Shingles

Anyone have experience with shingles?? How long did the rash, itchiness, & pain last? Did your LOs get chicken pox from it?

The rash started on my left cheekbone and is now on my scalp and on the bottom of my jawline, but it's the worst behind my ear. OMG I want to claw it off.

I am on my fourth day of Famvir, 1000 mg 3x/day. I've also tried taking Benadryl and using hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, and cold compresses. Nothing helps the itch. I also have horrible shooting pains in my ear and pain on the left side of my throat when I swallow.

I have a 9 week old that I'm still nursing so it's hard to just stay in bed and relax. I'm very diligent about not having her come in contact with the rash and I wash my hands a million times a day. I'm just praying it goes away soon. I feel like a leper and don't even want to go out in public but I can't stay locked up in my house for weeks either

Shingles

You poor thing!! I had shingles, but not severe, under my arm near my armpit area. It was itchy, and the shooting pains lasted at least a couple of months after the rash was gone. The rash itself lasted 2 weeks maybe less, I forget now. The doctor gave me an RX, but I didn't bother filling it since it wasn't overly bothersome. My kids are vaccinated against chicken pox, so I wasn't worried about spreading it. Feel better!

Re: Shingles

I had shingles on my face as well. It was awful. My doctor put me on valtrex and a cream to put on my face. They were very worried about it going into my eye. I'd say it took two full weeks for it to go away. I still had facial pain for months after that. I had post herpetic neuralgia which is nerve damage from the shingles and had to go on a pain management med because the pain was terrible. Shingles was worse than childbirth.

My 10 month old did get chicken pox.

I hope you feel better!

Re: Shingles

Thanks for the responses, ladies! The rash started to scab over, yay! The itchiness has subsided as well, but it still worse behind me eat. I'm still exhausted (not sure if that's shingles-related or being mom of an infant ) & have pain in my ear and neck--it hurts to turn my head side to side. Hopefully it won't last much longer and I will avoid PHN. I did start the antiviral meds within 72 hours which is supposed to help.

Message edited 8/12/2014 2:04:47 PM.