Yet Another Shingles Question

[Vagus]

I have developed a row of about seven or eight small fluid filled blisters along my left collar bone, a couple of which have burst and produced clear stuff which has crusted over.
OH tells me there are another few along the top of my back, same side, and a couple on my neck.
I thought at first they were insect bites when I first noticed them yesterday as they were just raised red bumps, not itchy or painful then or now.
I have been feeling under the weather for the last few days, not ill but very tired and definitely not right, but have put that down to diagnosed anaemia and a couple of other issues I have, also my compromised immune system.
Shingles perhaps? Something else???

[Sqad]

Sounds like shingles Vagus.

If you do develop pain, then use Ibuprofen or a similar Nsaid.

As you have a degree of immunosuppression, I would suggest contacting your GP as to the advisability of oral antiviral agents.

[Vagus]

Thanks sqad, was hoping you’d see this :)
Trouble is, the antivirals should be started within a day or so of first symptoms I believe and the GP is shut being the weekend, so I doubt they’d do much if I started them on Monday, assuming I can get through to the surgery then.
If it stays as it is, then I can weather it, if it does become painful then I think I’ll hit the gin ;)
How are you doing? You’re not around much these days and I do think about you :o) xx

[Sqad]

LOL.....I am doing fine thank you Vagus.

[Vagus]

Good to hear xx

[Countrylover]

How's it going today Vagus? X

I've had a few episodes, but caught them in time and had no pain. Have you not had the shingles jab? Hopefully you are OK. (Lottie)

[Vagus]

Hello Lottie, how nice to see you back :)
I’m actually waiting for an out of hours doctor to call me as I’ve developed a few more of these blisters and feel really quite unwell. Rather than wait until Tuesday (I forgot it was bank holiday) I decided to see if I can be prescribed the anti virals today.
I hope you’re doing ok, thank you for asking about me x

[Vagus]

Oh yes, I’ve had the shingles jab, hopefully that’ll make it less severe.

[Peter Pedant]

people have looked for at least 50 y for a link between shingles and future cancer - and not found it as so many olds have shingles and cancer anyway that you cant tell - current asnwer is: no there is no ( identifiable ) risk
BUT
it may have a more severe course in the immunosuppressed and I wd lose no time ringing your GP tomorrow

[jourdain2]

It should do, Vagus. I've had shingles, then the jab and then another dose of Shingles not all that long ago. It was uncomfortable and not pleasant - but nothing like the pain and wipeout that I experienced before I was jabbed.

[Countrylover]

Vagus, I've had a bad time lately. If you go to lie in Kings post on Northern soul you will see why? I tried to get back on here for quite a while with the same name but had no response, I don't want people to think I am hiding my identity. There are quite a few ABers I really enjoy chatting with and was missing them. You're one of them :0)

[Toorak]

Vagus - I hope you manage to get the antiviral meds: they make a huge difference both in terms of the severity and duration of symptoms. I had shingles this time last year and the antivirals meant that the pain ended after a couple of days. I still get the occasional aftersensation but it is not painful.

[Vagus]

Update…after a lengthy and rather arduous pass around by the NHS, I have just taken the first of the anti virals, hoorah!
Thank you, people, for your input, it is much appreciated.
Lottie, dear me, you have seriously been in the wars haven’t you? I can’t do any more than wish you a speedy recovery and send you my best wishes, you’ve been missed xx

[Countrylover]

How's it going Vagus? I do hope the anti viral are helping. X I'm here waiting for yet another doctor to come as I can hardly move! Just hoping they don't suggest hospital- seen enough of them recently to last a lifetime

[Vagus]

Oh no Lottie, hope you’ve had a doctor call by now. Is it pain, weakness, or your very dodgy joints which prevents movement?
I’m feeling marginally better today for the first time, thank you. I’d always thought it was pain from the rash that made shingles rather nasty, I’d no idea how unwell it also made you feel. My rash is relatively small but the pain is quite bad, lord knows how people cope with it right around their torso, the pain must be appalling.
I sat in the car when we took dog to be groomed, it was nice to be out of the house.
Hope you get sorted without hospitalisation Lottie, thanks for asking about me xx

[Countrylover]

Oh no Lottie, hope you’ve had a doctor call by now. Is it pain, weakness, or your very dodgy joints which prevents movement?

All three Vagus and the addition of multiple spine problems and an also an internal Eds/hypermobility related problem which is confined to the bathroom.

But I soldier on, often wondering if its worth it. I feel sorry for Mr Lottie doing everything and needing two new knees. He's so patient,and I'm prone to outbursts!

Doctor been and gone to try a find yet another pain control method to get me up and moving. I'm bored with looking at the ceiling.