Shingles! (Not the roofing kind) - Page 2

midgetwaiter · #31 10-02-2022, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Feels like it’s on fire, or being jabbed with needles?
Very likely

Yes that would be a pretty good description, even having t shirt over it is driving me crazy. Doc thinks it’s a staph infection though, said if it was shingles it would have blistered by now.

Goodish news I guess.

Sporty · #32 10-02-2022, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

I’m not immunocompromised
I’ve had it twice and they still said so sorry, You have to wait
I’ll trust what my drs told me
Not what people say online

When I had shingles, my Dr told me I had to wait a year after having shingles to get the vaccine. Could that be the case in your situation?

LeonH · #33 10-02-2022, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tool

Almost 2 weeks ago I started having nasty pains in my abdomen and back for no apparent reason. Hurt to bend over, take deep breaths or go over a bump in the truck even.

Couldn’t get in to see my GP for a month, talked to the tele health people and the dr there brushed it off as a “musko skeletal” issue and said to try stretching and go for a massage. (Stretching is the last thing I want to do right now)

Then about a week ago the rash started and I realized it must be Shingles.

Went to urgent care, dr confirmed and prescribed anti viral, been on it for 6 days without improvement.

Anybody had this and found relief? Way more painful than I ever imagined.

I had shingles about year and a half ago. I was lucky to realize what was happening and started taking medication that I have for cold sore prevention. My luck was that I started medication right away as it is only effective if started within 72 hours of outbreak. Mine started Thursday or Friday and I couldn’t see my family doctor until after the weekend. Once I did he prescribed exact same medication but different dose for few days. It ended up being minor case but still very painful. So I was lucky to start treating it very soon.

I just took first dose out of the two vaccine as I never want this coming back again.

One very interesting fact is that a person will only get shingles on one side of the body. The rash never crosses the symmetrical line of human body.

It is caused by chickenpox virus when our immunity drops (usually in latter stages of life, typically over 50). It can be related to stress.

Hoping a quick recovery for you!

LeonH · #34 10-02-2022, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporty

When I had shingles, my Dr told me I had to wait a year after having shingles to get the vaccine. Could that be the case in your situation?

Same thing was what my doctor told me.

LeonH · #35 10-02-2022, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

You can’t get the shot until your 50
Just a heads up

This is not quite true. I am 47 and did get it.
Doctors do not recommend until 50, but if you are close to that age and at risk of getting it (i.e. had it once already) your doctor might prescribe it.

My insurance did not cover it. First dose was $160, I suspect the second one will cost me this amount again.

PaLuke · #36 10-02-2022, 07:35 PM

I had shingles about 1 year ago to the day. Mine was on my head, actually across my forehead and nose. I was told by my doctor that once it's on your nose it's in your eye. I ended up going to a Cornea specialist every other day for about 2 weeks. I lost some vision but was very lucky, apparently you can go blind very quickly from shingles being in your eye. I got to the optometrist about 2 days after the breakout and it still did damage. My advice is if you think it's on your head or face get to an eye doctor as quick as possible. Take care.

justsomeguy · #37 10-02-2022, 08:36 PM

Ok I'm going to stop reading this thread, you guys are scaring the bejesus out of me!

marky_mark · #38 10-02-2022, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonH

This is not quite true. I am 47 and did get it.
Doctors do not recommend until 50, but if you are close to that age and at risk of getting it (i.e. had it once already) your doctor might prescribe it.

My insurance did not cover it. First dose was $160, I suspect the second one will cost me this amount again.

I think I was 38 the last time I got it
42 now
I’ve found that if I take more hunting trips My stress level is lower
So I’ll use that to keep the shingles away instead of the vaccine until I’m 50 lol

Sundancefisher · #39 10-02-2022, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selkirk

Not True ☝ ... The age of '50+' is just a 'general recommendation'.

If necessary, a Doctor can prescribe the new Shingles vaccine to almost anyone, regardless of age.

One of Many examples:

"The Shingles Vaccine is also recommended for people who are 19 years of age and older who have weakened immune
systems due to disease or medication."

If you want to get the Shingles vaccine, Don't worry about your age (or the *&^%$# floating around the internet).

Talk to you Doctor about it.

Selkirk

It never hurts to ask a question.

This is what MyHealth says however.

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/...-shingrix.aspx

260 Rem · #40 10-02-2022, 11:26 PM

I’ve had shingles for a lot of years, mostly in remission but I get a flare every few years. My flares are fairly mild, patch on my back feels like a burn and can get itchy but not really all that bad.

britman101 · #41 10-03-2022, 01:18 AM

The antiviral works best if given three to five days after the symptoms of shingles. Now that the rash has started still take the antivirals and ride out the painful rash till they heal. You do not have to wait a year but can ask your doctor to prescribe shingrix for you after about six months.You will receive two shots that are spaced out. When you get the first shot, you may feel sick for a day or two, but after that wait three or four months and get the second shot.

Edmonton resident · #42 10-03-2022, 06:20 AM

I hope i never get it doesn't sound good from what i have read.

elkhunter11 · #43 10-03-2022, 06:52 AM

After seeing how nasty shingles were for friends and relatives, I didn't hesitate to get the vaccination. It is expensive, but my health spending account paid for it, and even if it didn't, I would have paid for it myself, to try and avoid shingles.

badbrass · #44 10-03-2022, 07:49 AM

My Dad, and my Brother got it! Got the shot right after that! It is not nice at all!

Mr Flyguy · #45 10-03-2022, 10:17 AM

Several years ago a case s shingles started in the bridge of my nose and I came close to losing vision in my left eye. Anti-viral and a really good eye doctor save the day but it took a while.

tool · #46 10-09-2022, 08:17 AM

I think it’s about 3 weeks that I’ve had it now. The rash has improved, I finished the antiviral pills but the pain is still very evident. Never goes away very bizarre ailment. Never really knew what it was even until I got it.

Sundancefisher · #47 10-09-2022, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tool

I think it’s about 3 weeks that I’ve had it now. The rash has improved, I finished the antiviral pills but the pain is still very evident. Never goes away very bizarre ailment. Never really knew what it was even until I got it.

Crap. Hope you get better soon.

tool · #48 10-18-2022, 01:12 PM

The only way this sage could get better??

I also tested positive for Covid this morning.

🤦*♂️

Ronji · #49 10-19-2022, 07:29 AM

I had a couple of my friends suffer hard, so we went for the shots.
My wife and I had the 2 stage vaccinations.
We had them each time in the morning. By dinner time we were both flat out in bed.
Kicked our butts hard for 2 days. After that it was just a sore arm for another day.
It was nice that the shots were covered by our plan.

With the Covid shots, I more needles in the last 2 years than my whole life.

keeks · #50 10-19-2022, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbless

What if you were too young to remember if had chicken pox. I believe I had measles. Have no parents alive and most close relatives are with them. Wondering if they can do a test like they do for allergies. My x mother in law went through it. Not good.

I'm wondering the same thing.

tool · #51 10-20-2022, 11:44 AM

Honestly guys, if you are not sure I’d be checking with your Dr and asking about the vaccine. I never realized how debilitating this could be until I got it. In fact I really didn’t even know what the disease was about other than connected to Chicken Pox.

If you are not sure you’ve had chicken pox you could also catch Chicken Pox from an infected person with either chicken pox or shingles (same virus)

I’ve heard that adult cases of chicken pox can be brutal and many are hospitalized.

Also, apparently there is a large spike in Shingles cases in people that have recently had Covid, (immune system run down I guess)

My body just decided to do it the other way and get Covid while I am still getting over Shingles.
Sounds about right for my luck.

Sundancefisher · #52 10-20-2022, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeks

I'm wondering the same thing.

You doc should know if they test in Alberta for prior infection.

https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/lab-t...lab-tests.html

One thing young adults should know is some of the earlier chickenpox vaccines didn’t take. Many young adults today need a booster to be safe through adulthood.

dustinjoels · #53 10-21-2022, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

You can’t get the shot until your 50
Just a heads up

I'm 40 and have had shingles and just got prescribed the shot.

For anyone who's had adverse effects and been sick for a day or two from the vaccine, I would say that pales in comparison to the effects of getting shingles.