have shingles and I'm miserable

Vyolet, are you on antivirals? Acyclovir (Zovirax)Famciclovir, or Valacyclovir (Valtrex). They shorten the duration of the outbreak and help prevent long term damage. There a capsaicin topical patch (Qutenza) and Lidocaine jells or creams can help by numbing. You could be given a cortisone shot.
You shouldn't have the vaccine for shingles until you've recovered because it stimulates the immune system and can make the symptoms worse.
Have you seen your primary.

Be careful with the gabapentin drug. I took it for about six weeks and my left leg swelled up in the doctors in the ER. Could not understand why.
My family doctor figured it out, and I had to tight trick off the drug as you cannot just stop it without possible side effects
Some states have this drug as a level one as an narcotic
Be careful with it. I had very bad reactions.

Thanks, minnesota10.

...sorry not sure if saying right thing, but i had a rash similar to but was no shingles - thankfully - had some pills to take similar to the name of ointments above... but am wondering about an old fashioned thing called Calamine Lotion to ease the pain and suffering from the sores etc...? I hesitated to mention this ... thing is it does dry on skin and leaves sort of a white coating ... perhaps yo could ask your pharmacist or doctor? I have found it really helped with my rash but again was not shingles.... in any case, hope you get better soon ! J

@vyolet

I am in my mid 70s I think it was 2 years ago was my last bout of shingles. I had both types of shingles shots .. the newest has two shots … before I had shingles. I still got the shingles. The first time was about 8 years ago .. all 3 times it was in same place you described, but less the last two times . The first time was the worst. It was near my eye. I was given scripts for an antiviral medication and drops for my eye to help prevent it from going into my eye. Not sure if I was given a steroid shot. The best ointment I found for relief was the over the counter store version of Neosporin triple antibiotic with Pain Relief medication on it. Being it has vaseline in it I had very little scarring. It really helped with the pain. Wash gently.

The second time it was on my cheek and a little into my hairline. The last time I only had it on my cheek.

I feel for you .. I know it hurts to eat, talk, smile or take a shower . My prayers you heal soon.

ZeeGee

I have had shingles 3 times. The first two times were light cases. The last time, I was in my 70’s, and there is no way to describe the pain ! It wasn’t the blisters,, nor any itching. It was hard, general pain, and my only relief was sleep. It lasted almost all summer. My sympathies to anyone who has shingles. No one can understand, unless they’ve had a bad case off them.

Vyolet so sorry you’re going through this. I am 70, 71 in a few days, had shingles last June almost a year ago and still have lingering ?scarring/discomfort, maybe site related(vulvar-lesions took longer to dry up/heal due to moisture in that area) I have been on Gabapentin since then, also tried pre gabapentin/lyrica. In the beginning I didn’t like how my head felt, but after time adjusted. I tried weaning off several months ago, but immediately had what I would describe as nerve pain. Also had several other events that impacted healing, 2 dog bites-one traumatic resulted in crushed ulna bone/surgery with rod! Once that healed had knee replacement that was postponed due to dog bite injury. So I remain on gabapentin will try weaning again soon. I have not had the vaccine considering it??

I also have general pain in my neck and head too and take Tylenol to sleep sometimes. Blisters mostly drying up but had to cut my hair real short to stop the itching. the worst in along my jaw line and I use pain cream for that. this is all news to me, and I almost beat it at my age, didn't I! Vyolet

Thank you for your post. I will try the Neosporin and hope I don't get it again if I ever get over it the 1st time. It's been over 2 months, and I still can't sleep on my left side. Vyolet

@vyolet To anyone with bad shingles now, I feel for you, with compassion, physical and mental ! To anyone with a “light” case, be thankful it’s not much worse. Shingles is the worst pain I have ever experienced !