The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWell, leave it to me to come down with something I've never heard of. 😂
For the last week or so I've been feeling "off." Not really sick but low energy with a dull headache. The skin on my front upper leg started feeling numb then shooting pains started down my leg from my hip to knee and the skin on the right side of my right upper leg began feeling like I had a bad sunburn. The symptoms were exactly the same as when I had shingles down my left thigh about 7.5 years ago but there is no rash now as there was then.
I have a history of multiple shingles outbreaks--I've had more than a dozen since 1994. I take a daily dose of Valtrex as a preventative and haven't had an outbreak in over a year. This thing with my leg is driving me nuts and I haven't had more than 3-4 hours of sleep a night since Thursday so I thought I'd better see my doctor. Well, she thinks I have zoster sine herpete (ZSH)" which is shingles without the rash. I googled it and it sure sounds like what I have:
It is possible for a person to develop shingles without being affected by the rash, although this is rare. When shingles occurs without the rash being present, this is called zoster sine herpete (ZSH).
When shingles occurs without a rash, the first symptoms of the condition may involve:
A feeling of numbness in a certain area
An itchy, burning sensation
A painful sensation
Headache
Fatigue
Generalized aches
Hypersensitivity to touch
https://ada.com/signs-of-shingles/
-----------------------------------------------------------
ARRGH! It's one of the more painful outbreaks and I'm just miserable. Since I have an anaphylactic allergy to aspirin and NSAIDs, the most I can do is take a double dose of Valtrex 3 times a day and try wearing a lidocaine patch for the skin discomfort.
This sucks so if anyone of you out there has not gotten the shingles vaccine, run--don't walk--to your doctor or pharmacy to get vaccinated.
I'm gonna go whine now.
brer cat
(24,402 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,698 posts)Feel better soon!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)I appreciate that very much.
pandr32
(11,447 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)magicarpet
(13,941 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)Thank you!
lapucelle
(18,040 posts)...feel better soon!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)hlthe2b
(101,730 posts)I have an extended family member with rheumatoid arthritis who developed this and unfortunately had a very hard time since a lot of possible therapies could not be used with her.
With time the symptoms faded though her other issues made it less of a dramatic improvement overall.
Yes.. that is a definite yes to getting the vaccine. For those with timing questions about the Shingrex vaccine and Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, you should wait 14 days following receipt of either to get the other one.
Best wishes on what should be for you a far less drawn-out recovery than my aunt.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)sensitive to certain drugs and I cannot take meds usually prescribed for nerve pain like Lyrica and gabapentin because of the horrific side effects. I'm sorry about your family member. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy--well, maybe those involved in January 6 but I'll just leave that there, lol.
Thank you for pointing out that you should wait between vaccinations--that's an important tip.
Thanks again!
I'm still dealing with a painful case of shingles - 14 months in - that erupted on my face. It was awful and I can't seem to shake the last few lingering symptoms.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this - again - and I reiterate your advice to run, not walk, to get the vaccine.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Last edited Mon Jul 19, 2021, 05:45 PM - Edit history (1)
My aunt almost went blind during one of her outbreaks. It hit her right eye and it was touch and go for a while. Multiple outbreaks run in my family. My grandma, dad, aunt, and my 3 first cousins all have had multiple outbreaks but I take the prize for most outbreaks. Lucky me!
I hope you bounce back soon! Take care.
Edited to add:
Do you have nerve pain? Have you tried Lyrica or something similar? I can't take it because of the side effects but I'm told it's quite effective for most people. I so hope you feel better soon. Long-haul nerve pain is absolutely soul-crushing.
LisaM
(27,762 posts)Now it's just some residual itching. I'm taking the summer off, trying to shake it and the accompanying depression and lack of focus.
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)shingles can still get the vaccine? I did get mine last year and am pretty sure the guy who vaxxed me told me that.
I hope you find some relief!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)get it. The Valtrex had been working well up until now. My doctor doubled the dose of Valtrex and is having me take it 3 times a day instead of once. I'm also picking up some lidocaine patches tomorrow to see if they will help with the skin pain. Ugh.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)like "tingling toes" on steroids and involved my upper thighs to the extent that I was unable to sleep.
I did track that down to suspected food poisoning though and since I'm avoiding that particular
product (store-bought California Roll sushi) I haven't had any repeats of it.
I wish you a rapid recovery and continued health.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)That sounds miserable. I'm glad you haven't had a recurrence. Thanks again for your good wishes!
LiberalLoner
(9,761 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)multigraincracker
(32,531 posts)That is terrible.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Thanks again!
multigraincracker
(32,531 posts)barbtries
(28,702 posts)how long does it last? hope not long!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)week or two. Hopefully, the pain and discomfort will diminish the longer I'm on the increased dose of Valtrex.
barbtries
(28,702 posts)that shingles is one of the most vexatious maladies. Hope you recover sooner than later!
As soon as I turned 60 I got the vaccination, but it was only one shot then. I had a strong reaction to it, big old hot rash on my arm. Now I'm 65 and asked my doctor do I need the double dose and he didn't tell me I did. I think he may have wanted to think about it, considering how reactive my body was to the first shot.
Stuart G
(38,365 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)JudyM
(29,122 posts)So sorry to hear youre suffering with this hoping you feel better soon!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Post-Herpetic Neuralgia that these multiple bouts have left me with. Most of the outbreaks have been in the same spot down my right sciatic nerve but I had an outbreak down the front of my left leg about 7.5 years ago and now this is down my right leg. I didn't have any lingering nerve pain from the shingles down my left leg so I hope that's the case with this bout.
I'm doubling up on the CBD and it's taking the edge off but it makes me sleepy which is good since I need sleep. I wish I could try the CBD cream but all of the CBD creams I've seen include methyl salicylate which is an aspirin derivative and I'm deathly allergic to aspirin/NSAIDs so I can't use it. Dang.
Thanks for the suggestion and well wishes!
JudyM
(29,122 posts)The CBD salve and lotion at my local dispensary dont have that ingredient, I just called them to verify; they thought you might be using hemp, but theyre east coast, not MI. They also suggested that if the CBD gummies youre using are making you sleepy, to try 1:1 gummies instead - less likely to put you to sleep and also will likely help more with the pain. Also they suggested trying a salve thats 1:1.
Also, have you looked into medicinal mushrooms to boost your immune system? Wondering if that might help.
Youre dealing with a lot and still manage to put smiles on our faces all the time.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)and the place in California I get my gummies from only had cream with methyl salicylate in it. I try to stick with the mail-order company exclusively because they have a relationship with my pain clinic (I get 50% off) and their CBD products are certified THC-free. That's important because, even though weed is legal in Michigan, to the DEA it's not. There was a clause prohibiting THC in my pain meds contract because they could get in trouble with the DEA if they're allowing their pain meds patients to take--to them--illegal drugs. I don't blame them for being paranoid about it because the DEA has made their lives miserable (not to mention the lives of too many pain patients.)
I've had my immune system tested and it's very strong. For instance, I haven't had a cold in almost 4 years and the last time I had the flu was in 1982 but I just can't shake these shingles. The doctor was a little surprised at the results of my blood tests because he figured something could be awry but nothing showed up.
Thank you so much for your message. I appreciate it so much.
Leith
(7,802 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)Niagara
(7,407 posts)I think it's imperative to stay hydrated during this agonizing time for you. I would think that applying Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream on your skin should relieve some of your discomfort. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)I'm going to try that tonight since the pharmacy was out of the lidocaine patches the doctor prescribed and they won't be delivered from their warehouse until tomorrow.
Thanks again.
bucolic_frolic
(42,676 posts)before the vaccine was available. Don't know what kind, but I don't think it involved a rash. Alt doctor wanted to give her vitamin b12 injections into the site. She never went for it. Don't know if it would have worked.
My suggestion for all that ails anyone. Eat more garlic.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)tomorrow and see what they say. Thank you for the suggestion.
bucolic_frolic
(42,676 posts)Her doctor, now retired, was a well respected innovative alternative practice guy. Dissolving sclerotic blockages with EDTA IV drips for example. Don't know if he had success with this treatment.
Wish you well!
MLAA
(17,165 posts)Were you able to get the vaccine, or in your case of so many instances, did it just not work?
Sending you the very best and healing thoughts. You make so many of us smile with cat videos, here is one for you that you might enjoy.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Fla Dem
(23,352 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)appalachiablue
(41,055 posts)so right about the importance of getting the Shingles vaccine.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)I will bet this is what I had a year ago. I have had shingles once before many years ago and had said to my son, this is exactly the same type of pain with no rash. I had decided it was something else but was gone in about a week.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)It certainly does sound like that's what you had, too. I'm so glad you didn't have any lingering nerve pain. Have you gotten the vaccine? They recommend it even if you've had an outbreak.
Bev54
(9,963 posts)were pretty mild and two friend who have received the vaccine still got shingles and their cases were no more or less than mine. So I decided what the hell.
frogmarch
(12,145 posts)I hope you're over it soon, catbyte!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)I appreciate it very much.
Skittles
(152,965 posts)we are here for you
rest up!
catbyte
(34,174 posts)Maybe I'll sift through some animal rescue videos to see if I can find any hot guys to take my mind off of all this.
Thanks again, my friend!
sarge43
(28,939 posts)Shingles is a dreadful condition. You need a virtual .
Be well soon.
/on edit/A couple of silly lorikeets:
Maraya1969
(22,441 posts)a kennedy
(29,467 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It sounds horrible! I wonder if ice packs would help, since they can numb things out. That is usually my go-to for pain since i am allergic to any heavy duty pain meds. Also, look up anti-inflammatory foods and supplements and stay away from foods and other substances that cause inflammation.
I hope you feel better soon!
Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)this one, not so much!
Your pain sounds horrible, and I hope you find relief soon.
Laffy Kat
(16,356 posts)I am so sorry. Nothing worse than not being able to sleep through one's misery. Sending positive, healing energy your way.
(I've had shingles and then post-zoster neuralgia, so I understand.)
JudyM
(29,122 posts)catbyte
(34,174 posts)I only have a little bit of nerve pain from the outbreak and it's getting better every day. Have a great, safe week!
JudyM
(29,122 posts)Great turn of events. Big hugs of happy!