I have had shingles. I contracted them when I was in my 20's. I never had chicken pox as a child. I had 2 bouts of them. When I was in my late 20's the chicken pox vaccine came out. I talked to my doctor about it and he said I didn't need to get it because I had had Shingles. Well, when I was early 30's I got Chicken Pox!! (I was a nurse and a patient had shingles)
Are you seing a doctor? He can prescribe pain medication for you. It can take a long time for the pain and discomfort to subside because the shingles follow a nerve. I know that when I had my outbreak, I was given what I believe to have been a steroid cream and that helped dry them up. Did I mention that my shingles outbread was on my face under my left eye? Weird place, Dr. was baffled!!
I believe that there is a shingles vaccine now, check with your doctor.