'Jabbing pain turned out to be shingles'

Dottie, about 1 month

I am a lupus patient and is currently suffering with the second case of shingles. It came back in the same place...on my left arm/back and shoulder...it is so painful it makes me crazy. My doctor offered the vaccine for shingles however I refused it...I don't need anything in my body to make me feel any worse than I do already...I really can't take a chance. The Walgreens in my village is offering the vaccine as well.

Michelle gilmour, 4 months

Three weeks ago I had a sharp stabbing pain in my right shoulder blade and a slight rash under my arm...I realised what the implications were so went to my GP who agreed that it could be shingles...three weeks on the rash has gone but still some slight pain only to have the same stabbing pain behind my left ear and a crop of spots again..really upset because I wasn't aware that there could be reoccurences and this is affecting my job in retail as I deal with pregnant women and children and obviously if I don't work due to the illness I don't get paid so if stress is the culprit then I guess I have a bit of a battle on my hands....

Robin Tondra, 8 months

I had shingles on trigeminal nerve 2 right-side and only abot 7 lesions. It responded to the first dose of Valtrex very well but about a week after the headache and flue returned. My Dr. made me wait until the lesions eruptedbefore giving me Valtrex again. Then after it was resolved, it started coming back again - although the Dr disagreed but gve me the valtrex. Then the doctors all stated blaming depression for symptoms since I nevr had nother lesion erupion. My first clue to aving hngles was a headache and sever achey flu-like symptms. My mother had this and we both had this well before any symptoms of lesions. The headache, aches andpains, and fatigue wa the wost of it all and has never completely gone away. Havin also been previously diagnosed with bipola epression, fibromyalgia, multipl joint osteo arthriis four surgries pending, stenosis in both cervical and lumbar spine, and,well, that's enough. No one seems to listen to me about he flu symptoms which are the most disabling. They are much more disabling that the post herpetc trigeiminal neuralgia, although if itwere ever controlled, who knows. Valtrex is not really controlling these. Nor is my Avinza or 60 mg/day hydrocodone. Like I said, I did finally obtain the PHTNA. But hat do I doabout the disabling fatigue and all over aches and pain that is much more sever than my fibromyalgia ever was.

Valerie, 8 months

Yes, the innoculation you are referring to is the very same for Chicken Pox. Shingles is a nasty side effect of the Chicken Pox virus burying itself in the base of your spine and then being reactivated by some trigger (stress, lowered immunity, etc.) I have suffered from this for about 25 years now and believe me I've tried everything from stress management, dietary changes, herbs, and nothing seems to prevent it. I'm with you. I think I'm ready to take my chances on the vaccination!

Melissa Klincewicz, 10 months

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago after some very stressful months and I'm in my young 30's. It was a complete shock to me when my doctor told me that what I thought was a brown recluse spider bite, turned out to be shingles on my lower back/ upper right buttocks. Since I have been diagnosed, (which I was feeling rather ill at the time), I've now had 3 more outbreaks. They too seem to coincide with when I'm feeling under the weather, a little more stressed than normal, or near my period. This is far worse than I had ever expected after being diagnosed. I would have never thought that they could reappear, and at that several times in one year. I agree with others that we should watch what triggers an upcoming outbreak, and I'm always open to suggestions for prevention.

American Woman & Got IT 2, 10 months

There isn't an injection for Shingles perse BUT there is a 3-set series available to reduce tween girls to young women from getting certain strains of the herpes virus. Shingles is a strain of herpes - same as the chickenpox we all had /get as kids is a strain of herpes; just with a prettier name so we all are not made lunatics over the "herpes" name and connotation. Herpes, has pretty much been broken down here (in the USA) into 2 main categories in the "transmitted" intimately section of life. Herpes Simplex 1 Herpes Simplex 2 and there is also the form of what we all here are sufferin' from commonly referred to as "shingles". That is as most have found out the same viral strain that causes chickenpox. It kicks back in during times of Our weakness; mental or physical and tries to break us down further. There are many different and alternative choices that can be made in how to go in treating this, supressing the outbreaks and even in attempting to prevent transmitting it to others. Famvir: as previously noted by another post is a quality suppression medicine and treatment medicine that I have been prescribed via my primary care manager. My dosage here was matiriculated (think pyramid) large at the top, to small at the bottom and that seemed/ seems to shorten the outbreak(s) as they occur. I am not comfy with sharing my dosing info; you should utilize YOUR dr for those things. IF your dr is such a dolt that it would be said that there is no recurrance of shingles then they need to be sent to a retirement home for volunteer work for a month or two. After treating the many cases of re-curring shingles that are overwhelming the poor souls in there, that dr would sing a different tune indeed! You should find a different doctor and file a complaint somewhere, somehow against that one for the ignorance of that remark alone. There are complications that can go along with NOT treating shingles. You all will have to read up on those for yourself. I wont be the one to be misquoted here. I have always been one to believe in organic and natural remedies, to find something holistic that can ease the issues of these outbreaks would be so wonderful. Stress management is one solution I had not seen anyone mention yet? A good therapist, a good listening firiend, for the woman who is feeling overwhelmed? Honey, construct a support network & ask for help & take what is offered. Do they offer services there to help before school, after school, a respite program for exceptional issues? Depression and overwhelming medical issues would possibly warrant you some time each week for someone to come and sit with the children while you just got the chance to take a bath, relax, and sleep for a couple hours without having to be on edge. (If you want to know HOW I would know anything about that? I am/was/still working through some of that in my life today. I have exceptional children, working through depression, anxiety, bi-polar and my marriage is a wreck = we may even end up a statistic and end up another broken American home. I never wanted that for my kids. That is overwhelming, my kids' problems can be overwhelming *got 4* and then there is my own basket!) These stressors, financial strains, relationships, inter-personal working relations and even just the drive home on night can boost an already strung out person that is on the border of coming down with "the latest viral/ cootie bug/ cold or flu" their kids' bestfriend's sister's Momma brought home from abroad...and then what? You take a shower / bath the next morning and that familiar streak, twinge of a hint of pain goes down your back... Or your side... Or you wake up and your neck is so stiff... Then, by late morning; again at work, a co-worker says, "Hey what's up with your face"? You try to walk slow to the toilet and look in the mirror - almost mowing over Sally from accounting on the way. You barely stifle the wail of disappointment as you realize that you are going to miss out on at least a week's wages for being stuck home - Damn Shingles broke out again! Yup, it happens to folks everywhere. It is getting more and more frequent due to the stress-load we all bear. Allow yourselves some serious think time and grab some literature on relaxation, meditation, yoga, self-help on any topic of choice, and then grab some tea and get some comfy place and read up on it. We might not be able to cure it BUT we can suppress it and smother it the best we can with Our Good Intentions. I hope that something in here makes sense to at least one person. I do understand how painful this is. My first outbreak was after having gotten 2 surgeries within days of each other: neither one related to the other & yet? my body rebelled at the imposition and I was very uncomfortable as the hot shower to soothe my body post-surgery that was ordered was what brought the whelps out completely to the surface. My "spots" are more lacey and covered large portions of my right thigh and it twirled around the leg and upwards around my torso. I returned quickly to the last surgeon to be diagnosed and medicine prescribed and I did joke at his expense at ask him if I was such a bad patient on the table. He said "no, why"? I said," well first I had thought you had taken the whip to me when I saw the thing wrapped around my leg like that -- and my backside was on fire, too? Then the prickly feelings began and I knew that is was shingles and not you". He blushed profusely and then realised I was only joking with him; my husband was standing there laughing with me: he began laughing as well. Take care y'all !

Sandra ward, 10 months

I have had my 1st attack of shingles ever and oh my goodness what a shock. I feel tearful, worn out and totally in pain. My pain threshold is very high but this has really got me and at times i don't know what to do with myself. My husband is very supportive but as he has never had it he is finding it hard to understand the effects as every noe and again i seem to cry out in pain and he doesn't know what to do to help me. The nerves in my left arm were so bad today i could not use my arm at all, i am a nurse who never sits still so this has really stopped me in my tracks,. I just hope it goes soon then I can have my normal life back.

Gary DuVall, 12 months

I have previously had shingles which was a terrible experience. It was primarily on the right side and around my waist. I am now having all the same signs. Severe itching primarily in the same area and slightly itchy spots in several other places. I have severe back and right side pain. The itching has occurred for about 2 weeks and pain for about the last week. I feel terrible and have been to the doctor. I have not broken out yet with the blisters that I had the first time. The doctor is puzzled because everything points to shingles except for having not broken out with the sores. Can a person have shingles with out the sores? I do have some very small pin size spots but not anything like the first time. Meantime, I suffer, not knowing what it is?

Anne, 12 months

As with the comments from PC that I've just read, I have had recurrent outbreaks of mild shingles, namely the blistery spots and mild neuralgia on my left side of my back and bottom, nearly every month in line with PMS times. I also use to get small outbreaks every time I was very tired or ill, or been through a period of stress. I was first diagnosed as it being shingles after an outbreak happened whilst I was on holiday, and was told that UV exposure had caused this, and am now aware of avoiding sun exposure on the areas I normally get spots. I have had pretty serious stress factors a lot of my life and always felt I coped well with it all, but I am now realising that my immune system must be seriously affected, as my shingles outbreaks have now become worse. After a really rough patch of problems earlier this year, and I think I also caught Dengue fever abroad and so was really low, I developed the worst outbreak I have ever had. I had never really experienced the pain before, and this time I felt as if every nerve on my left side was alive and couldn't bear any touch of any kind. I had flu like symptoms, and swollen glands and felt terrible. I took it seriously this time as it spread to my eye, and was given a strong course of anti viral drugs. But these drugs made me feel so terrible that I would only take them again if the serious complication of shingles in the eye or face occurred again. I am now finding it very hard to stop more serious outbreaks as soon as I get run down at all, and am suffering badly from fatigue, swollen glands and Neuralgia at the moment. I use tea tree oil on my blisters when they occur, and take Rhus Tox homeopathic remedy, which seems to help. I also take 1000mg Vit C a day, echinacea and good vitamin supplements. However, this is the worst period I have had and maybe do need to take this seriously and rest more and try to alleviate stress and make family realise that I do need help in this now. I have had tests to confirm I have no other serious underlying cause to suppress my immune system such as cancer or AIDS etc, although do have low thyroid production and take supplements, and have chronic hepatitis C since childhood and living abroad. What annoys me the most is that my current doctor tell s me that shingles cannot recur! So I cannot go there for support and it does help to read similar stories and share. I believe the way forward is good diet and homeopathy and immune booster supplements. We must just learn to live in a way that suits our bodies, and I am aware that eating certain foods that I do not tolerate like wheat and dairy also lower my system. So, the key is to understand triggers and to identify our own body's ways of staying healthy...and sharing on sites like this to help eachother, and being kind to ourselves too ...not always easy!

valerie, 12 months

I have shingles and found putting organic forest honey on the rash and then keeping it in place with cling film is the only relief I have found other than staying in the bath for hours. If only small surface of rash normal dressings over the honey is ok. When the rash is over large area the cling film comes in handy. What a beast of a complaint it is....my sympathy goes out to all who suffer. val.

Marion Parks, about 1 year

I have suffered from recurrent shingles since 2002. I get it about twice a year. I get it on the right side of my torso at the back and when that clears up I get it about a month later on the left side. It always happens on the same patches. If I have the rash on one side, I get the stabbing pain on the other. Generally feel quite run-down and lethargic when I get it. Wonder if we will ever find a cure?

Kris, about 1 year

I've had shingles outbreaks for 17 years now, used to be once or twice a year, now up to once a month. I use several things that seem to help: Two natural products that dry out the blisters and seem to keep it from itching are tea tree oil and colloidal silver. I also have been prescribed famvir (or famciclovir) that seems to shorten the duration from 2 weeks to one. The creams do NOT work well - just seem to spread it around. Mine are definitely brought on by stress-related immune suppression. I've noticed the famvir that comes in a one-day dose rather than a 10-day dose seems to work better. I would absolutely LOVE to get rid of this for good, but all the research I've done has not indicated that its a possibility. My best plan for future is to find the best diet to avoid immune suppression. Bummer.

kathy, about 1 year

my father of 74 has had shingles for 2 yrs.he nearly died last year from been so run down.the doctors have put him on thesr nuro blockin drugs 2 sop the brain sending signals of pain.it is working a little but my dad as gone from been elert,competent,confident to someone with the side effects of seniel dementia,he can hardly walk or see through this terriable illness.he is so deppressed&tearfull it is so painfull to watch as a daughter.it as aged my father by years and he now as a poor quality of life.thats how i found this site trying to find out info to help him.

jodi newman, about 1 year

Mine started on 3rd april 08, with severe neck pain, couldn`t sit down, stand up, lie down move sholders or face. Went to walk in centre where i was told i had a trapped nerve and to buy some paracetamol and rest. I went back 8 times during the following week and saw my own G.P whilst crying like a child ( I am 31 ) they gave me sleeping tablets to help me relax, and tramadol. I have 2 young children and i just thought i wanted to die. I cried for another week, when i finally took myself in a taxi to A&E, where i was diagnosed with shingles. They put me on anti- virals, and an old fashioned anti-depressant called Amitriptyline, which helps numb the nerves. Very good . But then I had another bout of it on my chest, which I first thought was prickly heat, but the pain quickly told me it wasn`t. And i`ve had two burst ear drums , due to the nerves being unable to trigger the valves in my ear to open and close, and remove moisture etc etc. So I`m deaf as a post in a crowd, yet cry if the smoke alarm goes off in my ear. I`m sat in bed now 27/june/08 as I have yet another bout of shingles, i knew is was coming because for the whole of las week my days have consisted of getting up at 8am taking girls to school coming home , showering , getting back into bed , and setting alarm for 2.30pm, giving me time to dress pop tea in oven and collect girls from school. And literally am back in bed by 7.30. All i do is sleep. This time it is behind my ear and on my jawline. I do not have any anti-virals, i don`t want to go outside cos the sunlight hurts my body all over, I can`t bear to go up the walk-in centre again, as i look hideous, so I will wait till monday to get my appt at DR`s again , where i now have my own personal seat to keep me away from the elderly and pregnant. My children have no life and i have no life. Shingles has taken over...........

a billings, about 1 year

My bouts of shingles are rare and usually after a stressful period. Had the first one in my early 30's and this is my 2nd bout since then. I know that its coming as I can't bear the sun or bright light a day or so before and feel generally unwell. Once it appeared after getting sunburnt on my back. A small patch of blisters appear on my back and is itchy rather than painful and the antivirul tablets if taken in time work well for me.

kerry, about 1 year

i had shingles about 5 years ago on my left side/armpit. Had really painful stabbing in my back which felt like trapped wind/acid which lasted about 5 days before the spots came. I didnt feel atall well and was very teary. The spots started off as only a couple but by the next morning i had over 50 and was on holiday !! - luckily i flew home 2days later and got an emergency appointment with Docter who took one looked and said Shingles. I havent had another outbreak of spots yet but do still receive the pain in my back/armpit when run down.

PC, about 1 year

P.S.: Do not use sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur topical without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa products. You may not be able to use sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur topical, or you may require special monitoring during treatment. Do not apply sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur topical to large areas of open, broken, burned, or infected skin. Large areas of damaged skin may allow more medicine to be absorbed by the body, possibly resulting in side effects. Serious side effects are not likely to occur with the use of sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur topical. Stop using sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur topical and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience # an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives); # new or worsening signs of a skin rash; # soreness of the joints; # fever; or # sores in the mouth.

PC, about 1 year

I have shingles breakouts every month on my lower back during PMS. It started when I was 31 and has broken out every month during PMS for17 years now (204 months). It alternates from my center lower spine to 1" on either side of it. My new doctor didn't believe me so I looked at my calendar and made and appointment to do a lab test at the start of my expected PMS (my cycles are very regular). He said he couldn't do that because how could I possibly know right now when my next shingles breakout would be? Apparently he hadn't been listening to me. I reminded him he'd get paid for the appointment and maybe he'd see and learn something new. I came back on the pre-set appointment date with a fresh shingles breakout (the PMS bad attitude at his earlier arrogance and condescension was just a bonus). He swabbed the site and the results came back shingles. He was surprised, I got got the R(x) filled and never went back to him again. I no longer bother with the anti-viral R(x). Even 800 mg Zovirex never prevented it, and the cream spread the virus worse, so why put the unhelpful drugs in my body? I read a shingles nutrition book at the local library and followed it to a tee. It was the only 2 months in 204 months that I didn't get a shingles blister. It was hard for me to follow: NO WHITE FLOUR, WHITE RICE, OR REFINED SUGAR OR CORN SYRUP, ETC. OF ANY KIND (no noodles, bread, crackers) only whole grain, NOT whole grain mixed with wheat flour, and not mixed with corn syrup o sugar as a flavor enhancer. I already used Ezekiel 4:9 bread & products and completely avoid white bread, but I love occasional cookies and occasional noodles or rice. I went off them all 100% cold turkey, ate more fresh fruits, steamed vegis, lean properly cooked meats, no geletin, no coffee, lots of green and echinachea teas instead. One sugar treat (Birthday Cake) and I was back to the shingles blisters. UGG Guess what helps!?! I dab it with the sulfur acne liquid (local drugstore acne skin treatment section) on a clean cotton swab. It dries up and scabs in 2 to 3 days! No cure, that I no of.

kate, about 1 year

i am 25 years old, i didnt have any pain, i just woke up with what looked like a rash and after a few days went to the doctor to be told it was shingles. i suffer from other forms of low immunity system symptoms frequently and always have, now i learn this will keep coming back. The doctors i have seen only treat the symptoms i have at the time and not the overall problem, does anyone have any advice for an very unhappy bunny??

Cindy Brown, about 1 year

Yes, I had shingles at about the same age (for the first time) on the lower third of my face and down my neck and had the exact same stiff neck symptom, fatigue, etc. My first bout with shingles was the worst. I've had several bouts since then all occuring in different areas, which have been less severe, and am battling a new area this time with shooting back pains. Shingls are no fun.

Joannes Mum, about 1 year

My daughter has been a bit run down for a few weeks we put it down to being worn out with a 2 year old and a job. Then the other morning she asked me to look at her shoulder as it was sore. All I could see what a little patch of red with what looked like little scratches on it. She said it was really sore. Later on in the day she asked me to look again and I could see about 6 little blisters. She went to the local walk in center and the nurse there said its shingles. She told her just to take some painkillers and take a week off work. It seems to get worse so a couple of days later she managed to get an appointment to see the doctor. The doc said the same thing and gave her some cream and tablets to help. But the thing is she says the pain is working its way up her neck??? Last night it looked like she had got a stiff neck she could hardly move her neck is that normal ???? IM all for taking her back to the doctors but she keeps saying no she will be ok., Shes 29....Joannes mum

BARRY RIPPARD, about 1 year

I AM PRESENTLY SUFFERING FROM A NASTY ATTACK OF SHINGLES.THEY STARTED WITH A LOT OF PAIN ON MY STOMACH AND GOING THROUGH TO MY BACK.MY STOMACH ALSO FELT VERY BLOATED. MY WIFE RANG OUR LOCAL SHROPDOC, AS IT WAS OUT OF NORMAL SURGERY HOURS. AFTER SPEAKING TO A DOCTOR WHO ASKED ME TO CHECK FOR SIGNS OF A RASH. THERE WAS A PATCH OF BLISTERY SPOTS ,I WAS ASKED TOP GO TO THE OFFICE THAT NIGHT AND THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBED PAIN KILLERS AND ANTI VIRUS TABLETS.IM STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE BETTER, ALTHOUGH STILL IN A LOT OF PAIN.

lesley, about 1 year

i started 2 days ago with a hot stabbing pain in my back like someone sticking a needle into my back, this pain kept coming and going and yesterday my back started to ache on one side going under my arm this pain is constant and very painful, it feels like a hot burning ache. i visited my gp who has advised shingles and precribed antiviral tablets. i have no blisters that are associated with shingles although my gp did say he could see around three or four. i wonder do i have shingles?

Cindy, about 1 year

I have the same problem with shingles recurring every month or so when I get run down, it is situated on my lower back and only moves very slightly. I find now that I am getting more sick each time, the antivarals help put the blisters away quicker, but not the headaches or sickness. I am half way through my second bought in 6 weeks and fed up. I syphathis with you and if you ever find a cure please let me know. Cindy

Mrs Julia Freeman, over 2 years

I read recently in a magazine article that there is a preventive injection you can have against contracting the Shingles virus. I cannot find the article and wonder if anyone else has heard about this innoculation?