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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:43:16
I posted on the health board, but it's a little slow today. I'd be interested in your feedback.
I've had it before, many years ago- a small area affected on my back. It was really painful, felt like someone had been hitting me with a baseball bat in the same spot.
I don't have any blisters or rash yet, but there is one area of my skin on the back that is very sensitive and painful to even a delicate touch. doesn't look inflamed, and I can't think of any other cause for this.
I know shingles attacks people with weakened immune systems, I don't think that's my case, because I haven't gotten an infectious illness in 12 months, at least. Recent sources of stress include a lot of international travelling.
Current meds are cymbalta 90 mg, seroquel 25 mg (or sometimes a half dose, when I'm already sleepy) and provigil 200mg.
Current supplements are B vitamin supplement, fish oil (2000mg/day) a multi vitamin with iron, and glucosamine.
Any idea why I might be getting shingles now? Ideas on how to avoid pain? I put hydrocortisone on the area, seems to help somewhat.
I guess I'd like to avoid the permanent nerve damage and chronic pain that often follows shingles. The websites I've found reccommend Anti-Depressant therapy. haha. I'm already on a pretty high dose. Any other ideas? I'm going to have to take some ibuprofen to get some sleep tonight. ouch.
Thanks for your ideas,
-ll
p.s. I'm 27 years old, and aside from major depression I don't have any major health concerns.
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 20:47:08
In reply to Shingles and AD's, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:43:16
If you've been to websites you know they are caused by the chicken pox virus which lays dorment in your body. A pregnant nurse can't care for a pt with shingles as she could get the chicken pox. What med did you doc give you before as they are very painful and follow a nerve line. Love Jan
Posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:58:40
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 20:47:08
Last time I got shingles I saw the doctor after the blisters were already a week old. Too late for anti-viral therapy. I think I got some corticosteroid cream.
I had some wicked chicken pox when I was a wee one.
I just looked up on the internet that one thing that may lead to shingles in young people (under age 60) is major depression. Oh goody... (can you hear me laughing hysterically?)
-l
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 21:26:05
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » Phillipa, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:58:40
Seriously????? I'm going to goggle it too. Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 21:34:40
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 21:26:05
I'm sure it's a very rare thing that happens, but I guess I'm just lucky. I have since found out that only 4% of people will get a recurrance of shingles in their lifetime. It's already rare in young people, and to have that additional statistic, well, I'm feeling very SPECIAL . FREAKIN' SPECIAL!!!!!
can someone tell my dorsal root ganglia to go to hel*? I almost started crying when I was applying some aspercreme to my back. I wish I had a higher pain tolerance. I'm such a wimp.
-ll
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 21:51:04
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » Phillipa, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 21:34:40
Lurpsie I've heard it's one of the most painful things you can get hence why some end up in the hospital on isolation. Oh Oh stay away from women who might be or become pregnant. Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 22:12:45
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 21:51:04
In the hospital on isolation? I hope it doesn't come to that. the ointment helps, but applying it is excuciating. I don't know any pregnant women, fortunately, but thanks for the heads up.
off to bed for me. *yawn*
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 22:17:57
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » Phillipa, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 22:12:45
Lurpsie I just sent an article to you with pics, meds used to treat the pain, and antiviral meds. Love Jan
Posted by Glydin on August 13, 2006, at 22:21:45
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » Phillipa, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 22:12:45
STRESS...
You just returned from a BIG trip. The dormant herpes virus loves to come out and play when we've been under stress - good and bad kinds.
I'm so sorry for you. Maybe if this is early, Acyclovir can be started to keep it from making you totally miserable with discomfort.
Good luck, dear
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 22:24:19
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Glydin on August 13, 2006, at 22:21:45
Glydin that's what the article I sent suggests too. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on August 13, 2006, at 22:40:44
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » Phillipa, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 21:34:40
> I'm sure it's a very rare thing that happens, but I guess I'm just lucky. I have since found out that only 4% of people will get a recurrance of shingles in their lifetime. It's already rare in young people, and to have that additional statistic, well, I'm feeling very SPECIAL . FREAKIN' SPECIAL!!!!!
You and me both, honey. I've had multiple bouts of shingles -- mine are on my thigh, and I can't walk when I get them, because there's so much swelling in my groin. They hurt like a mad thing, and I've had them about a dozen times. That's not to scare you, just so maybe you don't feel too alone?
For what it's worth, I nearly always get them when I travel. I hate to say it, but Germany may have caused this outbreak...
>
> can someone tell my dorsal root ganglia to go to hel*? I almost started crying when I was applying some aspercreme to my back. I wish I had a higher pain tolerance. I'm such a wimp.That's not being a wimp, Lurpsie -- the virus is surfing down your nerves, and it hurts so terribly. There's nothing else like it, just awful.
For whatever it's worth, Zovirax cream helps, and taking the pills will keep the very worst of it at bay. Call your doctor AM, because you deserve some relief from this.
xoxo
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 22:47:16
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Glydin on August 13, 2006, at 22:21:45
Yup stress was the leading cause too. Love Phillipa oh it can cause fever and you may not feel well.
Posted by Craig on August 13, 2006, at 23:49:34
In reply to Shingles and AD's, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:43:16
When I had shingles, my doctor prescribed Lyrica and the pain went away very quickly. Check out http://www.lyrica.com and look for "Nerve Pain Associated With Shingles."
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 14, 2006, at 4:14:51
In reply to Shingles and AD's, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:43:16
Hey!
I'm 26 and I got shingles this winter. Mine were on my back and the rash was rather painful. I didn't take anything for it through, the nurse said to put calamine on the cream to stop it itching. To be honest, my experience wasn't too bad.
Wow I didn't know you were 27! I'd always thought of you as alot older somehow. Its strange these ideas we get about other babblers uncompletely unfounded on reality!!!!
Speaking of the herpes virus, I used to get really bad cold sores every now and then but then I started taking St John's Wort - and even through I've stopped the SJW in Febuary, I haven't had one since. I read somewhere that it might be useful in preventing core sores. Dunno if that applies to shingles through!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by llrrrpp on August 14, 2006, at 8:04:08
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 14, 2006, at 4:14:51
Hi Meri
I'm 27, don't know if that makes me old or young :)I can't take SJW because it might interact with my SNRI and also because it gave me a really itchy rash last time I took it (photosensitivity?)
Thanks for your suggestions!
Posted by llrrrpp on August 14, 2006, at 8:09:41
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 14, 2006, at 4:14:51
Thanks for your replies everyone,
I am happy to know that I'm not as freakish as I often feel. Racer- that's terrible that you get it on your thigh. And I'm pretty sure that it's stress. You see, the time I got it last was a very stressful time too (oddly enough, involving international travel, now that I think about it...hmm).thanks for the link and the article craig and phillipa- much appreciated
So, I'll go see the doctor and see what I get. it doesnt' hurt so bad this am, maybe because I took some aleve (naproxen sodium) last night. had to sleep on my tummy though. I wish I were a guy- I'd go around topless, because wearing clothes is pretty unpleasant right now...)
cheerio
-ll
Posted by llrrrpp on August 14, 2006, at 14:04:39
In reply to Shingles and AD's, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:43:16
From what I've read, i have to have blisters before shingles can be diagnosed. i think I'll wait until that stage. today doesn't hurt nearly as bad, so who knows? maybe not shingles at all? (cross your fingers). I swear I'm not a hypochondriac!
-ll
Posted by Racer on August 14, 2006, at 14:42:28
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's, posted by llrrrpp on August 14, 2006, at 14:04:39
You don't need full on blisters. I usually call the doc at the prodrome, and if I need to go in, I'll do that at the first sign of bumpiness or redness -- a day or two before actual blisters start...
Hope that helps...
Posted by yxibow on August 17, 2006, at 3:40:34
In reply to Shingles and AD's, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 20:43:16
> I posted on the health board, but it's a little slow today. I'd be interested in your feedback.
>
> I've had it before, many years ago- a small area affected on my back. It was really painful, felt like someone had been hitting me with a baseball bat in the same spot.
>
> I don't have any blisters or rash yet, but there is one area of my skin on the back that is very sensitive and painful to even a delicate touch. doesn't look inflamed, and I can't think of any other cause for this.
>
> I know shingles attacks people with weakened immune systems, I don't think that's my case, because I haven't gotten an infectious illness in 12 months, at least. Recent sources of stress include a lot of international travelling.
>
> Current meds are cymbalta 90 mg, seroquel 25 mg (or sometimes a half dose, when I'm already sleepy) and provigil 200mg.
>
> Current supplements are B vitamin supplement, fish oil (2000mg/day) a multi vitamin with iron, and glucosamine.
>
> Any idea why I might be getting shingles now? Ideas on how to avoid pain? I put hydrocortisone on the area, seems to help somewhat.
>
> I guess I'd like to avoid the permanent nerve damage and chronic pain that often follows shingles. The websites I've found reccommend Anti-Depressant therapy. haha. I'm already on a pretty high dose. Any other ideas? I'm going to have to take some ibuprofen to get some sleep tonight. ouch.
>
> Thanks for your ideas,
> -ll
> p.s. I'm 27 years old, and aside from major depression I don't have any major health concerns.
Actually sometimes antidepressants -- specifically tricyclics are used to dull pain from herpes zoster (shingles), amitriptyline, usually.For those over 60, which wouldn't include your age group obviously, Zostavax, an attenuated shingles prevention vaccine has been used.
Posted by llrrrpp on August 19, 2006, at 10:28:59
In reply to Re: Shingles and AD's » llrrrpp, posted by yxibow on August 17, 2006, at 3:40:34
Hi Everyone,
I got 3 blisters. That's all. The pain hasn't been bad at all. I took a few aleve, and have been using some Thai balm that is similar (but better! than tiger balm). Slight achiness, and a bit of blech-- but that could also be jetlag and stress.Well, this is very good, I think. Perhaps the SNRI I'm on has helped prevent this from getting really nasty.
Thank you all for your help. I never went to the doctor. I thought it was probably too much stress to go through for 3 blisters and a sore spot on my back/side.
-ll,
whose blisters form a triangle in non-euclidan space.
Posted by MidnightBlue on September 20, 2006, at 8:14:14
In reply to Yikes! I think I'm getting shingles!, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 10:47:21
You've had shingles before? They usually don't hit unless you are old or like you said have a messed up immune system.
What did you do for them last time? If it is shingles the faster you treat it the better.
Hope you feel better soon.
MB
Posted by Craig on September 20, 2006, at 8:14:16
In reply to Yikes! I think I'm getting shingles!, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 10:47:21
I replied to your post on the meds board. I took Lyrica for shingles.
Posted by llrrrpp on September 20, 2006, at 8:14:17
In reply to Lyrica » llrrrpp, posted by Craig on August 14, 2006, at 0:22:59
I don't know what's up with me and the virus! I guess I better get pdoc and GP involved so that I don't get serotonin syndrome. My last case was quite minor. pain for 3 weeks and only about a dozen blisters. I'll look up Lyrica and find out what kind of drug it is, and make an appt to see the GP to see if I can get an antiviral thingie.
thanks,
-ll
Posted by ClearSkies on September 20, 2006, at 8:14:18
In reply to Yikes! I think I'm getting shingles!, posted by llrrrpp on August 13, 2006, at 10:47:21
I have shingles, too, and have since I was about your age. Definitely brought on by added stress, and I guess that in itself can weaken an immunse defense. I don't have any particular disorder that would make me susceptible to shingles, and it's surprised each doctor I've seen about it.
There's an antiviral medication that helps with an outbreak (it does shorten the recovery time for me). Luckily I don't get shingles more often than every year and a half or so.CS
Posted by Phillipa on September 20, 2006, at 20:27:50
In reply to Re: Yikes! I think I'm getting shingles! » llrrrpp, posted by ClearSkies on August 15, 2006, at 23:53:03
It's from having chicken pox as a kid. Now they have vaccines. very painful. Love Phillipa
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