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

I'm so sorry. It can last for weeks. I have had shingles twice. I got the vaccine so hopefully never have it get it again good luck 🤞

I had shingles in 2019, the worst thing every, wouldn't wish it on an enemy. Scars still present on chest & back.

Usually it depends on age. I had it at 14: itched, and burned if scratched, but no big deal. As you get older and older, the more pain and severity. Best wishes, and when appropriate, get the shingle vaccine.

I had shingles at age 40 over my eye. I thought I had pinkeye, but it got worse, and doctor said it was shingles. He gave me an antibiotic because he was afraid it would cause me to go blind in that eye. It all started out with worse headache ever and I had two red pimple looking lesions above eye and eye was red and watery. I was off work for over a week, and the lesions left scars that looked like chicken pox scars. I never want to experience that again.

You are correct about aging causing a more severe effect on the person with shingles. I know a ninety year old who was hospitalized for a month. Also, not everyone can have the shingles vaccine. I have cancer and my oncologist recommended against it since the first vaccine was a live virus and he was concerned that it might activate shingles. Well, flash forward and I had shingles at age 76 for three months. I was told by my pain management doctor that he could have helped me if I had seen him when it first showed up. Live and learn!

Thank you all. At least I now know that shingles will be with me for some time, that I can expect pain and discomfort, and that at my age (79) I should be grateful that I've never had shingles before! Here's to better health going forward.

I was 64, my When I got it, had shingle shot at 62. My dermatologist who monitors past skin said to me you vaccinated yourself.

It's a brutal disease. Sorry you went through that.

I had Shingles in my groin and it was uncomfortable but I didn’t suffer severe pain. I have never been vaccinated. I’m 70 now and I think I was 66 when I got it.
My PCP wanted to see me. He verified for my health chart. I would call about your stomach issue to be sure this is part of shingles. They might want to check you out. Best of luck.

You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Shingles: What helps with the pain? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shingles-9/
- Can stress trigger shingles? How to treat? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shingles-8/

@greyjen, as others have mentioned the pain can last. Sometimes, the pain can last long after the rash and blisters of shingles go away. This is called postherpetic neuralgia (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postherpetic-neuralgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20376588).

I agree with @mothermary1 that you may wish to see a doctor to confirm that your stomach issue is related to the shingles outbreak and what they could give you to help relieve the symptoms. Jen is this the first time you've had shingles?