Anybody ever got shingles?

[sammysdad]

Hey guys,
I just went to the doctors yesterday, I had been feeling like I had a sunburn from the middle of my abs around the left side of my torso to my spine. I also had what looked like 5 bad bug bites in a circle on my back under my left shoulder blade. He told me it was shingles which is a result of dormant chicken pox contracted as a kid becoming activated by stress. He said it's very rare in younger adults (i'm only 36) and mostly seen in older people like 60+ Anyway my question is have any of you or any one you know had them and what can I expect? The doc was very vague and put me on an anti-viral. I'm taking the next few days off from lifting and cardio (which I hate to do but stress is stress and I feel like complete shit anyway).

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[In-Human]

sammysdad, I work with a guy that is 32, and when he gets stressed like once every month or so, he gets shingles bad, it takes him maybe a week or so for them to go away...

[sammysdad]

IH,
Thanks for the response the doc told be once you get them it's very rare for them to come back. Just another f**'n quack I guess. You ever feel like Doctors dont know shit about anything other than how to swing a golf club?

[In-Human]

sammysdad, this guy has been working with me for 12 years and he always gets them and so does his mom, I would opt for a second opinion...

[sammysdad]

I will, Thanks.

[IM^]

Just a few short notes from my archives for you Sammysdad, if I may. Shingles is not a funny thing. Oh, and give these notes to your doctor too, it sounds like he needs them.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The disease generally affects the elderly, although it occasionally occurs in younger and/or immunodeficient individuals. The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain. Contact with a person with shingles may cause chickenpox (but not shingles) in someone who has never had chickenpox before.

Symptoms

You may feel slightly unwell, and develop a localised area of pain and tenderness a few days or sometimes up to two weeks before the rash appears. The rash starts off as red spots, which quickly turn into blisters. They always affect only one side of the body (left or right) and never cross the midline. This is because they come out on the area of skin which is supplied by one particular nerve.

The rash may affect any part of the body, including head and limbs. It may thus appear as a band around one side of the chest or abdomen, or down an arm or leg. It may affect the head, and when it affects the upper cheek or the side of the forehead it may also affect the eye. You should certainly see your doctor if you have shingles affecting the side of the head, and especially if it seems to affect the tip of your nose or the eye itself.

It is usually a very painful rash, and typically people can't bear clothes touching the affected area.

The blisters burst and crust over, usually within a week and the area slowly settles, sometimes leaving pale scars. The pain may settle as quickly as the rash, but unfortunately some people are left with pain affecting that area for many months or even years (Post herpetic neuralgia).

Most people are surprised by how ill they feel with shingles. This seems out of proportion with the extent of the skin involved. There is a general debility and exhaustion, sometimes with aches and pains and sometimes a mild fever. Depression is often a feature of shingles, as in many other viruses. You may need up to three weeks off work.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment for shingles includes antiviral drugs, steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents. The severity and duration of an attack of shingles can be significantly reduced by immediate treatment with the antiviral drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir or famcyclovir. These drugs may also help stave off the painful aftereffects of shingles known as postherpetic neuralgia.

What is the prognosis?

Although shingles can be very painful and itchy, it is not generally dangerous to healthy individuals and it usually resolves without complications. The rash and pain usually go away within 3 to 5 weeks. Sometimes serious effects including partial facial paralysis (usually temporary), ear damage, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may occur. Persons with shingles on the upper half of the face should seek medical attention immediately as the virus may cause serious damage to the eyes. Most people who have shingles have only one bout with the disease in their lifetime. However, individuals with impaired immune systems, i.e., people with AIDS or cancer, may suffer repeated episodes.

Organizations

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
[email protected]

http://www.theacpa.org

Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231
Fax: 916-632-3208

National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA)
P.O. Box 274
Millboro, VA 24460
[email protected]

http://www.chronicpain.org

Tel: 540-862-9437
Fax: 540-862-9485

VZV Research Foundation [For Research on Varicella Zoster]
40 East 72nd Street
New York, NY 10021
[email protected]

http://www.vzvfoundation.org

Tel: 212-472- 3181 800-472-VIRUS (8478)
Fax: 212-861-7033

National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain
P.O. Box 70045
Houston, TX 77270
[email protected]

http://www.paincare.org

Tel: 713-862-9332
Fax: 713-862-9346

Related NINDS Publications and Information

Shingles: Hope Through Research
An informational booklet on shingles compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Type I
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Type I (Herpes Zoster Oticus) information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Pain: Hope Through Research
Information booklet on pain compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

[In-Human]

sammysdad, IM^ is the smartest guy on this board, and I just spoke with my co-worker and now he went to a specialist who said that it might be a viral infection of a simplex related to the Herpes family and he does take acyclovir 5 times a day for 7 days and it goes away, as IM^ has said...

[EPU]

skip from this board was afflicted with shingles immediately after his contest last year and detailed his adventures on another board. After his current show is over, hit em up with a PM and i'm sure he will describe what he went through and how his case was treated.

[SweatMachine]

My wife has it, it only manifests itself when she is extremely stressed out. Shw has it in a little circular area the size of a nickle, on her hip. It looks like a slight rash, and she says it feels the same. It usually appears then is gone in a week-1o days. Thers not much you can do about ti.

[sammysdad]

Thank you so much, especially IM for all the information. It is very helpful. Not very encouraging(lol)............but very helpful.

[bigp3]

I had then back a few years ago (damn what the fuck haven't I had,,, lol) and it was no biggie, I honestly dont think I missed any work or anything. They were more of a pain in the ass than anything.

[IM^]

Originally posted by In-Human
sammysdad, IM^ is the smartest guy on this board

Err...my girl begs (insists) to differ about THAT particular point IH.

Originally posted by sammysdad
Thank you so much, especially IM for all the information. It is very helpful. Not very encouraging(lol)............but very helpful.

Sorry for being a harbinger of bad news Sammysdad but it's better to be aware of things than to dismiss them. If you need more info, please just ask.

[sammysdad]

Bigp3,
I've been working (the bills don't seem to care how I feel unfortunately) but I feel nauseous like I got a really bad sunburn so I'm taking a few days off from training. The muscles under the affected area are sore as shit also, did this happen to you?

[chelle]

My parents got them within six months of each other. They were going through a divorce. Stress does appear to be the major trigger.

[hompie]

Is there any treatment?

Treatment for shingles includes steroids.............

Well sammysdad you know what to do j/k