Shingles! And stressful rheumy visit.

[Mstiles]

After rheumy appt yesterday which. Stared off like always, her grilling me about why I’m on 22.5 and haven’t reduced to where she wants me, you need the biopsy, ocular migraines arn’t GCA, etc. , I started explaining the stressful month, etc, and my sister chimes in with “she has been reducing”... the rheumy suddenly became almost sympathetic, and dismissed me for 3 months, (washed her hands of me basically).

So she didn’t write a reducing schedule in the appointment summary and I don’t have to see her until October.

This morning When I was looking at her notes from yesterday I had another ocular migraine, 20 minutes and it went away. I guess just looking at her name is enough stress.

But the kicker is yesterday and today I’ve gotten a few itchy areas and several raised red spots, could be shingles?? Hope not! I had chicken pox as a child, and had the first vaccine at least 5 years ago, when I was completely healthy.

Had any one had shingles while on pred? How was it treated?

I’m going to have my primary doctor’s PA look at it this afternoon. Of course it’s the day before the holiday! Should I call my rheumy too? Even though I can’t stand her?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Mstiles,

Good on your sister for backing you up. A minor success (maybe) if you -don’t need to see her until October - less stress for you anyway.

As for possible shingles, primary doctor should be able to give you anti-viral medication to lessen the problem - but needs to be done sooner rather than later!

[Hidden]

I have occasional ocular migraines when I've overdone things physically or under stress.

They usually last about 5 Mins. Wavy patterns with no pain. Your rhummy doesn't seem a good listener does she though! I had shingles directly before being diagnosed with GCA. A possible unproven connection I believe. Hope that helps.

[CT-5012]

Hi, I had shingles about six months after GCA started, got the antiviral meds and it soon cleared. It follows the path of the affected nerve so not usually a problem to diagnose. The big problem was the nerve pains afterward which were sort of controlled by amitriptyline which I just took at night, I could have taken them during the day but they wiped me out.

[SheffieldJane]

Well done for getting through the appointment. See it as taking your power back. No to shingles, no to ChickenPox, turned out to be immune ( blood test) nursed my grandson through it last year. No probs. I hope you haven’t. The hot weather has brought itches and mosquitoes, might it be that?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It could be shingles - and if so you need an antiviral medication quickly to reduce the symptoms and duration. There is a 48 hour window.

[polymy]

I had shingles a few months ago. It was under my armpit and up my back on one side only. I had Acyclovir antivirus and Gabapentin for the awful nerve pain. I’m fine now and the pain hasn’t lingered.

Liz.

[Pongo13]

Definitely tell your doctor. I get shingles on my arm and had it whilst on pred. (Although my Dr was not bothered on the phone appointment). I did find amitriptylene helped (prescribed to help me sleep whilst on pred). Now I am down at a lower dose I am finding I am not getting so many infections (fingers crossed as I say this). I also only use ami when desperate for good night sleep.

[Christophene47]

If you can't stand her, leave her out of it. Your PA ought to be able to manage..only cause you more stress to involve someone you can't stand. I was unaware, until Arthur explained, that in your health care system, you can't just fire your doctor and choose someone else easily as we can do in the States except for certain circumstances, like veterans

Maybe that is the source of the problem. We choose our doctors so they are inclined to be grateful. They know you could have gone elsewhere and still can.

[artfingers]

Keep us posted, I sure hope it isn't shingles. I take acyclovir every night so I'm hoping that will stave it off for me (keeps my herpes at bay - if I try NOT to take it I get an outbreak). I just don't get why some doctors aren't more understanding, patient and helpful. I'm glad your sister was there to be helpful and stand up for you.

[Mstiles in reply to artfingers]

Yes my sister was wonderful. Made all the difference.