Any need to worry if you have Shingles symptoms?
 

I've started to come up with rashes one in my left groin and right above my bum and lower back, I also have substantial pain in my left hip and upper leg "MUSCLE" I'm getting a little worried about the hole thing I'll probably end going to emerge tomorrow...

Anyone else that's had simular or has had Shingles with MG, I've also read that it can cause pneumonia and I have had a bad cold 4 weeks ago and still coughing up flem...I'm on 200mg Imuran daily so my immune system is much weaker I'm getting a little worried, any advice from any of you that's had or been through this before you'd be greatly appreciated.

If you have Shingles, you need to get to urgent care or the ER IMMEDIATELY. Waiting makes the treatment less effective!! PLEASE GO IN NOW. Do not wait!! Trust me, the sooner the better. It's literally a 72 hour window (3 days).

There's an easy scrape test that they do to confirm it.

If you have it, please take Methylcobalamin B12 tablets (2 - 6 5 mg. tablets per day or more). It helps heal the peripheral nerves that Shingles attacks. Taking acidophilus would be a good idea, too. Vitamin C as well.

The Acyclovir, or the Shingles, might make you very tired. Then sleep.

There's only a short time to nip this in the bud. GO IN. This is one of those conditions, like a stroke, that needs care right away.

I hope you'll be okay. Remember, any infection, viral or bacterial, will make MG worse. Even if it's not Shingles, you have a rash that is not normal, while being immunosupressed.

Annie

I need to add to that I had Shingles on the side of my face/neck. I was starting to have symptoms of encephalopathy (brain being effected) due to the Shingles location and got a fever and other symptoms. Luckily, the drugs finally kicked in. DO NOT take this lightly. PLEASE go in now.

Snoel, Are you still online, waiting for more responses? I hope not. You need to be in the ER.

I totally agree with Annie.

People using immune suppressing drugs, may develop shingles
faster than others. The virus (Herpes Zoster)may cross the blood brain barrier.

Both Herpes simplex and zoster, look alike when they erupt.
They can be tested for with a blood level for antibodies for each.

I had an atypical (unusual) presentation down my right arm...
and then I contracted a severe pneumonia...and my doctor tested me to see which virus was causing this. The shingles showed up with that test with extremely high titres. I was working midnight shifts, which were depressing my immune responses. I had to therefore, change my work schedules permanently.

Zovirax or Valtrex should be given ASAP...so you do not get spread into your brain and spinal cord.

I'm in OR as we're speaking... thanks for the info☺

Glad to hear that! They may (or may not) need to keep you there to see how you're doing on the drug.

The birdies love Echinacea flowers, too, Mrs. D! We love our birdies!

Annie

Good idea, Annie.

Just the other day a male goldfinch was checking out the dwarf sunflower... seeds not ready ;)
Last summer we didn't go upNorth, and I was able to see all the goldfinch action that happens in July and Aug.
I put out nesting cotton fluff for them too. I love to watch them! ;)

They weren't sure on which method they were going to use for my meds, oral or infused... they decided to go with infused as a 7 day treatment. They also took x-rays of my chest because of been coughing up flem since my head cold of July 1st and we just want to make sure things are all clear.

Again guys thanks for your support it helps us get through these tough times we have to encounter the odd time 😉😷

GOOD!!! I'm glad they are taking everything seriously! You didn't say that it was Shingles, but I'm assuming that it is. Take it very easy and stay well hydrated.

Mrs. D, those are adorable pics! We use grape jam to attract the baltimore orioles. It can get messy with ants or bees though. Love the cotton idea! Thanks.

They may need to check your O2 and other MG markers, Snoel. I hope the meds are easy on your system. Again, get some acidophilus to keep the good bacteria in your body!

Annie

Yes Shingles, I have to take 2x 500mg of Valacyclovir 3 times daily for 10 days, hopefully everything will calm down.

If you have any new symptoms, such as a fever, go back in, okay?

It's never nothing, is it?!!

I noticed I'm starting to have on my genetals to I need to worry?

I'm so sorry, Snoel. You don't have to worry, per se. Keep the area as "aired out" as possible (not too moist).

Are you taking Tylenol/acetominophen? That might be the best thing for any pain.

The signs to worry about are an increase in pain, pain elsewhere (i.e., abdominal, head pain), fever, dizziness, etc.

It can take a couple of days for the drugs to kick in. Pamper yourself and rest/sleep a bunch. Have chicken soup or other meals packed with nutrition. They have actually proven that chicken soup ingredients are good for viruses/bacteria (PubMed).

Gross alert!

Be careful when you wipe. Dab lightly. Wipe 1 and 2 areas separately. Since Shingles are basically open sores, you don't want to infect them as well, meaning add a bacterial infection on top of the viral one.

Cold can help with pain, but something that is too cold will make the nerves worse (cold-induced injury).

Shingles can cause scarring—just as chicken pox can—but hopefully you won't have any! That's why you should be gentle "down there." :cool:

If you have a primary doctor, they would probably be able to give you more tips.

If things worsen in any way, it's best to go to the ER.

It's hard to wait something like this out. Stressing out about it will only make your immune system worse! Try to get your mind off it with good music, a movie, or whatever makes you happy.

And if anyone you know is sick, tell them to stay the heck away from you right now!!! You aren't a danger to others, they are to you! ;)

:grouphug:
Annie

I have a cream or ointment called Fuducin H that I had prescribed for another skin rash awhile back with it be safe to use on infected area...

The cream is an anti-inflammatory with hydrocortisone in it.
This acts as an immune suppressor, and may flare shingles or herpes simplex.

You should contact a doctor before using anything while you are under treatment.

You don't want to clog up the infection with creams. Ditto on what Mrs. D said. Call your doctor before using any other product!

I understand your wanting to do as much as you can, but you are already. Let the drugs kick in. Try not to worry!

I was extremely tired for one month during Shingles. The rash subsided fairly quickly, but my body was still fighting it. So take extra care of yourself!!!

If it makes you feel better to talk to a doctor, then call your PCP's office.

Annie

I'll try to keep calm...it's just that some other areas seem to pop up and makes question if it's normal or not, I have a bit of a temp 37.4 Which isn't terrible and feel good, is it ok to take Advil extra strength for pain before going to bed that is when the PAIN gets really bad!!!!

I think you can take the Advil. Here in the US there are lidocaine creams now that take the pain out.

This is one example:
Aspercreme Pain Relieving Cremes and Gels: Pain Relieving Creme with Lidocaine

I don't know if you have that where you are.
Here in US doctors will sometimes give Lidoderm patches for shingles. Best not to put on open sores though. The lidocaine products do not have other drugs in with them either.

Ask your doctor.

Yes, Advil should be fine. Have you taken it before with no issues? I see Mrs. D snuck in there! :) When in doubt, call a doctor.

Rashes tend to spread before they recede. Silly but common.

It's not fun having Shingles. Mine was showing signs of spreading to my right eye, too. Thankfully, the drugs kicked in within a couple of days!

Your doctor is only a phone call away. The fact that you are immunosuppressed should make you keep an eye on any progression. Write it all down if you can. Track your temp, too.

My temp spiked up over 102 F (not sure what that is Celsius). That prompted the ER visit, plus the really bad headache and dizziness. They wanted to do a lumbar puncture on me, but I wouldn't let them! ;)

It's a good thing you're asking questions! You received great care, so that's good.

:grouphug:
Annie

Thanks again for your continued support, I will go and check at our Pharmacy tomorrow morning...

Have a great evening 😉

I've gotten better less pain but I seem to have a tad of a temperature, 98 to 99 I'm just wondering if it's my body fighting off the virus...I'm eating and drinking I don't have much appetite and bit of a headache anything for me to be concerned....

I'm glad you are feeling better. I found that the antivirals gave me a bit of headache too.

But as you fight off whatever you have, there are toxins released as the microbes are killed and those often make people feel ill too.

I'm sure you're fine. My situation is different than yours, in many respects, so don't go by what I went through.

The body does, as Mrs. D said, give a full on fight to viruses and bacteria. Look at the pdf for the drug you're taking to note any possible side effects as well.

Give it another day. I'm glad you're improving!

Annie

Most of the pain has receded so has the itch and sleeping better...so no worries for a bit of feverish feeling, I'm on the couch watching TV...man I wish l could enjoy the beautiful weather!!!

Thanks for your quick reply. Have a nice evening.😉🤒

Question for AnnieB3 can you clarify the following you recommend;

**If you have it, please take Methylcobalamin B12 tablets (2 - 6 5 mg. tablets per day or more).**

It's the dosage I just got the strongest over the counter they had which are 5000mcg

You have to take the B12 on an empty stomach with no food for an hour after. Take with at least 4oz of water.

A very small amount is absorbed orally, and if food is present, this passive absorption will not occur.

How many units "mcg" daily I'm 220 lbs I just bought extra strength 5000mcg

One 5,000 mcg a day on an empty stomach should be enough.

Here is the B12 information thread on our PN forum:

http://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-...12-thread.html

There is a wealth of information on that thread.

Two of the 5000 mcg/5 mg methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin) tablets taken two to three times a day helps. Cyano has to be converted by the liver into methyl for the body to use it. Let the body use it right away. Some is stored, some is used, some is flushed out via urine.

There have been many studies, many of them are from Japan, that show higher doses taken frequently help to heal peripheral nerves.

I personally take the Jarrow Formula Brand (from Amazon, due to it being relatively less expensive there). There are other good brands.

Ditto on taking it on an empty stomach.

You can't get too much B12, unless you have a liver issue. But then it's often the MTFR mutation, whereby cyanocobalamin is not converted and methylcobalamin is needed. There are other little odd ones as well, but very rare.

How are you feeling?

Annie

I'm feeling like a million dollars, no more fever, headache nor nausea my appetite is back but need a Plex real soon my Myasthenia symptoms are acting up, I was reading that PE is good for Shingles...I'm still have a bit of a head cold blowing a bit of yellowish flem. I saw my family doctor today to followup on my outbreaks and was very happy with the results so far, I'm just a little concerned with the ones in the groin they don't dry up very well in that area, they're still leaking a bit but no blisters, for the pain it's more like numbness in the bum cheek others I'm back to normal.

As for the B12 I did make sure to the ones you told me to I always listen to my Docs...it's just I wasn't sure on how much to take, we have a good Pharmacist and she told me the same as you did to take them in the morning...

I'm noticing ulcer in month the odd day, they tend to burst and heal which I never had before just wondering if it's the meds side effect.

Good! I'm glad you're better!

I didn't say to take B12 in the morning. Mrs. D said to take them on an empty stomach. Taking them 3 times a day will help more. Like giving the peripheral nerves a constant source of B12 to help them heal.

Show your doc the sores in your mouth or take pics of them. Hard to say what the cause is for sure. Talk to your doc.

Don't worry, the stubborn ones will eventually heal up too!!!

Annie