Do it.
The scars and 'phantom pain' have me constantly thinking about what my life would be like if I hadn't gotten shingles.
At the time there was no vaccine.

I have had the vaccine.... they stuck me on my follow up visit.... didn't mention that in my op..

>>>>tangent:

Regarding this years Flu vaccine; have been sick since I got the shot last week! :mad: with Flu like symptoms....

/tangent

glad this is not a picture thread-

Just had an outbreak in September, lasted about 2 weeks. I was lucky in that it was diagnosed quickly, before it was going full bore. The rash was on my face, although I was lucky that it did not get near my eyes. Prednisone was the worst…really messed with my sleep patterns. I have been taking Lyrica for about 1.5 months, which has dramatically diminished the neuropathy.

Best of luck.

Mike

according to doc visit last week; over 50 years old, 1 in 10 chance in men to get it. after the vaccine, 1 in 20 and it won't be as severe if contracted. Arm still hurts from the shot a week later

hope you feel better

Oh, yeah... as was mentioned, stress is one of the primary triggers.

I had Shingles in my late 30's on my chest and back. Most un pleasant to say the least.

The doc just said do what ever it takes to be as comfortable as possible and gut it out. Lasted 3 weeks, week 2 was the worst.

I've been told the pain is worst as one ages, many elderly people can not function with it.
Based my my experience I'm sure it's true. For God sakes get the shot !

Ex partner had shingles. It looked like poison ivy. Blisters, skin irritation, but severe pain far below the skin. It's a virus associated with nerves and it was on her left shoulder. It was so unilateral that you could almost trace the branches of the nervous system. Nothing on the right side of her spine at all, but vicious blistering and pain on the left. She really suffered. It lasted 6 months, went away, and hasn't been back. The med the doc prescribed was Valtrex.

I had a small patch on my back around age 25. I don't remember the treatment, but it went away quickly and wasn't horribly painful. Hope it never comes back.

Been taking that on and off for a while... unfortunately its not for shingles! Well I did have a fairly wild time in college... :)

Nature of the beast. If it is not unilateral, it is not shingles.

Pain is intractable because it is nerve pain. Nothing is like nerve pain.

I had it, anyone that says it isn't that bad had a very mild case or the didn't even have shingles to start with.:rolleyes:
My wife and kids got the vaccine after seeing what I went through.

Before anti-viral drugs, back in the 60's the only known remedy for herpes (both genital and the other!) was painting the blisters with proflavin (purple) dye and keeping a 100 watt incandescent light bulb close over the infection. Talk about insane!? The heat would help dry out the blisters, shortening the infection time. An "heroic medicine" revival!

But what the heck, back then at the shoe store you can see your foot bones throuigh an x-ray machine..............

Glad medicine has advanced.

Well....a day later....was only able to sleep after a does of hydracodone. I only have a small patch near groin area on left side. Wasn't too bad until last night and even then, it's more like a very, very intense itch that nothing will relieve. I think the hydrocodone took the edge off enough for me to fall asleep for a few hours. Guessing I have a relatively mild case compared to some. Just counting on this being the worst of it. Cancelled T-giving plans to buy more time before heading to Chicago for hell-week.

Once this passes, I'll definitely get the vaccine. They say you can get it again and I don't want to!

Got it at 34 on head and across face under eye. Still have nerve damage/pain in face 8 years later. DON'T pick at it!!!!!!!!!!

10-4 on that... shingles for me was bloody open puss draining sores that felt like someone was grinding a white hot iron into them.

I broke my leg badly in two places in a motorcycle accident... it was nothing compared to shingles.

YMMV

Got the vaccine shot a year ago after an 80 yr. old friend told me horror stories about her friend's pain.

There should be no confusion,

Warning, these photos a really graphic...

https://www.google.ca/search?q=shingles&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Df-UUuqAM-GfyQHprICYCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=911

I have them now. Went to the doctor today and he gave me Valacyclovir, whatever that is. He said it will get worse before it gets better, great.

I cancelled my thanksgiving plans. I don't feel that well and don't want to chance giving any of the infants chicken pox.

This sucks, I'm 56, not much stress in my life. I'm working on my instrument rating is the only stress that I can think of.

Sorry it is screwing up you holiday...

My life is one long chain of stressfully events.. for me I was a extremely healthy construction worker... banged my head on a rear view mirror of a stake bed truck on a job site. No big deal, minor injuries almost every day on the job.

The small scratch on my forehead got worse and worse until my half my head was covered with bloody sores.

Hope the new drugs help.