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. :)