Hey Guys, It's Me

[Jeff Higgins]

First off, I want to just say a very heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who chimed in on the "other" thread over the last couple of days. I couldn't believe all of the genuine concern for my well being from the many, many friends I seem to have made here over the years. Moreover, I simply could not believe how many of you continue to oil your holsters and use WD40 as a firearms lube... If I achieve nothing else in this lifetime...

Anyway, no one did anything "wrong". To put to rest all of the rumors circulating not only this forum, but the various social media sites, internet chat rooms, blogs, and board rooms across the land, it was I who asked that Z-man tidy up the thread a bit. There was some personal stuff on it that I didn't want flitting about the wide open interwebs. Believe me, I'm fine with you guys knowing, but it's become a big scary world out there...

Anyway, shingles... Yeah... umm... "Get yer GODDAMN VACCINE!!!!!" That's today's friendly Public Service Announcement. I would not wish my January on anyone. There is a little discussed component that most are lucky enough to avoid but, unfortunately, it found me. Boy did it find me...

In "rare" cases, like 16% or so, there is a "debilitating nerve pain" component. That sounds so innocent. Well, I'm here to tell you - like many of you, I am no stranger to "pain". I volunteered at an early age to be my family's designated lifetime crash test dummy. You name it, I've probably broken or sprained or lacerated or burned or road crashed or crushed it. One total hip replacement, two surgeries to relieve discs impinging into my spinal column, and on and on. That cute little "pain scale" of one to ten, the one where our doctors like to ask us where we are to let them know how much "this" hurts? This one is an honest to gosh 300-400. At least.

The best part is, it never fluctuates. Never gets worse, but never gets better. Completely position or activity insensitive. Think of the moment the dentist's needle finds the nerve so he can numb a tooth - that special pain. Down an entire arm. For five weeks. 24/7. In the old days, folks simply went insane, then took their own lives. There is no treatment, even today.

Anyhoo, I don't want to dwell on that. Let's just chalk that up in the "best avoided" column. I was still able to lurk, during moments of (relative) clarity, so I was keeping an eye on you lot. Don't think I wasn't watching... now that I'm back, you can start dismounting those scopes from your lever guns and performing your proper penance. Oh, and shaving your palms, for those of you who let it go too long...

[flatbutt]

Oh Jeffy, sorry to hear, I've been there too bro. Pain of such magnitude as to defy description. Bear up bro, you ain't got no alternative.

[cabmandone]

Awe man! My dad had shingles. I can remember him wincing in pain when it hit him just sitting at the table. His would come and go. Get well!! And I'll make sure to take your advice and double up on the holster oil and WD40 for the guns!

[p911dad]

I have the same thing right now, and it's been about 3 weeks since it started. I had the shot back 5 years ago and never re-upped it. The doc says it might hang around for 6 weeks more or longer. He gave me an anti-viral which may have helped some. Not fun, glad to see you back.

[911boost]

Sorry Jeff.

[rusnak]

I hope you are feeling better and make a complete recovery soon.

[KFC911]

Thank you Jeff! I'm going to Walgreens tomorrow for my first round of the shingles vaccine. I've been talking about it, and procastinating .... your post in the other thread gave me just the kick in the azz I needed!

Appreciate it

[pwd72s]

This makes me glad I got those shingles shots.

Also, since my Mustang uses Mobile 1 5-20, I now have a tiny oil can that dispenses a drop at a time of the stuff. Mobil One 5-20..it's not just for cars.

[Zeke]

What triggers shingles?

3 people I know (one being my wife) got shingles right after getting the shot.

[WPOZZZ]

Welcome back!

[A930Rocket]

Ouch!

I’m due for my second shingles vaccine shot tomorrow.

[stevej37]

Is it contagious?
I'm hesitant to type this. (washing my hands)

Hope you are getting over it.

[peppy]

Damn, I hope you get this behind you. I am gonna get the damn shots.....

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Ouch!

I’m due for my second shingles vaccine shot tomorrow.

My doc told me I didn't get my 2nd shot. Oops!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Zeke

What triggers shingles?

3 people I know (one being my wife) got shingles right after getting the shot.

Same virus that gave you chicken pox as a kid. It runs and hides in the fluid surrounding your spinal column until such time that your immune system begins to falter, then it comes sneaking back out in the form of "shingles". For the vast majority, it's a pretty nasty, painful rash, with maybe some nerve pain. For the lucky few, it's unbearable nerve pain preceded by a bit of a rash. Everyone will land somewhere on that spectrum. Again, only 16% peg the needle on "nerve pain". And there is not a blessed thing anyone can do about it. There is no known treatment. Even the anti-viral (which I received immediately upon diagnosis), to quote the medical literature "has not been shown to alter the course of the illness".

Like many of you, I am also blessed with rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disorder, wherein our own immune system attacks the fluid in our joints, mistaking that fluid for an invading virus. Treatments involve immunosuppressant agents. One of the conditions of treatment is to get the Shingrix vaccine prior to starting. Well, somehow I missed that one. My fault. As a result, not only was I sporting the typically suppressed immune system of a guy of my age, I had further knocked it down through my RA treatment.

In other words, I had not simply left the door open for shingles. I had kicked it open like a New York cop on a no-knock warrant. And I got hammered.

But, like I said earlier, that's all behind me now. I'm fully recovered. My right thumb and forefinger - the terminus of the C6 nerve - have no feeling anymore. I'm told that will come back, perhaps painfully at first. But, for now, I'm "upright and locked". Working on the 911 in the garage, reloading in the basement, and generally carrying on like it never happened. Life is good.

[71T Targa]

Wow Jeff, I'm sorry to hear about your painful January. Glad you're on the mend.

I never had the chicken pox as a kid. I wonder if that means I can't get shingles now, or if it'd be much worse?.?.

[MBAtarga]

Wife and I both got the 2 shot vaccine over the past 3 months or so. It is covered 100% by most medical/drug plans for those 50(?) and over to my knowledge. My shot was covered by my medical plan, my wife's (different employer) was covered by her drug plan. She got her shots at Publix, I had to go to a medical clinic (Doc in a box.)

[Z-man]

Glad to hear you are doing better Jeff! Thanks for sharing your story. I had the chicken pox as a kid, quite badly. So I'm assuming that I'm immune to the shingles?

I know someone who somehow avoided getting chicken pox, but was also exposed to kids with Chicken Pox later in life. Said person once did get a single "shingle" - but I don't know if it was that or just something else... I wonder if that person should get the shingles vaccination.

Thoughts?

[red-beard]

Jeff, hope you feel better soon.

[911TES]

Jeff,
Quite a story and very compelling and useful PSA. I had a pinched C6/C7 nerve. I believe it was from a lot of road-bike cycling (Cycle Oregon for a couple years in a row). My right arm was “on fire with jagged knives stabbing it” for several days in a row. Couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat etc. very slowly resolved itself to the point that I’m generally comfortable. It’s easy to aggravate however. Right index finger 50% numb.
Hope you continue to improve and continue to “grab life.”
Regards,
Bill