Grandchildren

[CathieC]

Feeling a bit vulnerable, as previous posts I am new to Warfarin for my AF. Babysitting today and both 7yr olds have come out in chickenpox the last thing I need is shingles. hey ho......

[jennydog]

I caught shingles from my sons. They had chickenpox in May and in October I developed the most painful earache. This was something I had never had before. My GP diagnosed shingles of the head and gave me anti-viral tablets. I saw him every day for 10 days. I had no rash but my lower head was itchy ( nerve damage). You need to be careful if it affects your head as it can cause blindness. If you get a rash you need to get some calamine lotion. Good luck.

[jennydog]

PS The NHS are offering shingles vaccinations now. There are specific age groups which will rotate until everyone is done. I gather that if you have already had shingles then your chances of getting it again are greater as the dreaded Herpes zoster hides in your bones.

[BobD Volunteer]

I don't think your can actually catch shingles . My understanding is that it is the chicken pox virus which lives in the spine and comes out when you are low. You can't catch it as such but only develop it if you have had chicken pox. I never had cp as a child but contracted it from my nephew when I was 35. Darned near died and that is not an exaggeration. Temperature of 107 and off work for a month.! Not fun at all.

[rosyG]

Jennydog and Bob- are your posts supposed to support Cathie who says she's feeling vulnerable???!!!

Cathie, I have had shingles and it hurts a bit but it's not too bad- also there are ultra violet machines that can ease things if you deal with it straight away- however, you haven't got it at the moment so dont worry and let us know how you get on

[BobD Volunteer in reply to rosyG]

Rosy I was pointing out that you can't catch shingles from somebody with chicken pox. Very few adults and sadly I was one have not had chicken pox as a child and it is not at all nice when you catch it as an adult. O K maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that bit but I haven't met anybody else who didn't have the childhood illness. . Both my sons had chicken pox some years after I did and neither my wife or myself were affected. It just doesn't work like that so Cathie you have nothing to worry about.

Bob

[rosyG in reply to BobD]

Yes I know Bob- just teasing as if you read the first two posts and their mention of outcomes......!!!!

[CathieC in reply to BobD]

Don't worry BOB I took no offence every input is useful. have a wonderful day. My 1st AF free day in a week.

[jennydog in reply to rosyG]

Fore-warned is fore-armed. Shingles can be very serious and it takes different forms. When I first developed the awful ear-ache I saw a relief GP, as mine was on holiday. She insisted on 2 occasions that there was nothing wrong with my ears. Only when my old and wise GP returned did I get a diagnosis and that was a relief in itself. I would not like anyone to assume that the absence of a rash around the chest ruled out shingles.

[CathieC]

Thanks everyone useful info. and thanks RosyG for your support

[Hidden]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you - I am sure that Bob et al are right and you get shingles as a weird 'echo' of the chicken pox virus once you've had that disease. Heaven only knows why it's spotty the first time and does all sorts of other things the next time(s). Having said that, my hubby has had shingles a few times and all he's had is some reddened spots of skin. I think they were itchy but not too bad. Try not to worry

Lis

[cat55 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I had shingles in November, I was told that shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox but you don't catch it from someone with chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox the virus can then lie dormant. It may never bother you or for reasons not known shingles can develop later on in life. I am very new to Warfarin too but I believe if we contract something like this we would be monitored more frequently so try not to worry. I didn't need to take time off work just took anti virals and some pain killers. I do hope your grandchildren soon feel better and it isn't too bothersome for them in this warm weather. best wishes. Cat

[CathieC in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for your input. Nice to be able to talk even if only on line

[CathieC]

Thanks Cat.

[Bagrat]

If you've had chicken pox you can get shingles. You don't catch it from chicken pox contact. However if you have shingles it rarely may be passed to someone with a poor immune system as chicken pox!! It tends to happen if your immune system is a bit under par. I looked after my granddaughter last Christmas with chicken pox no problem. Shingles of facial nerves is not half as common as the more usual line of rash on back or chest.

[farmerwalt in reply to Bagrat]

Hi Bagrat,

Yes, shingles certainly is a problem if the immune system is compromised in any way. We have a young niece who was recently diagnosed with secondary breast cancer that has spread to her liver, spine and lungs and she has just started chemo. The consultants have told her to avoid anyone with shingles because of the chemo compromising her immune system..

Walter.