Feeling Like I’Ve Got Shingles Again

[Bobbisox1]

The pain is incredible and localised at the bottom left side of my head, the area is sore to touch and feels itchy, I had shingles along my right collarbone about 4 years ago and remembered how the pain could wake me up, it feels exactly like that so here I am at silly o clock having a cup of coffee and taking paracetamol hoping to quell the pain, last time I had this I was prescribed Amitriptyline but hated taking them so if I sound I’m feeling sorry for myself, I am, getting it once is bad but getting it twice !!
I’m at my GPs later this morning but that’s just to see a nurse practitioner for a yearly MOT, Bloods done etc, I’m 73 and don’t take any meds at all and enjoy good health but this is really getting me down

[Jackdaw33]

My sympathies. I had shingles over 30 years ago and wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

[tonyav]

You have my sympathy, Bobbi. Shingles are bloody horrible.
Bring it up with the nurse practitioner later.

[Buenchico]

The official NHS advice is to call 111 straight away:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

That coffee might not be such a good idea:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/548248-caffeine-shingles/

Get well soon!

[Bobbisox1]

Hi Jack , that’s only thing I can think of it being, same searing pain and waking me up, it’s unusual to get it twice they reckon and I’ve had the injection when I turned 70 but the pain is terrible

[ummmm]

Is it contagious?

Sorry you're feeling bad.

[Bobbisox1]

Thanks Chris, I’ll speak to someone first thing in the morning

[tonyav]

I know someone that has had it twice, Bobbi. I have had them once ( so far ), and that was more than enough.

[ummmm]

OMG - The pictures look horrendous.

[Bobbisox1]

No, not contagious as there’s no rash, the only way it can be passed on would be via fluid ,for example if there was a rash and it was in blister form and was ‘weeping’ then someone touched it, I’d assume then they could pick up the virus that way, I’d imagine there’s no rash because it’s actually in my hair whereas last time it was on my skin

[Bobbisox1]

Tony, at first I thought I had a sore stiff neck or even a trapped nerve but then the pain has started

[Jackdaw33]

It is not contagious but thoroughly nasty. Only those who have had shingles can appreciate the pain and sheer debility which come with them.

[Bobbisox1]

The only thing I can hope for is it’s a mild attack because of me having the vaccine, I’m off to bed again to see if theses pain killers will help although last time they didn’t touch it, thanks for taking the time to chat, I appreciate it

[tonyav]

Hopefully the nurse, can do something or prescribe something to stop it in it's tracks, Bobbi.

[Jackdaw33]

Try Nytol or a variant to get a good night's sleep.

[ummmm]

They don't work for everyone, Jack, sadly.

[Bobbisox1]

Well I tried bed but the pain is really bad, now I’ve got the OH and Lola up too

[Bobbisox1]

Tony if it’s caught with 36 hours an anti viral drug is given but that time has elapsed because I really thought I was starting with a stiff neck then even a trapped nerve ,never dreaming I could get it again

[emmie]

hope you get it sorted, it looks horrendous. I only know one person who had shingles and she was ill for ages.

[Bobbisox1]

got an appointment at the doctors this morning, thanks to Tony , Chris , ummmm and Jackdaw when I needed a chat in the middle of the night, I managed to get back to bed about 04-30 so I’ve had about 3 hours sleep
Thanks again

[Bobbisox1]

Hi Emmie, it’s the worst pain imaginable,although as it’s in my head, I’ve no rash ...as yet