I came down with Shingles on 23 December. Unable to see a doctor until 27 December and that was too late for any anti viral drugs. Rash disappeared after 3 weeks but still tender. I am now very tired and have no energy. This on top of my HF issues has mad a miserable start to the New Year.
My question is has anyone else with HF had Shingles and how long did it take to recover. (I'm assuming the Doctor won't have a pill to take and it will be a case of rest.)
Time to fully recover from shingles normally takes around up to 4-5 weeks, so you are about there, although if you have other underlying health issues it might prolong your recovery. But as we are all different and our response to viral infections is different, unfortunately the answer will be, it takes as long as it takes. Hope you feel better soon.
NHS website says 'It can take up to 4 weeks for the shingles rash to heal.
Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.'
Yes, I read that, but it doesn't tell me how to get rid of the fatigue which is s real bugger!
fatigue after an illness, particularly a viral infection is something the medical profession does not adress very effectively - i know this from 50 years of experience of fatigue since episodes of glandular fever, which became ME/CFS
i am sorry to say that there does not seem to be a quick way out of this and trying to push through often makes things worse - my own experience has taught me that very gradual building up of activity, in very small, well spaced, steps is the best way to make progress - this is often called Pacing - i call it activity rationing because that's how it works for me
you establish how much (or little) activity you can do in a day without causing symptoms (like fatigue) then my method is to stay within that limit until i am symptom free for a week at least, then i increase the activity slightly, but immediately drop back to the previous level if symptoms start up again
it's a bit like living on a cash budget - overdrafts cost a lot in interest, so stay within the budget and save some in reserve to spend on special events - draining it every day leaves nothing for emergencies and leads to a crash
good luck, i hope you make progress quicker than me as i took too long to learn from my mistakes!
Thanks for that. Very interesting.
It was interesting to read your post since I also have a lifetime of struggling with post viral fatigue which was initially triggered by a really bad virus infection way back in the 1970s which kept me in bed for a week, when otherwise I was young, fit and healthy. In my case I have been fortunate in that it has never fully developed into ME/CFS, although it can be a few weeks before I feel 'back to normal' from some virus infections and as these have occurred once or sometimes twice a year I consider myself lucky if I don't get fatigued after one. After one really bad episode when I was still fatigued after three weeks and no sign of improvement I wrote (no electronic mail in those days) to the ME Association asking for advice, but the time the reply came back two weeks later I had recovered. And I am old enough to remember Clare Francis the yachtswoman who was one of the first in the UK to champion the concept of ME, and the medical profession were mostly deaf to her at the time. I also agree that in spite of it finally being recognised several decades ago, it is still not properly understood although research after the pandemic into the long variety may speed things up. Finally your method of recovery is also one I practice, but what you didn't mention is maintaining patience when things take too long, which is something I am usually short on 😂
I get really frustrated by being ill. Give me a broken leg anyday, at least you would know it was getting better. I make a bad patient!
a broken leg heals faster!
accept that this is real and slow down - it will pay off in the long run
had HA n shingles. Shingles took 2 mths to cure. Took vitamins as shingles means immune system is poor.
Doc did day i was low on Vit D.
I now every day make a blend of fresh orange juice fresh lemon juice shredded ginger and turmeric
What does Turmeric do for you?
It’s for inflammation and an antioxidant
Not quite the same but in 2015 whilst abroad I had a virus said at that time to be shingles. Back in the UK I had investigation for more than a year - nerve connectivity tests etc complicated by carpel tunnel issues probably not connected.
This has never been fully explained though some doubt has been cast as to if it was ever shingles. This has flared up again but as I now have a pacemaker and artificial heart valve investigation is more complicated.
Probably I am just confusing you but I hope it casts some light on the complexity of post ‘ shingles’ complications !
PLH
Not confused but it does show how complicated nerve based illnesses can be.
I had shingles a few years ago. While i had the rash i dabbed on neat apple cider vinegar which helped with the itch. I kept applying it to any areas with residusk pain and it abated after a week. I hope this helps.
IO got some menthol cream from the Doc. It took the heat out of the rash which helped.
Calomine lotion, menthol are all helpful, but cider vinegar was the only thing i found which helped with during and after.
Glad it helped.
I've never had Shingles, but if I had it, I would treat it the same as I treat any other viral infection. Beberine (helps on so many levels, inflammation, mitochondrial protection, cell energy production, IL6 inhibition and so much more) and Chinese Skullcap (inhibits the virus' ability to infiltrate the cell membrane and replicate), and last but certainly not least, get IVC (at least 15,000mg). You will need to have good GFR (kidney function) and a negative G6PD test before a hydration bar will administer that much or a physician will prescribe it, but the test is cheap and high dose vitamin C (intravenous not oral) is extremely effective for helping to clear viral and bacterial infections and cleaning up the garbage left behind that can cause long-term impairment.
WOW! that sounds very impressive but my low GFR probably rules me out
Hi, I don't want to alarm you, but there is a long term condition which can arise from shingles in some people. I know this because my brother had it, but I can't remember the name. If your symptoms persist for much longer it would be wise to go back to your doctor. There is a medication that can help with recovery. Hoping you don't need to do this and that you recover your energy levels soon.
Thanks for that. If it doesn't get better soon, I think I may pay the Doctor a visit.
After weeks of feeling miserable I went to the Docs and explained my position. She didn't think I was suffering from post viral fatigue nor did she think my heart was failing. She did think I was worn out and I was retaining fluid - so she has prescribed additional diuretics and powerful antacid to help with the nausea. 24 hours latter and I'm feeling a bit better. Thank you all for your comments.
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