I had them nine years ago and am reminded daily. They started under my breast around through my shoulder blades and met again where they started. I was also on Valtrex and Vicodin for the pain. I have not had the blisters again just the itching and annoying pain. The doctor said it was the nerve endings that were attacked, wanted to give me medication for the pain but it does not last very long at any given time, just starts and stops through out the day.I have gotten use to it as part of my life. I have heard some people have gotten them much worse. I also got the shingle shot after I had the shingles, I went to my local health dept. as the insurance company would not pay for it and it is very expensive.