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.

Bless your heart... I hope the pain goes away real soon.. I know that it is extremely painful, as my brother had them and he suffered so very much. His was on one side of his face and in his eye...

I've had the shingles vaccine, and just hope it prevents my getting them...

Blessings on you...

I have been told that once you have had shingles, the vaccine does no good. If you haven't had them, I cannot encourage you enough to get it ..... anything to avoid this horrible disease.

Forgot to tell you... my FIL had them, and used a vibrator on them. He said it helped relieve the pain. I don't know if I would recommend that, but it helped him.... Hugs...

I had them about 2 1/2 years ago. I also had an ear infection and the flu at the same time. They were mainly on my neck. The doctor hospitalized me for 3 days, until I was no longer infectious. I do not know what medication was given. As far as pain, maybe I was lucky and didn't have any to speak of. The one issue I did have was I had a hard time holding up my head for about a week. I didn't have chicken pox until I was 27, and my shingles when I was 49. Where the shingles were located on my neck, it took away the pigmentation in my skin. I have patches that are albino white.

When my mom had her shingles they were on her butt and hip. She also was suffering from sciatica. She was miserable.

I see that they are now offering vaccination to prevent shingles at some pharmacies where I live. If you have them, I'm sorry, it's too late. But for those of you who haven't, I would go get the preventative shot.

I was told this is only 50% reliable (better than nothing I guess). My elderly neighbor has suffered with shingles and ice packs helped with the pain and itching. Good luck to you.

My DGS had shingles when he was about 4. Talk about an unhappy child. The doctor told me it was in the chicken pox family, something about the nerves. He had red welts all along the nerves in his back. Doctor had us give motrin and tylenol for pain but said just had to run it's course. Sorry you feel so bad. Hope you get better soon.

My first time I had them was back in 1998. Didn't know what I had, but first I had a red rash that followed a line of nerves in my back, they were itchy at first, then a few days later, they started to hurt enough, I went to the emergence that night and yeppers had shingles...The doctor told me at the time, that I was luck that I had come in when I did as they were continualing to travel the nerve path and were heading into a full circle from back to front (which by the way can possibly kill you if the circle is complete) Wow I was scared. So pain meds, and some kinda of cream was given...I don't remember how long it took for them to go away...Then for the next 3years at around the same month I got them the first time, they came back. So for about 4 years after that I had nothing...Then suddenly 2009 I got them again, but this time, I got them on the bottom inside of my feet. Wow didn't know they would go there...There is a vacine for shingles, and I was told that even though you have had them, you should get the shot. I feel for you....good luck on a fast healing

Had them twice and you need to get to a doctor. The longer you wait the harder it is to get rid of them and they are definitely painful. The second time I got them I got to the doctor the next day and it went away quickly. The cream they have is great, but must be obtained by prescription only. Feel so bad for you, they are not fun. Good luck.

For cold sores, chicken pox, shingles, try L-Lysine it is an amino acid and you can buy it at almost any store which sells vitamins (Safeway, Walmart, Raley's, King Soopers, CVS, etc., etc.) We take 500 mg 3-4 times a day when we first realize what's going on. If I start taking them at the first signs of a cold sore beginning I can almost totally avoid getting a cold sore. I gave them to my daughter when she was in the 5th grade and had chicken pox. The chicken pox began to dry up and scab over almost immediately. My husband had an outbreak of shingles and took them, ended up being a 'minor' outbreak.

i just had a spot break out near my right ear on my face. the Doctor said it might be shingles. i've had the shot. i have one spot of herpes near my tailbone on my back and it breaks out once a year.
for this face spot i put on Cortisone 10 several times a day and it helped the itch a lot. never did take my medication. the cortisone 10 seemed to help enough. took over a week to go away.

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?

I had them years ago. I found that 800mg of ibubrophren worked better than the pain mess the doctor prescribed. I hope you find some relief soon.

I got the shingles November '09 and after seeing my doctor (who gave me some meds) I googled shingles. During my research I found some things I could try and I found some that actually worked for me. Since shingles affects the nerve endings, I took supplements that would help - Vitamin B1 (the type that melts under the tongue), L-lysine and B-complex. These really helped me. But I did have a milder case as I had taken the vaccine 10 months before I contracted the shingles.

My mom and husband have both had shingles. Mom is still having problems from a year ago. Her doctor gave her medication.
My husband will not go to the doctor...he took turmeric (yes the spice) capsules 3 times a day the bottle says 2 capsules once a day so he tripled his dose it worked. If you believe in using herbs Swanson carries this cheaper than Walgreens

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis...-turmeric.html

google Turmeric and find plenty others

GO TO THE DOCTOR. I have had the vacine, but that is no guarantee they will not pop up some day.

I had them when I was 15 and I'm in my late 50s now. I had them on my chest, my breast bone all the way around to my spine. Nothing the drs. could do except let it run it's course, thank God for the medicines today.

Yes, had them when I was between 4 & 5 yrs old! For whatever reason hid it from anyone until my sister saw it then went and told my Mom who rushed me to the ER. I still remember the pain and have the scars to remind me.

I had them last year.... oh, the pain. I went to dermatoligist and he prescribed a pill..don't remember the name of it though. I feel really sorry for you. I had a mild case and caught it really early and it was REALLY painful. Mine were on my face and on my eye lids. I got a cream for that from my eye doctor. Best wishes.... and here is a great big gentle hug for you.

Lots of good advice here. My husband and several others in family have had them. I had C.P. as a child but got the vaccine after my husband contracted the Shingles. The only thing I would add to your advice is when my sister-in-law had them, her Dr suggested applying Listerine topically and it helped. It has to be full strength, original Listerine, not "flavored" etc. It seems to help...hope it can assist you as well. Good luck.

I had them years ago after I had cared for my Dad who was dying of cancer. Luckily I went to the Dr. early and I wasn't in too much pain. Have you contacted your Dr. and are on the medication to clear it up??? Also mention pain so they can prescribe something. It's been 15 years since I had them so don't remember too much!!! Once this clears up get the shingles shot so hopefully they won't come back ever!!!!!

Had them a few years ago, YIKES they hurt a lot!!! Had them in my right eye scary. Had a friend who had them three times after he got the shot never had them again :)