Quote:
Originally Posted by barb02
I will. I was first concerned about having an allergic reaction. So far, I am fine. I do have a bit if a headache, but that could also be due to the weather. I will let you all know if I have any problems in the next few weeks.
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Good for you, Barb! You are such a good example for all of us.
Here's what I wrote about my shingles experience:
I was "only" 54 in 2008 when I had a bad case of the shingles. Most cases
are in people over 60 which is why the shingles shot is normally available for people over 60.
I am SO glad not to get them in my mouth or near my eyes. I've read shingles
can cause blindness if they are in your eyes. Shingles can appear on any
part of your body. Any part...yes, boys and girls, even "there".
Fact: Shingles are only contagious while the blisters are weeping.
The only pre-requisite to getting them is having had chicken pox some time
in your life. You cannot give shingles to someone who never had chicken pox,
but I understand they can get chicken pox from your shingles, then later in
their life they too, can get shingles.
My shingles began on my back at the bra line, just to the right of my spine. At first it felt like someone had punched me in my back. That continued for a couple of days. By the third day the blisters began.
They spread from my back, along the bra line, under my right arm, and
immediately below my right breast. And then continued to cover the entire left side of my right breast, stopping at the center of my chest.
I went to an Immediate Care center where the doctor said my symptoms were
classic shingles which he confirmed by seeing all the blisters circling the
right half of my torso. "You've got a GOOD case", he said. Good not meaning
a positive thing.
Two years later it still hurt along the bra line and on and under my right
breast, too much wear a bra. Some say that their shingles pain can last a lifetime. The pain finally vanished for me.
The blisters were all sizes, but the largest ones - several of which were
dime-sized - were the ones on my breast itsself. They all hurt like h*ll. In all,
it took about 4-5 weeks from beginning to end for the physical blisters to heal, leaving scars.
I've attached a photo I took of my shingles. Click the photo to enlarge.
And to top it all off - you can get shingles more than once. Oh goody.
MsBluIs