Shingles and depression

[Juliette35]

Hi all you lovely ladies, due to having shingles I had to miss having chemo last week. Had appointment with oncologist yesterday and said I could have chemo this Thursday all being well. Also having injection to boost my immune system. Still got some pain and itching which seems to be worse in the evening. I have felt very depressed and feel if I could have a good cry I would feel better. Mentioned it to oncologist yesterday and was told to see my GP,so got appointment to see her on Monday. The oncologist told me that shingles can make you feel depressed. I know a few ladies on here have had it and wondered if it caused you depression. Love Julie xx

[Lyndy]

Shingles is horrible Juliette...poor you!! xx

[Mptelesca]

Hi, Juliette35. So so sorry you are suffering with the darn shingles! Not fun, and, yes...it makes you depressed just by virtue of being so painful. I had them when I was a teen. Ended up on Gabapentin (neurontin) in my late 40s for premenopausal events. They say it's good for the pain of the shingles among many other things such as hot flashes, insomnia and much more. Many diabetics go on this for the neuropathy in the feet. Very convenient I am on it now that I'm on Chemo. Helps with the foot and hand neurapathy.

I truly truly hope you get some relief from this major discomfort. Like insult to injury to what you are dealing with in the first place. It will pass, I promise. And I'm sure your depression is more from frustration. I wish you a speedy recovery. But, do ask about the Gabapentin. Miracle drug!

Marisa

[Rachael47]

Shingles is vile. My mother had it when she had OC in the 70s, before there was any treatment available. She got very depressed. My doctor has referred me to Mind Matters, which is an NHS counselling service.

[Hidden]

Yes. My mother in law (95) is recovering from it. It takes a long time and is very painful and mood altering. Wish you a bit more comfortable soon. x

[Juliette35 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Mac 27 ,x

[ellseybellsey]

Juliette having shingles is very painful, I had shingles many years ago, I found it very difficult to cope.

You are trying to beat this disease and on top of that you have a very nasty virus, no wonder you are feeling down, go and speak to your gp.

Sending you virtual hugs

Ellsey xx

[Juliette35 in reply to ellseybellsey]

Thankyou Ellsey , yes seeing my GP on Monday. It's the content itching which is getting me down . The pain is getting a bit better now , I started with it the middle of February. 😬 Julie xx

[bamboo89]

It likely is the shingles making you depressed - I've had herpes for years, and every time it breaks out, it makes me feel depressed for a couple of days, just before and during. Shingles goes on for longer so its difficult to not feel low... it will pass, eventually.

[Juliette35 in reply to bamboo89]

Thankyou , it's the constent itching , it's driving me mad .😬

[Irisisme]

Hi Juliette,

Yes! I had it 7 years ago and it was tough enough without the OC, be kind to yourself, you must be exhausted.

Iris xx

[Juliette35 in reply to Irisisme]

Thankyou iris,yes I do feel exhausted.xx

[citrine]

Sorry you’ve suffered from shingles, it is horrible and certainly enough to make anyone depressed so it is good that you are seeing your GP. I’ve had it three times which is supposed to be unusual but it does happen. It does leave you feeling tired for quite a long time afterwards so go with the flow.

Hope you start to feel better soon

Mary x

[Juliette35 in reply to citrine]

Omg ,I thought it was a one off thing . Having it three times,I can't imagine how hard it must of been. Putting calamine lotion on ,to stop the Itching .xx

[citrine in reply to Juliette35]

I don’t even hold a record. My poor sister-in-law has had it five times! And that was all before she got breast cancer. I really don’t want to break her record! X

[Nancy222]

I pretty much bathed in calamine lotion when I had mine five years ago. It didn't make me depressed, but it was awful. I took pictures and every once in a while, while I'm looking for other digital pictures, I come across them and realize wow, that was bad.

I do hope yours settles down soon.

Juliette, you mentioned shots to boost your immune system. Is that the anti-viral they give you asap, or something else? Thanks.

[Juliette35 in reply to Nancy222]

I am not sure ,I am on anti fungal tablets plus antihistamine tablets. The doctor just said I will be having an injection to boost my immune system when I go for chemo tomorrow.x

[Nancy222 in reply to Juliette35]

Thanks for getting back to me, Juliette. Good luck tomorrow. XXOO

[Lily-Anne]

Sounds really uncomfortable I know it can cause really low moods. Bathing in bicarbonate of soda is great for the itching according to my friend. She ended up taking pain killers for nerve pain for six months after. I take pregablin for nerve pain around my tumour as they are kinder on the kidneys. They are quite good.

Hope they get you back on track quickly

LA xx

[Juliette35 in reply to Lily-Anne]

Thanks LA, I will try that ,though I have a shower as the last time I got in the bath it took me a while to get out . I thought I was going to be there for the night . For some reason my right leg is weaker ,left one ok. 🙄 . Sending you virtual hugs . love Julie xx

[Nancy222 in reply to Juliette35]

I haven't been in a bathtub in years, heh. I got tired of letting the water out and then going down on all fours...to push myself up.

The shower is my ticket.

[Nony158]

I have shingles now pain started last thursday and was increasing every day untill the rash started to appear on tuesday

I have an apointment with my doctor tomorrow but iam very very depressed i cry alot . I can't stop.my tears and i don't exactly know why iam crying. I think i am depressed more than tired.

I started the antivirals and ihope to get better soon.

[Juliette35 in reply to Nony158]

Hi nony , that is exactly how I am feeling . It's the constent pain and itching. I hope your doctor can help you ,I am seeing mine on Monday. X

[LittleSan]

Hi, oh my I hope you're feeling better soon. I gave never felt as poorly as when I had shingles. It was worse than any chemo I've had. I had uncontrollable low moods that just swept me away for a fortnight. Take anything the doc will give you and be extra kind to yourself.

Sending you a huge hug.

Sandra xx

[Juliette35]

Thanks Sandra , I feel the same . Started with it middle of February. Sending hugs back . Xx

[Rlenesue]

Oh, that must be very irritating to get shingles on top of chemo... hope you feel better soon. As far as depression, I take a mild form. Helps relax me.

[Juliette35 in reply to Rlenesue]

Thankyou , my oncologist said shingles can make you depressed. Seeing my GP on Monday about it . Xx