I have shingles

[Debbie]

Well I guess it's my time to hit that nasty bump in the road I have been sick the past week and 3 days ago broke out in a rash on my face and yesterday started feeling really bad, went to doc. and he said had shingles, I said to him you've got to be kidding and laughed at him, and he wasn't kidding. I felt I was making such good progress, now back to being sick again! I am in pain now, this is nasty stuff. It's nerve pain and it's a burning, stabbing, achey feeling that is in my scalp, forhead, eye and down the right side of my face. It also iches, is tingley, and I feel like someone is scratching the back side of eye! This is not fun
On to good news, I got a new anti-viral medicine that should work if taken within 72 hours of the rash breaking out, started it yesterday sure hope it works. Before this medicine was out people would suffer for months with this, now I hope all be better in a week or so.
Any one else had this, let me know
Thanks Debbie

 

[paco512]

I got Shingles after my heart Cath...

I got Shingles after my heart Cath...

I couldn't believe it. I also took the antiviral drug and it did shorten it to 4 weeks or so. Lots of pain and second guessing. But in the end the best thing to do is take the pain meds and take it easy. You just can't do anything else about it. Make yourself COMFORTABLE!!!!!!! Its the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. Me... i'm a workaholic... so i just couldn't sit and do nothing unless the pain meds were kicking in. When its over you will feel like a fresh spring day.

For those who have not encounted this nasty bump in the road yet. Try the vaccine.

Paco512
Mini AVR
Cleveland Clinic
Dr Joseph Sabik

 

[Jkm7]

So sorry to hear you are suffering with shingles. Hope you get quick relief.

Anyone know of any reason valvers with tissue valves can't get the vaccine? I was supposed to get it in January but it got forgotten when all my valve issues took center stage. Want to get it now.

 

[rocksoldier]

ooh debbie! owie! i had them in my 20's ! they burned so bad,i used to stick my neck under the faucet and let cold water run over them....hope you feel better soon! trish

 

[Mary]

Here's a recent thread.

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24998&highlight=shingles

 

[LUVMyBirman]

So sorry to hear it. My mother and a friend of mine both had it. Residual pain lasts while. You are also pretty contagious for a period of time. Until the rash dissipates. Stay clear for the really young, old and immune suppressed. In short......you should stay home.

Wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[Guest]

Oh Debbie, I'm sorry to hear this. When I visited my Mom for Mother's Day she was in her second week. She could not take the anti-viral, it mixed with her other meds causing her to have a bad reaction. She was given these patches to put on the rash, it was on her back, they go on for 12 hours, off 12 hours, she was also given vicodin. My mom is 79, she was in so much pain.

Bathe in Aveeno oatmeal baths, it will help with itching.

I hope you get better soon, my thoughts are with you.

 

[Philip B]

Shingles

Shingles

Hi Deb,

Yes indeed, I've had shingles and it was uncomfortable. Late last July, mine developed on my upper right leg so any kind of pants (long or short) rubbed on those wonderful blistery sores. My reaction when my doctor told me what I had was probably the same as yours. Of course, I got a different reaction from my wife when I returned from the doctor's office and told her I had herpes.

Don't make the mistake that I did before I found out what I had. Popping the blisters tends to leave scars. I've got a few scars on my leg.

My doctor gave me some kind of topical medication which gave me relief from the itch stuff.

Hang in there. It takes some time for the meds to settle this stuff down, but it will get better.

-Philip

 

[Debbie]

shingles

shingles

Thanks everyone, I'm pretty discouraged right now, I expected to be down for a month with the surgery, but never saw this coming and I'm not ready to be sick again. I'm really having a hard time with this unexcepted event. Debbie

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear about this. I've had shingles so feel for you. I hope they run their course soon.

 

[catwoman]

Debbie:

Sorry to hear you're battling shingles.

My FIL had shingles -- on the back & buttocks -- while in the hospital with his 2nd MVR (+ AVR + aorta rebuild + 4 CABG). Not only was he a very sick puppy to begin with, he was also very uncomfortable.

His doctors said it's not uncommon for a patient to break with shingles following a major illness or surgery, since stress can bring it on.

 

[Cooker]

Debbie...sorry to hear this news....If you read the link Mary posted you know my wife had them....She started treatment right away and they cleared pretty quick....Keep your chin up.......this too will pass.

 

[briansmom]

Debbie, I'm so sorry that on top of everything you have to go through this now. I tried to get the vaccine for me and my son but insurance only covers it for people over 65. I guess they think the rest of us don't need it because it is pretty expensive to pay for it privately.

 

[Susan BAV]

Very sorry to read this, Debbie. Hope you're feeling much better very soon.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Yes, my Mother's outbreak was after double knee replacement. Stress, resistance being broken and communicable diseases passed on in the hospital in unfortunate.

Hope you have a mild case and bounce back very quickly Debbie.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[South Sound Sailor]

Debbie - just now reading this. Wow. I am so sorry to hear about this. Like others who have written to you, I too had shingles. It was about 10 years ago. The rash encircled my abdomen. Lasted about 3 to 4 weeks... I think. Mostly I recall having a lot of pain and difficulty sleeping. Bathing was no fun. Please do whatever you need to do (that's legal!) to make yourself comfortable. You'll get over this and will be 100% healthy before you know it. I've heard that once you get it there's a tendency to have recurring episodes but I've yet to experience a 2nd round (and now that I've thoroughly jinxed myself, I'll say goodbye).

Steve C.

 

[Debbie]

shingles

shingles

Mary, thanks for posting the link, I read through all of it and it was helpful. Question- I called my cardio today but did'nt get through to him, is this going to affect my new valve or my heart in any way??? Thanks Debbie

 

[Debbie]

shingles

shingles

Hi again, I'm about a week into this shingles thing now and the medicine has really helped me feel better! My sores are already scabbing up and the burning, stabbing, itching, and constant pain is better now. I'm so thankful for this medicine, I'll only be in pain for weeks instead of months without it! Thanks everyone Debbie

 

[Mary]

I'm glad you're over the worst of it, Debbie, and I'm also glad that you found the link helpful.

 

[sue943]

I had shingles years ago, very painful. My blisters were on the right side of my ribcage. It was just my bad luck that I broke out with the blisters on the second day of a three week holiday in Spain and France. My husband was a tight-wad and I didn't even have a painkiller, saw no doctors. By the time I got home the blisters had more or less gone so I didn't take them to a doctor. The pain lasted a very long time.