Has anyone suffered with Shingles? Is there any source of relief? I am in constant pain.

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.

My mother had them once and unfortunately they have to run their course. Can your doctor give you a low dose pain pill?

Sorry to hear you have them, they are not fun at all!

Regretfully I had them last summer along my chin, cheek and in my hair. I couldn't stand for my hair to move at all and had headaches for months and months.

I had to take a "shingles" medicine right away (was way way expensive :() to help keep them to a minimum (so they said). Was also on lortab for the pain if that gives you any idea of what they prescribe for it. I was quarantined from work for a week as a couple people there hadn't had chicken pox yet. (There went my vacation time)

Hate that you have them ... it is along the nerve endings and because people can't "see" them after the rash fades, they don't realize how painful they can continue to be.

It's been a year since I had them (last June) and I still have the "itches" along my jaw line and they can't say how long that will last....at least it's not the pain. Don't think you're crazy if you "feel" stuff for a long time.

Wishing you the very very best and a quick recovery. Sadly I don't have any "relief" miracles for you...wish I did.

Valtrex by prescription and L Lysine from the natural food store or vitamin section at WalMart and other retailers. 500 mg a day for maintainence - 1500 mg when a flare occurs.

Shingles have a way of never leaving your body and reoccurring often after you are 50. Those of you who haven't had the vaccine should look into it. I'm nort sure about the vaccine if you have the shingles. My doctor says to get it, but I haven't.

The nerve pain is excruciating at times and the side effects can be serious. 15 years ago, the ones on my face went into my eye and detached a retina. That's when Vatrex became my best friend.

I hope you can get yours under control. I haven't had a flare in several years. No Valtrex now, but yes to the daily Lysine.

I have been give pain patches and pain medication. I did not have a rash and it has taken 5 months and mulit test and lots of pain to finally diagnosis my problem. As a child I had chicken poxs and as an adult I have had the Shingles Shot. And I still suffer. Thank you for letting me know that this does run its course. My pain in under the left arm that radiates toward my back and stomach. It is next to impossible to wear a bra for any extended time(over 2 hours) without complete misery.
I continue to suffer. My quality of life is far below par.

It has been about 12 years since I had them, but they really had nothing much for the pain then. I actually had the pain before I had the break out and they kept misdiagnosing me. The only relief I got was putting a Mercurichrome or iodine wash on it. That was prescribed. But then I had to put clothes on and go to work and every time I moved ..... I had other complications that have a long term consequences, but nothing like that pain. Time is the best healer, unfortunately. I wish I could be more uplifting, but do know it does pass. Valerie

I had them when I was about 11-12 in the 50's. I had it on my neck on the right side under my ear. I don't rememeber pain but it sure itched. My mother had to make a sulfur paste and slapped it on there every morning. None of my classmate would sit near me for about 2 weeks but couldn't blame them....I flat out stunk.

Good luck. Hope the meds help!

Yes, there is a shingles vaccine now.