Recurring Shingles

I was diagnosed with shingles 7 years ago at the age of 32. They hurt and burned horribly. They were in the back of my head, under my hair...scabs everywhere..uck!!!

Since then I have been diagnosed with lupus. One of the flare up symptoms is the butterfly rash across the cheeks and nose. So about 2 months ago, I noticed a really reddish kinda welt on my right cheek and chalked it up to lupus. About 2 weeks ago, I started getting a terrible red rash on the right side of my neck. I didn't have time to pay attention.

I was in the hospital with Steve yesterday, and one of the nurses in his room said (without me asking) "Thats a nasty looking case of shingles you got". I said "huh"??? I called my doc and was in his office w/in 2 hours. Yep, shingles again. Its extremely rare to get it more than once. And he said he can't treat it unless I came to him within 72 hours of the first sign of the blisters, and that the welt on my cheek from 2 months ago is NOT lupus but the mother shingle. He also thought it important for me to know that since I neglected myself (once again) that I could possible have this for 6 months instead of the standard 2-6 weeks.

I already have major self esteem issues...this isn't helping...

OK, got that all out!

(((((((((((((((((( mybestkids2))))))))))))))))

So sorry about all that hon.....what a bummer. Lets hope the doc is wrong and it goes away quicker than what he predicts!

Hugsss
J

Hey, check this link out:

Shingles .

It mentions that "Cimetidine, a common component of over-the-counter heartburn medication, has been shown to lessen the severity of herpes zoster outbreaks in several different instances" (Wikipedia, 2007).

I guess you could find some heartburn medication and try that--but I would not go haywire or hog wild with it, before I saw the GP--hopefully even though he may feel he cannot treat it, maybe he can give you some kind of medication?

In another site, it mentions that with Treatment of Shingles that your doctor could only really prescribe something in the first 72 hours, but read on, there are smaller, less effective treatments:

Mild attacks of shingles require symptomatic treatment only. There is no benefit with anti-viral drugs.

In moderate-severe attacks - add oral aciclovir - 800mg five times per day for 7 days - reduces the duration of rash and severity of pain. Patients with the worst pain benefit the most. Acyclovir must be given within 72 hours of the onset of the rash.

Immunocompetent patients with severe disease, immunocompromised patients, ophthalmic shingles, and motor shingles are the cases that benefit the most from acyclovir, and may require it intravenously - 10mg/kg or 500mg/m2 tds.

Famciclovir and valaciclovir are newer agents, and are as effective as aciclovir in the treatment of immunocompetent patients.

Wet dressings with tap water or 5% aluminum acetate applied to affected skin for 30-60 minutes 4-6 times per day can bring symptomatic relief

Calamine lotion can be used to relieve pruritis.

Lyrica helps with the nerve pain often associated with shingles.

I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,

Jan

Thanks Jean and Jan!!! I didn't even think about Lyrica. Steve has a bottle here of the 50 mg for his nerve pain from the chemotherapy.

I looked up the cimetidine. Its an ingredient in Tagamet. There is a possibilty it may interact with my Depakote and Symbyax.

I am a little frustrated by the doc saying I should have known it was shingles because I had it before. Geez, when I had it 7 years ago, it was in the back of my head under my hair.....hes knows my "history"....I felt he was demeaning...

(((((((((( Dee ))))))))))

I'm so sorry that Dr. said that. There was no way you could have known that!

Please, please don't take the Lyrica without consulting a Dr!!

Hugs,

Jan

You didn't neglect yourself, you didn't know what it was!

I have recurrent herpes simplex and have Acyclovir on hand all the time. At the first twitch I take it. I didn't know it was necessray to take it withing 72 hours, I've not heard that before.

I also have the topical cream which I find very relieving and it makes the blisters go away much much faster.

For me it is more than blisters, it's a sick feeling almost like the flu. No fun.

I hope you feel better soon and get your doc to give you an Rx to have on hand for the next time.

Jan, thanks and definitely would not take Lyrica w/o consulting the doc!

Echoes, I looked up herpes simplex which seems a little different than herpes zoster (shingles). Is your breakouts limited to your mouth area? Hmmm...have to look into this a tad bit more.

Thanks everyone!

I went back to my GP today for a f/u from last weeks visit. He advised some of the same as the other doc in his practice last week. The anti viral meds won't work because I am too far along. He did prescribe a Lidocaine patch that I apply for 12 hours to my neck to help with the nerve pain. AND, he said the "mother" shingle on my cheek is no such thing...in fact, he gave me an asap referral to a dermatologist for a biopsy....

So there....I feel better...I think

i'm really glad that you think you feel better. i do hope that you are feeling good about the developments and you get better soon...........xoxoxo pat