Hello all. I'm experiencing back pain that also comes around the side. It is at my lower rib height. I'm having severe pain and numbness in this area. It is definitely nerve pain. The pain started 6 days ago and I do not have a rash. I feel terrible and I am running a low grade fever. Pain meds will not touch this pain. My PCP thinks I have shingles. He said it was either shingles or neuropathy. He said the pain would start a week or so before I got the rash. Has this happened to anyone else? Also. If it is shingles, does anyone know something I can do to get the rash to break out sooner so I will heal sooner. I've just felt like staying in bed since last Thursday. Thank you ahead of time. By the way, my MRI was normal. KATO