internal shingles

[Mongoose123]

hi, I’ve been diagnosed with internal shingles and it’s the most painful thing I have ever experienced.

I’m on my last day of Aciclovir, I’m taking paracetamol and codeine during the day and 3 amitriptyline at night, this has been going on for over a week. Is this normal?

Any advice gladly accepted

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I doubt there are many here capable of answering that - not our speciality, just the shingles vaccine really. This is a forum specialising in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.

I don't know if there is a suitable forum - your doctor should answer any questions you have.

[Hidden]

Before medication like Aciclovir was available, Shingles was famously horribly painful and could lead to long term neuralgia, especially if it's anywhere on your head, mouth etc. It may be that your Dr might prolong your course or increase your dose, best contact them for advice before you run out of tabs.

[Mongoose123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that. X

[Mongoose123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks will do

[Indigo2417]

Sorry to hear you’ve got shingles. I had a bad dose last year. Dr gave me Aciclovir (2weeks). I really struggled to get any decent sleep as I couldn’t lay comfortably in bed. Had to rely on painkillers. Perhaps, you could get some advice from your doctor regarding painkillers.

[Mongoose123 in reply to Indigo2417]

Thanks will do

[darkred]

am in the same boat as you. too painful to type more, but thanks for your post.

[Mongoose123 in reply to darkred]

Aww nooooo! I do literally feel your pain. Hope you are on the road to recovery soon.

[darkred in reply to Mongoose123]

The scabbing process is well underway for me. The itching, alternating with pain, is a challenge. Fold a washcloth in fourths and saturate with witch hazel. Gently rub over area. This gives some relief!

[Mongoose123 in reply to darkred]

Hi,

Thanks for that. I don’t have any scabs as it’s internal but have tried various essential oils to relieve the inflammation which has helped so will try what you recommended. .👍

[NursePeggy]

I have internal shingles. First I tested positive for covid at the beginning of October and was quite ill for over 3 weeks. I then was diagnosed with Costochondritis at the end of October and Shingles in November. I was given the antiviral but had a bad reaction to it and was told to stop taking it after a day.

I had Shingles previously in 2004, but this time no rash, so internal Shingles. It is excruciatingly painful at times but holding an ice pack on it does help. I have been told that as I couldn’t take the antivirals the neuralgic pain could continue for months/years. Fortunately I have days with hardly any pain now - then suddenly it catches me out. The Costochondritis pain can also be very debilitating.

I cant take Codeine so have to make do with Paracetamol which really hardly touches the pain. But it isn’t as bad as it was. I hope you can take comfort from that. I hope your pain lessens soon. Good luck !

[Mongoose123 in reply to NursePeggy]

Thanks Peggy, your description of symptoms is a mirror of my own, I cannot think of a worse pain,

I’ve been taking paracetamol and codeine which helps a little and I’m taking amitriptyline at night which actually helps me sleep, I’ve also found that mixing aromatherapy oil helps if you can stand the area being touched. I used 5 drops of geranium oil with approx 2 teaspoons of massage oil, almond oil, I used extra virgin olive which I had in the cupboard which has helped for me.

Good to know that it does ease eventually, take care.

[NursePeggy in reply to Mongoose123]

Hi Mongoose123. I have only just seen your reply. Thank you for your recommendation re the aromatherapy oils. I shall try it.

[darkred in reply to NursePeggy]

Is gabapentin an option for internal shingles?

[NursePeggy in reply to darkred]

Hi dark red. I am sorry I do not know about Gabapentin. I was given it years ago for another condition and had a bad reaction to it. I hope you find something to help you.