So thought I'd ask opinions before reaching out to GP as fed up of feeling like a hypochondriac
I dont suffer with migraines however on Sunday I took to my bed with what I'm going to assume was a migraine... my eye balls felt like they were going to pop and the worse headache I'd ever had. I slept from around 6pm through to 6.30am... which I never normally do.
Went to work on Monday and felt ok, which is the norm... dont remember the last time I felt 'normal'.
But the headache returned Monday night but no where near as bad as Sunday.
This morning woke up with a red rash consisting of about half a dozen red 'patches' under my right breast to the centre of my chest but didn't think too much of it as I suffer from psoriasis and assumed it was a flare up although never had it there before.
Went to work today to discover one of my young colleagues had been sent home with Shingles.
Now the rash isn't particularly painful but I'm concerned that because I'm on immunosuppression meds etc that I dont know whether I should be getting checked out incase it is Shingles or whether I should just wait and see......
Any advice greatly appreciated
Xxx
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MOOG144
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I would see your Gp, but if you look at the NHS web site it says shingles can not be passed on to another person only to someone who hasn’t had chickenpox where they could develop chicken pox.
I've JUST had shingles! Agreeing with daisyd, they aren't contagious, so that's a weird coincidence if you and your colleague have it. Having said that though, 3 of us on this website got Shingles at the exact same time! So I do believe coincidences can happen with Shingles...
I'd definitely get yourself into the GP asap. For me it was like an eruption of electric shocks and red spots that quickly spread. Itchy and burning. Unbearable to touch in days and even anything brushing on the skin becomes excruciating. You need to be given antivirals within 72 hours if the GP suspects this. I had swabs done, but we didn't wait for the results (took 4 or 5 days). I just went straight onto the antivirals. If you're taking Mycophenolate, you will likely be taken off those through the duration of the antivirals...
Definitely see your GP, mine knew what it was right away.
From one who has JUST been there -- all the very best!!!
Yes you should go. My initial symptom is extreme fatigue, than a weird rope burn like pain and than rash. If it is shingles you only have a short window of opportunity for an anti viral working. Good luck.
Yes you need to see a doctor, asap. My mom had very similar symptoms, no energy, low fever, rash under her arm to breast, developed a cough, headache, no appetite, and pain. So off you should go. Better safe than sorry, as others here have said, your window of opportunity is short for antiviral help. I pray that it is just a rash for you. Either way, please take care, and if a Dr says it is ok, take some naproxen for relief. peace, blessings thestorm
Don’t wait..get medical advice ASAP......the necessary antivirals for Shingles are time sensitive...I had Shingles & got them on the first day I saw the spots & I had it very mildly.....& the after effects were also not too bad.
However...it is quite unlikely you caught it from your work colleague.
I’m managing persistent shingles now. Am in joint care with rheumatology & immunology due to simultaneous primary SLE & primary bone marrow disease (PID). My combined lupus meds include myco, which i’ve been told to pause during shingles.
Although shingles isn’t considered contagious, my Specialist immunology nurse said that i must be ultra safe when anywhere near other people, and must cover up any open rashes with gauze & light clothing. This has been especially relevant in my case because immunology gives me long 3-weekly IVIG sessions @ hospital infusion clinic alongside cancer patients & others with immunodeficiencies.
Good morning, glad you went to the GP. My original thoughts were maybe it's a yeast infection, I know it sounds weird but sometimes when it's hot out and you sweat underneath your breast (basically any area on your body where skin overlaps on other skin) that area may become irritated and no matter hard you try to keep the area dry, we are just more susceptible to these type of things. This has happened to me several times as I take immunosuppressants as well. The key to keeping yeast iinfections skin irritation under control is to keep the area clean and dry , I use Gold Bond Medical powder, I also have used a powder that is generally used for for athlete's foot (Please be careful not to inhale the powder) . The powder also works proactively also, as it keeps the areas on your body dry and whisks the moisture away . Please consult your doctor before putting anything on your skin, I just wanted to let you know what works for me.
There are actually 8 well recognized types of herpes viruses. There are also herpes infections. Depending on what causes the ‘shingles’ and another persons immune system you can ‘catch’ them. I have a recurring herpes whitlow on a finger from a glove breaking while with a patient who had a type of shingles on her head. For 30 years my median nerve on my left hand breaks out 3-4 times a year. Did she have ‘shingles’ or a herpes infection that was caused by/causing that rash? Its not so simplistic.
You cannot catch shingles from someone who has shingles, however you can catch chickenpox if you have not been immunized. Being on immunosuppressants does put people at higher risk for contagious diseases. Shingles is a virus that is reactivated after you have the varicella virus in your system. I have seen crazy things in immunosuppressive patients so if the rash is painful you should be seen ASAP. Shingles rash is very painful, is only on half of your body and follows the nerve tracks. They can treat you with antivirals, tapering steroid doses and pain killers. I hope that is not what it is because it can be very painful. Take care, XO Nan
I KNOW that not everyone will agree here, there seem as many 'theories' as Grains Of Sand, however....I was Advised, when I first fell ill, over twenty years ago now, NOT to have ANY contact- at all- with either Chicken Pox or Shingles. I have always 'Stuck' to this even, to the extent of, keeping my own Father away- until ALL his Sores had healed. This is the 'Take NO Chances' approach.
Others WILL advise you Differently, I absolutely Guarantee you that. However I am still ALIVE over Twenty Years after- my Mother- was TOLD that 'It's Unlikely That He Will Survive The Hour'. Please be aware that I am, Very Definitely, NOT saying that 'I'm right, or They Are Wrong'
All that said IF YOU, even Suspect, that you may HAVE Shingles get yourself to your DOCTOR- As Soon As You Can! Tell, the Receptionist, that you suspect Shingles- a Definite Danger- and that you need an appointment. Don't be Rude but Do be Insistent- Do 'Call Back' if requested. (OK if all this, is being caused, by a new washing Powder....At least you now know that!)
Can you let us know, please Moog. Can I ask where you got your 'Name' ? (I was given a record called 'Moog Indigo', an early Jean Michell Jarre I believe- when I left one school.)
I would get it checked out with your GP. You may be too late for the jab that lessens the severity of the virus, as it has to be given within 48 hours I believe. But you need to checked out anyway.
I had it a few years ago when very run down and the rash went across the left side of my waistline and around my back as well, but just on left side - it didn't go around my right side. I also know people who've had it on their forehead etc. But generally on one side.
Also, shingles cannot be caught - it is not contagious. It happens if you had previously had chicken pox and the virus lays dormant in your immune system. When you are run down, it can re-appear as shingles. So you cannot get shingles if you haven't had chicken pox and shingles is not contagious.
I felt pain in the area of the rash, it was umcomfortable and I knew it was there and I felt extremely tired and run down.
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