Shingles.....or not? On Watch~!

[Grammy80]

I had mentioned that since my last drop in my taper....I hadn't felt so great. Yesterday was better than Saturday but still facial and head pain on the right then my right cheek started to feel prickly and a burning sensation....midday. As the day went on I developed red patches on that cheek and some swelling inside the right side of my mouth. When I got up today I had more red spots, one of them right under my right eye...my seeing eye. So, I called the rheumy and was questioning the drop of 8mg in the taper and described the rash. He wanted me to go right to my primary care to make sure it wasn't shingles. I got right in and he said he doesn't think it is shingles because of the pattern and lack of blisters. He did another ESR/CRP to double check for the discomfort. I got an erythromicin cream and was told to head to the emergency room or opthamologist should it spread.

So, I have medication on and will just have to see what I look like in the morning? I actually have an appointment at the local hospital with the wound clinic....so I'll follow it up then. I should be reasurred or in panic mode.

Have many of you had skin reactions because of all the prednisone? So glad I have you all.....I'm trying to stay cool~~

[Willow33]

Hi, when I have flare ups my cheek always goes red before I get the head pain back, hope you are better soon

[SheffieldJane]

If they had a reasonable suspicion that it might be Shingles, did they not consider giving you anti- viral medication to head it off? Query this, I would.

These things are a worry, I really don’t trust my body anymore. Fairly minor things can feel sinister. I am glad you will be seen at the hospital. It could even be related to your poor leg. Everything kind of joins up. Let us know what it is. X

[Grammy80 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi...checking the forum for ......whatever pearl I can find tonight.

My primary care didn't think it was shingles...but gave me erythromicin cream..my face is on fire, right cheek, my eye feels like it has a wood chip in it and I've still got a lot of pain..... I've left a message on the opthamologist's line and will call at 8 am...if this is some kind of rash that is harmless....it sure doesn't feel that way. xo thx

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

It doesn't always blister straight away.... A few pictures for you to compare.

images.app.goo.gl/BRVic1u8i...

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Scoop! The photographers direct...lower left, last row...that is what it looks like and my eye hurts now...and I've got a high tolerance. (I danced at my son's wedding with a broken femur 20 yrs.ago) My cheekbone and TMJ joint are singing too.

I'd been looking for blisters too. I'm after some answers tomorrow....we shall see how it is in the morning. Big thanks🌸💗🌸

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

Hopefully you can get anti viral ASAP.

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

IF it is shingles....I need that eye....thx so much

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

Bless you. I hope you are not as upset. Poor kid.

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

🌸💗

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is possible to have shingles without any rash - hope someone comes up with an answer.

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

Got the rash....got the burning...got the pain...etc. I think the medical profession wanted more blisters!! I give up...on certain things...not entirely.

[Hidden]

I know nothing about your other problems (just visit here occasionally from the thyroid forum, which is my main issue) but I would get it checked STRAIGHT AWAY in case it is shingles. The sooner shingles is caught the better. I had it last year - also in my head - thought it was just a migraine or eye trouble at first.

Is it only on one side? That is almost diagnostic for shingles. If it's on both sides it's almost certainly not. Caught early there should be no permanent damage. Try not to panic but get it sorted.

[Grammy80]

On my way to the opthamologist in one hour....it sure hurts alot and I'm no woos. Thank you

[Highlandtiger in reply to Grammy80]

Wishing you luck.

My Dad had shingles through his eye and it wasn’t pleasant but if it’s that the sooner they treat it the better. If it’s not that they need to find out what it is. Big hugs.

I should also say it didn’t affect his eyesight. xx

[Grammy80 in reply to Highlandtiger]

💗💗

[kewl1]

I cannot comment on Pregnasone but I can on shingles. If you even think you might have shingles I would head for a walk in clinic NOW. I had the 50% effective vaccination and a year later got a rash. I suspected shingles because I was hearing of so many people getting it now and went to a walk-in clinic after a few days. The doc said "If it is less than 72 hours I can help but more and I can't" I told him it may be approx 72 hours. He gave me a script for a med which I took immediately for a week and my case of shingles was very mild. I had an itchy burning rash on my side but nothing like those I have heard of. I never developed blisters.

Here in Canada shingles is becoming more and more common and they say it's due to the children not getting measles anymore due to being vaccinated so it affects the parents and grandparents. It's a horrible debilitating desease and younger and younger people are getting it now, even in their 40's and I think 30's.

Please don't take a chance. I know a young mom in her 40's who has had it SIX times and it keeps coming back. I would attach a photo of mine but can't figure out how to do it.

Good luck Grammy

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kewl1]

It isn't measles that is the culprit - chicken pox and shingles are related.

[kewl1 in reply to PMRpro]

Oops yes. You can tell I am getting old. chemo brain doesn't help either LOL

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kewl1]

Tell us about it!!!

[Jackoh]

I think, like most of the folk here, that my advice would be to get the antivirals. I didn’t get the blisters for sometime it looked a bit like excema , painful and red but not dry like excema. The GP didn’t know if it was shingles either but you have a small window to take these antivirals so that it limits the disease. So I took the antivirals and the next day a few blisters appeared. A few days on it was then obvious that it was shingles.

[Grammy80 in reply to Jackoh]

Thanks, Jackoh, Just got the 'meds' and the diagnosis....shingles for sure...

[Hidden in reply to Grammy80]

At least you know for sure now and can deal accordingly. I think the pain was indicative of shingles. Feel better. 👍

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

Knowing always helps....🌸

[Highlandtiger in reply to Grammy80]

Now you know what you’re dealing with it’s a bit easier to deal with. It did sound like it so you’ve done all you can do. Hope you feel better soon. xx

[Grammy80 in reply to Highlandtiger]

[Jackoh in reply to Grammy80]

Glad you’ve got the diagnosis and hope you’ll feel better soon.

[Grammy80 in reply to Jackoh]

So kind...thanks!