Shingles help

[Big_Dee]

The posts on shingles were very timely as I am in last stages of shingles. I developed shingles April 20th, 2023. I had a very mild case of shingles m... 10-15 years ago, blisters string about 1/8" x 3/4", that it. The shingles this time followed classic shingles outbreak. Started on left shoulder blade and spread around to left underarm to middle of chest. Blisters then proceeded to fill the blank spaces. 🤤Doctor said "yes you have shingles" 🥳 Doctor prescribed Valtrex for seven days. Not much help. First 3 days were occasionally painful with nerve pain like someone sticking a hot poker in my back. Never had any itching to speak of.

My best solution for me after first 3 days, was soaking in bathtub for 15-20 minutes consisting of 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup Epsom salts, nightly. The only blisters I could see on my chest were about 1/4" diameter and red. The first bath, with baking soda and Epsom salts, reduced the red diameter spots to 1/16"-1/8" diameter and greatly reduced the nerve pains. Now at about 3 weeks later all dried up with very faint signs of shingles outbreak. I still occasionally have some slight awareness of skin burning sensation, which may linger for how long? 🙄

As a possible sign of impending shingles outbreak. I noted that my left shoulder blade area would occasionally itch, but nowhere else. M.m.m.m. 🧐

[Stamphappy]

Big_Dee, thanks for the baking soda/epsom salt tip. I'm keeping your post for future reference. Sorry, I can't offer any advice. How awful you have to endure shingles on top of everything else 😔. Wishing you all the best.

[Big_Dee in reply to Stamphappy]

Hello Stamphappy

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, hope solution helps all.

[MistyMountainHop]

I'm glad you're in the latter stages of shingles. It's a miserable condition. I was prescribed Acyclovir when I had it on the face (it left scars), a few years back.

I hope you feel better soon🌞.

[Hazel33]

Poor you. I had it around my torso. It was so painful. After that episode I had the Shingrix vaccination. Have you had it?

[Big_Dee in reply to Hazel33]

Hello Hazel33

I have not had the Shingrix shot, I did not think I needed it as it had been years since my few small shingles outbreak. I had an appointment with CLL doctor week after shingles outbreak, doctor said wait at least 3 months.

[Copse77]

thanks for sharing this advice. I have had a burning pain under left armpit for around 2 months. My upper arms and underarms are really sore and I can only bear certain light fabrics against them. It’s a strange and painful sensation. Dr prescribed Dermovate 2 weeks ago after examining me. She could see goosebumps type skin. First time I used it I had burning pain and my underarms really sore. . I stopped using it and continued taking antihistamines prescribed. I restarted it Thursday night and was awake with pain and burning in the night and have stopped immediately . My arms are really sore underneath and it’s sore when I walk as I like to walk a couple of evenings after work. I have made another appointment to see Dr next week but I wonder if it can be shingles. It’s almost like goosebumps raised under my arms sore to touch, sore to have clothes against. I am using only simple soap and simple unperfumed deodorant and aveeno cream to soothe. I’ve had to stop using my normal natural mineral deodorant as everything was affecting me.

[Big_Dee in reply to Copse77]

Hello Copse77

I don't know if what you have is shingles. Shingles only occurs on one half of your body. I the last remains of my singles was in my arm pit, I suspect due to rubbing while I walk and of course sweating salt into blisters. During my shingles outbreak, I did not use deodorant of any kind. Blessings.

[Copse77 in reply to Big_Dee]

thank you for taking time to reply. I appreciate your guidance. I am part of ICU community on here. I trust this website for advice and often post to help other families. I will see how I get on this week with Dr. Stopped using steroid cream and just using Aveeno cream under my arm to soothe and Simple Deodorant. Best wishes for your health.

[narl in reply to Big_Dee]

You can get the shingles on both sides of your body when you're immunocompromise. I've had shingles six or seven times and the last two times I've gotten on both sides of my body.

[Big_Dee in reply to narl]

Hello narl

I would not dispute that but have had several doctors tell me that it only occurs on one side at a time.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Big_Dee]

It's most commonly on one side, but can happen on both, especially in us immune compromised.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Localized is the most common, but disseminated types involving more than 1 nerve root at a time were confirmed in a "normal immunity" patient in 2019 according to this:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

cureus.com/articles/25311-a...

I suppose if the "1 or 2 dermatomes" that are usual with localized shingles happened to be on opposite sides of the body, one could see a smaller but cross body breakout.

[narl in reply to SofiaDeo]

Yes, the last two times I had it. I had it around both eyes and on the back of my head, a couple of months ago it started out on one calf couple days later went to the other side calf, my and then it broke out on my right wrist and then my left wrist. It seems like I get them every two years anymore.

[narl in reply to Big_Dee]

I know it's very difficult to find doctors who know about shingles. Frustrating.

[Ballyhoo777]

Hi Big_Dee , I hope that you can be rid of the shingles quickly. And thanks for the advice on how to handle them. Best wishes to and your family. 🙏

[LeoPa]

Thanks for the tip.!

[Pearlpink]

hi big Dee. Glad you are coming to the end of your outbreak. I would say make sure you continue to take it easy, get a lot of rest, go to bed early etc for the next few weeks. I’ve had shingles quite a few times and it has always improved when I’ve really looked after myself around the time I’ve had it. Because the shingles inflames the nerves in that area you will sometimes get weird tingling in the cold etc for a while, but hopefully not much.

Taking the aciclovir early is the thing that reduces the risk of long-standing pain the most - even if it feels like it doesn’t feel like it at the time! So Pat yourself on the back! You’ve done all the most important things!

and ask your drs if you can have shingrix / the non live shingles vaccine?

Good luck!

[lexie]

The baths in baking soda was how I was treated for chicken pox at age 6. They worked and as I recall it was cool water, but it was mid summer so maybe that added to the comfort level.

When I had shingles in 2006 I was given a morphine analog for pain. The side effects were worse than the shingles. Turns out I had an allergic reaction to that and again when prescribed after surgery 12 years later. I wish someone would have suggested the simple soaks as you describe.

[Big_Dee in reply to lexie]

Hello lexie

I understand completely. In my case I used hot water, but my logic was the baking soda and Epsom salts would dissolve faster, but suspect cool water would work as well to combat the burning sensation. In my case, I saw a marked difference in the appearance of the blisters right after soaking in solution. Blessings.

[Sunshine2422]

My consultant put me on Aciclovir when I started my treatment in February. Have been told will be kept on it to help prevent shingles. Have a rash on my back chest and stomach which has spread to my arms a little. I have been told it is probably the Acalabrutinib but as it has only come up recently I feel it could be a delayed reaction to Aciclovir which I have read can happen. I tend to be medication sensitive which I think is due to having ME/CFS and the advice is to give us lower dose of meds but must admit that advice is often ignored and I get reactions lol. Sorry you had shingles pleased you are now recovering 🙂

[CycleWonder]

I am sorry you got Shingles again. My father experienced that and said it was awful. I am glad your bath with the Epsom Salt and baking powder helped so much.