[Gus1234U]

i'm not sure how many people are aware of the shingles epidemic sweeping thru the 'older' (over 50) population. apparently it is because many of us who had chicken pox in childhood have now 'outlasted' our immune response to the virus, and when we are re-exposed, instead of a mild rash we get this horrible, truely wicked strip of scabby, itching, burning, long-lasting nightmare~!

there is an inexpensive (i think) vaccine for Shingles, that can be gotten right at most pharmacies. my insurance covered it (medicare). it's well worth considering, if you don't have other health issues that might be compromised.

also, a friend who got the shingles rash was desperate for relief, none of the usual commercial remedies were helping (and she was a registered nurse~!). she devised a self-care treatment, so you have to take this information at your own discretion (like all advice), nothing works for everyone. but, she made a poultice (a paste) from the fresh raw ginseng root (sold in most grocery stores), peeled and mashed and spread over the sore and bandaged in gauze. it helped immediately with the itching and burning, and within a few weeks the scabby rash was gone~!

i do love home-made remedies; at least you know what's in them. and some roots and herbs are genuinely medicinal, and even curative... it's well worth investigating some of those types of treatments for chronic skin conditions that make one crazy~

[unaluna]

I saw my gp this week, and he said that even tho i got a shingles vaccine last year or so, there is now a NEW shingles vaccine that comes in 2 parts - the second part 2 months after the first, that he wants me to get. But my pharmacy said they dont have it yet.

Thanks for the info about ginseng root - i hope i never have to use it, i dont do pain well!

Our local community college is now hooked up with a "Folk School", where they teach classes in like herbs and blacksmithing. So check out those college catalogs that come in your snail mail boxes, i was surprised this was happening. I just saw it last night.

[Skeezyks]

My wife & I have both had the original shingles vaccine. I know the new one is supposed to be much more effective & even people who have had the original vaccine are encouraged to get the new one. However, where I live, there are shortages. And, as a result, you can end up in a situation where you get the first dosage, but then you can't get the second; so as a result you have to start all over again the next time the vaccine becomes available. My maternal grandmother developed shingles many years ago. So I hope to get the new vaccine when it's available. However, just in case, I'll keep the ginseng root idea in mind too. Hey... what could it hurt? Thanks!

[unaluna]

Yeah, my dad got shingles. I am pretty sure i never got chicken pox as a child.

[Deejay14]

I got the new singles shot in March and May. It's two shots given within 2 months to 6 months after the first shot. It is 97% effective. Well worth eliminating another pain that has the potential to be permanent even after the visual part heals.My health insurance covered everything. Had I known it was a two shot deal I would have gone to my neighborhood Walgreens.

[*Laurie*]

Thank you very much for this post, Gus. I have not taken the shingles epidemic seriously, but your post has caused me to take a closer look. I had a nasty case of chicken pox when I was a child...now I'm thinking that I will ask my GP about a vaccine. I remember that my father had shingles and it was hellish for him.

[Nammu]

I already had shingles in my 30's....oh it's painful! Apparently that doesn't protect me from getting it again, I need to talk to the doc about getting the new vaccine. Keep the ginseng in mind tho.