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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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