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Celiac And Shingles (herpes Zoster)

hutmacar

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hutmacar Newbie
hutmacar
Posted

Hi,

I'd like to know if someone has falsely been diagnosed shingles (herpes zoster) instead of celiac. Is such a missdiagnosis common?

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Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

With doctors today, anything is possible. (Sorry, I have developed a deep mistrust of our medical system in general, so maybe I'm not a good one to reply here.)

I do believe, though, that shingles seems to occur more often in celiacs than in the generally healthy population, maybe because our immune systems are hyper, I don't know. On the other hand, most dermatologists wouldn't recognize Dermatitis Herpeteformis if it jumped uip and bit them on the a**--and, having had both, I can say that in my case, they DID look very similar (except shingles hurt like you wouldn't believe).

Are you having trouble getting a solid diagnosis of a rash?

julie5914 Contributor
julie5914
Posted

It's probably common. I never had the rash (DH), but I can imagine that a regular doctor would assume shingles. A biopsy can be done to confirm it is DH. Valtrex can help if it is shingles. I actually just got my first herpes simplex (cold sore) outbreak in the last couple of weeks and was so embarassed to have to take Valtrex. That rash on my lips was horrible though and kept getting worse, but the valtrex stopped it in its tracks.

mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

This is so interesting My uncle who is 93 &1/2 just told me he has shingles but he didn't know it because it doesn't bother him at all, no itch or pain..... and I agree with Fiddle-Faddle most docs know squat about any of this. I don't have or ever had dh but I now wonder about my uncle.Plus what makes me wonder more is his great grandson has autism & possibly his great granddaughter has autism.His son had all kinds of stomach problems but won't listen to anything I say............

Okay someone help me make a dx please!!!!!!

mamaw

Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted
Okay someone help me make a dx please!!!!!!

mamaw

(Mr. Rogers' voice): Can you say, "Gluten Intolerance?"

Guest Robbin
Guest Robbin
Posted
This is so interesting My uncle who is 93 &1/2 just told me he has shingles but he didn't know it because it doesn't bother him at all, no itch or pain..... and I agree with Fiddle-Faddle most docs know squat about any of this. I don't have or ever had dh but I now wonder about my uncle.Plus what makes me wonder more is his great grandson has autism & possibly his great granddaughter has autism.His son had all kinds of stomach problems but won't listen to anything I say............

Okay someone help me make a dx please!!!!!!

mamaw

From what I know about shimgles from people that have had it, is that it is painful and debilitating and if he had it, he WOULD definitely know it! As far as his son, some people have to really hit rock-bottom before they would even consider giving up gluten.

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