Has anyone had IPF and shingles?

[simbanine]

Hi folks

Thursday night I broke out in a painful rash and first thought was it was a reaction to the morphine. As I am housebound with the ipf the doctor came out and said no - it is shingles. It is most painful and every time I cough the vest rubs against it which does not help. The doc has given me some pills to take 5 times a day and said to try and soothe the pain with lotions but did not recommend anything special.

So my question is has anyone else had this problem, and if so what do you suggest other than walking around naked from the waist up - not a pretty sight and I am not referring to the blistering!

Regards

Mike

[megshafer]

Hi, I don't have IPF, nor have I had Shingles, but I have been told people who take any type of steroids are more prone to get them.....and I know people who even have had the vaccine and got shingles but they were not as bad. Hope that helped you a Bit.

Feel better soon!!

Meg

[SORRELHIPPO]

Do you know your local pharmacist? As mine gives me all my meds. I ask him for advice when GP does not come through, he knows what might clash with the meds. I take and is very helpful. When I cannot get out, one of the staff will deliver what I need.

[Magpuss]

When I had a very mild bout of shingles (several years ago) - my doc suggested I bathe for 10 - 15 minutes twice a day in a lukewarm salt bath. It was very soothing and after roughly three weeks the rash had cleared completely. As I said, mine was a mild case but it might be worth giving it a go.

[AngieB72]

I have PF and I had shingles May 2017. The most painful thing I have experienced!! No suggestions other than the pharmacist gave me some cream but I didn’t use it as touching the area made it worse. It left me with nerve damage in the area worst affected that lasted about 18 months and I still get the occasional twinge now. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Good luck with it hopefully you got it earlier enough with the antivirals and it won’t be as bad as mine.

[Cateran in reply to AngieB72]

I was hospitalised with my severe and very painful shingles Angie. It has taken me six months to partially recover and I still feel exhausted. The viral pain and numbness of my side torso is a constant drag on the system. I would not wish shingles on anyone. I am not a fan of polypharmacy and have avoided gabapentin when it was safe to so do.

[AngieB72 in reply to Cateran]

Not heard of gabapentin - what is that?

[Cateran in reply to AngieB72]

Sorry Angie, I should have elaborated. Gabapentin is the generic name for Neurontin, which is used for the complications of shingles. If overused it can become addictive as a pain killer.

[AngieB72 in reply to Cateran]

I wasn’t offered anything like that, I just had the antivirals.

[1947Mags]

Hi oh I feel for you I had shingles at the beginning of last year I also suffer from COPD and bronchiectasis, like you nothing helped it was a nightmare, one of the GP's at the practice suggested cling film (he said one of his patients used it), it helps as it prevents your clothing touching the skin. only problem I needed someone to put it on and it had to be not to tight but tight enough to stay put. Good luck hope it gets better soon, very soon.

Mags

[bobbyfloyd in reply to 1947Mags]

I am 70 in two weeks, will be having the jab asap

[ScouseTaffy]

Hi there, I dont have either of your conditions but my skin is a nightmare. I have lymphodema up to my waist plus excema and I grow weird painful, bleeding wart things like cauliflowers on my btm. Biggest is 9cm x 8cm. My mum likens me to a red bottomed monkey because having no shame nd avoiding the pain of clothing I hoik up the clothes and display my behind, warts n all! Hope the pain subsides. PS I'm pleased to know you are sensible and wear your vest x

[Whitechinchilla]

I have heard how painful shingles can be. Fortunately in the U.K. we can get a vaccine, sorry that doesn’t help at all. I’d go with new mode of dress if it helps 😊 hope you feel better very soon .

[simbanine]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

[Barney1947]

Hi iv had the misfortune to suffer from shingles and very painful it was too, i urge everyone who is eligible to have the shingles vaccination

[Patches2]

I have found Bee Propolis cream put on twice daily works wonders. This is available at any good health store. I would certainly give it a go. It eases the pain and stops development of further spots.