Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys.. Do you have recurring Shingles??

[sheenah]

Does it always recur as a rash on top of your skin or is it something that bubbles underneath your skin like a funny but distinctive tingling/ weird feeling?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Mine when I had it many, many years ago was a rash on the surface. It went half way round my chest round about where my bra went. From what I can remember it started on my back then spread, I think in a line.

[Sue777]

I had shingles a few years ago half way round my middle. Since then I intermittently get a tingling itchy feeling in the area and can feel small spots under the skin but they have not erupted like full blown shingles. Then in Dec last year I got shingles in the right side of my mouth (didn't even know you could get it there!) that was one of the reasons I went to see my GP which lead to the blood tests which flagged up my hypothyroidism.

[puncturedbicycle]

Antivirals are meant to help - and apparently aloe vera gel (the pure stuff). My friends' 16yo son got them during his exams. x

[Thyroidmeg]

I had it last year left side of my body at my wait around to the back. If you're getting it again but no spots it's maybe post herpes neuralgia phn. Nerve damage I think following shingles ? I get the nerve pain worse on colder days .

[silverfox7]

A few years ago I had discomfort when driving. I terrible itch beneath my seat belt on my abdomen. At the time I thought something had bitten me-always been loved by midges! On closer examination later there was

a contained area which looked like miniature pustules so thought shingles but to make sure I called into the hospital walk in centre for expert advice. Shingles was diagnosed but they thought it unusual that my back was clear. I came away with loads of printouts, some large dressings to place over the top. They were micro pore ones as allergic to zinc oxcide plasters. I still had a reaction to the dressings so abandoned them but within a few months had another area of shingles which could have possibly been along the same nerve. I then had I think two later episodes in different places and by now was getting used to the terrible feeling before the rash appeared. Someone told me you could get vaccinated against shingles so back to the GP who refused as you can't have it more than twice so it must have been herpes simplex not zoster. I went home and Googled and found Zoster fitted the bill and it looked nothing like her diagnoses though to be fair she didn't actually see it she just said it was impossible. Each time it was identical though, same rash and same nerve problem before and after.

[Clash]

I get these on my waist line around the side. Doctor took a swab as they come back every couple of months. Quite painful and debilitating but apparently mine are cold sores - another herpes virus. Anti-virals help.

x

[Clmartin80]

I got shingles last year, luckily the rash was only small (still scared), the pain ran from my chest to my back right where my bra sits. I still now get a tinggling and itchy feeling but not rash. I also suffer from cold sores on my lip.

[valjo18]

My daughter has recurring shingles - but in various places and degrees of severity, inside elbow, chest, side of nose etc, each time causing blinding headaches, pain in the area of the rash and general malaise. After about six attacks over 8 months (she was given antivirals each time) the gp referred her to the dermatologist who prescribed long term antivirals, which she now takes on a regular basis. If she stays off them for more than a week or two the shingles return.

I dont know if this will enlighten you any further, but I think everyone is affected slightly differently. The first symptoms for my daughter are bad headaches and pain in the area which eventually erupts into the rash.

[ellarose1234]

Yes I've had shingles three times. Was given antiviral medication and it cleared up quickly. You need a good doctor to diagnose it before it takes hold. Medication should be taken within 72 hours of the rash appearing, sooner the better. I was unfortunate to be seen by a student doctor the third time who didn't like me telling him it was shingles. He looked on the Internet and also studied a small medical dictionary and said my symptoms were not shingles! I refused to take this as an answer because I know timing was important for knocking it on the head. I refused to leave until I had seen a qualified doctor who diagnosed shingles and gave me the medication I know I needed. Hopefully the student took on board what was said and didn't make future patients suffer from his ignorance. If they can't tell what a shingle rash is how the hell can they diagnose anything to do with thyroid??? Scary!!