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Shingles

Posted by oliver22 @oliver22, May 29, 2017

i have a case of shingles going on six weeks now,with constant pain! GP doc prescribed Gabapentin , is there a more effective med ? not working too well for me,have constant pain.

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kabl | @kabl | Nov 17, 2024
In reply to @rashida "I think @bunnybear posted about the CBD oil. Here is the picture. She didn’t take the..." + (show)
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I think @bunnybear posted about the CBD oil. Here is the picture. She didn’t take the picture of the front label.

Unfortunately, once you have had shingles, and especially if you didn’t take an anti viral medication like Valtrex (very important to start within 72 hours of onset), the after effects of shingles can last indefinitely. I have terribly itchy skin and nothing works to relieve it too, so I can only guess it’s because I had shingles a few years ago. I have this permanent itch despite having taken Valtrex within 72 hours both times.

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I started the Valtrex w/n 72 hours of initial symptoms, and early diagnosis even before my face would full-on explode in redness and swelling; very few 'blisters'; I also had it IN my eye, so that an ophthalmologist prescribed an antibiotic ointment to put IN my eye; the worse sores -- the few I got -- were all in my mouth (upper gum-line on R side of face. It has been brutal since October 17th. And here I am, a month later, and the 'creepy-crawling'/itchy skin is driving me NUTS! I alternate with liberally applying Aspercreme & Lidocaine gel to my face; Rescue Remedy to 'calm' my skin, and CBD oil (probably long-expired); it never worked as a sleep aid for me; and I put that on my skin at bedtime. Still on Valtrex (reissued); been on Gabapentin from the beginning; and I can't go outside. Daylight. makes my skin itch and crawl even worse! :'(

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kabl | @kabl | Nov 17, 2024
In reply to @uncledrew "Take valtrex" + (show)
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Take valtrex

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Been on it from the get-go, and within 72 hours of early symptoms and and ER diagnosis way sooner than my primary care would have even noticed! Oh, and Gabapentin, too, which, as far as I can tell, does nothing! Ditto for the Valtrex...one month later, still on both, and miserable, with creepy-crawling insanely itchy skin (and this is my face). Cannot go outside in the daylight...for a month now.

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taosmary | @taosmary | Nov 18, 2024
In reply to @kabl "This is scary; since, I too have autoimmune disorder; got the Moderna Covid vaccines back when..." + (show)
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This is scary; since, I too have autoimmune disorder; got the Moderna Covid vaccines back when they first came out; a year later got Covid (while masked always); and then, a year later, got shingles. Currently, what I'm battling, since I had it on my face -- R side; the mucus membranes mouth, nose, eye, upside-down L-shape into my temple -- is worse. After post-swelling and hideous pain and feeling sick for a month, I've been left with a crawling-itchy skin sensation where I wanna rip my face off. NOTHING alleviates this at all! I've been put back on anti-viral and gabapentin to 0% relief. I plaster my face with Aspercreme&Lidocaine and it does NOTHING! Nothing offers me relief. I take enough meds to sleep from about 9pm to 8am (my only way to get relief). My doctor/s have been no help.
Someone wrote about applying CBD oil to the skin, for relief.
Anyone?

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I’ve found that Capsacin cream works for the facial itching that I still have a year after shingles. Avoiding the eyes, it keeps me from scratching my nose off my face! Some drug stores and Amazon carry it.

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auntielisa | @auntielisa | Feb 24, 2025

I’ve been on pre Gabapentin for a year. I’m miserable- Today I had a craniosacral therapeutic treatment. It was the first time in a year when my anger nerves were a little calmer. It must have done something bc after I couldn’t quit scratching. An hour later my head feels thick but not as itchy as usual. Just wish insurance would cover the cost of this treatment.

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adlttl123 | @adlttl123 | Feb 25, 2025

Absolutely. Acyclovir. I get Shingles as a side effect from my RA meds and this is what I take. Makes all the difference and there is NO reason the suffer pain for six weeks. Did he not give you paid meds. Ridiculous! I’m so sad and sorry. God bless!!!

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gracefulaging59 | @gracefulaging59 | Sep 16 4:00pm
In reply to @kabl "This is scary; since, I too have autoimmune disorder; got the Moderna Covid vaccines back when..." + (show)
Profile picture for kabl @kabl

This is scary; since, I too have autoimmune disorder; got the Moderna Covid vaccines back when they first came out; a year later got Covid (while masked always); and then, a year later, got shingles. Currently, what I'm battling, since I had it on my face -- R side; the mucus membranes mouth, nose, eye, upside-down L-shape into my temple -- is worse. After post-swelling and hideous pain and feeling sick for a month, I've been left with a crawling-itchy skin sensation where I wanna rip my face off. NOTHING alleviates this at all! I've been put back on anti-viral and gabapentin to 0% relief. I plaster my face with Aspercreme&Lidocaine and it does NOTHING! Nothing offers me relief. I take enough meds to sleep from about 9pm to 8am (my only way to get relief). My doctor/s have been no help.
Someone wrote about applying CBD oil to the skin, for relief.
Anyone?

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Hi there. Just wondering if this has gone away and healed yet,, dince its been two years. Can you give a follow up?
@kabl

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