General Chat

Susie, Glad you've been. When you see the doctor get signed off. Thinking of you. Love Viv xxx

Susie, Shingles is only infectious to people who haven't had chicken pox. This is unfortunate that you can't see your mum. Ask at the hospital to see if they will allow you in. Best wishes to you and your mum. Tina

Yep, Painful, ain't it. len

hi suzy glad you got it confirmed at least ..... it is dreadfully painful ... i got it 5 years ago after my son was murdered and doc said it was all the stress and trauma .... add insult to injury i got it on my backside ... trust me not nice ... really do sympathise with you and hope you can get some relief with the painkillers xxxx

I think I might be in the same situation as you Susie. I have the stiff neck and I have had a rash behind my ear and the flu like symptoms. I have spoken to out of hours doctors service and told them that my dad has shingles at the moment. They say it sounds like I have caught it off him. I'm just waiting now for them to call me back. Agony isn't it? I daren't swallow as the pain shoots from under my left ear right over the top of my head. Can't turn my head side to side either. Dianne xx

Susie, My daughter has had shingles twice. Very, very painful. I am thinking of you and hoping you feel better soon. Jean x.

Susie I'm really sorry to hear you have this but very glad you've now seen the doctor and have had it confirmed. Please do exactly as you've been told and get lots of rest as it leaves you feeling very drained. I had it aged 28 - the pain was hideous and I couldn't believe it when the doctor diagnosed Shingles several days later. I always thought it was something old people got. It took me several weeks to recover fully. Mum came to help look after my two eldest who were both under 3 at the time. Look after yourself and I hope you feel much better soon. Daisy

Sorry to hear of anyone who has shingles - my mum had it and it was very painful. Susie - I think it would be a good idea for you to contact the hospital and tell them you have been diagnosed, in case you have already passed anything to your mum, then they will know what they are looking at straightaway. It is a shame you can't visit her but best be safe and maybe she will be more determined to get home if she knows she can't have a visit from you altho obviously you still wouldn't be able to see her till your blisters have dried up. There is a homeopathic remedy that can help so you have less after pain which sometimes happens but I am damned if I can think of it. Maybe there is something on a shingles site, if I remember I will let you know. Hope all you sufferers feel better soon, Liz

Susie, you have my sympathy. I had shingles in my ear and head 5 weeks ago which also caused Bells Palsy (there is a specific name, but I can't remember it at the moment). The pain is the worst I've ever suffered, worse than toothache, earache or even childbirth! The only thing that relieved the pain slightly was double strengh Ibuprofen and one of those heat pads with wheat(?) in them that you heat in the microwave. I wrapped it in a clean t-towel before I put it on my head and ear though, because it was too hot on the rash otherwise. Hope you feel better soon Luv'n'hugs Sue xx

Hi Susie Glad the emergency dr service worked for you quickly. Hope you do manage to get some rest - although I know it will be hard. At least you should be strong & refreshed for when your Mum comes out of hospital . Penny

Thinking of you, 'cos my Aunt (80 next month) has just got over it. Hope you feel better soon.

found this info via google hope it helps net doctor site What is shingles? Shingles is a painful rash caused by the Varicella zoster virus (Herpes varicellae), which is the virus that causes chickenpox . Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and is a reactivation of the dormant virus. Shingles often occurs many years after the initial chickenpox infection. Shingles is contagious and may itself cause chickenpox. However, contact with a person with shingles or chickenpox cannot cause shingles. What causes shingles? After the chickenpox virus has been contracted, it travels from the skin along the nerve paths to the roots of the nerves where it becomes inactive. The chickenpox virus then 'hibernates'. When the virus is reactivated, it travels via the nerve paths to the skin. It is not known what factors trigger a reactivation of the virus. Shingles generally affects the elderly, but occasionally occurs in children who have had chickenpox within the first year of their lives and in people with an immune deficiency. What are the symptoms? The first sign that a reactivation of the chickenpox virus is taking place is a burning sensation on the nerve paths along which the virus is travelling. Nerve paths typically form half-circles around the body. The pain and subsequent rash correspond to the position of the nerve paths and are almost always on one side of the body or face only. The rash is typically accompanied by a fever and enlarged lymph nodes. Two to three days after the pain has begun, a typical rash appears: small blisters on red, swollen skin. It resembles the type that is seen during an attack of chickenpox but covers a smaller area. The rash usually reaches its peak after three to five days. Then, the blisters burst and turn into sores, which gradually scab over. The scabs fall off after two to three weeks. In some people, the area where the rash was located becomes extremely painful after the scabs have gone and can last from a few weeks to several months. This highly unpleasant after-effect of shingles is called postherpetic neuralgia. How can it be prevented? People who have never had chickenpox can reduce the risk of getting the virus by avoiding contact with people with chickenpox and shingles. Shingles itself is not preventable. How is it diagnosed? The patient's medical history in combination with the appearance of the rash will usually be sufficient for making a diagnosis. If necessary, a scrape from the blisters can help identify the virus. A blood sample can also be used to confirm the initial diagnosis. Future prospects Shingles is rarely serious. In about 90 per cent of patients, the attack normally subsides within a month after the appearance of the first symptoms. Most people only have one or two attacks. Elderly people in particular may continue to feel intense pain, even after the attack seems to have subsided. What can be done at home? Keep the rash uncovered. Try not to scratch. Use calamine lotion to ease the irritation. Use simple analgesics such as aspirin or paracetamol to relieve pain. When should a doctor be consulted for more help? If the rash involves the eyes or the top of the nose. The sores have not healed after 10 days. The patient has a high temperature. The patient has another serious illness at the same time. What is the treatment? Although antiviral medicines can be used, they must be started as soon as possible when the burning sensation begins. Once the rash has been present for more than 48 hours, treatment will be of reduced value. The medicine can reduce the duration of the attack and prevent it spreading. This treatment probably reduces the duration of postherpetic neuralgia. The doctor may also have to treat additional complications, such as a bacterial infection. If simple analgesics have not been effective, the doctor may prescribe stronger pain-relieving treatment.