Shingles...need advice from knowledgeable PSers

[missy]

I have been feeling crappy(mild flu like symptoms without a fever) for the last 4 days or so and this past Saturday I developed a rash on my stomach to hip and on Monday it was not getting better so I texted pics to my dermatologist. He wanted to see me because he thought it was shingles. He saw me that morning and it is shingles.

Anyway he put me on Famcyclovir and told me to rest. In the meantime my headache is pretty unrelenting and 800 mg ibuprofen and Sudafed (feels like a sinus headache) do very little to mitigate the discomfort of my headache. I spoke with my derm this AM about my constant headache and he wants me to see my PCP because he said it is not usual to get this with shingles unless the shingles is very bad (which he says mine is not thankfully). The thing is the headache started around the time of the rest of the shingles symptoms so I think it's related.

The reason for this long winded post is I am looking for advice from anyone who knows anything about shingles. It's freezing out here today and I specifically took off work today because my derm wanted me to rest and traveling to my PCP is a long trek. Should I go to my PCP today and brave the temps stressing my body out even more or is a headache normal with shingles and I can just ride it out...

 

[Tekate]

Well, I had shingles almost 2 years ago.. they gave me oxy?? and vicodin (which I was familiar with).. I took the virus reducing drug and was okay within 2 weeks.. I don't remember having a fever.. I had flown to NYC for a vacation and I felt my back and said "damn I have blisters on my back from sitting" now why I thought a flight from TX to NYC in Feb. would cause blisters is beyond me.. so I started feeling more uncomfortable.. went to a doc in a box in Times square!!! true true.. he said shingles and gave me the drug scripts and told me to see home doc.. home doctor gave me a script for some post pain that made me feel like I was on zen world or something.. took that a while and gave it up.. okay no pain but no reality either.. as time went on the pain totally abated... don't remember a fever but I always get sick on vacation. It will go away.. my husband IMMEDIATELY got the shingles vaccination - he didn't want it and one can get infection (skin) so .... take your meds, rest and if you have residual pain tell your doctor because it may not go away unless you take that cuckoo medicine (it was for seizure disorder no less).. be well, stay well, drink tea.. so sorry I know it's a pain.

 

[misssoph]

Hi I had shingles a year ago. I felt very viral,mlike I had the flu, muscle aches, fatigue etc. I remember a mild headache but not a severe one. I was excluded from work, for infection control reasons til the last vehicle crusted over as I work in a hospital, but really felt too unwell for a few days anyway. I was surprised how generally unwell I felt, having assumed that pain would be the only issue.

If you have a bad headache though you hold definitely see your doctor.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Poor Missy! I have no advice but it does remind me to get that vaccine because I have heard of cases that were not mild and I really don't want to chance that. But I'd take OTC pain meds today and not try to go out in these extreme temperatures. Make the appointment for tomorrow or Thursday and see if you are better. If you are better, then cancel the appt. Obviously, though, if the headache gets worse, you probably will have to go to Urgent Care or your regular doctor. Prayers for a quick recovery!

(And you might want to message the admin to move this to Hangout!)

 

[ame]

When DH had shingles this summer he was put on a painkiller as well, and I don't recall him mentioning a thing about a serious headache. You really should see your PCP and make sure it's for-certain shingles. It's not uncommon to have "flu like" and headache symptoms but my husband doesn't recall anything but the rash (nor do I) and the pain with it. We did catch it VERY early though.

 

[Circe]

Missy, I'm really, really sorry. My mom had shingles a few years ago, and it was miserable. The only things I really remember - aside from the intense discomfort - are, a) that hers was on her face, which can apparently happen, and v. uncomfortable particularly around the eyes, and, b) I believe that usually it will only attack one side of your body at a time.

I will say ... I had a month straight of headaches that I thought were migraines that turned out to my being really intolerant to a normal vitamin (D, if anybody's curious). But it turned out that what I'd thought were migraines were just really intense pressure/tension headaches: they can be brought on by extreme weather changes (which we've also had the last few days), or stress that will cause you to clench your jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles (which you've certainly had reason to do). Call your doc again to get his or her advice, but I think given the circumstances, maybe trying an extra-strength dose of pain-killer first might be a better bet. For me, the only thing that really helped was extra-strong coedine and paracetemol from England, possibly because it also functioned as a muscle relaxant.

I'm really sorry, Missy. I hope this passes soon.

 

[marymm]

Not to be alarmist but meningitis can be a related complication of shingles, as can a few other things - a severe, continuing headache is not a typical symptom of shingles and even your derm has advised you to go your PCP. Since you have the day off, if travel conditions are safe for you, dress such that your rash isn't being abraded with every movement, and get yourself over to your PCP - I really don't think this is one of those situations you should wait on before getting proper medical attention.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In light of what Mary just said, you should just call your PCP and see what they say.

 

[missy]

Thanks guys. I called when the office opened and made an appointment with my PCP for 2pm. I am thankful they had an opening. I know about the meningitis complication and that's primarily why I was worried. I know that's probably what my dermatologist was thinking too this morning when I spoke with him about the unrelenting headache because he mentioned meningitis as one of the complications of shingles but then glossed right over it at that time.

Thanks for all the helpful advice-I really appreciate it. I just needed some common sense knocked into me lol. I'm nervous about the appointment and I hope that he doesn't find any problems besides garden variety shingles and sends me home.

Now I just hope I can get a cab when I get out of the subway station because I am not in the mood for a 15 minute walk in these temps!


ETA: another worry for me is if it is viral meningitis I don't think there is any treatment...

 

[Maisie]

My daughter had shingles a few years ago. She felt very tired and lethargic but no headache. I would definitely get checked out again to make sure it's nothing more serious. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Cluless]

Missy please stop worrying yourself sick, go get checked out and if I read this article correctly it's probably not meningitis. Good luck hon keep us posted.

http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/viral.html

 

[VRBeauty]

If you have a recurring headache you should see a doctor.

A good friend's father had blazing migraines for a few weeks before his doctors finally diagnosed it as shingles somewhere in or near an eye socket. His recovery time was long and not pretty. Hopefully your headaches are unrelated to the skin condition, but if it is, you want that identified quickly in the event that early intervention might be able to help slow or lessen the symptoms.

 

[LLJsmom]

I had shingles twice after having my son, within one year. Best way to recover is rest. Shingles are often triggered by stress, lowered immune system and exhaustion. That is why so many young mothers get it. Will be praying for you that you will heal quickly with no complications.

 

[Rainbird]

Hi Missy. So sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly and glad to hear that you're getting yourself checked out. I had shingles when I was 13 years old - many moons ago now! However, I do remember that I had the most horrendous headache with it. The shingles were on one side of my stomach and also around the eyes. Medical science has moved on a lot since then and I'm not sure what drugs I was given, but I do remember having to stay in a darkened room to protect my eyes.

Hope you can get some relief and assurance today and you start to feel better very soon.

 

[missy]

I'm back from the doctor and I feel much better emotionally because he doesn't think it is viral meningitis. He wants me to stop all the ibuprofen I have been taking (keeping it to 400 mg 3 times a day max) as it could be related to rebound but most probably (according to him) the general malaise associated with shingles.

He can't say the shingles rash won't spread but right now it's not a bad case though he did urge me to stay home from work this week. I am going to play it by ear and see how I sleep tonight and how I feel in the AM because only I can do what I do at work so I will have to make those days up and I don't have any time to do that. But ofc if I am still ill tomorrow I won't go in because health comes first.

Thank you all for your caring and concern. I really appreciate you sharing your stories and advice with me.

 

[Maisie]

That's good news! I bet you are relieved. Shingles is still nasty on it's own so make sure you take things easy.

 

[missy]

That's good news! I bet you are relieved. Shingles is still nasty on it's own so make sure you take things easy.

Thanks Maisie. I am relieved but my headache is in full force again and it makes it hard to relax. I just want the noise to go away!

 

[dk168]

I can't remember having any headaches when I was having shingles back in 2005. However, my body was in so much pain I probably did not notice the headaches if I had any.

I was advised by the doctor at A&E to avoid travelling if at possible so as to minimise the chances of coming into contact with any women that could be pregnant and had not had chickenpox etc...

Get well soon!

DK

 

[Maisie]

That's good news! I bet you are relieved. Shingles is still nasty on it's own so make sure you take things easy.

Thanks Maisie. I am relieved but my headache is in full force again and it makes it hard to relax. I just want the noise to go away!

Poor you. Headaches are exhausting. I really hope they ease soon.

 

[yennyfire]

I had shingles a couple of years ago and it wasn't much fun. I don't remember a headache, but it sure was painful. It was around my waist/back on one side that made wearing anything with a waistband unbearable. Once the blisters dried up (or popped, since sitting/laying on them made them pop), it wasn't so bad.

I'm so glad that you saw your dr. and it isn't meningitis. I hope that your headache goes away ASAP and you start to feel better soon. Make sure you take it easy....pushing yourself too hard will lengthen your recovery time. Hugs to you!

 

[Kaleigh]

So sorry for all you have been through. I had viral menengitis and encephilitis in my 20's Glad you have great care now.. Keep us posted Missy... big hugs...

 

[packrat]

Oof, that sucks! JD had shingles last year, and it was horrible for him. No headache w/it, just the pain where the rash was.

One of my friends got shingles a few months ago and now has a host of other problems caused by it that as far as I know there is no cure for. Take it easy and get thyself to the Dr if anything crops up you're unsure of lady!

 

[Gypsy]

My mom had this. She was in serious agony.

I'd get to your PCP pronto.

 

[texaskj]

missy, so sorry to hear about your shingles, but at least you got a quick diagnosis from your derm.
I'll put another finger in the pie about your sinus headaches. You're somewhere around NYC right? I checked on weather underground and the barometric pressure has been going up and down a bunch in that area. It could be a cause along with the fact your body is already working pretty hard with the shingles.
I hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[LAJennifer]

I had shingles last summer and I had a headache for about a month. My case was very mild, with only two blisters. I thought they were spider bites. I went to the doc too late to start antivirals, however he did offer pain meds but I didn't really need them so I declined. I wish I would have asked for something for the headache, but I didn't relate the two since headaches are kind of my "new normal" since moving to Chicago from Los Angeles (I think they are weather related).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I hope you'll be feeling better tomorrow, Missy, and have some relief from the headaches!

 

[JewelFreak]

Missy, just saw this post & hope you're feeling better today. Hate to think of you feeling so icky & there's not much worse than a lingering headache, total misery.

Hugs and wishes for better days, starting now!

--- Laurie

 

[missy]

Good news and bad news. Good news is my headache is much less intense and I haven't even taken ibuprofen since yesterday afternoon. Bad news is the shingles rash has spread.

I am taking today off and I will see about tomorrow and deal with the repercussions when I feel better. Part of me feels I should just suck it up and go because I have a responsibility and I don't feel that sick at all. But the concern of pushing my body too much and potentially causing the shingles to get worse is what is driving my decision to stay home and rest.

I wanted to thank each of you individually now that I can think because my headache has dissipated.

Tekate, thanks for sharing your experience. Sitting on a long plane flight sounds awful. LOL on the doc in Times Square. Glad to know they were able to diagnose and treat you and glad that is behind you!

misssoph, thanks for that info-that's exactly how I feel. Like a mild flu. Interesting about work not wanting you back till the vesicles were gone. My rash/pustules are on my stomach to hip and now the area has spread-a horizontal line above the original, below the original and a vertical line to the side of the original. But I believe as long as I am covering that area with clothes (which in winter believe me I would be haha and even in warmer weather since I am not a teenager anymore. My belly stays pretty much covered in most situations these days ) I would not be contagious. Is that not true?

Diamondseeker, thank you! And please get that shingles shot! Ironically, I wanted the shot last May at my annual physical but my PCP dissuaded me from getting it stating I was too young to be at any real risk. If only I had listened to my gut.

Turns out my headache was/is not serious and I would have been better off staying at home yesterday and not venturing out! But peace of mind I guess though now I wonder did my rash spread because of the stress of traveling yesterday in this weather. Thank you so much for your good thoughts and prayers!

ame Glad you guys caught your dh's shingle early. My derm said we caught mine early but I don't think we caught it as early as you did because my rash is not small but hopefully the antivirals will start working soon and stop it from spreading even more.

Circe ugh, I feel so badly for your poor mom. What she went through sounds horrible. On the face and around the eyes is very serious and I hope she has fully recovered from her ordeal. I am relieved for you that your headache nightmare is finally over. Crazy how our bodies react to different things and how challenging it can be to find the culprit(s).

marymm thanks for your wise words. You were right of course and I was just being foolish not wanting to go to the doctor. Fortunately that fear turned out to be unfounded though I still have not turned a corner re the virus at least I don't have meningitis!

Cluless thank you for your calming post and good luck wishes. I appreciate that and will keep you all posted.

VRBeauty so sorry about your friend's dad. Sounds awful and I hope he is fully recovered from that. Thank you for sharing that experience.

LLJsmom OMG, you poor thing! I had no idea you could get it twice in such a short time period. My derm told me now that I had it I didn't need the vaccine because I had another 20 years at least before I could get it again...but now I see he is wrong! So sorry you went through shingles twice, ugh! Thank you for your prayers!

Rainbird, Oh no, at 13 you had it? Did you have chicken pox before that? You poor thing! Thanks for your good wishes.

dk168, I am surprised at all the PSers who had shingles. Thanks for sharing your story and glad you are fully recovered.

Yenny that sounds awful. I cannot imagine how I would be able to dress warmly for this weather if mine become as painful as yours. Glad that is behind you and thank you so much for the hugs! (((Hugs))) back at ya.

Kaleighoh my, both meningitis and encephalitis! So glad you came through that unscathed! Thank you for your hugs-Hugs to you too!

packrat thank you for commiserating. Glad JD is fully recovered now. Scary how awful this disease can be and how many people get it.

Gyspy how awful for your mom. My mom had it also and was also in terrible pain. In fact her doctor sent her to a specialist because hers was so bad and not improving and spreading all over her body. It lasted for many months and ironically she got it at the same exact age I am now. Weird coincidence right?

texasj thanks for that info. That is sort of what I was thinking too but my PCP doesn't think they are sinus headaches since my sinuses aren't clogged or anything but I am not sure that is correct because it sure feels like a sinus headache to me.

LAJennifer I initially thought they could be bug bites too lol but I quickly determined since I had so many it probably wasn't that. Though I had a moment or 2 of nervousness thinking bed bugs! So lucky you only had two blisters! Sorry about your headaches. Hope you don't suffer too often with them.

Maisie thank you again. You are so kind-hugs!

Laurie thank you! Hugs to you too and thanks for the good wishes. I am stressed about missing so much work and trying to think good thoughts since stress will only aggravate my situation. I just keep thinking how am I going to make up all these days?
My damn worrying nature is probably why I got shingles in the first place yanno?

 

[ame]

BALLS! Well I hope these things really start kicking it and you can have some relief. I do recall that DH's rash stopped hurting after a few days on the meds and it did take a while for the rash to subside even after the meds were done. We did really catch it early. When I saw the rash and he said it hurt I texted a photo to a nurse in the family and to my mom's friend, also a nurse, both said "CALL THE DR NOW." and we got him on meds immediately. We were supposed to leave on vacation like three days later or something, so it was not anything I wanted to wait on.

 

[rosetta]

Missy, you gotta look after yourself. I'm also home sick today, doped up to the eyeballs on benzos and NSAIDs for a muscular spasm (I had it for 4 days and kept going till I couldn't get out of bed this morning) I feel really guilty as I'm feeling way better now but it's too late to go to work. But we shouldn't feel bad, we need to be here!