Shingles? Anyone Had It?

[nvsmom]

About 10 days ago, or so, I developed a rash patch on my ribs, about 1-2" high and 2-3" long on my ribs below the bra line, and another smaller patch, about half the size, about 6" further towards my back. They look like a bunch of mosquito bites surrounded in a red patch. At first I thought was a weird reaction to a spider bite or something.  It was itchy and a bit sore - no biggie. I ignored it and went camping for a week, and now it is worse.  In fact the mosquito bites I did get while camping have already faded quite a bit in comparison to this rash.

 

 It is purply red, a bit bigger, and very tender like a burn would be but not heat sensitive.  It's sore to lie on but I need to sleep on that side due to arthritic pan on the other.  Even clothing brushing it makes it a bit sore. The tender area extends a few inches out past the red area - kind odd.  I wouldn't DARE to scratch it now.  It is also a bit crusty on top like it is scabbing a bit.

 

It occurred to me yesterday that this could be shingles!  I had chicken pox (three bloody times) as a child so it could be possible... but I feel too young for it!  Anyone had shingles before?  What do you think?

 

I may go to the doctor about it on Monday, although the stubborn part of me says going to the doctor for a rash is a waste of time.  LOL It IS bothering me a bit though.

 

Any comments are welcome.  I'm hoping I'm wrong because I have three boys who haven't had chicken pox... yet.

 

 

[bartfull]

I hope it's not shingles and goes away quickly! I knew a guy who had it once and he said it was incredibly painful. Have you looked it up on Dr. Google? I just did and I saw this from the CDC. On the left side is a list of links and one of them is pictures.

 

Open Original Shared Link

[nvsmom]

Thanks, Barty.  My rash is along the upper rib stripe on the right - the location is spot on. If I put my arm down it hits it, and then there is a smaller patch just a bit further back.  Mine look somewhat like the picture on the waist but mine isn't scabbed like that, although it is starting to feel a bit scabby (at about 10 days in).  

 

Pfff.  No sense worrying I guess.  If it is shingles there is nothing they can do.  I know they can give one anti-virals in the first three days, but that was a week ago... Oops.  LOL  It is a painful rash, like a burn, but luckily it is small - not much longer than my fingers - so it isn't too inconvenient.  AND luckily it's not under my bra strap.  I'd be letting the girls go free if it was.  

[cristiana]

Hi nvsmom.   I think I had it.   I had a burning sensation from my spine to the left rib and it hurt and itched for a year under the skin but there was actually no rash - yes, shingles without a rash seemingly exists! My brother in law who is a  GP diagnosed me although my own GP thought it was to do with a trapped nerve in the back. Then I had tests and the consultant spinal specialist said there was nothing wrong with my back - it might have been shingles after all!  Throughout these rather perplexing tests I also considered I might have costochondritis.  Anyhow someone posted their experiences on this website for me and in case  you have missed it here is the post from a girl called Mimsy - you will have to scroll down a bit to read it.

 

She maintained that it is worth taking the antiviral even after the deadline as it shortens the life of the virus.  I have no idea about this as in my own case my brother in law was keen instead for me to take Lyrica but I just decided to brave the symptoms of pain and irritation.  

 

I found I couldn't get too hot or it made things worse, exercise aggravated it and still to this day I get the odd off day but it has pretty much gone now.

 

 

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/106838-is-costochondritis-itchy-does-it-always-affect-the-sternum-area/

[cristiana]

Also meant to say, try to get plenty of rest.  My nutritionalist said it important to try not to get 'run down' if one is prone to shingles.

[nvsmom]

Thanks!  I remember that post.

 

I'll see the doctor tomorrow.

[nvsmom]

It IS shingles. poo. I skipped the antivirals since I've had it a couple of weeks.  Hopefully it doesn't get worse or hang around for many months.

[cristiana]

Commiserations.   I was told to take amytriptelene or lyrica to help with pain that followed but didn't -  but hopefully you won't have that problem, everyone's experience is different.  I found rest the best medicine.

 

xx

[cyclinglady]

Sorry to hear this. My mother had the shingles but hers was not as bad as our neighbors. I asked about a vaccination, but you have to be over sixty. My mom was in her late 40's when she got them. Not sure if it is worth it to pay out of pocket. I am still debating!

Take care! Watch that Lyrica. My mom had horrible side effects and gained 30 pounds in month. She tried it for fibromyalgia.

[bartfull]

Ouch! I'm so sorry to hear it. I hope it is a mild case that goes away quickly and never comes back.

[ravenwoodglass]

Sorry to hear this. My mother had the shingles but hers was not as bad as our neighbors. I asked about a vaccination, but you have to be over sixty. My mom was in her late 40's when she got them. Not sure if it is worth it to pay out of pocket. I am still debating!

Take care! Watch that Lyrica. My mom had horrible side effects and gained 30 pounds in month. She tried it for fibromyalgia.

One of my bosses had shingles and was also give Lyrica. He also had side effects and had a hard time stopping it once the shingles were gone.

[nvsmom]

Thanks all.  

 

I've never even heard of Lyrica.  I'll have to look it up out of curiosity.

 

I think my case is pretty mild (knock wood).  That rash is smaller than the palm of my hand, it's just the soreness that radiates out a few inches.  It feels almost like a burn on the rash, without temperature sensitivity, and the area around it is a an odd tingling pain.  Hard to describe. Almost like after getting stitches, but not that bad.

 

I haven't even thought about taking a tylenol for it, so it must be pretty mild compared to most.  I'll be fine.

 

Just keep your fingers crossed that my boys don't get chicken pox.  I didn't vaccinate for that one, so there is a chance they could get it.   I'm washing so frequently that my fingers are cracking.  LOL

[nvsmom]

I looked it up. Lyrica is serious stuff.  I shouldn't need it. Crossed fingers.

[squirmingitch]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Nicole}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

Hoping your boys don't get the chicken pox. 

[nvsmom]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Nicole}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

Hoping your boys don't get the chicken pox. 

 

Thank you!    Me too!!

 

My oldest (12) has a sore throat and feels sick today... Eek. I hope it is just a summer flu.

[squirmingitch]

Eeek!  Sending positive vibes for a summer flu! That sure sounds crappy doesn't it? Wishing someone the flu. But considering the alternative.... 

[icelandgirl]

I hope you feel all better soon and that none of your boys get sick. ((((Hugs))))

[nvsmom]

Looks like it was just a flu.  My boy is getting better and not a spot on him.  

[icelandgirl]

That's really good news Nicole!

[squirmingitch]

I agree, great news!!!!! Whew! Dodged that bullet.

[Ter]

Hi, I had them once and it felt like poison ivy and nettles at once, I had them on my back and around to my belly button and also across my back and shoulders,  My suggestion is to go to the doctor, it will get worse and then blister, you will need medicine to help you through it as it can last a month or more.  

You won't be able to stand anything touching it including clothes.  My doctor did not diagnose mine correctly at first because I had two rows in two different spots at one time.  Figures I had a rare case.   If you itch it you may end up with scaring.   I wish you well.  Ter