Shingles
 

I haven't posted here in a while... I have been going to PT which has been ver helpful. I did have a set back a few weeks ago which increased all my pain symptoms.

But I wanted to find out if any one else that has RSD/CPRS has gotten shingles.
I got it in my left arm. I went to an urgent care because I couldn't get an appointment with my gp. I told the nurse that I thought I had the shingles but the dr said I had a contact rash. (I'm not sure if I told him my arm hurt and I was taking more aim meds for the pain.) That was on a Friday, the following Monday I went to my gp he took one look and said I had shingles. I just finished my week of antiviral Meds, my arm still hurts though, the rash is getting better. Even before my arm started hurting I had a severe headache one day. My husband said "you haven't had a headache like that in a long time, what's going on?" Like I knew!!

No...I haven't had shingles...but I feel like I remember someone else asking about this not all that long ago? Not asking if anyone else had it...but had a crazy rash and the doctor diagnosed it as shingles. I've heard it's terribly painful and I'm sorry for what you are going through. One thing I do know is that when you already have RSD...ANYTHING else on top of it is just agony. I am so sorry.

Sorry to hear you have shingles. Shingles runs the length of a nerve root. It is caused by stress. If you have had additional stress in your life or additional pain, this would be your cause. It will also be the cause of your headaches. Glad to hear you got treated right away. The pain from shingles can last for months, so don't be suprised.

Shingles can sneak up on you.... your immune system is busy fighting them, therefore you may develop another more serious infection.

My husband got an ear infection, and I got pneumonia with our shingles. So rest, and watch for fevers etc. Call the doctor if you feel ill in any way.... as the secondary illness can be severe or progress quickly.

I was working midnights at the time, and my pneumonia came up quickly due to that added stress. When I had blood work, I had a severe shift to the left, indicating my white cells were not keeping up.

My sister-in-law has the shingles on her face and head. This started about 4 weeks ago. She also complained of headaches, which is unusual for her. All part of the shingles. She complained mostly about the itching. She has never married so, although siblings and their familes share holidays with her, she has been depressed.

My husband and I usually pick her up on Christmas Eve to spend with his daughter and family. Spoke with her yesterday, although starting to feel a bit better, does not think she wants to go to Christmas Eve dinner. We asked if she would like some company (we wanted to bring Christmas Gifts) She said she was not up to any company at this time. Although the doctor says she is no longer contagious, I guess can't help but being a bit leary anyway.Shingles sound so awful.

shingles is only contagious to those who have not had chicken pox. Same type of illness.;)

I've not had shingles but until recently my RSD has been pretty quiet. I'm glad you got some help quickly though. My sister had it and she was in pain and had a huge rash for a long time. :hug:

Yes, shingles is something that you can get later in life if you have had chicken pox. Can be pretty darn painful! The bill I just got from shingling my house was painful, but the shingles virus is more so!

After you get chickenpox, the virus remains inactive (becomes dormant) in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes active again in these nerves years later.

The reason the virus suddenly become active again is not clear. Often only one attack occurs, which is good news!

Good luck.

Thanks to all for your feedback. I've been under a lot of stress lately and then the set back with the RSD...I guess that set it off. I guess it's in my left ulnar nerve. It felt like my left upper back had a rash on it too, then the left side of my face felt like I was going to have a fever blister. I am very thank full none of that happened. My arm is numb in places where the rash/blisters were/are.
I thought I was too young to get shingles!! Hopefully this will be the only time I get this.
I'll beware of any other symptoms.. I did read you could also get pneumonia or meningitis with the shingles.
I took some benadril to keep the itching down.

have you tried lyrica?
 

I dont know if anyone has told you, but lyrica and neurontin work well for shingles from what I know. Hang in there and up your Vitamin C it helps repair and heal the body from trauma. :)

Re: encourage injection
 

I encourage all people who are at a certain age to get the shingles vacine. That is my christmas gift to myself. It is a horrid condition and Ido not want it. So sorry to hear that many here have had to go through this awful condition. It happens with stess, and if you have HAD chicken pox. Most older folks in that catagory should get the shot. I do not have RSD. I can't imagin having the pain of shingles on top of it. I wish you all the best. ginnie

The shingles vaccine only works in about 50% of patients.
You can find that factoid on the net from reliable sources.

Hi MrsD
 

[Yes, I know it doesn't work for everyone. I did know that fact. I am loaded with autoimmune problems. 4 seperate disorders, and sure want to avoid getting shingles with my compromised immune system. It is an expensive shot, but I got to try to protect myself. Thanks for the Post. Have a wonderful and healthy holiday. ginnie

I avoided the Shingles shot for fear of coming down with the Shingles. I have had cold sores since childhood and use Denavir prescription as soon as the tingling occurs. Also have used Lysine as well. I was afraid this virus would make me more suseptible.

My mother is diceased and have not idea if I ever had Chicken pox.
Ger

I've never heard of Denavir. I can be in the same room with someone with a cold sore and get one!! I've been using OTC Abreva, however earlier this year I couldn't get totally rid of one and the dr gave me a 3 day prescription of an antiviral, but not Denavir.

My dr said I'd have to check to see if my insurance would pay for the Shingles vaccine because he thought I wasn't old enough to get it and it's expensive. And I'd have to waite till I got better anyway.

paininthefoot,

It kills me when a dr. says a person isn't old enough for something. Do they not look at the stress from RSD, or the financial issues it has caused.
I once found a lump in my breast at 23. The dr. said your to young to have cancer. It is probably nothing. I said it wasn't there last month, so it is not normal. My husbands mother died at 26 of breast cancer.
They kill me with that crap. We always have to fight, fight fight.
Hey remind him, that your to young, now that you got shingles.

Hi Ger
 

[I am a little afraid of the shot too. I plan to ask some questions, I don't want to be given the shingles from the shot. I know for sure I had chicken pox. My mother kept the old Dr.Spock book with records. I know too many that have had this disease, so I am scared to death of it. It is like NP in all areas of break out and very painful. I have got a compromised immune system to begin with, and live in a high tourist area. This disease struck in people down here as young as 40, my neighbor. It happened in my immediate family as well. so I will go for the shot, asking questions first. I hate walking into the health dept. so many sick there. I plan on wearing a mask. Thanks for the concern, I have the same worry, but don't want shingles more. ginnie

Denavir
 

I


I have been using Denavir for years. It is a prescription cream. It comes in a small tube. I have (knock on wood) not had a cold sore in years because I immediately put this on the spot that is tingling. I keep on in my purse at all times. Do not go anywhere without a tube.

I am so cold sore prone since childhood. When I was young, I went to the beach and in the water.I had a cold sore that spread across my chin It was awful.

Hi Ger
 

[Hi Ger, The insurance companies are not coving the shingles shot to my knowledge, nor is medicare/medicaid. it is costing me $174 throught the health dept in my county. I wouldn't put out the money, but I am that concerned over getting shingles on top of all my other health issues. I am giving myself that for my christmas gift. What a gift, ba humbug ginnie

ginnie,
you should call your insurance carrier and ask them. The worse they could say is no but if they say yes. Well-:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

RE: Hi alt
 

I have medicare/medicaid, you bet I am going to ask them. I also am 60 and qualify as a senior citizen. I would love it if this shot was covered, but my phone call to the health dept. said no. Shingles would cost more to treat than the darn old shot, so I don't know why they would not want to cover it. thanks ginnie

Ginnie,
Just a thought, but Walgreens has the shot also. Check with them as well as the occupational health department of your local hospital. I know the regular health dept.. will not deal with insurance.:)

I haven't been on here in a long time. I do want to say that I had shingles
in May of this year. It's the 2nd time I've had them. The first time was in the 80's.
My Dr. put me on Prednizone for 7 days to stop the pain from remaining and it did work. They are very painful. I actually gave my grandson chickenpox from the shingles. He is 17 and he got a very bad case of them from me.

Ada

hi alt
 

I will call walgreens and my local hospital. Good idea to try. Didn't think of that. I appreciate you trying to save me some $. thanks. ginnie

Hi dreambeliever
 

sorry you got the shingles. That is exactly what I am afraid of. They hurt! Sorry you had to go through that. May I ask you your age? Its OK if you don't want to share that too. I am 60 this year. stay healthy. ginnie

Shingles
 

I mentioned on a previous post, my sister-in-law (76 yrs. old) is dealing with the 3rd or 4th week of the shingles on head and face. Since she will not be going with us to his daughter's Christmas Eve, he offered we come over to visit her this week, as well as bring her Christmas Gift. She declined and said she wasn't in the mood right now for company. I have to say; even though she is suppose to be past the contagious part; still was a bit leary anyway.

My husband had the shot a couple of weeks ago. Our insurance covered 50% )$90.00) (Medicare) By the way, my husband got his shot at Walgreens. As long as you are somewhat comfortable and know you had the Chicken Pox; you deserve giving yourself a Christmas gift.

I have throid disease, as well as years of problem with the cold sores; so hopefully I do not regret it; but am not getting the shot.

This is what my doctor told me...if you have had chickenpox you can get the shingles. The virus lies in the nerves of the spinal cord close to the brain. You can not get shingles from someone who has shingles, however someone can get the chickenpox from someone that has shingles, if they come in contact with the blisters. Once they scab over you are no longer contagious.

painin the foot

That is absouletly correct. But he/she should not have said your too young if you have had chicken pox.

Re: confusion
 

Ya know the medical community does not make this decision easy. I was told the exact opposite by my doctor. You are more at risk if you have had the chicken pox. You bet I am going to ask some questions. Starting with my doctor clarifing this issue. I will also seek out the internet to see what the latest research is showing. I don't like it when patients are getting mixed messages from our medical community about this. I appreciate your response as it is making me take a second look at this issue before I go in. thanks ginnie

Here are some details on both vaccines...the one for kids, and older adults.

Keep in mind that the "wild type" is becoming more common,

Read this article and you will get a feeling for why the medical community doesn't understand it. :rolleyes:

sorry I forgot the link:
http://explorevaccines.wordpress.com...ngles-strains/

Hi Mrs.D
 

[I didn't see where to click to read the information about shingles. Did you put this site in another location. I still am trying to find out a little more about the vaccine. The CDC won't let people under 60 receive the injection from the health dept. because they are state funded. However, several of our neighbors have gotten shingles, much younger that this and seriously. Our doctor gave the script to both myself and my housemate, and she is only 57 but wants the injection as well. I am trying to find out the rules involving this vacine. Can our doctor order this vacine? any information I would appreciate. ginnie

Sorry forgot the link:

http://explorevaccines.wordpress.com...ngles-strains/

Any doctor can order it. But getting the $300.00+ vaccine paid for
is another battle.

Thank you Mrs.D
 

Yes, I read the article. I didn't know it was live vacine. I still think I want to go ahead with this. The health dept. is charging $174. My housemate, I will get our doctor to order it for her. My immune system isn't so good, that is the reason I think I should get this vacine. I am 60 and as I said several people, my neighbor at 47 got it, and a person in my extened family. I am tired of getting sick, had type A Asian flu, so I get the flu shot each year too. Thanks for sending the information out. I appreciate your research. ginnie