Shingles? Ewww!

[Stytooner]

Guys and Gals, I have researched this and do not trust the web as much as you guys.

Nearly three weeks ago, I had some forehead pain I thought was a sinus headache. It turned into a rash (shingles) and I was at the Doc on day three.
He prescribed Acylovir and the rash went away. Now I have the lingering nerve problem that itches like crazy to the point of being counter productive. I hate pain pills, and my soonest appointment is next week. What kind of remedy have you found helpful?
My doctor knew what this rash was from the git go. He prescribed the mentioned antiB and Loritabs, but never said anything about a return visit. I expect that he wanted the other co-pay, but just not sure.
Is my co-pay acting as ransom for my next therapy regimen?
Am I just in pain and can't really tell the difference? Thanks for any suggestions at this point.
Failing all else, this bottle of Jack is hollerin at me. Thanks Guys and Gals.

[bradley_osu]

Hi Stytooner, sorry to hear about your problem. I'm in my final year of Pharmacy school so I hope I can lend a bit of insight here.

What you're experiencing may be a relatively common after effect of a herpes zoster (shingles) infection called Postherpetic Neuralgia (nerve pain). This is officially referred to as pain continuing for 30 days after the onset of the rash.

For pain like this unfortunately opioids (like Lortab) are of questionable benefit and not ideal for use because of some of their side effects and interactions. The mainstays of therapy for this are either tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline) or anticonvulsants (gabapentin) which are commonly used for other forms of nerve pain. These also bring in their own issues with side effects and involve longer therapy gradually increasing to effective dose followed by a taper off once the pain has subsided. These may definitely be options once you pass that 30 days afterwards mark.

For now though, a lot of people find a benefit in taking Zostrix (topical capsaicin) a topical over-the-counter medicine. It's indicated for arthritis but helps with the same inflammatory issues surrounding neuralgias. When applied 4 times a day it has been shown to be useful for people suffering mild forms of this.

Either way though, shingles is a serious illness and complications like neuralgia are equally serious so I would call your doctor before starting zostrix and definitely if the pain continues past the 30 day mark as more effective treatments may be required at that point.

Hope any of what I said is useful, and most importantly hope you feel better soon.

EDIT: One last thing, DO NOT TAKE LORTAB AND DRINK ALCOHOL! The bottle of jack may be calling, and if it does make sure you haven't taken any tylenol or lortab (lortab contains tylenol) for a while. Tylenol and alcohol spell disaster for your liver!

[Stytooner]

Thanks a bunch, Bradley. I apologize for stating that my Doc would hold meds as ransom. I may still think that, bit my thoughts aren't very pure at this point.

I'm okay, it's just that constant hard frickin itchin that is perhaps getting the best of me. I have very little on y forehead and the rest is in my scalp. Only on the lef side. Wow! A few weeks ago, I had no idea what folks were talking about when they mentioned shingles. It's not as outwardlardly noticeable now, but it is worse in the pester depot.

Thanks also for the advice on the Jack. I never mix him with anything but Coke on occasion.

[norwegianwoodworker]

Lee,

I have skin rashes due to eczema and an overactive immune system. To make the story short, what I use to stop the worst itches is a topical over-the-counter medication called Lanacane Maxium Strength (blue and yellow tube). It will not cure the itch, but it will stop it for some time so I can go back to what I need to do and not go crazy.

JT

[bradley_osu]

Like norwegianwoodworker said, the lanacane or any over the counter lidocaine preparation may also have some positive effect numbing the area. Only problem is that it just numbs it and doesn't really help the underlying process. But like he said if you need a quick fix it's definitely nice.

[whitecobra]

For fear of chiming in here as a doc I will add that the topical creams are a waste of your money they will not help the Herpes outbreak. The disease is based on the nerve ROOT and only FEELS like it is on the skin's edge

Our astute pharmacy student is right on point about the meds

There is not a ton of work being done with shingles since one thing we do know about it is that it is triggered by stress and has no cure AND goes away relatively quickly (days not months) and then often doesn't' return for quite some time

The Tricyclics work very well but no doc in his right mind would prescribe them for you if he has any glimmer that you will be a compliance problem

Certain meds are in the industry but they require a close following between patient and clinician and if you have voiced your dislike for going to the doc he will start with other meds before stepping into them

MUCH of health care is based on a relationship. The better the relationship and degree of confidence the more likely the MD is to stepping into the "less used but often more effective drug/therapy list"

If you want to TRY (this is NOT medical advice but has worked in many documented cases) take 200mg of Cimetadine (brand name of the over the counter version is Tagamet) 4 times a day. This will NOT eliminate the outbreak but has been shown to hasten the current episode so that it moves past quickly.

Dr Dave

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I had this crap about a year ago. I went to Dr for another reason and said "oh ya, check out this poison Ivy that I have" and he told me it was shingles. Dear God it sucks. What Dr Dave is saying sound right on about the pain being deep inside. The top of mine did not hurt but I was so sore deep inside. My outbreak was around my right arm pit/shoulder/chest area. They are definately a result of stress. I am expecting a outbreak any day now! LOL! My Dr. gave me some hormone (Prempro I think?) but it did absolutely nothing for the underlying issue nor the pain. Each case must be individual, as mine lasted for longer than a few days. Also, as noted, the topical creams didn't do anything for my case.

[bradley_osu]

Prempro!?!?!?

But yes as our dr. dave has pointed out the topical stuff as said will only help temporarily. From what it sounds like the initial outbreak is pretty much gone? If that's the case then I'd take something for temporary relief and see if the lingering goes away... if it hits the 30 or so day mark then that's talk to your doctor time.

And it's not allergic so no cortisone, benadryl etc. Like I said I heard from our patients and through several professors that the capsacin has some relief but it certainly will not cure anything.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Prempro!?!?!?

But yes as our dr. dave has pointed out the topical stuff as said will only help temporarily. From what it sounds like the initial outbreak is pretty much gone? If that's the case then I'd take something for temporary relief and see if the lingering goes away... if it hits the 30 or so day mark then that's talk to your doctor time.

And it's not allergic so no cortisone, benadryl etc. Like I said I heard from our patients and through several professors that the capsacin has some relief but it certainly will not cure anything.

I thought that was it. Maybe not. I know Prempro is estrogen replacement therapy. I can't remember.

Oh, BTW isn't there prescription medication that you can take that will shorten the length and lessen the severity, but it must be given in the first 24 hours? Or am I yet again confused?

Is capsaicin a drug or an herbal remedy? They advertise the crap out of that stuff in the form on brand name Calogel on Sirius radio. It will cure obesity, sinusitis, migraines, cluster headaches, PMS, etc according to their idiotic commercials. I tell you, if heard that nonsense while I was in the middle of a cluster headache, I would kick the announcer square in the nutz!

Edit : Oh ya, forgot to second the Shingles? Ewwwww! statement. That is exactly what I said to my Doctor. Something about shingles made me feel really dirty. Finding out it was Herps made me feel even dirtier!

[Ed62]

I don't know much about shingles, but my wife had them last year. It's definitely not a fun thing to have. Hope you get over them qwickly, Skytooner.

[COLOR=black]Is capsaicin a drug or an herbal remedy?

Isn't that the stuff that makes hot peppers hot?

Ed

[whitecobra]

Would love to know what he REALLY gave you Jeff
I SURE hope it wasn't Prempro

There are lots of meds out there that help Herpes but NOT shingles

The BIG problem with the drugs that work well on genital or oral herpes is they are TERRIBLY liver toxic

Dr Dave

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Would love to know what he REALLY gave you Jeff
I SURE hope it wasn't Prempro

There are lots of meds out there that help Herpes but NOT shingles

The BIG problem with the drugs that work well on genital or oral herpes is they are TERRIBLY liver toxic

Dr Dave

I'll find out tomorrow. My wife agrees it was not Prempro (which I agree sounds crazy, but that was what I am thinking).

This is what I think I was referring to with the first 24 hour thing . . .

"Antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Zovirex), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) offer substantial relief and significantly reduce the duration of symptoms for most affected individuals. Starting an antiviral medication within 72 hours of the first sign of a shingles attack is generally recommended to help speed healing and possibly reduce the risk of developing complications"

[Jeffrey Schronce]

It was Prednisone. Sorry for the confusion! Now if I can just explain these breasts I am growing . . . . LOL!

[Stytooner]

my husband!!

Stytoner says I need to introduce myself...
My name is Jan....I am the shipping clerk-secretary-shark guard assembler...yes I am the one who uses way too much packing tape.......I make sure your Shark Guards arrive safe and sound!!

I have rubbed his forehead and scalp with 'band aid...rhuegel'..This procedure makes his head feel different.(his words, I think he just likes me rubbing his head!).

BandAid Rhulegel is what I buy for poison Oak and poison Ivy.
He says it burns,,,but it doesn't itch anymore!!!!

My mother has had shingles of the forehead/scalp and this is her remedy.

His blisters have healed...
OMG I think this has to be the something out of the Bible as some sort of curse. Isn't there someting in there about blisters and rotting flesh.....???? oh good grief..never mind..

I am taking stytooner to the doctor tomorrow.
I'm telling the Doctor what I have done for him and asking him if there is something else he can give him........PLZ..PLZ...PLZ...to put him out of his pain.

He is sooo miserable....but he is still making these darn Shark Guards.....You all are some lucky guys...(he can't seem to load the dish washer)

Plz pray for Lee(and for his shipping clerk)..tks a bunch..Jan

[TheRic]

Welcome to the family Jan. You should get your own account, then you wouldn't have to steal his. I think you will fit in nicely!!