Shingles is the Worst!!

Posted by jeaniebeanie59 @jeaniebeanie59, Mar 19 7:12am

I just turned 67. I started experiencing what turned out to be shingles on February 25, the day of my Dads funeral. I attributed it to stress, exhaustion, etc. But a week later I began to feel sharp pain and burning on my forehead, like I had hit my head on the corner of something and forgot about it. Then I thought I had a flare up of Trigeminal Neuralgia. (TN) On March 4 I went to ER because my eye swelled up and my forehead was turning red. Since that day, I don’t think I’ve ever been so sick. 2 weeks later, I’m about 25%better on the outward physical front, but the nerve pain on the right side of my head is still unbearable. And am still very weak and exhausted. These lingering symptoms are very much like TN, but so weird! Ironically I attempted to get shingles vaccine several times during my father’s last months, but something always happened and I had to reschedule. I’m not surprised Shingles got me when it did. I should have made getting the vaccine a priority a long time ago.

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minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | Mar 19 8:27am

I have not had shingles, but I have had hives that lasted for nine months. We could not figure out what was causing the shingles Then one day, my doctor mentioned wish we could figure out the chemical I went home and looked at my calcium citrate. One of the ingredients was a form of grain alcohol that caused my
I surely understand as you can’t control the soreness and itching that comes with hives or shingles cause I know my dad had it and I wish you the very best and getting this under control. Take care.

echapman | @echapman | Mar 20 6:57am

My daughter in law swears by Surivon for Shingles. It's an all natural, herbal salve that she says works very quickly.

llmartin | @llmartin | Mar 20 11:10am

I'm so sorry you're going through that. The older vaccine was only good for 5 years, and I got shingles almost immediately after that. Like you I got it in the forehead and I was thinking maybe I had a migraine--I didn't know what a migraine felt like but it was the worst pain imaginable. I think I used a hot gel pack or hot washcloth and put it on my forehead. It was the only thing that helped. By the time I finally got it diagnosed, it was starting to heal. Your doctor could prescribe an opiate or even gabapentin for it, but they are of little use--maybe slight relaxation. It's so easy to forget oneself when taking care of others. You must have been under tremendous stress, and I'm sorry for your loss. Be good to yourself during this difficult time. I hope you are feeling better soon. God bless, LL

ruralgal76 | @ruralgal76 | Mar 21 12:35pm

Hugs to you! Don’t blame yourself. I got shot and it didn’t work anyway.. think and do things for you.. you are important: we are all a work in progress ☺️