I have shingles and am astounded at how painful it is. Anyone else?

Posted by greyjen @greyjen, Jul 30, 2025

I’ve had shingles for two and a half weeks. The spots/blisters/scabs are bad enough but the stomach discomfort is next level. My stomach is swollen on the left side and extremely tender to the touch. I would love to know if this is a common experience and a short-lived condition?

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tisme | @tisme | Mar 2 4:38am

I had shingles took a second opinion to get the diagnosis one doc just said "rash" it was painful right across the back

mjc50 | @mj50 | Mar 3 11:43am

In reply to @tisme "I had shingles took a second opinion to get the diagnosis one doc just said "rash"..." + (show)

@tisme Get the vaccine. It prevents you from getting them anymore forever.

echapman | @echapman | Mar 4 8:28am

I found that the vaccine can actually make it worse. Each person responds differently. I turn to Surivon for Shingles. Great stuff. Starts working the first day.

angellreo | @angellreo | Mar 4 9:18am

I realize this post is old but I'm sorry you went through that. Hopefully by now, you've received your first Shingles vaccination. Side effects are very rare and having it again is far worse than the chance of a minor side effect imo.

I had it at 55 and wanted to die. Worse pain I've ever felt in my life. As soon as I could afterward, I received my first vaccination and then the 2nd after a year. I highly recommend it.

Rachel

susanlf | @susanlf | Mar 4 12:40pm

Ahhh shingles. Late 80’s had shingles around right side at my waist. Wore pantyhose and a suit to work. Not fun. My MIL had shingles so deep on her right shoulder, you could see the bone.
Fast forward, 15 years ago I had the single shingles shot. No issues. 6/11/24 I took the first of two shingles shots and it threw me into horrendous pain. Bone destruction. 20 months later my 2 new rheumatologists (one at Mayo) can’t accurately analyze the problem or prescribe treatment. I did Not age into this! My new surgeon appreciates my business—10/28/25-reverse total shoulder replacement, with second shoulder in need of replacement.
All due to the shingles shot. My comments are posted throughout these chat rooms. I am both frustrated and furious. As I recall I may have had a cream for my waist and the shingles eventually went away. I’m sorry you are going through this.

taylor05 | @taylor05 | Mar 5 7:04am

Get the shot as soon as your over this. Omg I'm so scared of this I got my shots for never getting it! My mother had them and it looked horrible! She complained and complained about it too.

suzanhurlbut | @suzanhurlbut | 4 days ago

In reply to @dmain "I had shingles last October at first the pain was horrible but didn't realize it was..." + (show)

@dmain what form of the alpha loris acid did you use.? Pills?

taylor05 | @taylor05 | 4 days ago

I got vaccinated for this. I do not want it! Sorry you all didn't..

suzanhurlbut | @suzanhurlbut | 3 days ago

In reply to @taylor05 "Get the shot as soon as your over this. Omg I'm so scared of this I..." + (show)

@taylor05 I had 2 shingles shots and I still got shingles goes. It’s very painful

nana120 | @nana120 | 3 days ago

I had shingles in 2016 for 2 1/2 months. It was extremely painful and my oncologist had recommended against the shot due to the possibility of it activating the virus. I later learned that a pain management clinic had an injection that could have helped. It had to be administered very early during the outbreak. A compounding pharmacy had a topical product that helped considerably, but it was still a rough time! Wishing you the best!