Shingles Week 3

[Theland]

Latest drug Gabapentin hardly touching it. Pain comes and goes. Using loads of Calamine lotion but could do with something topical and more effective.

[Bobbisox1]

I feel for you Theland

[Patsy33]

Poor you. It's awful. Perhaps you need a stronger dose of gabapentin? Hopefully it should start to leave you soon..

[woofgang]

Theland, neurological pain is a ***. All I can suggest is that you contact the doctor again.

[woofgang]

the asterisked word is lady dog

[Theland]

Thank you :-)

[shaneystar2]

It's horrible and I do sympathise .I've had it three times. Get a tube of aloe vera gel from Holland &Barret,keep it in the fridge and apply it often.Much more soothing than calamine lotion.

[Theland]

Sounds good.

[Sqad]

3 weeks pain is nothing for an attack of shingles.
What pain relieving medication are you taking and what are the doses?

[Bobbisox1]

I was prescribed Amitriptyline theLand , one hardly touched it so Doc said to take two or even three but I hated the feeling of sleepiness they caused but that was better than the pain, I went on to a forum specifically for those who'd had or those who were suffering from it, there were a couple of people on there saying about Olive extract in capsule form , I sent for them and they did help, I'd have done anything at the time

[Samuraisan]

I can't give you any advise, but you certainly have my sympathies. I remember as it feeling little daggers digging in around my stomach. Good luck ! Hope it goes soon.

[ladyalex]

I got Dermacool from my GP when I had shingles last year and found it helpful. I'm pretty sure you can get it over the counter.

Sorry for you if the gabapentin isn't helping. I'd go back and see if they can give you something different to try for the pain.
In fact, sorry for you altogether...shingles is awful.

[HansUrbancka]

Hi Theland......I have never had Shingles but have heard of the pain involved, from folk who have suffered from the complaint.

Also I have been led to understand that, if one had Chicken Pox earlier in life, stress can cause Shingles at a later age.

I could be absolutely wrong, but I sense that you are at heart a caring person but Religion has become too overbearing in your life; hence you are somewhat 'worn out'.

Hopefully, you will find after about four weeks the pain will become considerable less.

Best wishes to you........Hans.

[andy-hughes]

Hans - // Also I have been led to understand that, if one had Chicken Pox earlier in life, stress can cause Shingles at a later age. //

That's true, I have had stress-induced shingles, and the pain is utterly miserable, like being constantly brushed with lit cigarette ends.

Higher pain medication may well be the solution while the infection works its way out of the system.

[Theland]

Hans - Yes I had chickenpox as a child. Yes, I tend to make everybody else's problem my problem and it wears me down. So yes, I have a lot of stress in my life.

[HansUrbancka]

G'morning Theland......,..Thanks for having awarded me 'Best Answer'.

Have another few words with your GP.

Meanwhile I hope you find things improving.

Hans.

[Sqad]

So, yes, then why not answer my query from 09.43 on Saturday?
I struggle with people like you who are dying one moment, pleading for advice and then disappearing off the radar........it is soul destroying and questions the point of Body & Soul.

[Bobbisox1]

A-H that's a very good way to describe Shingles
// being brushed with a cigarette ends// lit ones at that!
Shingles is part of the Herpes virus , I don't know how old you are TheLand but my health authority offers the vaccine at 70 yrs old, I'm told it's just a one off injection, I've had it,such is my fear of a Shingles flare up again

[Theland]

69 in January. Yes my doctor offers that.

[Theland]

Squad - sorry - can't remember name of tablets, five a day for five days, since then pain control, Zapain, Morphine and Gabapentin Milpharm 300mg.

[Sqad]

Not enough information for me to make a reasonable comment.