After much googling, I can see that this is indeed shingles even though I only have 5 spots.
The GP was actually quite panicky, he told me to come down immediately and pick up Aciclovir, he said that 5 spots is probably just the start and it must be nipped in the bud and worse still I am to stop taking the methotrexate. Great!
I had left a message with the rheumatology nurse who was loooovely when she called back and when I said that I felt the GP had gone over the top she said NO!: he's done the right thing, it's really important to get it under control which is why she had called back straight away.
Anyway, it looks like I will miss 2 doses of mtx and she warned me I might start to feel really crap! She was very thorough though and gave me lots of details and advice. She asked me to ask the pharmacist about Naproxen and NSAIDs generally with things like shingles and chicken pox - she thought that it's not a good idea and to stick to cocodamol etc.
Anyway, that's the update!
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Brychni
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Good that your doctor took it so seriously and kept into action.
Funnily enough I dropped some flowers and a card off to a friend who I heard had developed shingles. It’s all round her eye and she only has vision in that one eye.. She ended up at a hospital where they took bloods and sent her to the eye department.
When I asked about her treatment her friend who is looking after her produced what is basically a small spreadsheet with all of her drugs and all the different timings they have to be taken.
She has loads of different things to take - some three times a day some four plus eye drops. Her friend said it is exhausting fitting it all in and she was complaining he keeps waking her up to do her next lot. You really do need to nip shingles in the bud so well done to your doctor.Get well soon 💐💐💐
well, I wouldn't call it a diagnosis exactly, considering no one has looked at the spots, they've just taken my word for it. It's 5 tablets a day; there are hardly enough hours to fit them all in.
I’m so glad your GP acted swiftly and hopefully as he said it will nip it in the bud very quickly and you won’t suffer too long with the shingles. Absolute pants that you got it though but hopefully the antivirals will do the trick and it will be short lived. Nice to know the NHS is working for such things that’s good to hear.
I'm not suffering. Feel like it's all a bit over the top and the tablets make me feel sick and dizzy. I did explain to the GP and rheumy nurse that I didn't feel 'under the weather' as she put it. I do however, feel a bit rubbish because of the Aciclovir.
I have just finished a second course of antivirals as I have had a bad bout this time of shingles. Yes the tablets do make you feel rotten, if they are the same as mine it's five a day and they are huge although can be dissolved a little in water. You will know if they are working as it softens the tingling and pain. I have had re occurring shingles since 2915 and people think of it as an itchy rash around the trunk of your body. The first time I had it the initial sign was a spot on the end of my nose and one on my cheek...followed by tiny little blisters on one side of my scalp and then this seems to be the case each time as it always attacks one side of my scalp and face. So glad you got the diagnosis and antivirals to help treat it. Take care x
I recently had an ear infection and after a few days of taking antibiotics for that I noticed the shingles rash ( section front left and family saw section back left)... I called 111 with excellent help and advice, immediate call from out of hours medic with antivirals prescription sent to my local pharmacy which I started within 7 hours of first seeing spots. Luckily this meant my shingles was very mild. I found the only way I could fit the 5 doses in, spaced out was by setting my alarm for 7am , then took 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm. Make sure you take with lots of water and try to remain upright for good 15 minutes which I believe is to get the tablet into your small intestine (?) quickly. I did find the 7am dose made me nauseous but must be due to then lying back down to continue sleeping ( mornings worse for me with RA so don’t do early)! I found I had slight nausea and headache for first 3 days of antivirals. I stopped my Benepali on medical advice and rheumy nurse said be absolutely sure there were no “ open / oozing” spots at all. Mine were so mild they were never more than red skin and more bump like spots but I stayed off Benepali to be safe. Do ensure to keep the spots covered incase of a slight risk of spreading them ... this could include family but they really would have to rub up against them / bedding / shared towels. Hope they clear up quickly for you! Mine only generally felt slightly itchy on change of temperature... clothes on/ off, getting into shower , stepping outside etc.
Just stopped taking the Aciclovir. It's made me feel really ill. I've got so much to do I just can't afford to be lying about out of action. I feel very stupid for having been panicked into taking the Aciclovir when I haven't even been examined. Should have kept my mouth shut.
Sorry to hear that, worth discussing with GP if there’s an alternative? Could you send in a photo of your spots for them to review? How are you feeling in yourself?
Hi, I'm better now that I have stopped taking the tablets., thanks. They wouldn't do a face to face appointment or even have someone look at them and they don't offer photos to be emailed in. The stupid thing is that I'm sat in the waiting room of the surgery with my son who has an appointment! My neck and back are worse than ever and I'm seriously considering stopping everything. I'm so overwhelmed with appointments blood tests, remembering to take tablets and trying to stay active and fit, I'm mentally exhausted. 😶
My shingles were round my back and genitals and unbearable.The aciclovir made me so ill had to stop it.with time and creams and painkillers improved.Not had occurring bout .hope you feel better soon
Just left messages with rheumatology and gp to tell them I'm not taking the Aciclovir any more. I feel dreadful. Terrible migraines every morning and what for? 5 spots that haven't even been examined.
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