Gary DuVall, about 1 month [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 2 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 2 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 2 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 3 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 6 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 6 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 7 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 8 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 9 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 9 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 10 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 11 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, 11 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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 [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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 [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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 [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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, about 1 year [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]

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?