1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Anyone else dealing with shingles?

Posted by oldkarl @oldkarl, Apr 20, 2020

I now have shingles. My inoculation this year did not work. In fact, I am worried that I was given something else, as my shingles started up about two months after the shot.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 17, 2020

Hello @oldkarl,

I just noticed your post from April. It came to my attention because I had the Shingrex shots last year and have a terrible case of Shingles that started about 2 weeks ago. I've never had Shingles before, this is my first case and it's really terrible!

I'm trying to get some perspective on what I consider an anomaly. If you are comfortable answering some questions: how is your general health? Have you had Shingles before? If so, is this case worse or better than the others? Do you think your immune system is compromised and do you get sick easily?

Thank you for whatever information you feel comfortable sharing.

REPLY
walisky | @walisky | Sep 17, 2020
In reply to @charlena "My husband put Kaopectate on a cotton ball and dabbed on lesions to stop itching and..." + (show)
@charlena

My husband put Kaopectate on a cotton ball and dabbed on lesions to stop itching and dry it up.

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How did your husband find out that Kaopectate would work? I would not have thought to try it.

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1 reply
Funcountess | @funcountess | Sep 18, 2020
In reply to @walisky "How did your husband find out that Kaopectate would work? I would not have thought to..." + (show)
@walisky

How did your husband find out that Kaopectate would work? I would not have thought to try it.

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Do you mean calamine lotion? They are both pink.
Kaopectate is not for the skin. It’s basically peppermint oil.
Calamine lotion is a drying agent for the skin and helps to control itching.

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1 reply
walisky | @walisky | Sep 18, 2020
In reply to @funcountess "Do you mean calamine lotion? They are both pink. Kaopectate is not for the skin. It’s..." + (show)
@funcountess

Do you mean calamine lotion? They are both pink.
Kaopectate is not for the skin. It’s basically peppermint oil.
Calamine lotion is a drying agent for the skin and helps to control itching.

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@charlena posted that her husband used Kaopectate on his shingles and it helped. I was asking for more information. If you have any questions, please ask @charlena. I was wondering where her husband found out that it would work.

REPLY
momx5dea | @momx5dea | Sep 21, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello All: I am definitely a newbie to this whole Shingles diagnosis. Was just diagnosed a..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello All:

I am definitely a newbie to this whole Shingles diagnosis. Was just diagnosed a few days ago and I can say (very literally) that I feel your pain. As my Shingles started on my back laying down and sleeping has become a whole new experience. A lot of you have posted about Shingles on the face (which I'm glad I don't have) but wondering about Shingles on the back. Any pressure I put on my back (including laying down or being propped up in bed) puts pressure on these nerves and really causes problems. Walking tends to be the best position for me right now.

My PCP gave me an anti-viral med which made the sores dissipate completely within a couple of days. I'm wondering,@oldkarl if you have had an anti-viral drug, as you mention that you "oil the lesions?" For me, the anti-viral med worked very nicely to get rid of the lesions. Has your doctor ever recommended such a med?

At the ER last night I was given some prednisone. Anyone else treated with that? I slept for several hours without pain but then woke up and knew the med had worn off. I have several days of a prednisone pack so I hope it will help.

Has anyone been treated with Gabapentin for the Shingles pain? As Shingles pain is nerve pain, I'm going to ask for that next.

By the way, Shingles was not even on my radar as I've had all of the Shingles vaccines that are available including the most recent Shingrex that is given in two doses. I had this a year ago.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone who can help with this. Thanks for your posts so far. Always good to hear from others in the trenches, so to speak.

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4 years ago I had a severe case around my left lower side to my back the nerve pain has never gone away numbness and spiky pain from spine to back keep your stress low take vitamin D and soak in epsom salts after you get over the lesions.

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1 reply
bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Sep 21, 2020
In reply to @momx5dea "4 years ago I had a severe case around my left lower side to my back..." + (show)
@momx5dea

4 years ago I had a severe case around my left lower side to my back the nerve pain has never gone away numbness and spiky pain from spine to back keep your stress low take vitamin D and soak in epsom salts after you get over the lesions.

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@momx5dea 4 years of suffering? I am so sorry. Thanks for sharing.

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CharmYaChicago | @charmyachicago | Sep 21, 2020
In reply to @fighter "I was very sick with the first Shingrex vaccine. I, literally, couldn't get out of bed..." + (show)
@fighter

I was very sick with the first Shingrex vaccine. I, literally, couldn't get out of bed all day until the nighttime. I was afraid to get the second injection, but I did. I was fine with the second one. The covid vaccine will be a different story. I'm going to wait longer to get it; not enough time for safety data.

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Speaking with dr falci about vaccines on Wednesday.

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eleanork | @eleanork | Oct 21, 2020
In reply to @basslakebabe19 "I had the original shot for shingles when I turned 60; however 10 years later I..." + (show)
@basslakebabe19

I had the original shot for shingles when I turned 60; however 10 years later I had the worse case of shingles my caregivers had ever seen. Acupuncture and Chinese ointments helped me recover. Now I have itching in one spot on my back and
Once in a while ongoing nerve pain.

Now I wonder if I should get the newer shot? Has anyone had two shots?

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Hi, debating whether to get second, after 10 yrs) or not. PCP says I should but so many conditions going on. Back in 80’s different PCP encouraged me to get the Lymes Vaccine. Only lasted about 2 years. I had awful reaction and swear it was beginning of mess I’m in today. Good luck with Shingles Vac.

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marye2 | @marye2 | Oct 21, 2020

I've had two small cases of shingles, yet they were real misery. I got the original vaccine a few years ago, but in another 2 or 3 I am getting the new ones, which are 90% preventive. No problem with vaccines.

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pitepalten | @pitepalten | Nov 20, 2021

My nerves / skin bother me but only when I sit or lay down. It has been this way for two months. I now have a rash in my neck. I checked pictures on the web and shingles came up. I got the first shingles vaccine about 6 month ago. I didn’t get the next because of my “nerve” issues. I have had many tests by my neurologist and he can’t find anything wrong. He prescribed 30mg Cymbalta. Anyone had similar issues?

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