Shingles hurts. A lot. (1 Viewer)

[fasteddie_21]

So I just got diagnosed with shingles. Started 2-3 days ago with a burning on my right side, on my waist. Moved around to my back and yesterday, started getting the telltale bumps and pretty severe back pain that felt like a near-constant back spasm. Then today, I woke up to white marks around the area, all where the back pain was coming from. Went to the doc and he has me on horse pill-sized pills (800mg x5/day) for a week. 

From what I've read, it's going to get worse before it gets better. Let me tell you just how ####### much this #### hurts. That is all.

Oh, I'm 41.

 

[Christo]

Oof. Isn't 41 kind of early to get it?

 

[NutterButter]

You get some nice pain meds?

 

[Tick]

I used to work for Pfizer, and we made a drug called gabapentin for shingles pain.  Look into it.

 

[Nigel]

Had a bout with it when I was in my 20s, sucked. Pretty sure I was prescribed Vicodin for the pain. Good luck, it will pass.

 

[eoMMan]

If you had chicken pox, the shingles virus is already inside you.

 

[Judge Smails]

My doctor had them and INSISTED I get the vaccine.  Said not fun.  Good luck

 

[Uncle Leo]

There is a vaccine for Shingles.

 

[Beef Ravioli]

My brother had them about six months ago. Worked him over big time! He said it was the worst he ever felt and it wasn't even close to anything else he ever had. 

Even after he went on meds it lingered for several weeks with random flair ups.

 

[squistion]

There is a vaccine for Shingles.

Yes, but your insurance won't pay for it unless you are over a certain age, 60 (I think) - and the OP is 41, which is really young to get this. I got the vaccine when it first came out and since my insurance didn't cover, it was $250 out of pocket, IIRC, but I figured it was worth it rather than deal with an attack.

 

[Quez]

Pain pills are incredibly addictive.  Be careful with those things, especially blues.  

 

[RokNRole]

Pain pills are incredibly addictive.  Be careful with those things, especially blues.  

Why ruin it for him?

 

[El Floppo]

Gl and speedy recovery eddie.

The wife had them at about the same age... looks just brutal to go through.

 

[El Floppo]

Gl and speedy recovery eddie.

The wife had them at about the same age... looks just brutal to go through.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I've told the story before, but I got them in my ear.  For 36 hours, it was the most excruciating headache ever.  But then it fried the nerve and just paralyzed the left half of my face.  Good news/bad news!

 

[IC FBGCav]

So I just got diagnosed with shingles. Started 2-3 days ago with a burning on my right side, on my waist. Moved around to my back and yesterday, started getting the telltale bumps and pretty severe back pain that felt like a near-constant back spasm. Then today, I woke up to white marks around the area, all where the back pain was coming from. Went to the doc and he has me on horse pill-sized pills (800mg x5/day) for a week. 

From what I've read, it's going to get worse before it gets better. Let me tell you just how ####### much this #### hurts. That is all.

Oh, I'm 41.

All the best brother and yes, you scared the #### out of me.

 

[IC FBGCav]

There is a vaccine for Shingles.

They just said they don't recommend getting it until you are 60.

 

[IC FBGCav]

I've told the story before, but I got them in my ear.  For 36 hours, it was the most excruciating headache ever.  But then it fried the nerve and just paralyzed the left half of my face.  Good news/bad news!

Geez, sorry brother, did it paralyze permanently?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Geez, sorry brother, did it paralyze permanently?

The nerve started regenerating after six months or so.  I get about 85% of motion.  It's noticeable in photographs.  Not so much, I'm told, in person.  But as a fun bonus, when the nerve regenerated my salivary glands were linked to the tear ducts in my left eye.  So I cry crocodile tears every time I eat. 

 

[IC FBGCav]

The nerve started regenerating after six months or so.  I get about 85% of motion.  It's noticeable in photographs.  Not so much, I'm told, in person.  But as a fun bonus, when the nerve regenerated my salivary glands were linked to the tear ducts in my left eye.  So I cry crocodile tears every time I eat. 

My best friend had Bells Palsy for about a year and was devastated.   Wow, that is messed up bonus.  How old were you when it happened?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

My best friend had Bells Palsy for about a year and was devastated.   Wow, that is messed up bonus.  How old were you when it happened?

40

 

[The Captain]

My wife had shingles 2 years ago. She said white vinegar applied to the impacted area was the only thing that provided real relief from the pain. 

 

[gianmarco]

The nerve started regenerating after six months or so.  I get about 85% of motion.  It's noticeable in photographs.  Not so much, I'm told, in person.  But as a fun bonus, when the nerve regenerated my salivary glands were linked to the tear ducts in my left eye.  So I cry crocodile tears every time I eat. 

And now I understand the screen name....

 

[IC FBGCav]

And now I understand the screen name....

Ahh, that went over my head.   :whoosh:

 

[McGarnicle]

Does the vaccine work even if you've had chicken pox?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Does the vaccine work even if you've had chicken pox?

Yes. 

 

[James Daulton]

I heard that you only get shingles when you're really dirty and don't wash with soap.  Now, I'm not call you dirty or anything, but you did get shingles so you may want to mix in some Ivory Snow once in a while.   HTH 

 

[McGarnicle]

I heard that you only get shingles when you're really dirty and don't wash with soap.  Now, I'm not call you dirty or anything, but you did get shingles so you may want to mix in some Ivory Snow once in a while.   HTH 

I heard it comes from lack of sex with 18-20 year old women.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

They just said they don't recommend getting it until you are 60.

The vaccine is approved for those over 50.  It's not usually covered by insurance until age 60.

It only tends to last for about five years.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Does the vaccine work even if you've had chicken pox?

The vaccine ONLY works if you've had chicken pox.  You can't catch shingles.  It is caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus.

 

[James Daulton]

I heard it comes from lack of sex with 18-20 year old women.

WTF?  Oh #### I'm in serious trouble.  I should have gotten them like 25+ years ago!

 

[El Floppo]

I heard that you only get shingles when you're really dirty and don't wash with soap.  Now, I'm not call you dirty or anything, but you did get shingles so you may want to mix in some Ivory Snow once in a while.   HTH 

I heard it comes from lack of sex with 18-20 year old women.

with dirty, filthy 18-20 yo women?

 

[James Daulton]

with dirty, filthy 18-20 yo women?

Maybe the dirt and filth of the young ladies offsets your own dirt and filth so somehow a positive comes from the union and shingles are defeated? 

 

[Brownsfan]

Had shingles on my scalp, ear and neck a few months ago. The worst pain I have had in my life. Only got enough Vicodin for a few days. The gabapentin helped too. Took a couple weeks to go away. Sorry you have to go through this.

 

[beer 30]

I heard it comes from lack of sex with 18-20 year old women.

If that were the case I would be a walking shingle

 

[B Maverick]

had it within the last year (im 42).  Wife had it last month, shes 39.  

Wasnt as bad as I expected from the reports, but It hurts though.  

 

[BrutalPenguin]

I had it last year, and I must have been lucky because it wasn't all that bad.  I never needed pain killers and it was gone in a couple of weeks.  Hoping you get away as easy as I did.

 

[Fat Nick]

Just diagnosed with shingles. Reading this thread makes me nervous. 

It's in my scalp and all over my ear. Doctor said it's in my ear too. She prescribed Valtrex and told me to take Aleve. This stuff hurts like hell. I'm starting to get a headache. 

Worse still I've got a 3 year old and a 2 month old....and I'm in the middle of my busiest time of year at work. "Take it easy." Said the doctor.   Lol. Ok. If you can give me a prescription for that too please...

 

[HellToupee]

There is a vaccine for Shingles.

For god sakes with such a great name please get the appropriate avatar. Just saying