shingles

[UCTD]

hi all just wondering if anyone has any tips for managing shingles? So sore and uncomfortable 🥴

[Krazykat26]

Ring your surgery n ask for an emergency appt. Tell the receptionist you have shingles n they will make the appt. You need the antiviral medication called Acyclovir (not sure of spelling there) This will help to relieve some of the symptoms but it won't make it go away unfortunately but it has to be taken within 72 hrs of onset in order to have the best effect.Calamine lotion is good to take the itch out of the spots. I take Piriton every 4-6 hrs. Ibuprofen if you can take it..or regular paracetamol. Wear silky clothing n soft materials generally. I've had shingles twice in the same place which is left upper body..chest front n back..down left arm n in my armpit so I had to sleep with a silky pillow under my arm..not that I got much sleep.

I feel for you..it's awful. 😔💜🌈Xx

[UCTD in reply to Krazykat26]

thanks so much, I started the tablets yesterday

Feel like a kettle of water has been poured over me 🥴will try peritoneal and the silky pillow

[UCTD in reply to UCTD]

piriton 😂

[Krazykat26 in reply to UCTD]

That's good that you've got the meds 👍As soon as I saw your post I had to respond coz just the thought of shingles makes my toes curl!! 😖I can totally sympathise. All you can do is rest up n maybe watch a good box set or something else that gives you some comfort. I hope you feel some relief soon. Take care..rest n drink plenty of water. The first time I had it I didn't get it treated and I believe that was the start of my road to lupus diagnosis. The second time was ten years later and I got treatment. The second time was a lot better than the first so the antivirals do help massively. It's still pants though 😹💜🌈xx

[Tiggywoos in reply to UCTD]

you’ve had fab advice just wanted to add the antivirals are pretty rank but necessary evil. They give you weirdest of dreams and make you feel 😢. If it doesn’t clear up when you’ve finished them make sure you ring surgery and they will give you more . I had shingles 3 X in 2021 and they are vile . Be really really kind to yourself and cry as much as you need to on the sofa ! Better out than in . Big hugs xx

[Tiggywoos in reply to Krazykat26]

fantastic advice hun you beat me to it 🌹😘🦓xxx

[Krazykat26 in reply to Tiggywoos]

Gentle hugs to you Mrs 🤗You got good advice on your post n I'm glad to hear you're going for neurology appt n keeping a diary etc. You gotta get to the bottom of those headaches..they sound awful n you've been suffering too long 😔💜🌈xx

[Tiggywoos in reply to Krazykat26]

yes angel 👼 what a cracking post !!! Shows how common headaches are with us exotic creatures 🐍 🦓. I hope it helps other people too . They are a blooming depressing start to the day and it would be like winning the lottery to not have them . I’ll update if there’s anything to tell . 🤗 🐈 xxx

[hatshepsut]

I have had shingles three times, and the advice you have had is spot on.

I had terrible longlasting pain in the areas affected. Capsaicin cream was the best by far in giving relief. Good luck, hope it's as mild as possible !

[Dargomom]

I got shingles (without the rash) at the end of July in 2019 on my left forehead and eye. It started as an ear ache and two days later my eye was swollen shut. I was started on Alcyclovir on Day 2. Four years later, my eye still feels irritated and gets red if strained by reading or doing any close-up work. I took another round of Acyclovir in mid 2022 but it didn't seem to help.

What helped me the most was ice packs. I made a few small cloth bags, filled them with flax seeds and kept them in the freezer, rotating them as they got warm. I still use them. Also, I use a Lidocaine cream at night when I go to bed; it doesn't last all night but at least I can get to sleep.

I've been told this is postherpetic nerve pain that will last forever - just my luck! I hope your shingles clears up and you have no further pain.

[UCTD in reply to Dargomom]

thank you so much for your reply, I will try the ice packs 😊

[Agedbiker in reply to Dargomom]

Hi Dargomom, I have post herpetic neuralgia as well. I was prescribed Gabapentin and then Pregablin both of which helped with the pain.

[Dargomom in reply to Agedbiker]

I take Gabapentin twice a day. It lessens but doesn't completely relieve the pain. For me, the combination of the Gabapentin and Lidocaine topical cream gives me relief for several hours.