I know a friend who had the shingles just last month...she had to go to the Dr. and was given a shot and some meds...she's fine now!!

Gabapentin is a non narcotic pain reliever for nerve pain. You will have to get a prescription from your dr. It really works well. It takes a couple of days to build up in your system, but once it does RELIEF! You can also try cold or ice packs. Do ask your dr about Gabapentin. I hope you feel better soon. I had it on my face/eyelid about 10 years ago.

I had shingles a few months ago. Had the vaccine and thought I was safe. Fortunately, I had a mild case but the pain was terrible until I got to the dr. and started taking the medicine. You can check with your Health Dept. Some of them have the vaccine, very reasonable, because a lot of the insurances will not cover the cost.

I had shingles a year ago, and was screaming with the pain. It was like spasms that would last 1-2 minutes, felt like being pinched with hot pliers. Then it would go away for a while, maybe an hour or two, unpredictable, then spasm again. Would wake me up with the pain.

Now, a firm touch is good, but a light touch (fabric, etc.) causes itching that scratching won't help.

Be sure to stay away from pregnant women when the blisters are open. -can cause birth defects.

i had them last year....very uncomfortable. Didn't realize it was shingles until it was too late for any medication. I used ice packs and that helped alot.

the chicken pox virus lays dormant forever!! I didn't think I had chicken pox either but a doctor told me different, I had shingles at age 57, and is derived form the dormant chicken pox virus.

the doctor gave me something for the itch, and it is spreadable as well, so best to stay home for a few days, best to go see a doctor as well.

Now I just read something from here, I thought it was a one time thing! after you have them the first time, you don't have them again. interesting!

It's my understanding that you get the shingles, and herpes simplex outbreaks when you are generally run down or over exposed to stress on your body. You must be careful that they don't spread into your eyes, so be quite careful there. L - lysine taken regularly took the sting out of the herpes that I regularly get on my face if I have been exposed to too much sunlight. Some people used to call them 'cold sores' and both are derived from varied strains of the chicken pox virus to the best of my knowledge. I would go to a doctor post-haste.

I had shingles recently and my dr recommended the "vaccine"; it is not a true vaccine so some insurances don't cover it. It will not prevent some varieties of the illness. I shall get it; anything to avoid that pain. By the way, an anti-viral med must be taken within the first week to kill the virus...but the pain goes on.

Yes my mother was old when she had it and my daughter was three. It takes time to heel and is very sore. Have patience and try not to touch the affected area.

There are two ladies in my quilt group that have shingles now. One has been in such pain it's close to a year now. The other lady has not had as much pain and after about 6 months is back to her old self. I feel for you.
Do have a good Doctor?