Shingles

[Tanis8472]

Anyone had them and how long did you have it for?
I have them and its really doing my head in

 

[vickster]

Yes, about 18 years ago, was pretty young at 25. Quite a mild dose I think, cleared up in about a month, thanks to a timely course of Famvir and relative youth! Assume the Dr prescribed an anti viral to lessen the duration and minimise the risk of PHN.

Where do you have the infection? Torso, head?

 

[PeteXXX]

It sounds so innocuous, doesn't it!
My dad, and then more recently, my sister, had Shingles. They suffered for ages with it.
Calamine lotion seemed to help alleviate the rash.

 

[Paul99]

Had a mild case on my ribcage when I was 19. Was painful for a couple of weeks but gone in about a month if I remember correctly.

Hope you don't suffer for too long.

 

[tommaguzzi]

You need to got to the doctor straight away and get treated. I have had it twice first time years ago when all I got was calamine lotion. I lasted about 10 days it was worse when the inflammation stopped and the itching started. Touch the itch and the pain was terrible.
Second time I recognised the symptoms early went to the doctor who prescribed some drugs which stopped it progressing. The inflammation I had still iched and hurt but nothing like as bad as the first time.
So my advice is get treated fast.

 

[MrPie]

Yeah, up my nose!!!!! Who woulda thunk it? Was suffering from a particularly crap extended bout of migraine associated vertigo too and the medication made it different ballgame worse. Yee-uk!

 

[Mrs M]

Ouch, you have my sympathies.
I had shingles a few years ago on my hip just below waistband.
I went to th GP after diagnosing (guessing) what they were.
Given nothing for them though, lasted about a month.
GWS

 

[gbb]

Had it 3 times over maybe 30 years...bloody awful.
I always try to explain it as such. .its like the nerve endings under your skin are suddenly exposed and every breath of wind...anything, makes those nerve endings feel like they are on fire.
My last lot was in a 1 inch area on my inner forearm, they came up like little volcanoes. They itch a bit, then suddenly you're wracked with intense pain for a few minutes.
They scabbed and scarred and left me with what look like needle marks ...every time I give blood etc I feel very self concious, I have to explain or they'll think I'm a junkie

 

[Stephenite]

I had shingles last year, well August 2015. Left shoulder and part of chest. Painful for 2 weeks or so, until it began to scab over. Used a Lidocaine product bought over the counter.

 

[midlife]

As vickster says you should be on antivirals to reduce the length of the attack and reduce post herpetic neuralgia.

Shaun

 

[cuberider]

I had shingles a couple of years ago. They cleared up in about 3-4 weeks. A rash turned up on my neck, then shooting pains into the top of my skull. I'm in no rush to get it again.

 

[Tanis8472]

Thanks for the replies guys, been to the docs (after 3 days of trying to get an appointment ) and have been prescribed anti-virals. 5 a day sodding huge things. Those descriptions sound just like my symptoms. Got it around torso and upper belly and back. Not too many lumps but burning sensation on pecs too. Yes it's sodding painful. I'm taking paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief.

 

[midlife]

Please take the Acyclovir, it really does help despite the big size of the pills. If they are uncoated check the box as they come as big tablets which are water soluble ....which is how I took them!

Shaun

 

[vickster]

I had famciclovir all those years ago. 1 a day for a week, IIRC. The doctor was very concerned I wouldn't take them as they were very expensive back then as still branded. Now generic for sure. Expect aciclovir is still the super cheap generic of choice for he NHS

 

[Tanis8472]

Yep, got aciclovir 800mg.
Taking them is luckily not a problem

Just hope it soon starts improving.