Shingles, weakness, sleepiness,

[filorera]

Hi everyone, I got shingles just over three weeks ago, i mistakenly thought it was hives and unfortunately started antiviral aciclovir a week late,so may not be effective. The rashes are mostly gone however the pain comes and go at random sometimes very strong and deep within the body like something wrong internally. In addition i feel terribly tired and weak particularly in the morning till the afternoon. I have no fever but i get irregular heart beats like missed beats. I wonder if all this symptoms like tiredness sleepy irregular heart beats are caused by the virus still active in my body. Has anyone had the same? Thanks. Val.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The post-herpetic pain can last a long time and I don't think that shingles itelf has a time course like some other viral things although 3 to 5 weeks is often quoted. So you are still within that ...

It doesn't look as if you have PMR/GCA (that's what we discuss on this forum) - are you on steroids? That might play a role in the fatigue etc if youa re at a lowish dose.

[filorera in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply, i didn't realise i am on the wrong forum, sorry about that. I dont have pmr/gca and currently not taking medication except paracetamol for the pain. Thank you i will post to the correct forum.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to filorera]

No problem - not even sure what the "right" forum would be! We welcome questions from anyone if we can contribute.

But here, all of us have been on long term corticosteroids and THAT would add to the fatigue issue.