Update on my shingles

[York54]

Beginning my 4th day on antiviral (Aciclovir). Rash and pain not too bad but I don’t know if it is a side effect but during the night, and this morning, I’m running a temperature with a terrible headache😢. I’m taking paracetamol every 4 hours but it’s not really touching it. I’m only on 21/2 mg of pred now but would a higher dose help me. I’ve rung the rheumy secretary this morning to get a message to him as well as emailed the rheumatology nurse help line. I hope it’s a case of , it gets worse before it gets better! Feeling my age today !!

[SheffieldJane]

I wonder if this is just an unpleasant coincidence? You may just have a virus as well because you are run down. You could run it past your GP as well. I’ve got something involving throat and ear and head. I found lemsip for flu soothing and lots of fluids. Tis the season. 🤒

The side effects seem to be stomach and in the extreme kidney problems. You need medical advice for sick day rules with Pred and check for drug interactions.

[York54 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thankyou Jane x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can run a fever with shingles

nia.nih.gov/health/shingles

"Most people have some of the following shingles symptoms:

Burning, tingling, or numbness of the skin

Feeling sick—chills, fever, upset stomach, or headache

Fluid-filled blisters

Skin that is sensitive to touch

Mild itching to strong pain"

[York54 in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou. I now have some appearing on the other side of my tummy .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to York54]

That's not fair!!!! I thought it tended to be one-sided.

[mgrogers99 in reply to PMRpro]

Shingles can incommonly be on both sides of your torso BUT they do not cross over the middle. The virus follows the nerve that is on either side if your spine.....so it cannot cross to the other side. Does the new rash look like hives....since you are taking acyclovir there is a chance for an allergic reaction.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mgrogers99]

Thank you - not me that's got it though!

[mgrogers99 in reply to PMRpro]

Woops...sorry! Getting comments in the right place is a challenge for me!! Glad you don't have shingles!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mgrogers99]

So am I!!!!

[York54 in reply to mgrogers99]

Maybe an allergic reaction as I have just one spot like a chicken pox spot and a pale pink run with some small blisters . Yesterday was my worst day , bad head and fever . I think these are common with acyclovir.

[mgrogers99 in reply to York54]

Is this new rash for certain on the other side. You need to keep the area covered so the fluids from the blisters isn't touched and spread to others....causing them to have chickenpox. Wash your hands often!

[York54 in reply to mgrogers99]

They are around my torso so are covered by my clothes or nightdress , no risk of being touched by anyone!