The period before the rash appears, for me, is the most dreadful. I have horrible pain and all of my osteoarthritic sites (fingers, neck, shoulder, knees, feet) hurt as well. I really feel dreadfully ill.

It is not until the cold sore clusters appear that I realize what I'm dealing with is Herpes, and only Simplex at that!

I have had clusters on my mouth, cheek bones, and once on my back.

I'm pretty sure what I experience is not true Shingles.

Once the blisters appear, the worst is over. The attacks are far enough apart that I never even think about Herpes, only that I feel terribly ill.

I even had the Shingles Vaccine (because I indeed had chicken pox as a child). Later I have been told that was a terrible thing to do since I also have Primary Immune Deficiency Disorder. But I had the vaccine before I knew of my PIDD status.

The only illness that has 'broken through' my Immune System since I began have IVIG every 4 weeks for the past four years, is Herpes. Herpes is truly evil, lies in wait and is relentless.

I have a friend with Immune Deficiency who suffer from internal as well as external Shingles. She takes medication to keep the shingles at bay, which isn't always effective, and has its own terrible side effects.

Those who live outside the world of Neuropathy, and Shingles, are blessed and have no idea what life is like for those who live with Nerve pain, nerve damage.

Regards, Elaine