This will be brief. I think I have contracted a herpes virus. No, not the fun one to get, but the one people are left with after a case of childhood chickenpox ---the herpes zoster. It appears my body has decided that a case of Shingles would be a nice thing for me to enjoy in my seventies.
It started Friday. I have a strip of burning pain that goes from my navel to my back bone on the right side. Technically, I only feel half bad as the left side is fine. No rash yet. I will go to the doctor today.
I hope you are not like me and have put off getting the vaccination. If you are over 60 and had chickenpox as a child, it would be a good idea to spare your self anywhere from a week to a month and for some people, a year of miseries. Please just get the vaccine.
Shingles is rather unpleasant and painful so I am hoping for a mild case. Please let me be an example of what NOT to do. Don't put off the vaccine,
Will be back posting and visiting when I hopefully get the pain under control and I can sit at the computer comfortably. If you know any sure fire cures to ease the symptoms, I'm open to suggestion.
Have a great week. See ya soon.
Wow, if good thoughts can cure, I am on my way. Thank you all so very much for all your sweet thoughts, prayers and encouragement. It really means so much. I have been to the doctor and am now on medication. Since the pain meds she gave me have too many weird side effects, I will go back to Tylenol.
Thank you again for all your caring. It means so VERY much. I can't say it enough, you all are the best.
Hope to be back in the saddle soon. I really miss visiting you.
1 year ago
Ouch! I can sympathize having had the shingles about eight years across the right side of my back, bra-level. Extremely painful, took about six weeks for the pain to go away; bumps in the road would make me suck in my breath from the pain. Wore sports bras which helped, but there was no magic cure but to what for it all to go away. But to this day, if we go over a pot hole in the truck I am exceedingly grateful that the shingles are gone because I can still remember the pain. Hopefully you got to the doctor in time for the antiviral meds to do you some good--you have to start them within 72 hours for them to really be effective.
ReplyDeleteOh poor you! I had shingles when I was in the States on holiday, I actually got the rash before I felt ill, it was no fun at all. I never went to the doctor because I was away, and when I got back to the UK I was feeling better. It was a friend who told me what I had. I still have the white scars to prove it!
ReplyDeleteI found Aleve helped with the pain. Good luck and get well very soon!
Oh, you will be in my thoughts; such an awful disease. I've never experienced it myself, but have a friend who is as stoic as a human can be, and she was in misery. Hope your case is mild and passes on quickly!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear the news!
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you. Let's pray that you get thru this quickly. God bless.
ReplyDeleteAngels on you!
ReplyDeleteOh I feel so bad for you. I hope the meds kick in soon.
ReplyDeletePatti! Bless your heart! I have never had them but know several who have and they say it is awful. I heard hemorrhoid cream helps the burning. Also Shingles are often contracted by people with a low thyroid. Hope you recover pronto! XO
ReplyDeleteI got the shot a few years ago for this very reason. I know people who have had it and it's no fun at all. The shot doesn't always keep you from getting it, but it does make it less severe if you do get it. I'm hoping you are back to your old self very soon!
ReplyDeleteYes, I did get the Shingles vaccine as soon as I turned 60. My mother had shingles and really suffered for several months because she didn't go in soon enough. Thank goodness you're not waiting to go and see the doctor. The faster you go, the quicker the medication can work. My daughter's case was pretty mild because she was able to get the medication at the ER after the first doctor misdiagnosed it. I'm so sorry you're in pain. I'll be thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteGot the shot - thank goodness. So sorry you have this to deal with. I know it's miserable. blessings,marlene
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon!
ReplyDeleteCame across your blog via LC at Retirement Daze and thoroughly enjoying your posts. So sorry about the shingles as they are really painful. My mother had them in the early 90's but in her EYE of all places. I noticed a rash on half of her face and she went to the doctor who diagnosed the shingles in the eye. She was on eye drops for about 3 years non-stop. Thankfully she had no pain which was amazing but to this day she still has the scars on the cornea. Hope for a fast recovery for you.
ReplyDeleteHey sweet lady, I am so sorry that you have contracted this horrible ick. Sweet Man and my daughter have both had shingles. From an onlookers point of view...I'm so sorry. Yes do try hemorroid cream, SM said it did help. Be well soon, Linda
ReplyDeleteI feel for you ...I remember painting my late husbands rash with some thing when he was at the height of the pain. I thought you got shingles instead of chicken pox, when an adult??? I am sure we dont have a vaccine for it over here and I didn't know it was herpes related but I do know that in very rare cases (hubby was one)the virus can cause viral meningitis ...I dont want to be a scare mongerer but if you get severe headaches and vomiting do not right it off to the shingles ...call a doctor. I am sure you will only have a mild case and that is bad enough.
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs xx
Found you through the Pay It Forward.
ReplyDeleteGetting older is a fun time of discovery. I haven't heard about the chicken pox thing but I've heard of shingles. I'll try to remember to ask my doctor about that vaccine. Ah, memory--that's another thing.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Please see my guest post at:
So You Want to be a Writer?
Bummer, Patti. I was unaware that you should get a shot for shingles...
ReplyDeleteHope to hear from you soon.
My twin brother had shingles on his face, by his eye and down one side of his scalp a few months ago. He also had not gotten the vaccine (neither have I). He was given it right at the onset of the symptoms, and it seemed to work pretty well and quickly. I wish the same for you. Good luck with it, Patti.
ReplyDeletePatti, I hope you get well sooner...than later. A girl friend just got over shingles. She said it was no fun, this from a tough little gal, so take care.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are under the weather. So glad I got my shingles vaccine as I hear it is awful! Hope you are better very soon!
ReplyDeleteWill put the vaccine on my list for the next time I visit my primary. My in laws had shingles and it was so painful for them. Hope you are much better soon.
ReplyDelete*gentle hug*
Well, a friend of mine got the shingles and I asked for a shingles shot even though I don't know if I ever had chicken pox or not! That is not anything I wanted to experience.
ReplyDeleteHope yours is a short experience. I know its nasty. Sorry that you have to go through this.
Whale
Oh, my gosh, Patti, I am so sorry. A lady that I used to clean house for got those and it was very painful for her.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the doctor has stuff to help you. Since it is still herpes, perhaps an antihistamine, lysine, and all those other good things could help. For topical, maybe vitamin E right out of the capsule? I don't know ... I just hope that this will not last long for you.
I'll say some prayers! Heart ya,
Kathy
Thinking of you and I hope you are feeling better soon. Hoping your outbreak is mild and quickly under control.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Patti! I'm sorry you are going through this. Here's hoping that you get something to help with the pain. I'm going to ask for the vaccine next time I'm at the doctor. Take care of yourself! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteSo not fun! My daughter had shingles a year or so ago and thankfully it only lasted about a month. Hopefully yours will go quickly too.
ReplyDeleteSandy
I had the shingles shot a few years ago. It is a crazy arrangement unless it has changed.
ReplyDeleteI had to take a prescription to a pharmacy (this one had to order it) and call me when he got it in ( was more than a few days). The cost was around $200, but the cost of medication is usually at last that as it usually takes two prescriptions plus another one for pain.
Then I had to take it to a doctor to administer it.
My best friend and husband have had it. She not only has had it periodically (more than once) She has had it internally. Awful. Hope yours is a very mild case.
Her misery made me part with the $200.
They came out with the vaccine about a year AFTER I had Shingles, so I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself and may you be healed very soon. I knew something was wrong when I didn't hear from you this morning. Not that I only think of hearing from you. Hey, I can't get this right in a comment.
In a nutshell, I miss you. Dianne
Oh, sweet Patti I am so sorry and I hope the doctor can do something for you today that will help you be more comfortable and get over this quickly. Will send up prayers for you. Hugs
ReplyDeleteOh, Patti, I'm so sorry! I do hope your case is a mild one and that your doctor can give you something to ease the pain. I know some people who have had shingles and it's no fun. After seeing what they went through, I did get the vaccine. Recently, after getting a severely sunburned lower lip during my vacation in Maui, I broke out in cold sores all over my lip. I had never had them before and couldn't believe the pain -- and that was just on my lip. A month later, I'm finally cured. I can't imagine how painful it must be to have a herpes virus infection over a larger part of one's body. I'll keep you in my thought and prayers for a quick recovery, Patt!
ReplyDeleteAll I can offer is prayers for you. Relatives and friends have had shingles. Agony! Will be here praying for you and waiting for your return.
ReplyDeleteI've had chicken pox four times even twice in my adult life. Seems the virous likes me. I cannot have the injection because I would likely just brek out in shingles from it. Odd how we are all so different. I hope you do just have the mildest shortest version!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Patti - I hope you have a mild case. Also hope you aren't under a lot of stress - I've heard that can bring it on. Try to relax - we're all thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteOh My Dear....So sorry to read that you have SHIGLES!!! The Worst! I hope the doctor can give you something to at least alleviate the pain----My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear Patti....BE GOOD TO YOURSELF! And get well, very very soon!
ReplyDeleteI got shingles in my 40's in my face over my left eye, it was terrible painful and it took years before it was completely gone. I wish you luck.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this, Patti! Please take care! Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I watched my father suffer from these and know how terrible it was for him. I do think the medications they now have, if administered early, can really help with not allowing the case to get as bad as it might get without the meds. Get better fast.
ReplyDeleteI had it in the same nerve you do and it was horrible. I hope you got to the doc soon enough. If you did, they can treat it and your symptoms would be milder than if you waited. I didn't know what I had, so I delayed treatment for a week. I lived to regret that!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read that you have got shingles, a very nasty thing. We all send our sympathy and hope that you are feeling much better soon.
ReplyDeletePeter, Laura, Nigella Stopit, and Ginger xx
Oh how terrible, I am so sorry, you just don't have much luck in the misery department with falls, back, and now shingles, too many tests that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteFeel better very soon! If you or Mighty need anything, I am just a phone call away.
ReplyDeleteThere's a vaccine? Didn't know that. Probably a good idea.
ReplyDeleteTake care & I hope you feel better soon!
Oh, holy crap, Patti! I step away from the computer for a few days and you come down with shingles! I've read how miserable it is.
ReplyDeleteI've had the shot.
I feel awful for you! I hope it doesn't linger. Need some book recommendations? Movies?
Sounds like that Mayhem guy in the insurance commercial is lurking outside your house. You do have pneumonia and flu shots on your calendar now, don't you?
Hang in there.
OH no Patti I can't believe you have those horrible shingles. My MaMa had them in her late 70's and I felt so sorry for her.
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of love and a real speedy recovery.
Love
Maggie
That's terrible! I hope you have a mild case. I've heard it's awful. I don't know if I have had the shot or not...better check.
ReplyDeleteReally hope you are comfortable and on the mend, Patti. Wishing you well!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling much better, Patti! Take care!
ReplyDeletethe only thing i wore was a super big loose tee shirt...I was on meds..also have someone break open a vitamin e capsule and cover the rash...do it several times a day...it really helps..It does take time.. ugh
ReplyDeleteOh my...when I commented earlier I said I had never experienced the pain of shingles. At that time, I thought I had just worn a bra that was too tight (I've gained a little weight back..ahem...). Anyway, those little "hot spots" became red and blistery and caused me to have a really miserable day at work on Monday. Because your post was fresh in my mind, I immediately thought I should visit the doctor, and sure enough...I have shingles. Incredibly painful; so glad for your post, as I'm told that early attention may be the key. Thanks, and hope you feel better soon. Heck, I hope I feel better soon, too!
ReplyDeleteDang! I got shingles a few years ago down one leg. I wound up having to take a week off from work because I couldn't bear the touch of cloth (never mind panty hose!) on the leg. Naturally, with my great sense of timing, the vaccine became available later that year. Arrgh!
ReplyDeleteI had the chickenpox once when I was a kid. I had the shingles not too long ago around the middle. They were not bad though and I didn't have a problem with them.
ReplyDeleteA note on your update. Think about you every day. Hope your have a speedy recovery and that the doctor caught it early enough. As the virus attacks one nerve and it is in your trunk that is good. You could have had it in your eye. Small miricle there. Dianne
ReplyDeleteJust dropped by again to say I'm thinking of you ...and hope and pray you are not feeling too bad. xx
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a vaccine you could get as you get older. I'll talk to my doctor about that. A friend got it last year (just turned 50) and was off work for a month in agony, had trouble sitting, lying down and was in constant pain UGH. Hope you're over the worst. Sue
ReplyDeleteOh no, Patti! I'm going to go get the shot next week.
ReplyDeleteLet me add to all the comments and well wishes. I just got a computer, so I'm back to blogging and visiting all my blogger friends. I feel so bad for you and I hope this will clear up soon. I have no idea if I had chicken pox as a child. I guess I should find out what it is called in Swedish. I agree it is a good idea to get the vaccine. Take care and get better soon.
ReplyDeleteGee willikers after reading your post I read a few of the comments. Is this shingles a Halloween curse? It all sounds like a real true life horror story. I am hoping I still have my memory when I hit 60 so I can remember your good bad example and I go get that vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI hope this ends up being a short bout for you and that you will soon be on the mend. Hang in there and keep your chin up or your shorts up or down or whatever needs to be up or down to ease the pain.
I would say I feel your pain but that would just be a big fat lie.
Sincerely, Best wishes...GQ
Hi Patti, I just want you to know that I am thinking of you and missing you. I hope that you are feeling better. I'm so sorry that you are having to go through what you are. Lots of virtual hugs (they won't hurt) and prayers too.
ReplyDeleteHeart you,
Kathy M.
Oh, I hate that you have shingles. I just got around to reading your post so I hope it's well on the mend. And thanks so much for your kind words when I fractured my femur. Hopefully we are both on the mend and it will be uphill from now on. All the best.
ReplyDeleteOh Patti- feel better soon! I sure didn't know there was a vaccine for that.
ReplyDeleteMy sister had shingles a couple of years ago - the pain without the rash. Apparently if you have chicken pox as a child the virus remains in your system and can cause a shingles breakout later.
ReplyDeleteI got my shingles shot two weeks ago.
Hope your recovery is quick.
Shingles is bad! I had it a long time ago and I know people who have got it in their faces, which is very bad for your eyes. I hope that you will soon be recovered!
ReplyDeleteOh Patti, I am so sorry you have to go through this.....hope things are starting to get better. I enjoy your daily posts. Take care.
ReplyDeleteChecking on you again. I so hope you're feeling better!
ReplyDeleteI had them around my eye, Patti. If my nurse wife hadn't diagnosed them, I wouldn't have raced to Urgent Care to have them treated, and I might have well lost that eye.
ReplyDelete