine, about $300 bucks....and most insurances don't cover it.

My doctor wanted me to take the vaccine, but I had titers done when I started nursing school. They were really high, so I refused it. I don't really think I will ever get it. The vaccine would be just an expense with no beneficial effects for me, but people who have a low varicella titer should definitely get it.

If you want the advice of someone who has been there, get the vaccine.