Hey guys, I hope you’re all keeping safe and well. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice on how to manage having lupus and shingles! I got diagnosed on Wednesday and it’s safe to say I’m suffering a bit. Is there anything I should be looking out for? Avoiding?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Krishny, I’ve got lupus and I had shingles in my ear 2 years ago, it was the worst! I can only imagine how you’re feeling right now, you poor thing. I ended up going to hospital for mine because the pain was so bad. No painkillers helped; they gave me Endone which I vomited back up. The only thing that helped was steroids. So get on the steroids if you can, if you haven’t already! And be careful to follow their regime for tapering off the steroids, don’t jump straight off them cold turkey. Don’t be afraid to go to A&E if you’re in agony. Pro tip: take photos of any rashes so you can see the progression of the infection. Good luck!
Hello, that is such a shame, I hope it is mild .... the best advice I can give is anti-virals / retroviral medication, if you haven't already been offered them ... earlier the better. The pain is really horrible, I have had them too, but I think it did lessen the spread. I will be thinking of you ❤️
Aww bless ya heart 😔I feel for you Krishny 🤗I've had shingles twice..in the same place..ten years apart. The second time I had antiviral medication which definitely helped with the symptoms being less severe. The doctor who diagnosed you should have offered the antiviral med Acyclovir. This has to be prescribed early on n if you were diagnosed on Wednesday it would be too late now (Sunday) unfortunately.I had it on the left hand side of upper torso..chest n back, arm and armpit 😖I used to sleep with my arm on an extra pillow with a silky pillowcase on it. Depending on where you've got it wear soft loose clothing. You can use Calamine lotion on the rash. Take pain relief regularly n get stronger pain relief if you feel you need it to tide you over.
Main thing is go easy on yourself..take time to rest n treat yourself to whatever gives you comfort. It's awful n I really feel for you 😔I hope it passes soon 🤗💜🌈 xx
I hope you were given the antiviral Acyclovir right away. It is very effective and works fast.
If you haven't, please get it as a matter of urgency tomorrow from your GP.
I had one episode eight years ago on my left thigh and didn't recognise it as such because I used to have lots of hives and numbness due to lupus. It was the fourth day that I was prescribed the med finally. So it was a bit late but at least didn't get much worse. The nerve damage from this is still with me. I still have much numbness and due to the fear of having yet another one, I have the antiviral med with me always. I had no idea that shingles nerve damage can be so lasting. I hope you get help asap. Good luck.
Bless you 💖
Shingles really is the pits. I’ve had it twice, possibly three times, and felt awful each time. The last bout wasn’t quite so bad as I was given antivirals, a little late tbh, but it did help. As others have said if they haven’t been offered by your GP phone ASAP and ask for them.
And take it easy. Time for lots of tea, chocolate and rest.
Take care 🤗🤗🤗
I can only echo what everyone else has said. Shingles is horrible. I had it in the height of heatwave last summer- it was across one half of my upper back, up my neck & down my arm. It was SO sore & painful. I was having physio at the time for an injured shoulder & im embarrassed to say I thought somehow I’d got some damage from that but as soon as I saw the rash I knew! The rash up my neck & arm was blistered in just the same way as chicken pox. I was prescribed acyclovir the same day the rash appeared. I’m sure it must’ve helped but it took a long time ( several weeks) to get back on my feet. Rest up, take lots of fluids, eat good stuff!
Get well soon
I had shingles some years ago and it was painful, very sore, there were blisters. My gp knew what it was as soon as she saw it and prescribed some cream. There are tablets for it but with kidney disease she said I couldn't take them so cream it was and it worked extremely well. It cleared up quite quickly. Can't remember the name. Didn't your doctor give you something for it?
Good POINT -
Kidneys have to be taken into consideration for medications to Treat Shingles, if they have “Kidney Issues” with Lupus.
I was diagnosed with mild SLE some years ago but Lupus was never mentioned so I don't think it was down to that, more likely to be stress related and having had chicken pox as a child. The virus lays dormant but can "wake up" later which is what happened to me. Did your doctor prescribe anything for you?
Agreed-
The 3 Lupus people whom I know who got Shingles “were extremely stressed” w/a spouse in the hospital for a good length of time.
That in itself was a MAJOR DRAIN on their BODIES & w/Lupus it doesn’t take a lot of Stress to turn on Lupus Flares.
Those w/Lupus Organ involvement need to consider the Organs (ie Lupus Nephritis) which would make a Shingles Case even more dire.
Hi all! I forgot to mention that I was prescribed aciclovir 800mg three times a day on Wednesday, but the rash over the weekend actually spread down my thigh and upper leg. I contacted my gp today and he said I was under prescribed so he’s upped it to 5 times and day and given me gabapentin to help with the nerve pain. Once again, thank you all for your well wishes and support as a community.
Thank you all xx
hi I can’t offer any advice I’m afraid but I hope you get better soon x
Hi guys, I've been taking transfer factors with probiotics for the last 6 months, and having amazing benefits/results on my health and my family's health. My advice to all (even new borns can take it),is to take transfer factors because the immune modulation they provide, could be the key for the future of immune system health. Transfer Factor is the most promising breakthrough in health care discovered in the past several decades. We are just beginning to explore all of the potential of transfer factors. Nutraceuticals like Transfer Factor are the wave of the future. Bless you all!
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