Shingles

[Blueboy1946]

Two weeks ago was diagnosed with shingles, now I,m kicking on a bit so I suppose it could be expected.

Doctor prescribed a course of aciclovir.

Pain unbearable so now been put on pregabalin which at first seem ok.

Worried that I could be the 1 in 4 that gets PHN..

Anybody suffered with this...

[foxglove]

Yes I have suffered with PHN and while painful it varies (e.g.. much worse if one is stressed It is over 5 years since shingles attack and I left it too late for meds. as I did not recognise shingles) As you have had med. hopefully you will just recover as most do. It is only recently that the PHN is leaving me. Wish you well, and although a negative some people never are free of PHN - thought I was one!!! but recent experience positive... Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine x

[LC67]

This might sound dumb but I honestly don't know what PHN stands for. I got put on pregabalin in February this year and it has helped me. What I don't get is I had the shingles 4 years ago the only symptom I had was a rash on my hip, I didn't have any pain or anything like that. I only went to the doctor because my carers said to me that I had a rash. I couldn't believe it because everyone I know talks about the pain etc so I found it very strange. I guess I must have been one of the very lucky ones that got off lightly with it. I hated taking the antivirals with having to take them 5 times a day and trying to space them out equally as a result I actually had to take one during the night. It was an absolute nightmare. I do hope you start to feel better soon xxx

[susanna555 in reply to LC67]

I still get pain if I'm unwell or run down I had shingles about 15 years ago but didn't have any medication early on dr just sent me away and take paracetamol. Had to go back and get much stronger pain killers.

[Blueboy1946 in reply to LC67]

PHN, the signtific term is post herpetic neuralgia,

What it means in laymans terms you could be in severe pain for weeks, months or even years the older you are the more likely you are to suffer with it, especially people whose immune systems have been compromised.

On the pregabalin front to me they are working which enables me to get a good night's sleep.

Thanks for your reply just hope and pray mine just lasts weeks.

[Blueboy1946]

Thanks to everyone that as replied

Stay safe in these worrying times x