I have Shingles (and it sucks)

[rene moon]

Over the weekend, I went to urgent care for what I thought were bug bites on my back---turns out I have shingles. I am not contagious as my case is mild and it’s been more than 5 days. Still hurts bad though

So, I am at work and people are treating me like a leper. I gave them info on it and they are still annoying. I almost want to go home.

Can anybody relate?

[Demobrat]

1. What are shingles?

How do you get them?

[skooooo]

5. Virus left over from chicken pox...

...that gets activated. It's not contagious.

[Momgonepostal]

18. It is contagious!

My mom had it two years ago. At first she thought it was a stress related cold sore, then went to the doctor when it started to spread. Both my daughters got chicken pox about two weeks later. The oldest daughter then passed on the CP to about 12 other kids in her 2nd grade class, some of whom had been vaccinated.

[redwitch]

9. It's the chicken pox virus

which stays in your system and sometimes people then get shingle from it. Never had shingles but understand it is awful. Sorry Rene, hope it goes away soon!

[Dookus]

2. ugh

sorry, I've never had it, but it sounds like a truly awful condition. Sorry for your pain. Get well ASAP.

[skooooo]

3. Yes..I've had them.

I'd go home if you can afford it. Those people are just ignorant, don't pay attention to them. How much of your skin is covered with the blisters? My case was mild too. On the bright side, once you get them, you most likely will never get them again.

[rene moon]

8. I can't afford to right now

only the small of my back has it---about the size of a half-dollar. I went to the doctor today and she told me that I just had to watch it because it's on its way out.

It hurts a lot though:(

[skooooo]

10. Tell your supervisor that people are being ignorant...

...and give her/him that website someone just posted. There's no reason for such behavior.

[jus_the_facts]

16. They DO come back.....due to heat and STRESS......

....haven't ever had 'em m'self but my Uncle has and they definitely will repeatedly occur.

Best way to prevent repeated occurances....Daily multivitamins and MEGA doses of VITAMIN C! Hope you get rid of 'em soon!! :)

[agingdem]

24. You can get them again and again and..

I never had chicken pox as a child (mother dragged me from one infected house to another) but when my children had chicken pox they generously passed them on to me. Months later, I lost hearing in one ear (shingles related), had Bell's Palsy, viral bladder infections, shingles on my back, midriff, outer ear, hands, feet...get the picture. There are antiviral medications out there but they don't blunt the pain only lessen the time frame.

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. My grandma had it years ago, and it was bad news.

She got it on one side of her face, and lost most of the feeling there for quite awhile.

I feel awful for you.

You ALMOST want to go home? I'd be there already.

FSC

[plcdude]

6. send everyone

this http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/shingles_doc.htm#What_is_Shingles

I think education is the best remedy for ignorance

[Liberal Veteran]

7. Shingles suck, but I don't understand why people are treating you badly.

Shingles is not even contagious to people who have had chickenpox. It's just the result of the same virus that cause chickenpox and if people who haven't had chickenpox do get exposed, they will not get shingles, they will get chickenpox.

[DinahMoeHum]

11. I can. It happened to me last year. Early July, to be exact.

I spent the July 4th holiday in bed, taking my doc's prescription.

I recovered from the worst of it just in time to be at my niece's wedding.

The thing is, though, I talked about it with co-workers, and they gave me nothing but sympathy. It's not contagious, unless there's bare skin-to-skin contact at that area, and that's HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

Get home, if you can and TAKE YOUR MEDICINE.


(If you want, PM me, but I won't be answering until tomorrow AM. Gotta go now)


:evilfrown:

[Maestro]

12. They can be painful

My wife developed shingles when she was pregnant with our first child. It was a mild case and went completely away after she gave birth. They can be brought on by stress.

[SoCalDem]

13. I have suffered with a variety of it for years..It's the most intense pain

ever.. My doctor once said.."Gee, you are lucky that it only affects your right hand".. Hah!! some luck.. I am right handed and that tingly/achey feeling that comes on a few days before, always made me dread what was ahead.. The skin on the palm is so tough, it would take DAYS for the blisters to erupt... Sometimes, I would sterilize a needle and poke holes into my palm, to "help" them, and to relieve the pressure.. It felt like a burning creature was inside my arm, drilling/burning its way to my hand..

I would usually only get 3 clusters, but it was always on the fleshy part of my hand where my pinky and the two fingers next to it, met up with my palm,.. It hurt to write, to do anything.. I could not even drive..the pain was terrible..

Stress can aggravate it, so just do as little as possible..

Letterman was off work for 6 weeks when he had his..

You might want to take some time off to recoup..

I really feel your pain :(:hug:

[rene moon]

14. I think it's because we have one person whose never had CP

and one pregnant lady---they walk away from me when I approach their area!

[flamingyouth]

15. They are incredibly painful

I remember when my mom had them. If you can possibly take any time off, it would be best. I'm so sorry for you. :hug:

[whistle]

17. Yes, relatives and friends have had shingles, I have not...

...Here are some information links:

http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Pubs/shingles.htm

http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/shingles.html

This next site has an illustration as well as a pretty thorough explanation:

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/301_pox.html

...and one with photos:

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/shingles/photos.htm

If you think you have shingles, go to the clinic or see your doctor.

[Taverner]

19. Shingles is why you need to contract Chicken Pox as a kid

I feel for you....best wishes and speedy recovery your way...

[Liberal Veteran]

22. Not true....people who get shingles already had chickenpox.

After the chicken pox blisters have healed, the varicella zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) in neurons (nerve cells) next to your spinal cord, sometimes for decades. When the virus becomes active again, it travels down the nerve fibers that extend to your skin, and a rash develops.

[Mr.Green93]

20. Hope your pain is being treated.

Good luck.

[candy]

21. I hear it's quite painful. Remember,this too shall pass.

[CO Liberal]

23. I Had Them Once

Back in the Early '90s, when I was going through a stressful time - ex-wife #2 fled the state and left me with a few whopping bills, and I was getting a lot of shit at work. My body responded with shingles.

[49jim]

25. I had shingles Nov. 02.....thought

it was a reaction to seafood I had visiting florida. Got medication...they were quite uncomfortable...and it took a feww months for the marks too go away. My doctor said they are not sure was causes shingles...many theories....he said if he knew he'd be quite rich! Hope you feel better soon.

[Rowdyboy]

26. A drug called Famvir stopped mine dead away....

But your doctor must catch it early on. After a certain point, it ceases to be effective. PLEASE do what ever you can to treat it-it can be excruciating. I've had it twice-the first time I waited too long and endured the whole experience. The second time, I recognized the symptoms immediately and had it treated.

Good luck and avoid as much stress as you can. Your coworkers are total creeps-thank God, mine were helpful and understanding.

[Hand]

28. Yes, Famvir is VERY effective...

You're supposed to start it within 72 hours of symptoms, BUT I think I started at least 96 hours into my outbreak and it still worked great.

It's expensive, but worth every penny. I'd say try it even if you are supposedly past the helping point. It won't hurt you, and my god, if it works, you'll be spared weeks of misery.

Take care! And get that Famvir NOW!!!

:hug:

[rene moon]

27. Thanks for all your support!

:)

[Th1onein]

29. Your immune system is challenged or you wouldn't have them.

Take some cod liver oil, or put some DMSO on them.